[tracer bullet]

I have 2 in town and have been in contact with both. Both asked for a copy of my driver's license and proof of insurance. I gave those to them, I think this is OK to do (maybe I should have asked here first). It seemed pretty routine for them.

One's asked for a deposit, I'm reluctant to do that. Not that I'm not truly interested in the car, but I feel like that's better for a day when an allocation is available and I've actually got an official build order placed.

I'm curious if others have contacted dealerships, what they've said, and what you're seeing from them as far as reserving your spot in line?

[Balr14]

I think you are getting worried over nothing. BMW has stated "will not be a limited run model, BMW will produce the MT Z4 M40i until end of production." Nothing mentioned about allocations.

[FrostyWinters]

Left a deposit with a local dealer, but have yet to provide detailed personal information and insurance.

[tracer bullet]

Originally Posted by Balr14

I think you are getting worried over nothing. BMW has stated "will not be a limited run model, BMW will produce the MT Z4 M40i until end of production." Nothing mentioned about allocations.

I don't disagree, I just remember when the M2 came out people were wanting one and then waiting 6 - 9 months.

You do have a good point though, I have 2 working cars so it's no huge rush.

[jdhiro]

I like how one day it's "nobody is that interested in roadsters anymore" and the next it's "holy schnikeys, do I need to get a deposit in today to hold my allocation in the next year?"

BMW clearly did something right here lol.

If you're serious about the car, you'll have to provide some of that information to place an order anyways, but it might just be worth waiting until orders open up.

[Westside Guy]

If you are a return customer to a dealer your salesperson should have his own unofficial list waiting for the allocation to open up and not ask for a deposit.

[mdoneinvt]

I know my dealer being a repeat customer with good credit didn’t even ask for a deposit when i ordered my current Z4 so likely they won’t again. My salesman knows i am ordering one i just haven’t decided if i want to wait for the 26 model year to have the last year it was made.

[tracer bullet]

Sales rep at the dealer asking for the deposit was of course fine not taking one. It would be interesting to actually do so, sort of guarantee the first allocation, or at least in the neighborhood of it.

I do realize this car will be available for a long while to come, it's not an emergency to rush to it. That said if it can be had at MSRP, and I could get it in the spring* to start enjoying it, I might not mind at all being one of the first to get an order in.

(* = we'll see when they actually start getting built, but we've seen indications of March)

I guess on the flip side, a deposit might show more seriousness. and I could actually be first or one of the first in line as opposed to just being a tire kicker which I'm sure they get bored with.

I've got 2 dealers in town, now I suppose I have to consider which to choose. I've done more work with one of them, recalls and such, also a valvetronic related repair I didn't want to deal with (I normally DIY), and also bought a CPO X3 there, so they'd be my primary choice, all else being equal or at least close to it.

[823BMW]

Originally Posted by tracer bullet

(* = we'll see when they actually start getting built, but we've seen indications of March)

The timeline appears to be set. Podcast from one of the BMWBLOG journalists that has driven the new Z4 manual: Pricing, options, availability at end of January. Production start March 2024 (on podcast starts at 2:45)
https://www.bmwblog.com/2023/12/20/p...-speed-manual/


I am working with my local dealer, they have been at MSRP on all their vehicles. I have purchased several vehicles from them and they did not require a deposit.

[MisanoblueZ4]

Was browsing the Supra forums and it is common to hear about long wait times for allocation for a manual Supra, people seem to be having a tough time getting them for whatever reason.
Hopefully with the increased Z4 manual orders the factory will ramp up those on production line. Supra sales have gone off a cliff this past year as the car/platform is losing steam now 5 years in.

[Argo]

Originally Posted by MisanoblueZ4

Was browsing the Supra forums and it is common to hear about long wait times for allocation for a manual Supra, people seem to be having a tough time getting them for whatever reason.
Hopefully with the increased Z4 manual orders the factory will ramp up those on production line. Supra sales have gone off a cliff this past year as the car/platform is losing steam now 5 years in.

That's because, from what I understand, Toyota doesn't let customers (or even the dealers) make any orders. The dealership gets sent whatever Toyota decided to build and then they notify their customers if something is a close enough match.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by Argo

That's because, from what I understand, Toyota doesn't let customers (or even the dealers) make any orders. The dealership gets sent whatever Toyota decided to build and then they notify their customers if something is a close enough match.

Seriously?

[vertigo corsa]

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

Seriously?

True. I went through this when attempting to source my Tacoma locally. I wound up finding exactly what I wanted online, out of state, then had it shipped via private carrier for approximately $700.

This explains Toyota's process in better detail:
https://jalopnik.com/actually-gettin...s-n-1850456148

[Balr14]

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

Seriously?

My son-in-law had the same situation with his Toyota SUV (some big TRD model I'm not familiar with). I guess dealers swap between themselves to get vehicles customers ask for.

[Wynnsiensheng]

Ya, when I wanted to buy my z4 the dealer didn’t have any in his shop and so checked with the countrywide database. Only one Z4 was in stock in the whole country and that was a black one in Bangkok.

[rikwynnpa]

My dealer put me on the list (No 1) and didn't ask for a deposit or anything else yet. He said until the order book opens for the MT car and we can sit down and pick options and build the car he doesnt need any money.

Originally Posted by tracer bullet

I have 2 in town and have been in contact with both. Both asked for a copy of my driver's license and proof of insurance. I gave those to them, I think this is OK to do (maybe I should have asked here first). It seemed pretty routine for them.

One's asked for a deposit, I'm reluctant to do that. Not that I'm not truly interested in the car, but I feel like that's better for a day when an allocation is available and I've actually got an official build order placed.

I'm curious if others have contacted dealerships, what they've said, and what you're seeing from them as far as reserving your spot in line?

[rikwynnpa]

Toyota/Lexus builds what they want to build depending on the parts they have available on that day. Dealers can order specific trim level cars but cant order specific colors or a specific car. I wanted to order a plug in NX last year and the dealer said sorry you have to pick from what comes to the US from Japan. No special orders.

Originally Posted by Argo

That's because, from what I understand, Toyota doesn't let customers (or even the dealers) make any orders. The dealership gets sent whatever Toyota decided to build and then they notify their customers if something is a close enough match.