My car went status 150 as of yesterday... they started building my baby :alright

Nice, Kev! What color did you go with, again?

steel gray / cinnamon :D

Oooooohhhh, nice! :aroused:

yeah, you should have seen me dancing around my office when i heard it started production... :D

Got any pics of an M3 in those colors??? Sounds gorgeous!

outside

inside

Awesome, dude, awesome!!! :buttrock

I love that they put a black floor in there, which is where it will get dirtiest and would show more often on a light colored floor, etc.

nice! :clap:

Originally posted by SilverStreak
I love that they put a black floor in there, which is where it will get dirtiest and would show more often on a light colored floor, etc.

Yeah, after I ordered it I started freaking out cause I thought about a dirty tan floor (the extended leather package comes with a tan floor I believe. Luckily, standard tan only comes with tan seats and door panels.

Nice choice in colors! Are those the wheels you're getting? If so, what's the brand/size of them?

Congrats Kevlar, have you driven the E46M3. I think the suspension is 2 loose. my $.02

Originally posted by fattrapper
Nice choice in colors! Are those the wheels you're getting? If so, what's the brand/size of them?

The ones in the first picture are BBS CH... 19x8.5 up front and 19x10 rear.

have you driven the E46M3. I think the suspension is 2 loose. my $.02

Never driven one... unfortunately, down here... dealers don't offer test drives. They say "If you want an M3... you already know what you are getting into" :mad:

Is the suspension what makes the ride feel bumpy? The thing I noticed right away after driving the E46 M3 is how sensitive the car was to the road. I always thought it was the 18 inch wheels. This is one of the reasons I will not be getting 19 inchers. Maybe it's a combination of both...suspension and wheel size.

Originally posted by fattrapper
Is the suspension what makes the ride feel bumpy? The thing I noticed right away after driving the E46 M3 is how sensitive the car was to the road. I always thought it was the 18 inch wheels. This is one of the reasons I will not be getting 19 inchers. Maybe it's a combination of both...suspension and wheel size.

I have the 18's on my car but I think the suspension is set 2 soft.

Originally posted by fattrapper
Is the suspension what makes the ride feel bumpy? The thing I noticed right away after driving the E46 M3 is how sensitive the car was to the road. I always thought it was the 18 inch wheels. This is one of the reasons I will not be getting 19 inchers. Maybe it's a combination of both...suspension and wheel size.

The #1 thing that makes a car feel rough is the shocks. #2 is the bushings, and #3 is the sway bars.

Its much more the suspension than the tires.

And everyone will have their own subjective take on what is too soft or too hard.

Coming from a Mustang GT, my Z3 rides perfect, firm, but not too firm, and much softer than my GT ever did. My wife drives an Acura CL Type S, she thinks my Z3 rides too hard.... go figure...

very nice man. SMG right?

Originally posted by BJO
very nice man. SMG right?

Nope, I choose not to get SMG. I've heard mixed reviews about it's use on the street. On the track everybody says it's awesome, but for the street it may take away from some of the fun on the street... like eliminating the things you shouldn't do with a clutch, but you do anyway... :devillook

And, without having first hand experience of driving one first (stupid dealers :mad: ) ... I decided to stick with the evil that I know...

Originally posted by Kevlar


Yeah, after I ordered it I started freaking out cause I thought about a dirty tan floor (the extended leather package comes with a tan floor I believe. Luckily, standard tan only comes with tan seats and door panels.

Hey Kev,

Could you clarify the above statement....what extended leather package? Are you talking about the premium package? When I go to the BMW site and do a "build your own", first thing I notice is that cinn is not a color option....so I assume this was a special order. If I did steel gray/Imola red it says "leather"....I go to the options page and under the premium package it says Nappa leather.....I'm a bit confused. Is the only way to get leather is if you order the premium package....or is it standard and the premium package gets you a leather upgrade??? What kind of charge is it for the cinn leather option on steel gray?

thanks for the wannabe owner help. Awsome looking combo BTW.

What week are you officially noted as? I am WK 37 and I have not gone 150 yet. Arrrrhhh :mad:

oooh me too, everyone getting their 03 at once :-D im at status 111, awaiting production, only my production date is expected 10-18 :alright

Originally posted by KaCee


Hey Kev,

Could you clarify the above statement....what extended leather package? Are you talking about the premium package? When I go to the BMW site and do a "build your own", first thing I notice is that cinn is not a color option....so I assume this was a special order. If I did steel gray/Imola red it says "leather"....I go to the options page and under the premium package it says Nappa leather.....I'm a bit confused. Is the only way to get leather is if you order the premium package....or is it standard and the premium package gets you a leather upgrade??? What kind of charge is it for the cinn leather option on steel gray?

thanks for the wannabe owner help. Awsome looking combo BTW.

