[BatMeoW]

Is it possible to track the shipment of a new X5 to Australia using the VIN? I remember back in 2017, I was able to track my X3, but now I’m not able to find anything to do that. Most of the links I found are dead.

[jad03060]

You might be able to deduce what ship it made it onto, and then track that ship based on when it made it to the port. If it has to go through the Panama Canal, expect delays. They might try to avoid that by shipping it by rail to CA...don't know. AIS on the ships is free when closer to land, but costs to track it once beyond that range. Usually, BMW ships out of Charleston for Europe, but I'm not sure about those going to AU.

[RichardE]

I tracked mine using the free marine tracker 'marinetraffic.com', the ship shows up within 1/2 day of port and when the ship leaves a port it usually lists the next port and an estimate of the time.
Mine came through the Panama canal (April 2023) then towards French Polynesia, NZ, Brisbane then Melbourne. The only delays in getting to port was in Australia, 5 days in Brisbane and about 4 days in Melbourne, but that was in June 2023 when the ports were really busy.
The BMW dealer should be able to tell what ship it is on once it sails.

[jad03060]

There has been an extended drought in Panama that has seriously disrupted the timely passage of ships, delaying some for days if not weeks that started last summer. This is expected to persist until the rainy season starts. The water used for the locks comes from freshwater lakes, and they are dangerously low because of the drought there. Part of the transit also crosses one lake, limiting the maximum draft, too. Going around South America takes longer, and is not without some risk.

Once you determine what ship it is on, you can track it...continuous tracking beyond about 200-miles from land has a fee, but while close to a land-based receiver, it's free.

[BatMeoW]

Looks like I need to start by finding the name of the vessel. The car build date is of last week only so I assume it will be sometime before I’m able to get it.

[Aussiejem]

Hi getting an X5 50e to Sydney?

[BatMeoW]

Originally Posted by Aussiejem

Hi getting an X5 50e to Sydney?

I’m getting a 40i

[Aussiejem]

Sweet

[COKen]

You may be able to get more information about the ship name by contacting the BMW Genius Hotline. You will need your VIN or production number.

BMW Genius Hotline – 1.844.4GENIUS (443-6487)
Available
Monday through Thursday 9:00am-9:00pm (EST),
Friday 9:00am-6:00pm (EST), and
Saturday 10:00am-7:00pm (EST)
If you would prefer to send us an email, please contact bmwgenius@bmwusa.com

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by COKen

You may be able to get more information about the ship name by contacting the BMW Genius Hotline. You will need your VIN or production number.

BMW Genius Hotline – 1.844.4GENIUS (443-6487)
Available
Monday through Thursday 9:00am-9:00pm (EST),
Friday 9:00am-6:00pm (EST), and
Saturday 10:00am-7:00pm (EST)
If you would prefer to send us an email, please contact bmwgenius@bmwusa.com

They would have no clue as it is not a BMWNA vehicle.

[COKen]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

They would have no clue as it is not a BMWNA vehicle.

My bad! Doesn't Australia have their own version of Genius Hotline?

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by COKen

My bad! Doesn't Australia have their own version of Genius Hotline?

Not that I'm aware of, their Genius marketing is for people to call the Genius at their local dealer.

[BatMeoW]

Originally Posted by COKen

My bad! Doesn't Australia have their own version of Genius Hotline?

Unfortunately, not. We do have Geniuses but those are mostly like helpline for car software issues rather than for querying order details. Not sure why Australia can’t get similar system as US.

[Aussiejem]

Geniuses are embedded within the Dealerships. Honestly, they seem more on technical side than order status gurus. Try the Stock Manager/Controller at the Dealership as I got into contact with him rather than the Genius

[BatMeoW]

Originally Posted by Aussiejem

Try the Stock Manager/Controller at the Dealership as I got into contact with him rather than the Genius

Yup, that’s what I’ve been doing. I’d rather have a system where I’m able to check it myself than to keep making calls and waiting for call backs. This all seems so primitive. 🙁

[Aussiejem]

What status are you? 105, 111 or 112?

[BatMeoW]

Originally Posted by Aussiejem

What status are you? 105, 111 or 112?

Don’t know. I’m also not sure of what code corresponds to what status. My car’s product date is of last week and I also have a VIN already. The product date was same as on Order so I am assuming expected delivery to be close as well, which per Order is mid-April.

[Aussiejem]

If you have a VIN it's very close to production. Within couple of weeks maybe.... I think Turtleboy has a way of following the car once VIN is set? Through MyBMW or something

[BatMeoW]

Originally Posted by Aussiejem

If you have a VIN it's very close to production.

Per my knowledge, my car is already built. Checking the VIN shows Production start date as February 3rd 2024. Now just waiting to track the ship as I also need time to sell off my X3.

[Aussiejem]

Sounds like me lol... sold X3 M40i last year and ordered X5. What combo/options on your new X5?

[BatMeoW]

Originally Posted by Aussiejem

What combo/options on your new X5?

I’ve ordered Tanzenite Blue with Black Marino leather and carbon fiber trim. Also picked up literally all the options available except Alcantara headliner. 😆

My X3 isn’t fully loaded and sometimes I think, if it was better equipped, I would probably not have changed it. It’s such a beautiful car and so much fun to drive. Personally, I’m also worried that with each passing model, BMW is making their cars worse so might as well get it before they make these so bad that you have to consider a different brand.

[Aussiejem]

Fair enough. Great combo with new X5