[xaappx]

Originally Posted by chicagofan00

Just another dealership not wanting to be customer friendly and actually work for the customer. 👎🏻

Yeah, but why doesn't BMW offer it as an option in the US? Do you know the reason?

[chicagofan00]

Originally Posted by xaappx

Yeah, but why doesn't BMW offer it as an option in the US? Do you know the reason?

OP of this thread told me he had been told it was due to BMW NA marketing department not believing the buckets looked sporty enough in Tartufo. How much truth is behind that statement, I’m not sure. To clarify, I’m not saying the OP wasn’t being truthful, but more so I’m not sure how much truth is behind that statement from the person at BMW, or if that is just another mythological reason as to why they aren’t a standard offering here in North America.

[nunzo]

Originally Posted by chicagofan00

OP of this thread told me he had been told it was due to BMW NA marketing department not believing the buckets looked sporty enough in Tartufo. How much truth is behind that statement, I’m not sure. To clarify, I’m not saying the OP wasn’t being truthful, but more so I’m not sure how much truth is behind that statement from the person at BMW, or if that is just another mythological reason as to why they aren’t a standard offering here in North America.

That is what I was told, that BMW NA marketing made the call to not allow it. I assume that to be true based on who told me, but it could be something else, Ivory isn't exactly sporty.

[nunzo]

jeez louise I don't reply to the thread for a day or so and caused quite the ruckus .


To answer what I can:

- This is my first new BMW, first car ordered with this dealer (2022 Center of Excellence winner)

- My CA and SM were unable to get it processed/approved because the BMW NA order guide explicitly states that 48B (carbon buckets) cannot be ordered with VATQ or VBTQ (Tartufo). There is nothing in the dealer system that will allow them to order it. They tried.

- The request was denied multiple times by both regional and national BMW Individual reps.

- My business partner ordered Tartufo buckets on his build in Europe. I used his order to get access. For various reasons (privacy on his and the dealer's end), I won't be sharing this info.

- I originally requested additional Individual interior options that were also denied, and I chose not to push my luck on getting those.

- The ultimate approval came from BMW Germany, not BMW NA.

- The whole approval process took I think 12 weeks? Plus an additional 14 weeks production time.

- The line item on my window sticker says "Tartufo Carbon Bucket Seats", and was $6,405 to include full leather. The buckets were an additional $4,500.

- I placed my original order in December 21 and the wrong car was delivered in December 22. Correct car was delivered August 23. Perhaps they were throwing me a bone due to this.



I'm glad people like it, I don't care if people don't . I built it for myself and to expand my company's product line into the G8X market.

[bandwagn]

It’s being overlooked, but thanks for going dark purple and 6MT!

[jri_21]

Originally Posted by micvite

You probably got told no by the dealer lol. I was at the individual lounge in germany and some ceo friend if bmws ceo wanted a special steering wheel, they quoted him 83k for a steering wheel and the ceo of bmw apparently got pissed they were trying to overcharge his friend but then realized that was the "at cost" price for the testing and stuff. They'll literally do anything you want if you're willing to pay for it, but if it's too expensive they'll just say no can do unless you really push for it to avoid tire kickers (since it takes a lot of time and resources just to get the quote)

Yup, agree…and especially when the price does not justify the expense. Beautiful as it may look.
The dealer did show me the emails they sent to (requesting) & from BMW USA (denying) the request.
Anyhow…I tried the buckets later and they certainly are NOT for me! (I’m 6’3”/ 250lbs).

[Technic]

Originally Posted by xaappx

I don't understand why this specific color is not available in buckets, Tartufo is my favorite interior color.

My car is "order received" so I asked my salesperson if she can request from the factory to get Tartufo carbon buckets and she said the manager called and got denied.

I bet $3.57 that this “manager” called nobody.

[micvite]

Originally Posted by jri_21

Yup, agree…and especially when the price does not justify the expense. Beautiful as it may look.
The dealer did show me the emails they sent to (requesting) & from BMW USA (denying) the request.
Anyhow…I tried the buckets later and they certainly are NOT for me! (I’m 6’3”/ 250lbs).