Check out this link...
http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=44904

You can see the two kinds of interiors there. It is not an option on the BMWUSA website... it's one of those things you would have to "know" about when you are ordering.

It was a special order... but I think for '03 cinnamon became available with steel gray interior. I told my salesman that I would not be paying $2k extra for a special color order... I warned him of that ahead of time.

Originally posted by DriveBy
What week are you officially noted as? I am WK 37 and I have not gone 150 yet. Arrrrhhh :mad:

And exactly how would I figure that out?

Status code definition is here => http://stl_don.home.att.net/status_codes.htm

I just call BMWNA (go through the IVR maze) and ask for a status check for my order. They are happy to give you an update.

When I first ordered, I double-checked my order against my salesperson's typing skills to confirm he ordered what I wanted.

FYI:
http://futures.wharton.upenn.edu/~bfr/pics/m3/statusm3.html

I moved to status 151 as of Saturday (woo hoo!) :D

Kevlar...

Opps..sorry

Damn...somethings wrong with my keyboard...sorry again.

Kevlar...a few questions:

1. Is the cinnamon an option for steel grey in 03 or was it special order.

2. I am trying to decided between cinnamon and imola. The digital pictures are hard to evaluate. The cinnamon appears to be a typical "tan". In various posts, the imola appears as a rather bright red yet, but at the dealer, the leather sample appears as a dark red. Could someone comment

3. The other thread never confirmed if the "extended leather" option is available.

thanks

I have the Imola interior. Its a darker red. In really bright light the pictures make it look brighter than it is.

Originally posted by jks32
Damn...somethings wrong with my keyboard...sorry again.

Kevlar...a few questions:

1. Is the cinnamon an option for steel grey in 03 or was it special order.

2. I am trying to decided between cinnamon and imola. The digital pictures are hard to evaluate. The cinnamon appears to be a typical "tan". In various posts, the imola appears as a rather bright red yet, but at the dealer, the leather sample appears as a dark red. Could someone comment

3. The other thread never confirmed if the "extended leather" option is available.

thanks

1. It's not available on BMW's website... but my salesman said it wouldn't be a special 2k order. I told him I would not be paying $2k over sticker for a custom order...

2. Imola is a darker red. I'll attach it here... http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=46830

3. I've only sen pictures, never seen one in person to verify if it's available as an option or not.

Cinnamon is more of a red clay/brown color where-as IR is RED-end of story. Cinnamon was a standard color prior to '02 and IR was a special order ($2000), but is a standard color this year.

Someone has to get CB/IR. Can't believe I haven't seen that yet. Ti/IR is nice too.

hey Congrats Kev.. thats great!

Cinnamon is more of a red clay/brown color where-as IR is RED-end of story. Cinnamon was a standard color prior to '02 and IR was a special order ($2000), but is a standard color this year.


Have you seen these in person???
The dealer has 6" leather samples. The Cinnamon seems more of a deep tan, while the Imola was a more of a light burgundy.
I like the darker red but not "RED"

Status 152 as of this morning 9/10/02 ... :D

Originally posted by Kevlar
Status 152 as of this morning 9/10/02 ... :D

very nice!!! I'm green with envy as you can see -> :D

Originally posted by jks32


Have you seen these in person???
The dealer has 6" leather samples. The Cinnamon seems more of a deep tan, while the Imola was a more of a light burgundy.
I like the darker red but not "RED"

I've seen IR and Cin in person on many different occasions on different cars. Cin is more of a brick or clay color. IR is RED, not Candy Apple RED but there's no mistaking it.

and Kev, start ordering the mods.

Status 153 - Starting Assembly 9/11/02 :D

where can you view the actual production status?

Originally posted by themadhatter
where can you view the actual production status?

Not on the BMW website... their info sucks ass. I call the number 1800-831-1117 option #3. I call them, give them my production number and they tell me where it is. I call every morning around 10ish. :D

thanks for the 411, now where can I find out what all the codes mean?


