New car ordering help please

[adaM3]

I have an X3 on order but I want to change the spec from tech pack, to tech pack high. The order is due to lock in any day now, for delivery hopefully in March. My sales guy has advised that the change is quite chip heavy and subsequently could push me to the back of the queue - or it might not. No way of knowing until you try, and once you lose the build slot you lose the build slot.

Anyone got any opinions on this???

Adam

[un1eash]

Exactly as dealer has said, they have no control over this. I did the same with my M135i, added HUD last minute but luckily didn't lose my build slot. Girl at the dealership said she changed the colour of her car and it got moved back a few weeks. It's a gamble.

[adaM3]

Mad, colour is the one thing you think wouldn't change it!

I wouldn't mind if it got pushed back a few weeks, but confirmed build slots are precious. If it goes to the back of the queue who know's when that will be, could then keep getting pushed back further and further.

Oh man I don't know!!!!

[d_a_n1979]

adaM3 said:

Mad, colour is the one thing you think wouldn't change it!

I wouldn't mind if it got pushed back a few weeks, but confirmed build slots are precious. If it goes to the back of the queue who know's when that will be, could then keep getting pushed back further and further.

Oh man I don't know!!!!

The question for me would be can I live with the decision I've already made spec-wise, or will I kick myself for not getting the spec I wanted?!

Personally I'd get the spec I want and develop a thick skin when it comes to patience and hope for the best...

You may end up kicking yourself, as said above, for not getting the spec you really would like...!

[adaM3]

d_a_n1979 said:

The question for me would be can I live with the decision I've already made spec-wise, or will I kick myself for not getting the spec I wanted?!

Personally I'd get the spec I want and develop a thick skin when it comes to patience and hope for the best...

You may end up kicking yourself, as said above, for not getting the spec you really would like...!

That's what is making it hard. I spec'd what I wanted, and I'm really pleased with that spec, but I was thinking that in terms of residual value and/or desirability, the driver aids that come with tech pack high are quite sort after. Having said that, for me personally they are options I can live without. I think. lol, I thought i'd found my answer but now I'm still in doubt!!!

[d_a_n1979]

adaM3 said:

d_a_n1979 said:

The question for me would be can I live with the decision I've already made spec-wise, or will I kick myself for not getting the spec I wanted?!

Personally I'd get the spec I want and develop a thick skin when it comes to patience and hope for the best...

You may end up kicking yourself, as said above, for not getting the spec you really would like...!

That's what is making it hard. I spec'd what I wanted, and I'm really pleased with that spec, but I was thinking that in terms of residual value and/or desirability, the driver aids that come with tech pack high are quite sort after. Having said that, for me personally they are options I can live without. I think. lol, I thought i'd found my answer but now I'm still in doubt!!!

If you've gone with your initial spec and you're happy with that, STICK with that IMO

If the higher spec is more of a 'nice to have' leave it be and go for that the next time you spec a new car & build

[gregch]

d_a_n1979 said:

If you've gone with your initial spec and you're happy with that, STICK with that IMO

If the higher spec is more of a 'nice to have' leave it be and go for that the next time you spec a new car & build

+1 wot he said.

If you're happy with its current spec for your own purposes, and the build slot is looking certain and spec list complete, I'd stick with it. We're by no means out of the woods yet with semiconductor supply issues, and while it's possible it'll just push the build back, it's also possible more tech features could still be deleted from your build... so you might end up without the additional tech anyway... that's still how it is with 4 Series, AFAIK; to be fair I don't know if the X3 is less significantly affected, but worth being aware of the possibility.

Edited by gregch on Monday 10th January 16:17

[adaM3]

I left it yesterday, so I suspect it's been locked in by now. Hopefully anyway - exciting times!!!!

[adaM3]

as an aside, are we still requested new cars NOT to be washed??

[d_a_n1979]

adaM3 said:

as an aside, are we still requested new cars NOT to be washed??

To what end?

