X5/X5M Individual question
 

Hello,

I am a new member here but like most of you have been lurking around for quite a while. Loving the forum and I look forward to becoming an active member.

Now on to the question, I am in the process of ordering an X5M in Carbon Black with a Platinum Merino Leather interior and Piano Black trim. According to the BMW X5M Individual brochure this combination should be no problem to execute. But after 2 weeks of inquiry and dealing with BMWNA I have finally heard back from them and it is a no go. I will put in the pertaining email excerpts but was wondering what the rest of the board thought of their reasoning? Has anyone encountered this issue? Should I ask another BMW dealership to see if they can do anything? Any help is greatly appreciated!

Thank you, UAV

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EMAIL EXCERPTS
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Good Morning Gentlemen,
I have received a response back from National Sales. Here it is:
Unfortunately, the Platinum upholstery is not available on the X5 M.
Regards,
Steve
Western Region Distribution



Good Morning,
This outcome is incredibly disappointing for a couple of reasons: 1)
This is an option that is being presented to other countries and being
manufactured at the same plant; and 2) The client has been waiting for a
response since the first of September and will be extremely disappointed
with our answer.
Thanks,
Mike
General Sales Manager



Hi Mike,
I completely understand the disappointment! Unfortunately, there's
nothing that can be done. Here's the reason why it's not feasible from
BMW Individual:

"I was told that this specific Individual upholstery is not possible for
The US Market.
Because the Individual seat seam construction is not tested. (Crash test
necessary)"

To further address your first point, some options are available in some
countries and not in the US because of several reasons not easily
apparent to customer including Government homologation, options
combinations that required other options not available here and/or
options that do not conform to warranty requirements which only saves
the customer later hassle.

I hope it all works out well and the customer is understanding!

Steve

..um, "Because the Individual seat seam construction is not tested" So if a guy can have "untested" custom trim you can't have "untested" but fully functional seats.
And i thought the individual line made miricles happen. Just doesn't sound right.
Not sure if asking another dealer would work, since it did go to BMWNA right?

I wouldn't pursue that particular leather colour, as you already have the factory answer. There are lots of options built at that plant that you can't buy in the US because they are not certified, all the way up to the 40d engine.

What I would do is ask them what they can come up with that is close. How about Silverstone, Palladium Silver, or Platinum Novillo? All are offered in North America on other Individual Series vehicles. I am sure there are other alternatives as well.

Dking05, very insightful analysis of their reasoning :D

JCL, I have been disappointed all day long thinking that there were no options for me but your suggestion has revived me. Just gave my dealership a call and they are looking at what other options would satisfy what I am looking for!