I'm waiting for code 666 saying the car is ready for fun! :evil2

Status Codes

Status Meaning
0 Order deleted by NA
17 Order not Specified
37 Order is at BMW NA
87 Production Week Assigned
97 Order sent to AG
100 Order deleted by AG
101 Error in data transmitted
102 Special Order (no Prod Week)
105 Order out of Prod. Period
111 Order Accepted at AG
112 Order scheduled for Production
150 Production Started
151 Body Shop Started
152 Paint Shop Started
153 Assembly Started
155 Production Completed
160 Released to Distribution
168 AG Stock
170 Waiting Workshop
172 Planned for Workshop
174 Workshop Entry
176 Workshop Complete
180 Waiting for Export Dispatch
181 Waiting for Domestic Dispatch
182 AG Load No. -- Released to Carrier
190 Dispatched ex(port?) BMW AG
191 Returned to BMW AG
193 Arrived at Port of Exit
194 Selected for Shipment
195 Shipped from Port of Exit
196 Shipment Arrival -- ATA

My car has also entered status 150 as of yesterday!!!

Production is scheduled to end on the 20th of this month. Excuse me as the white-boy in me tries to dance! :redspot

I should take delivery very early in October. :buttrock

Originally posted by themadhatter
I should take delivery very early in October. :buttrock

I guess that's because you live closer to the port of entry. My sales guy said I wouldn't have it until probably mid-october, right before my road trip.

Status <b>155</b> -- Production Completed!

:redspot :alright

Originally posted by Kevlar
Status <b>155</b> -- Production Completed!

:redspot :alright

WOO HOO!!!

I guess all you have to do now is wait for it to be assigned to a boat. I wonder how often they ship?

I know the port is literally a stones throw from my office. It would be interesting if these two cars made it onto the same boat. :) Kinda like brothers who will be seperated when they make it to the "New Country". :D

Yeah, I can't wait. I received my VIN number and window sticker today. Ouch...$57,670 3 series! :eek:

the mad hatter,

now we know what ur making room for..

a new m3 :)

Wow... They bumped it from the factory yesterday as well. It's been released to the carrier company to be shipped to the port.

Status 182 as of 9/12/02

Wow, they are fast.

Originally posted by MMJ4mil
the mad hatter,

now we know what ur making room for..

a new m3 :)

yup! :evil2 I wonder if this car will squeeze through customs in time for the Bavauto Show and Shine on the 6th.

Either way, it's going to be a fun car. I guess I have to update my sig now...huh? :)

Status 190 as of 9/13/02 :buttrock

I have no idea what that means. The code says released from BMW Germany for export. I don't know if it's in a different parking lot waiting for a truck to the port or at the port waiting for a boat or what...

I think when they produce the car they should put a GPS tracking device on the roof so you can just track it on a map. ;)

good idea dood lol

Any day now, Kev! :buttrock

193 as of 9/16/02 ... arrived at the port waiting for a boat :alright

How much longer, do you think?

Originally posted by SilverStreak
How much longer, do you think?

Supposedly two weeks on the boat and one week from arrival at the port of entry to the dealership and then i'm at the mercy of the dealership to install all the "dealer-installed" options.

such as? ;)

Originally posted by themadhatter
such as? ;)

homelink transmitter
CD changer (depending on how much this'll cost)
alarm
floormats

knowing the dealer, it'll probably take 'em a week... :mad:

wait a minute....

floor mats = 30 seconds and they should be complimentary (nearly $60k and you gotta order floor mats? :rolleyes:) If they aren't free, I'll just throw in a set from ACS I guess. :az:

CD Changer = don't buy OEM, get the Alpine MP3 CD changer for cheaper it plugs right in

Alarm = It doesn't have an alarm?! :confused:

Homelink = ooooh...I have 3 garages, how much is it?

Originally posted by themadhatter
wait a minute....

floor mats = 30 seconds and they should be complimentary (nearly $60k and you gotta order floor mats? :rolleyes:) If they aren't free, I'll just throw in a set from ACS I guess. :az:

CD Changer = don't buy OEM, get the Alpine MP3 CD changer for cheaper it plugs right in

Alarm = It doesn't have an alarm?! :confused:

Homelink = ooooh...I have 3 garages, how much is it?

floormats -- yeah, but you'd be suprised. they are not complimentary and cost nearly $100. dealer has to have them "in stock"

cd changer -- are you sure? can you get me the part number and everything so I can go out and buy it? that'd be much better than the OEM one. Plus it plays MP3s... totally awesome.

alarm -- no, it has keyless entry, but no alarm. the alarm costs extra.

homelink -- it's something like $150. Three transmitters built into the headliner (plus a 12V switched power source :evil2 -- for my radar detector).

