[Headwind]

Anyone know how much longer delivery from SA is versus Germany to east coast USA?

[floydarogers]

Originally Posted by Headwind

Anyone know how much longer delivery from SA is versus Germany to east coast USA?

A week would be my guess.

[mkrup87]

Originally Posted by floydarogers

A week would be my guess.

Dealer told me it was a 3 to 4 week difference--has to ship to Germany first, so it takes a while. I just got mine changed from SA to German.

[G30 B58]

Originally Posted by mkrup87

Dealer told me it was a 3 to 4 week difference--has to ship to Germany first, so it takes a while. I just got mine changed from SA to German.

Explanation please.

[mkrup87]

Originally Posted by F32 N55

Explanation please.

Basically as I said: they ship all South African cars to Germany before sending them to the US, so it effectively doubles the shipping time. You've got 3-4 weeks on the ocean going from South Africa to Germany, and then another 3-4 weeks on the ocean going from Germany to the US--plus any time in between where it's sitting on the dock waiting for a boat.

[Prissy]

Originally Posted by mkrup87

Basically as I said: they ship all South African cars to Germany before sending them to the US, so it effectively doubles the shipping time. You've got 3-4 weeks on the ocean going from South Africa to Germany, and then another 3-4 weeks on the ocean going from Germany to the US--plus any time in between where it's sitting on the dock waiting for a boat.

Why would they do that? lol. I think your dealership was just BSing you to make up the delay. Usually a SA build will arrive faster than Germany build.

[G30 B58]

Originally Posted by mkrup87

Basically as I said: they ship all South African cars to Germany before sending them to the US, so it effectively doubles the shipping time. You've got 3-4 weeks on the ocean going from South Africa to Germany, and then another 3-4 weeks on the ocean going from Germany to the US--plus any time in between where it's sitting on the dock waiting for a boat.

I'll let an expert chime in but I highly doubt that's how it happens. I know this is what you were told but think about the logistics and how they just don't make sense, AT ALL.

[pz619]

Yeah I'm sure SA cars don't go to Germany first. Ordered SA and got it in 8 weeks to Southern California.

[Weaselboy]

I don't know if BMW still does this, but I have read other posts (one here) that they do ship from SA to Germany, then on another ship to the US.

[mkrup87]

Originally Posted by Weaselboy

I don't know if BMW still does this, but I have read other posts (one here) that they do ship from SA to Germany, then on another ship to the US.

I had read a bunch of threads like that, and asked my dealership about it when they originally gave me a Vehicle Inquiry Report with a SA model. They confirmed the bit about shipping through Germany first. Maybe it's not true for west coast shipments, but it definitely seems to be true for shipments going though NYCPOA. I'm in Massachusetts, so that's where my car will be going.

[snowghost]

They do go to Germany first as mine did. Pissed me off too because I specifically asked for a Munich build. Didn't realize until after production.

Took around an extra 4 weeks. I tracked it on both ships. BTW I'm on the West Coast.

[Headwind]

Well I guess those who were in the situation know best. Called BMWUSA. Rep said he did not know. Shocking answer to me.

[Thumper333]

Originally Posted by snowghost

They do go to Germany first as mine did. Pissed me off too because I specifically asked for a Munich build. Didn't realize until after production.

Makes no sense. Unless they do some sort of "German" quality checks LOL

Seems like a waste of money and resources.

[rambalu80]

Originally Posted by mkrup87

Basically as I said: they ship all South African cars to Germany before sending them to the US, so it effectively doubles the shipping time. You've got 3-4 weeks on the ocean going from South Africa to Germany, and then another 3-4 weeks on the ocean going from Germany to the US--plus any time in between where it's sitting on the dock waiting for a boat.

I believe this is true too. One of my local dealers mentioned the same.

Originally Posted by Thumper333

Makes no sense. Unless they do some sort of "German" quality checks LOL

Double quality checks...this must be why the Rosslyn plant has higher quality rating overall!

[bimmercar]

I ordered a 340i, South Africa build, I wonder how much long it takes to get to US east coast from South Africa versus from Germany

[mkrup87]

Originally Posted by bimmercar

I ordered a 340i, South Africa build, I wonder how much long it takes to get to US east coast from South Africa versus from Germany

See the discussion above: still about 3-4 extra weeks. The portion of the trip from SA to Germany is fixed, so it's only the last leg of the trip that is different between east and west coast--and that's true from Germany as well. So regardless of where you are, take your estimated time from Germany and tack on that extra 3 or 4 weeks and you should have a rough estimate

[cfm56d7b]

The complexity of global logistics is beyond this discussion thread. The principle is exactly the same as the hub-and-spoke routing used by major airlines.

SA built vehicles do go to Germany (Bremerhaven) first. The plant in Rosslyn builds vehicle for many markets, including the U.S.

Then - the vehicles are 'sorted' based on destination and _many_ parameters including whether the ship is expected to transit any canals. U.S. West Coast bound vehicles will be placed on a ship which will transit Panama Canal with the final destination the port of Oxnard CA. This means that the vehicle may wait in Bremerhaven until the ship with the correct itinerary is available.

If someone received SA built vehicle in 8 weeks on the U.S. East Coast, it's a wonderful anomaly. Enjoy it!

My SA built 2013 F30 335i xDrive sedan arrived on the U.S. West Coast in exactly 3 months.

What is however unusual is the inability of my local dealer to track the vehicle once it has been placed on another ship in Bremerhaven destined to pass the Panama Canal. The dealer's system continued the show vehicle on the same ship although it has sailed back to Durban, South Africa.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by pz619

Yeah I'm sure SA cars don't go to Germany first. Ordered SA and got it in 8 weeks to Southern California.

That's pretty fast considering you're on the Pacific side.
Nice.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by rambalu80

I believe this is true too. One of my local dealers mentioned the same.



Double quality checks...this must be why the Rosslyn plant has higher quality rating overall!

Doubt it.

If the place that does the inspection isn't rated as high as S. Africa, then it's doubtful they are better at quality checks.

My SA tells me my build is German.
That will make all 4 of my BMW's from Germany.
It doesn't matter to me, just happened that way.

[rambalu80]

Originally Posted by RPM90

Doubt it.

If the place that does the inspection isn't rated as high as S. Africa, then it's doubtful they are better at quality checks.

My SA tells me my build is German.
That will make all 4 of my BMW's from Germany.
It doesn't matter to me, just happened that way.

My comment about double quality checks was not meant to be taken seriously.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by rambalu80

My comment about double quality checks was not meant to be taken seriously.

Oh. My bad.

Well then...