FWIW here is the detailed info on our 2009 X5 35d delivered to Central Texas. The numbered steps are taken from screen dumps of the info available to BMW dealers / sales people. Note that I knew the actual "build date" of 8/4/09 the day I ordered the 35d (IIRC 7/11/09).

150 - Production started = 7/24
151 - Entry body shop = 7/28
152 - Entry paint shop = 7/29
"in paint shop" 7/31 @ 8am (via 800#)
"in paint shop" 8/1 @ 12pm (via 800#)
153 - Entry assembly = 8/4
154 - Assembly finish / quality check = 8/4
"being transported to port of exit" @ 9am (via 800#)
"released to a carrier..." @ 11am (via 800#)
Arrived at dealer = 8/8 PM (very late on a Sat.)
Ready for delivery = 8/11PM (after OEM hitch install & front window tint)
Actual delivery = 8/12 AM

Note: "150 - Production started" on the BMW dealer site is roughly equivalent to "Scheduled for Production" on the BMWUSA customer site. There was a 4 day delay between 150 and 151 when physical production actually started. And a 4-5 day delay between 152 and 153 when the painted body shell waited on the overhead stacker for a turn on the assembly line. These are the big variables in the time to build an X5. The actual "construction" only takes 36 hours.

Funf Dreisig

p.s. In case it is not obvious...
All that detailed tracking info, while entertaining, was only valuable to confirm that my X5 would be in the overhead stacker when its "production date" finally arrived. The fact that some stages occurred earlier than absolutely necessary did not indicate that it would be 'built early" :(

Wishful thinking or just a point to argue/learn from.

Excellent post/answer. Thanx

Week 45 is Nov 2nd....