They typically put 6000-8000 vehicles on one boat. :eek: So depending on how far my car is to the front of the line will depen on when it will get on a boat. :(

wow! well, it'll be a Maersk boat for sure....those punks are never on time but they pretty much run the entire maritime show.

I'm gonna give them a call to see where I stand with this new toy.

My baby was born today! Everybody is getting Cigars!!!

Status 155 as of today. - Production Completed!!!

:happybday

Baby bimmer weighing in at a healthy 3,415lbs and 176.9".


woo hoo!!:redspot

Originally posted by Kevlar


floormats -- yeah, but you'd be suprised. they are not complimentary and cost nearly $100. dealer has to have them "in stock"

cd changer -- are you sure? can you get me the part number and everything so I can go out and buy it? that'd be much better than the OEM one. Plus it plays MP3s... totally awesome.

alarm -- no, it has keyless entry, but no alarm. the alarm costs extra.

homelink -- it's something like $150. Three transmitters built into the headliner (plus a 12V switched power source :evil2 -- for my radar detector).

that's really odd...my dealer gave me free floormats, a free cd changer, and i got the car at msrp...this is even my first bmw so im not a long time customer or anything and they are a very big dealer who has no problem selling the cars...i guess it all comes down to your salesman

Originally posted by themadhatter
My baby was born today! Everybody is getting Cigars!!!

Status 155 as of today. - Production Completed!!!

:happybday

Baby bimmer weighing in at a healthy 3,415lbs and 176.9".


woo hoo!!:redspot

Congratulations. Forget the cigars, pass out the beer.

Crap! My car didn't make it on the boat that left Bermenhaven on 9/19. Dammit!

ETA now? When's the next boat?

There is a boat that leaves on 9/24 (arrives 10/9) and one that leave on 9/26 (arrives 10/11).

This is going to be really close to my deadline... must received by date.

Deadline?

Originally posted by SilverStreak
Deadline?

I'm going on a road trip on Oct. 16th and I'd like to take the car with me ;) It's alot better than walking.

Originally posted by Kevlar


I'm going on a road trip on Oct. 16th and I'd like to take the car with me ;) It's alot better than walking.


yeah....new car drive vs. shoe leather express.

Yup, I gotta agree...sure beats walking. :)

maybe we'll make the same boat then. :D

Originally posted by themadhatter


Yup, I gotta agree...sure beats walking. :)



Especially when it's a 800mile road trip :embarrasm

Carbon Black with Cinnamon... Not Special Order, but the web site won't let you build it...

Originally posted by AWEZM
Carbon Black with Cinnamon... Not Special Order, but the web site won't let you build it...

welcome to the board...did you mean to start a new thread?

-Ron

Originally posted by AWEZM
Carbon Black with Cinnamon... Not Special Order, but the web site won't let you build it...

That's my interior ... gotta love cinnamon ;)

Kev, I thought you were Steel Gray?

Originally posted by SilverStreak
Kev, I thought you were Steel Gray?

Yeah... I thought it was steel gray at first... and I was in the process of editing my post.

Steel Gray/Cinnamon.

Gotcha! Just keeping you on your toes... :D

No, I didn't... whoops...

Originally posted by AWEZM
No, I didn't... whoops...


gotcha, I just didn't follow where you were going. :)

Sounds like a few of us might catch the same ship. I have a week 38 production date that went 155 a week early and is now 193.
I hope it gets on a ship next week, I know there are two coming, and they both arrive within a day of each other in SC. The closer it gets the more difficult it seems to wait.

03 M3 / CB/CINN / PP / SMGII / BI-XEN / HK

Next boat leaves tomorrow... 9/24/02. That boat however makes a stop in New York before reaching S.Carolina.

Great. I guess I must be on the same ship. After all, I am wk37. Can not wait. :alright

damn you Kev I want a M3 but I will settle for a ride in it or even to drive it. I wouldn't let anyone drive the car though other than Juan. Maybe Juan will let me borrow his for the weekend. Did the buyer come through on the E36 M ????

Originally posted by Slanteye
damn you Kev I want a M3 but I will settle for a ride in it or even to drive it. I wouldn't let anyone drive the car though other than Juan. Maybe Juan will let me borrow his for the weekend. Did the buyer come through on the E36 M ????

He said he would be here next Monday (not today) the Monday after.

