[AiredaleDad]

Well, I pulled the trigger. Ordered my new 2025 540i XDrive in Oxide Grey..I attached the order sheet. I know it says BMW Iberica, but it is US Specs, to be delivered to me in Spain. Tax free, while I am stationed here. You can't actually buy an EU Spec 540i. it is North America only. I still have a couple of years here. I was also able to find out I have 3 years, Unlimited km Warranty, and will revert to the US warranty when I get it there. I was also able to get an extended BMW warranty for the EU while I am here for an additional year for 960 Euros. Only issues is they don't guarantee the "Connected Drive" will work because the car is designed for US Cellphone frequencies. But my phone is dual frequency, dual SIM. And the SR said the others he has sold work just fine with EU SIM Phones on Bluetooth. Also the NAVI will have NA Maps instead of EU maps. Don't care since I can use Android Auto anyway.

Now of course the wait begins. At least I don't have to worry about all the problems with port entry and Stop Sale issues, since they just truck it down form Germany to Spain. I was told that it should be in the Aug production run, and will reach the dealer here in Nov. I should take delivery sometime late Nov or Early Dec. I will most definitely post pictures

Funny thing....for 2025 the car comes standard with the Mobility Kit. You have to order the Space Saver Spare, the they charge you $150.00 for it. But the Premium Package went down $500.00 to $2550.00. Everything else stayed the same except Base Price went up by $300.00 to $65,200.00. So basically if you do the math, the whole build is actually $50 cheaper than the 2024 model I had built. Plus I get the 10% Military Discount. So my total ended up being $68,604.00 Delivered. I still have to pay for the M Sport Logos, and the Registration for Spain. But no tax.

[SkykingUSA]

Congratulations! This will probably feel like one of the longest waits of your life. LOL

[AiredaleDad]

Originally Posted by SkykingUSA

Congratulations! This will probably feel like one of the longest waits of your life. LOL

SkykingUSA. I agree. At the very least I won't have the shipping problems and the stuck in port waiting for customs clearance issues that so many of the rest of us USA customers have. They Truck it down from Germany. The Dealer here will apply for Spanish Tax-Free status as soon as the factory releases the VIN Number at the start of production. (They said it takes 3 weeks). Then once the vehicle actually arrives here, I have to apply for the Spanish registration. (Another 2 weeks). Only then can I take delivery after the dealer has the plates manufactured and installed. I am sure the waiting will get worse as the time goes on. But I guess it's the price we pay for a custom order. I went through this once before in 1993 when I ordered a 325i when I was stationed here on Active Duty.

[AiredaleDad]

Here's a pic from my configurator.

[AiredaleDad]

Update. I finally received my ON and my Broker said I am currently CODE 111, which means my order/configuration has been accepted and I am on the scheduled production list. Can't wait. I did change my mind and ordered the Luxury seating Package. it ran up the price by $650. I hope it's worth it.

New update. Moved up to CODE 112 today. If all goes well I may see production sooner than originally anticipated.

[kssod]

Congrats! Did you order the luxury seat package? If so, can you confirm that it has massage seats, which the 2024 do not.

[AiredaleDad]

Originally Posted by kssod

Congrats! Did you order the luxury seat package? If so, can you confirm that it has massage seats, which the 2024 do not.

Hi kssod. I did order the Luxury seat package. And no, it does not have the massage seats. They are still not available for the 2025 MY. I think only the 7 series has them. From what I understand in the G30's they were pretty crappy. Probably why they were discontinued.

Note: When I was car shopping I test drove the Audi A-6 with the Premium package and theirs did have Massage seats. I was in Shiatsu wonderland for awhile. However the Bimmer was so much better even that couldn't sway me.

[LVBMW]

Originally Posted by AiredaleDad

Hi kssod. I did order the Luxury seat package. And no, it does not have the massage seats. They are still not available for the 2025 MY. I think only the 7 series has them. From what I understand in the G30's they were pretty crappy. Probably why they were discontinued.

Note: When I was car shopping I test drove the Audi A-6 with the Premium package and theirs did have Massage seats. I was in Shiatsu wonderland for awhile. However the Bimmer was so much better even that couldn't sway me.

iX does have massage seats available. They are not to the 7 series level but are better than nothing.

[kssod]

My 2020 X5 has them, really a nice addition.

[COBodom]

Massage seats in G30 were utterly useless (and so was the ventilation). Had that "massage" thingy on both my G30s 540 (pre and post LCI) along with nappa, heating, ventilation and multi-contour combo.

Suffice to say my current G60 luxury seats without "massage" are infinitely more comfortable.

Very happy NOT to have BMW's massage seats anymore.

