How accurate is BMWs order tracking?
 

I just got a production number from my dealer for my new X5 and when I logged into the order tracking system it is unsurprisingly in the "on order" state.

What alarmed me however was that when I went and looked under "Review Order Detail" the options were not the ones I had specified to the dealer! For example I had asked for comfort seats and they are not on my order, I had not asked for running boards and they are on my order etc.

I have a call into my dealer, but I was wondering if the order tracking system is inaccurate (which seems plain odd to me)

short answer-not very. The most up to date is the 800#, where you can speak with a real person who will give you current status.
If I still had the number, I would give it to you. :(

The options shown on the site should be accurate, though. Check with your dealer and BMWNA on that.

The toll free number is 800 831 1117. Mine is the same thing, the web does not show the right status and all the options that I ordered. One thing I did was I demanded the actual order printout from the dealer to make sure that they ordered the right options. Could not take the chance of another screw up. My X5 came last month but I did not take ownership since it was missing the 3rd row seat. They placed another order and to make sure they got it right this time, they sent me a printout of the order with the production number. The printout does not match with the options on the web so I'm assuming that it was just not updated. But for peace of mind, I will call the 800 number tomorrow to make sure that the right options are on the order.

My experience shows that the initial info if you log on immediately after getting the production number from the dealer is not accurate. You have to allow at least a day to elapse before things catch up. Calling the 800 number produces more timely results!

I've had one option missing from the web site list (rear entertainment system). I've called a dealer who verified the configuration in the computer. Everything was fine when the car came in.

As for the status, mine seemed correct. It was "On order" up until the production week. Then it went to "production". I've never seen the last couple of steps though, just got a call from the dealer that the car came in.

This definitely seems to be the case (and was confirmed by my dealer). He emailed my the order he has submitted and it is definitely different from what I was/am seeing on the order tracking system. I am curious to see what the lag is until it gets updated online