I called him today to verify all was good and well, but I couldn't find him so I left him a voicemail. I will call him again tomorrow.

looks like i missed the 9/24 boat too... ARGH! :mad:

you guys are truly lucky to have the opportunity to own and drive such a fine tuned auto. Best of luck to all of you. Enjoy it
maybe I too will have one soon.

peace

Originally posted by Kevlar
looks like i missed the 9/24 boat too... ARGH! :mad:


Our cars are sitting the same parking lot....weird huh? :D

status 193 as of yesterday. :)

BMW says it's usually 2 weeks before they make it to a boat though.

The wait is killing me. There is a boat leaving today 9/25 and a boat leave tomorrow 9/26.

What freaks me out is that supposedly they fit 6000-8000 cars per boat and I've missed two boats already. Damn there are alot of cars over there.

It's not looking good... I didn't make it on hte 9/25 boat. If I don't make in on the 9/26 boat, there isn't a boat again until 10/1.

The 9/26 boat doesn't arrive here in S.carolina until 10/11 which will be really close if they have slip it through the VPC the same day.

The 10/1 boat doesn't arrived until 10/16 :( ...

It's not looking good folks... :(

don't forget that US Customs and the Coast Guard are stopping all incoming vessels about 6 miles out to inspect all contents.

That'll delay it even further.

Anymore news, Kev?

Originally posted by SilverStreak
Anymore news, Kev?

None. I'm trying to get a hold of my sales guy to find out if the car will be here on time or if it is not here on time if I can change the delivery place to S.Carolina instead.

These people aren't giving me much to work with here.

Update:

Apparently BMW's computers were behind schedule. My car was loaded on the TRAVIATA and set sail on 9/25. Now I just have to find a way to track the boat via GPS.

Status: Set Sail on 9/25 expected to arrive 10/9.

Man, this is going to be close...

Try this Cargo Tracking (http://www.2wglobal.com/WEP/Toolbox/Appl/CargoTracking/CargoTracking.htm) Click on Auto and enter your Vin Number. I've never treid this so just try to see if you can do it.

Originally posted by Agamemnon
Try this Cargo Tracking (http://www.2wglobal.com/WEP/Toolbox/Appl/CargoTracking/CargoTracking.htm) Click on Auto and enter your Vin Number. I've never treid this so just try to see if you can do it.

Tried it... my VIN number wasn't listed :95

Eh oh well that myabe the wrong shipping company or maybe you need a Customer REfrence number or something else. I belive thats the correct one however. Oh well I guess only time will tell.

Congrats on getting aboard !!! It looks like I did not make it this week, so hopefully Tuesdays ship.

Originally posted by jcoop
Congrats on getting aboard !!! It looks like I did not make it this week, so hopefully Tuesdays ship.

same here....still waiting. :)


Congrats on the load...I bet you just can't wait to :boink boink your new car!

Just talked to my salesman...

Apparently the boat captain has the pedal to the medal... arrival at the VPC has changed from 10/12 to 10/9.

I have to call him on Tuesday to get the next update. On Tuesday if things do not look good, we are going to try and change the delivery location from here in S.Florida to some place in S.Carolina.

Took delivery today ;) I've already put 105 miles on her in 5 hours. It was mostly driving around to display the car. I'm leaving in about 6 hours for a 800 mile road trip... I'll let you guys know how it goes. (Thank God for Navigation)

No, I haven't changed the sig yet cause well... I'm busy driving the car :D

Cool congrats :D Btw do you have the In Dash CD player for the nav??

PICS PLEASE :)

congrats!!!

880 miles and 1 speeding ticket later...

I now realized that this car is deceptively fast... even when not pushing it. I also found out that 90 mph is located on the left hand side of the guage instead of on the right had side of the guage like in the last M... Officer Bob (I forgot his name at the moment) was nice enough to point that out to me.

Car is dirtier than you would believe... so much so that I decided to skip the car show entrance today. It was way way too cold outside to go was the car at 6am for the car show... I'll just go look at the rest of the cars and take pictures for you nice people.

Car is scheduled for the 1200 mile service Monday morning, 8am. I have about 600 miles to drive between now and then.

Originally posted by Kevlar
880 miles and 1 speeding ticket later...



That's gotta hurt!

Congrats on getting it, Kev, sorry about the ticket.... :D

Yeah... Kev just informed me that all five of them were pulled over...
I think it was 4 minis and 1 m3..
Got to be a police conspiracy against bmrs heh?? lol

Heh, gotta get used to that speedometer, there are more numbers on it now! :biglaughb