[AiredaleDad]

Ok, So I kept talking myself into changes. I think maybe some of it was FOMO, But first I added the Bowers and Wilkins Surround Sound, then the Luxury Seating, and finally DPP. I had to go to the Brokers again today because he screwed up. When he added the DPP, he forgot to reduce the price of the Premium Package. In the 540 if you get DPP, the Premium Package is reduced by $500. I know it's not an earth changing amount, but it's still my $500. He said in the end, once they issue a VIN # they send him an invoice. And the invoice would have the true amount owed. I have 10 working days (2 weeks) after that to make full payment in US Dollars to BMW. (I have no idea what they would do if I took 11 days. Lol.) He said it was His rookie mistake, not something someone who has been doing this for 27 years is supposed to make. So he owes me a beer and Lunch.

[Almanzor]

Originally Posted by AiredaleDad

Ok, So I kept talking myself into changes. I think maybe some of it was FOMO, But first I added the Bowers and Wilkins Surround Sound, then the Luxury Seating, and finally DPP. I had to go to the Brokers again today because he screwed up. When he added the DPP, he forgot to reduce the price of the Premium Package. In the 540 if you get DPP, the Premium Package is reduced by $500. I know it's not an earth changing amount, but it's still my $500. He said in the end, once they issue a VIN # they send him an invoice. And the invoice would have the true amount owed. I have 10 working days (2 weeks) after that to make full payment in US Dollars to BMW. (I have no idea what they would do if I took 11 days. Lol.) He said it was His rookie mistake, not something someone who has been doing this for 27 years is supposed to make. So he owes me a beer and Lunch.

I'm sorry to hear that, try to get accesories, first revision or something instead of his error.

So, do you receive the car soon? Or have you to make the pay before receiving it because of your special conditions?

[AiredaleDad]

Originally Posted by Almanzor

I'm sorry to hear that, try to get accesories, first revision or something instead of his error.

So, do you receive the car soon? Or have you to make the pay before receiving it because of your special conditions?

Currently I am scheduled for week 36 build (1st week of Sept) and week 41 Delivery to the dealer in Jerez (Second week of October). You are correct in that I have to make full payment once Construction begins and BMW issues a VIN number. Once I receive a VIN number I Can go to the bank and request a loan. Then ask them to wire transfer the proceeds of that loan, along with the down payment from my savings to the broker's account in US Dollars. The broker then wires the money to BMW AG. And then I believe the Broker gets his fee from them. I will expect delivery sometime late October or early November because once the vehicle arrives in Jerez, I still have to file for the Spanish registration on Base. They send the request to either Madrid or Sevilla, I believe. And you know how fast they process registrations in Spain. Lol.

[AiredaleDad]

Finally copied my Build sheet.

[AiredaleDad]

Ok. So I just had to make one last change. I changed my wheels option from the 3GP to 3GN. Same wheels, but Summer tires instead of All Season. I had 3 reasons.

1) It never gets that cold in southern Spain. I will be here at least another 2 years, and possibly 4. From what I have seen you will likely get 2 years at most out of summer tires. So I will probably change them out for A/S right before shipping it back to Seattle. Then I can meet up with Scrapula and her Hubby for coffee.

2) It sets the top speed limiter from the factory at 155 MPH instead of the 130 they set the it at if you order All Season tires. Lol. Not like I will be going 155 MPH on a daily basis. But... You know, when the itch is there I can scratch it for a few miles on the Autopista as long as I know where the cameras are.

3) From what I understand, Summer tires are stickier, and work better in warmer climates on both Wet and Dry, are designed to prevent hydroplaning, and they are also softer and give a quieter, more comfortable ride. All Seasons are Good in Dry, and Wet. And Ok in light Snow. They last much longer because they are harder rubber. But you give up some comfort and steering, braking and cornering traction. Hence BMW reducing the top speed for A/S tires.

[AiredaleDad]

Surprise! I was not able to make the change. I am now at Code 150 and in production. And I have a VIN#. Woo Hoo!

[ToddRGuy]

Originally Posted by AiredaleDad

Surprise! I was not able to make the change. I am now at Code 150 and in production. And I have a VIN#. Woo Hoo!

They don't wanna make mine.

[AiredaleDad]

They are just trying ur patience Todd.

[RichardInCA]

Todd, you clearly forgot to specificy package 9XYZ - getting-actual-information-about-my-order-professional-plus

[ToddRGuy]

Originally Posted by RichardInCA

Todd, you clearly forgot to specificy package 9XYZ - getting-actual-information-about-my-order-professional-plus

lol. How much was THAT one?! I didn’t see it on my order sheet 😂

[ToddRGuy]

Originally Posted by AiredaleDad

They are just trying ur patience Todd.

I think they have a German metric where speed is inversely proportional to excitement. I need to feign indifference. 😜

[Hassan1490]

I was surprised that 550e doesn't have exhaust vents, while the M135 has four lol