I love that 800 # !! (1-800-831-1117) For those who dont know - you call it, and say "vehicle production status" then give your Vehicle production number and they tell you where in the process your car is (on order, being built, shipping etc..)


....ANYWAY, I called and the computer voice said "your vehicle is in the paint shop" I didn't think they would get that specific but right now my primer covered 335i coupe is getting its orange peel Monaco blue paint splattered in gobs all over its sexy sheet metal and it will then dry in an EU regulated process into a cottage cheese like finish AND I COULDNT BE HAPPIER !!!

Come to daddy !!! :eatpop:

Wait are you saying Monaco blue has alot of orange peel? I havent seen it up close.

I am just joking about the orange peel business, many have said that the cars (in just about any color) have an orange peel look and that its due to the paint being water based because EU regs regarding the environment have made it impossible to use all those old oil paints filled with VOCs (volatile organic compounds - solvents, thinners etc.) that dried to a mirror finish. I have seen a bunch of BMWs at the dealership and on the road and I never once noticed any orange peel, it didnt jump out at me and I never notice it any any photos so frankly I dont care - I am not buying the car because I am mad for mirror finished paint jobs.

Thats fantastic detail....I never got more than "in production" from my SA and his computer so good to know the step by step production of your car!

I'm betting a car only take a day or 2 to be finished...anybody have that data. I think they just string people along.

Well they say it takes longer - like 8 days is what the computer voice lady told me which makes its final build day a Saturday (in Germany, yeah right). I think when they say 8 days it includes building the body and primering it at which point its not MY car its just a 335i coupe "blank" from which anyones car can be made. Its not till they paint it that it starts to become "mine". After its painted everything is just bolt-on sub-assemblies, all the welding is done, the engine goes in as one piece, rear end is one piece, dash, etc. then everything get wiring harnass connected and fit/finish/trim - that stuff probably eats up time. They then have to systems test everything and give it a quick dyno and emmissions test etc. You have to figure they move right along - their Germans for godsakes, its ORGANIZED ;-)

I once saw a 3 part 3hr documentary on the new 6 series process from concept inception, design, manufacturing, quality control, and testing. It was amazing how much attention to detail and rigorous process BMWs go through. I taped it on VHS way back but can't find it anymore, I wonder if anyone knows if it is available online or via torrent.

Well, when I took delivery of my 355 (Performance center pickup- YEAH!!) If I recall properly, the z4 and X3 took about 28 hours to be built. They pumped out either 400+ or 600+ cars a day. 2 10 hour shifts. Yeah... it does not take to long to make them.

Orange peel paint?? Yep - mine has a ton of orange peel in it. (SG) I never would notice it from several feet away, but when I zaino it - it stands out like a sore thumb. But then I get in the car - drive it - and I forget all about the paint!!!

You are going to love her....