[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by matbl

This is ridiculous. And by that I don't mean your comment but BMW's behavior.
That kind of behavior was ok before the internet. But in this day and age, a global company must be prepared to launch a product in all markets simultaneously. With pricing and in this case configurators available from start in all markets where it is going to be sold.
There is no excuse for not doing it like that.

I agree with you.
marketing people I know here agree with BMW.

I dont like marketing people much

[Mbbrewer]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

I agree with you.
marketing people I know here agree with BMW.

I dont like marketing people much

Marketing make the ///Money

[C5 FOR]

Originally Posted by Mbbrewer

Marketing make the ///Money

Bad marketing makes less money...........

[cvn-e2]

I may be wrong, but the reason US configurator isn't live yet and no official word on US pricing and options, etc., is because BMW is working with US regulatory to get the car approved and its various features/options for sale here.

Someone on here had commented that some rules in the US are due to change, such as requiring orange/amber turn signals on the back. If they pass, BMW would want to apply it to G30 as well as the timing is perfect (Feb 2017 launch).

Also keep in mind that US DOT is very conservative, and still uncomfortable with autonomous driving tech. Hell, it's even uncomfortable with the Adaptive LED split high beam concept. I'm hoping that BMW is working with them to allow for that split beam tech (and all other tech goodies) to come through to the US in the G30 without the decoding lines, so we don't have to null the decode.

[matbl]

Originally Posted by colbertnation

I may be wrong, but the reason US configurator isn't live yet and no official word on US pricing and options, etc., is because BMW is working with US regulatory to get the car approved and its various features/options for sale here.

Someone on here had commented that some rules in the US are due to change, such as requiring orange/amber turn signals on the back. If they pass, BMW would want to apply it to G30 as well as the timing is perfect (Feb 2017 launch).

Also keep in mind that US DOT is very conservative, and still uncomfortable with autonomous driving tech. Hell, it's even uncomfortable with the Adaptive LED split high beam concept. I'm hoping that BMW is working with them to allow for that split beam tech (and all other tech goodies) to come through to the US in the G30 without the decoding lines, so we don't have to null the decode.

Should have been done before launch. The car has been in development for 6-8 years...
Besides, there are lots of another markers lacking info as well.

[Laki021]

Nothing makes sense, Germany is still without the configurator.
Luxembourg was the first one to get it????????!!!!
Switzerland will probably get the last, but with the highest prices....

Simply, don't even try to find a rational explanation.

[cvn-e2]

Originally Posted by matbl

Should have been done before launch. The car has been in development for 6-8 years...
Besides, there are lots of another markers lacking info as well.

Well, you have to keep in mind that applications to government regulatory bodies are mostly public information. Patent filings, trademark fillings, and other regulatory filings can leak information that BMW might have hoped to keep confidential for the G30 reveal.

That is why with new devices (from iPhones to cars), they usually announce/reveal it, and then submit all the regulatory paperwork at once to the government bodies. That way, no information can leak.

Frustrating for us Americans (and apparently Germans too) as we wait for pricing and configurator, but I'd rather have the excitement of a reveal over having it spoiled by government paperwork.

[matbl]

Originally Posted by colbertnation

Well, you have to keep in mind that applications to government regulatory bodies are mostly public information. Patent filings, trademark fillings, and other regulatory filings can leak information that BMW might have hoped to keep confidential for the G30 reveal.

That is why with new devices (from iPhones to cars), they usually announce/reveal it, and then submit all the regulatory paperwork at once to the government bodies. That way, no information can leak.

Frustrating for us Americans (and apparently Germans too) as we wait for pricing and configurator, but I'd rather have the excitement of a reveal over having it spoiled by government paperwork.

Companies shouldn't be afraid of leaks that much. In general it only adds to the marketing of the product. For free...

[Mbbrewer]

Originally Posted by C5 FOR

Bad marketing makes less money...........

It can't be that bad. Your on here commenting about it so it's working. ///Marketing

[Wills2]

Porsche seem to do it best the configurator is generally available within 48 hrs of launch in the UK, BMW/Merc and Audi are dreadful at this.

Why wouldn't they want punters playing around with it? Odd.

[Laki021]

And here it is, the most expensive series 5 configurator in the universe!!!

http://www.bmw.ch/vc/ncc/xhtml/start...7#MODEL_ENGINE

540i xDrive starts around 76 000 EUR! (btw VAT is only 8%)

[TimeFor]

As I understand it, the first cars to arrive in dealers are set production configurations that even the dealers don't get to change. It would seem they don't really need to get the public configuration tool up until those cars start arriving in showrooms since the first batch isn't changeable anyways.

I'm working under the assumption of; If there's a checkbox to be checked then I want it. Now if I can actually afford that is another story...

But launch pricing is pretty typical on BMW too isn't it? I mean we all know the US prices. Take the old 5 series base, add 10%, and figure 20k in options on a fully loaded one and subtract 9% (11% for ED) to get invoice price.

Now why the 5 series diesel apparently isn't a launch vehicle in the US is an issue I'll never agree with I unfortunately will be waiting another year at least as usual here.

[Almaretto]

Nice. You can get the 664 M 19" in gloss black.

[Jez_zza]

you can "Partially" configure the M550I on the Spanish site... just colours, wheels, interior

[WSH]

So will a non-AWD (non "x") 550i be available ?
I have no need, or interest in, an AWD BMW

[Almaretto]

Originally Posted by WSH

So will a non-AWD (non "x") 550i be available ?
I have no need, or interest in, an AWD BMW

I am not sure, but I have only seen VIN's for 520d, 520dX, 530i, 530iX, 530e, 540i, 540iX, 540dX, & M550iX.

[baystint]

That Gran Tourer is pretty wierd looking

[usmabmass]

Originally Posted by Jez_zza

you can "Partially" configure the M550I on the Spanish site... just colours, wheels, interior

From the side, those wheels look spectacular to me - like they were designed to disappear into the rotors. Getting excited!

[SDRX]

U.K. Buyers should very carefully see the Package prices adjust in your favour when you select certain options

So if you're having comfort seats then selecting the comfort package is great value for money etc etc

BMW have crafted those packages deliberately to suck you in once you have already specified a couple of items from them

Holding out for M550 here ;-)

[cvn-e2]

Originally Posted by WSH

So will a non-AWD (non "x") 550i be available ?
I have no need, or interest in, an AWD BMW

Same as you, but I don't think there will be a RWD M550i. They interviewed a BMW rep, and he indicated that the next M5 will also be AWD only. But both M550i and M5 will have 20-80 rear bias.

It was bound to happen. Peak torque is almost near instantaneous levels with BMW engines, and there just isn't enough grip on normal tires. Hell, even the 330i I drove was able to drift at ease from a stand still turn since it has that torque available.

[AP]

UK configurator is now online.

http://www.bmw.co.uk/vc/ncc/xhtml/st...4#MODEL_ENGINE

[Almaretto]

US may see configuration soon. Just got popup that production is ending and F010's can no longer be ordered.