:iagree:

Oh yes. Definitely.

I buy lots of technology stuff, which of course changes constantly. My advice (for what it's worth) is two-fold..

Rule 1: Unless you know or strongly suspect that a significant update is coming - end of model year, etc. - buy it now.

Rule 2. Buy the best / biggest you can afford. That is, don't buy the 32GB iPod if there's a 64GB available now. That way, your product will (hopefully) be somewhat less obsolete when the new one comes out.

Rule 3: if a new model just came out, buy now.

This is such a PITA, for us Apple whores, there's a website..

Mac Buyer's Guide: Know When to Buy Your Mac, iPod or iPhone

It's easier with Apple, though, because they sort of stick to a schedule. It's not foolproof, though. On this one, for example, they say "iPhone: Don't buy - updates soon." Well, yeah, but not for like six months (probably). Of course, it's up to you to decide if halfway through a product lifecycle is "soon" or not.

For the X5, we know the new one isn't coming until AT LEAST 2014. My 2011 will probably have 100K miles by then so it would be TIME for a new one.

BMW though.. Not so much. I'm glad they frequently refresh their product, but I am not used to someone making substantial changes in the middle of a model year. I am used to a car maker introducing changes with a NEW model, not "well, we made four changes to the 35i Premium in the 2011 model year." It's not.. comforting.

A good friend of mine who also buys lots of tech crap is one of those "don't buy anything now. Wait." with the result that so much of his stuff is so obsolete it's useless (won't work with the new stuff).

One slight comfort is that while the PACE of changes is EXTREMELY rapid, the trend tends to be that a new version of a product is usually only a minor change. This is why, for example, I can keep a MacBook Pro for at least two years before a genuine "new model" comes around.

I can set my 2010 model next to my 2009 model and they are virtually indistinguishable on the outside or even when you open the lid. There are faster guts in it, but even still it's not a DRAMATIC change.

(no, don't ask why I bought a new one anyway..)

Cars, thankfully, don't change QUITE so often. I might have bought a used X5, but by Rule 3 (above) I couldn't go wrong.

It's true - you can't win this game. I didn't know that there would be new entertainment options. I MIGHT have waited, but by Rule 2, I hedged the bet a little bit - heeded Rule 1 - and I'm still happy.

The additional qualifier for automotive technology is that Rule 3 involves significant risk of first year problems. Most new computers work fine. With new models of vehicles, the first year of production will always have additional issues. Bleeding edgers don't mind, but others should know what they are getting in to. When the 3.0tt came out, I just made sure that I bought the first production of year 2. My X5 was 2003, the last (and most reliable) of the pre-LCI models. I wouldn't have bought a 2004, even though they were only six months away. I wasn't in the market for one, but I wouldn't have bought a 2007 X5, and won't buy a 2011 X3.

Well, apparently the X5's built from March forward will have the Corona LED rings and the new BMW software for your Idrive that is App friendly. If that's worth waiting, go right ahead. I agree with the last few statements. I buy a new vehicle every 2-3 years. When I do, I do not skimp on options and try to get the most loaded one I can afford. Usually works well for me.

So, back at the 'When is the 2012 Model Year' ranch, we have not heard back from the OP on why he is so curious about the '12 MY order time...

Was inquiring myself and was told March...LED halo's and other goodies included.

Announced ? Er, I don't think so. Bmw never makes such forward looking statements. I agree we probably won't see it in the e70 for the USA market for many reasons. Although, its possible it comes. Automotive market constantly changes so it depends on what the competition is up to, although the diesel market not so much, as its still pretty new for USA.

Also rumors of a 45d on the horizon too.

Weird CW...so do the mkting mavens call that a 2012, or a 2011 and a Qtr? ;)

Makes sense to me: order your new car in March, get it in April or May, and it's a '2012'. :rofl:

Ah, geniuses at work, while most of the other important stuff/fixes/gizmo re-dos are still floating around in the 'committee meetings'.

Just posted some info about 6NR. This *should be coming on the E70 ... April.*

One of the car rags I was reading a few weeks ago mentioned that the 4.0d isn't 50 state legal. That's probably why it won't make it here.

Just tried to order a 2011 x5 this weekend and was told it would not arrive until April and would be a 2012 model. Main upgrade is the iPod integration.