[adaM3]

d_a_n1979 said:

To what end?

So I only need to pay my car guy to wash it properly, and not to polish out all the dealer swirl marks?

I wouldn't want to offend the dealer however by making such a request and get off on the wrong foot

Edited by adaM3 on Tuesday 11th January 13:53

Edited by adaM3 on Tuesday 11th January 13:55

[nickfrog]

adaM3 said:

So I only need to pay my car guy to wash it properly, and not to polish out all the dealer swirl marks?

I wouldn't want to offend the dealer however by making such a request and get off on the wrong foot

I think they're used to it by now and less work for them. When I got the M135i they hadn't touched it and even left the transport tape and foam etc...

No swirls was a bonus.

[hilly10]

I went to purchase a X3 in Sep they could not guarantee what ever spec I wanted, in fact one item Harmon Kardon looked doubtful, also it looked like it could be eight months away. I was not prepared to wait that long so I looked around and with the dealers help managed a three month old 2.5k miles ex demo in mostly the spec I wanted HUD, M Sport Pro pack, Visibility, HK and a few others, £52k new, mine for £43k

[un1eash]

Depends how the OP is financing their purchase, if on PCP then new is nearly always cheaper then nearly new due to APR rates and discounts.

[liner33]

Not sure about the no washing as this is how my M4 arrived at the dealer, I asked for a light clean which they did and added no swirls etc





I think it very much depends on your plans the car , for me laser lights and tech pack were a must and driving the loaner M4 yesterday while mine was in for service reminded me how much i use the tech pack and I would have regretted not getting it .

I heard rumours that lots of features are being dropped from many models ie touchscreen nav, apple car play and others due to the ongoing chip shortage so might be worth adding that into your considerations and speaking to your advisor

[adaM3]

Yesterday I decided I'd not change the spec anymore, today I'm not so sure.

I've got the options I really want; tech pack, comfort pack, park assist, pan roof, carbon, M seats... the driver assist advance would just be a nice to have, really nice to have. But if I lost the build slot, I think I'd be more gutted than I would be getting the car in March/April without a little radar on the front...

[NelsonM3]

adaM3 said:

Yesterday I decided I'd not change the spec anymore, today I'm not so sure.

I've got the options I really want; tech pack, comfort pack, park assist, pan roof, carbon, M seats... the driver assist advance would just be a nice to have, really nice to have. But if I lost the build slot, I think I'd be more gutted than I would be getting the car in March/April without a little radar on the front...

I’d just change it. What’s another month when you’re waiting 6+ anyway.

[adaM3]

NelsonM3 said:

adaM3 said:

Yesterday I decided I'd not change the spec anymore, today I'm not so sure.

I've got the options I really want; tech pack, comfort pack, park assist, pan roof, carbon, M seats... the driver assist advance would just be a nice to have, really nice to have. But if I lost the build slot, I think I'd be more gutted than I would be getting the car in March/April without a little radar on the front...

I’d just change it. What’s another month when you’re waiting 6+ anyway.

I wish it was that simple. Salesman has said it may not change the build date, it may change it by a few weeks, or it may push it to the back of the queue. Even the back of the queue would be fine in a normal situation, but with the semi conductor issue supposedly worsening, the back of the queue could mean months and months, all the time more and more options/features being dropped from the build owing to a shortage of chips. They have already pulled digital key and wireless charging.

[d_a_n1979]

adaM3 said:

Yesterday I decided I'd not change the spec anymore

Stick with that decision; as said, if you change it and it does end up at the back of the queue you'll kick yourself...

You've made the decision, stick with it and let it be lesson learned for next time

[adaM3]

Ha ha thanks, no lesson to be learned... I was always adding spec to a previously ordered car, cancelled by the original purchaser. I was lucky to get my first changes in without impact on the build slot. Chances are this option may have been fine too, it's just dealer said with it being quite a chip heavy option I may not be so lucky with this one. Put the wind up me a bit!