Yeah bmw NA likes to say no to a bunch of things, it's why I'm the only one in the usa with laser lights on an m5, went straight to bmw germany.

[cosmos///m3]

Originally Posted by nunzo

- My business partner ordered Tartufo buckets on his build in Europe. I used his order to get access. For various reasons (privacy on his and the dealer's end), I won't be sharing this info.

What exactly do you mean by you used his order to get access? Meaning a contact within BMW Germany? Just wasnt sure what you meant here.


... in other news, car looks amazing. I cant tell you how many times I have sat in front of the configurator and cursed out BMW NA for not allowing Turtufo Buckets as an option

[SigmaShift]

Originally Posted by Technic

I bet $3.57 that this “manager” called nobody.

Not sure I agree. I buy from the same dealer and have seen this dealer go way above and beyond for customers.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by nunzo

That is what I was told, that BMW NA marketing made the call to not allow it. I assume that to be true based on who told me, but it could be something else, Ivory isn't exactly sporty.

Bucket seats in Tartufo are not available as regular option at all by BMWAG. BMWNA offers in USA what BMWAG offers for our market, like any other BMW distributor.

However, Tartufo is listed in the Individual ordering guide as one of the Merino colors that can be selected for any BMW seat, including Carbon Buckets. This should not be a surprise, difficult, one of a kind, special approval, but not surprising it is to me.

Most requests for Individual Manufaktur options are handled quickly and very efficiently by BMWAG, with BMWNA handling the paperwork. But for some mysterious reason, some particular requests have strong responses from Individual, no technical or business reason, like they don’t want to even consider being paid for something that they have done before. Even when this is personally questioned at their headquarters in Garching, they respond by a shrug, and basically saying this is how they roll. Even when Individual tried to get this request process more organized and corporate by publishing ordering guides , and pricing lists for most of their custom offerings about 4 years ago (they never did something like this before at all, all their requests were really closed to the general customer), still they cannot get simple requests going even published in their own guides.

If you have to go around, pulling tricks to get approval for something officially posted as available to order then something is not quite right in this whole Individual request thing.

[cosmicamnesia]

I'm a little bit color blind, it's hard for me to see the violet bits of the paint in those pics, but I really love that color. Am I right in assuming the violet in this is kind of like the "Sapphire" in Black Sapphire, where it looks predominantly metallic black, but then the Sapphire (or Violet, in this case) appears with more light and in the relections?
To my eyes, in that picture, this looks like a slightly lighter BSM, maybe like a hybrid of BSM and the old Mineral Grey, but with a bit of a purple hue to it.
I still don't like the G series much, personally, but I am certainly digging many of the Individual colors people have been going for. Some very bold choices, indeed. I really like this one.

BTW, good choice going with Rahal! Was this from Rahal in PA? Jeez, makes me miss living on the east coast a bit. Our dealers in CA seem to vary greatly in their customer service quality. I bought a bunch of cars through Rahal, they got me into my old 1M way back in 2011 (I should've held onto that car longer) and a few special edition or 1 of 1-spec M3's over the years.

[HolyChitMeng]

Ivory can be sporty sometimes

[gc.g80brg]

At first, I really wanted the tartufo buckets to match the BRG color but seeing those... I'm kinda disapointed and nothing to be impressed. (I've seen them IRL few months ago in a M3 touring in a europ trip)

[nunzo]

Originally Posted by Technic

Bucket seats in Tartufo are not available as regular option at all by BMWAG. BMWNA offers in USA what BMWAG offers for our market, like any other BMW distributor.

If you have to go around, pulling tricks to get approval for something officially posted as available to order then something is not quite right in this whole Individual request thing.

You and I have talked, you're well versed in the process. It's just odd how in every other country you can walk right in to a dealer and pay the upcharge.

Originally Posted by cosmicamnesia

I'm a little bit color blind, it's hard for me to see the violet bits of the paint in those pics, but I really love that color. Am I right in assuming the violet in this is kind of like the "Sapphire" in Black Sapphire, where it looks predominantly metallic black, but then the Sapphire (or Violet, in this case) appears with more light and in the relections?
To my eyes, in that picture, this looks like a slightly lighter BSM, maybe like a hybrid of BSM and the old Mineral Grey, but with a bit of a purple hue to it.
I still don't like the G series much, personally, but I am certainly digging many of the Individual colors people have been going for. Some very bold choices, indeed. I really like this one.

BTW, good choice going with Rahal! Was this from Rahal in PA? Jeez, makes me miss living on the east coast a bit. Our dealers in CA seem to vary greatly in their customer service quality. I bought a bunch of cars through Rahal, they got me into my old 1M way back in 2011 (I should've held onto that car longer) and a few special edition or 1 of 1-spec M3's over the years.

It's a dark plum color when overcast and really comes alive in light. The PPF shop sent me a pic this morning that I've attached.

Yep Rahal in PA.

Originally Posted by HolyChitMeng

Ivory can be sporty sometimes

Fair point!

[chris s]

Originally Posted by gc.g80brg

At first, I really wanted the tartufo buckets to match the BRG color but seeing those... I'm kinda disapointed and nothing to be impressed. (I've seen them IRL few months ago in a M3 touring in a europ trip)

Agreed, to each his own however. Tartufo is a great color, but same as with the standard tartufo seats, the lack of black contrasting material just makes them look "less sporty", IMHO. Not worth $6500 extra to me...but it was to the OP and now he has something rare and exclusive in the US, which is cool.

[RTPenland]

Originally Posted by nunzo

Could be the finest tracwrap job ever to grace this earth

Did that to get it home and to the PPF shop on Tuesday. I cannot stand rock chips.

wow

[StealthM5]

Congrats great combo!

[techwhiz1]

Originally Posted by xaappx

I don't understand why this specific color is not available in buckets, Tartufo is my favorite interior color.

My car is "order received" so I asked my salesperson if she can request from the factory to get Tartufo carbon buckets and she said the manager called and got denied.

Go to the Canadian website.
They are offered there. Configure a car and get the option code for the seats.

People are asking the wrong question and getting told "no". Ask for the "carbon seats with the individual leather like the send to Canada".

Ask for the option they have in Canada with no modification. No custom stitching. You have to take the color as offered on the website.

That is exactly how I got tartufo interior on my I4 M50 with absolutely no push back.

I'm not saying it works all the time, but I used that and I know someone else that has used a Canadian option to get interior not offered here.

I was initially told "No" but the pictures don't lie.

[nunzo]

Originally Posted by techwhiz1

Go to the Canadian website.
They are offered there. Configure a car and get the option code for the seats.

People are asking the wrong question and getting told "no". Ask for the "carbon seats with the individual leather like the send to Canada".

Ask for the option they have in Canada with no modification. No custom stitching. You have to take the color as offered on the website.

That is exactly how I got tartufo interior on my I4 M50 with absolutely no push back.

I'm not saying it works all the time, but I used that and I know someone else that has used a Canadian option to get interior not offered here.

I was initially told "No" but the pictures don't lie.

The Canadian site is wrong - it's a programming error that allows you to add it one way and not the other. Straight from the BMW North America 2023/2024 Order Guide (attached pic). This is the cause of the pushback because it explicitly states that you cannot equip those options together.


I believe Technic also has the same interior in his i4 m50.

[techwhiz1]

Originally Posted by nunzo

The Canadian site is wrong - it's a programming error that allows you to add it one way and not the other. Straight from the BMW North America 2023/2024 Order Guide (attached pic). This is the cause of the pushback because it explicitly states that you cannot equip those options together.


I believe Technic also has the same interior in his i4 m50.

BMW USA and Canada have different guides.
I do see your point and they should definitely change the website if they don't want people beating down the door.

My suggestion only applies to interior that is available in Canada.

[nunzo]

Oh interesting, why don’t they call it BMW USA then! 🤣

Does the Canada guide show the same note?