[wjones14]

I ordered the car on Dec 7 and hadn't heard anything from the dealer about it since. They told me to expect an allocation by Feb 1, and delivery around Apr 1.

Ever since placing the order, I had been toying with the idea of adding some stuff from the accessories catalog; either the performance exhaust, the rear diffuser, or the front splitter. But even though I wanted these things, I kept dismissing them since I had never spent anywhere near this much money on a car in my life. Maybe I would add one thing at a time down the road.

Still, I did keep reading and learning about these parts. For example, I learned that when ordering the exhaust, you have to specify whether it would be used with the rear diffuser or without, so the two exhaust systems are different. Apparently the difference is that the pipes coming out of the muffler are a few inches longer when going with the diffuser.

If I had to pick between the performance exhaust and the diffuser, I would choose the exhaust. Like I said, I was hoping to add these things one at a time. My confusion was, can you order the exhaust that goes with the diffuser, if you don't yet have the diffuser but plan to get it at some point in the future?

So I called the dealer today, to get his advice on the exhaust/diffuser, and to ask if there was any news on my allocation. His initial reply about the parts was that I could add the performance exhaust with the order, but the rear diffuser was not a port-installed accessory. He was unaware of any differences in the exhaust systems when a diffuser was involved versus the stock bumper cover, but said he would check. He also said that he did not have an allocation yet, but would check with the area rep to see if anything could be done.

He emailed me back a little later and said that his parts guy said the exhaust could indeed be port-installed to work with the stock bumper, but then would require some customization should the diffuser be added later. He wasn't sure what this entailed, or if they could even do it...

Then, a little bit later he sent another email saying that they found a "buildable M235i from another store" and he ordered it for me. To his surprise, he was able to add the exhaust and diffuser as a single order code (ZA5), so he added it to the order, sent me a screenshot, and asked me if I wanted to order it like that.

I don't know what it means that he found a "buildable" car like that, but apparently I now have a Production Number! He offered me a good discount on the exhaust/diffuser addition, so I decided to go with it.

It's getting exciting...

[pikcachu]

yes the one with the diffuser has longer exhaust pipes so you need to order the correct one else you would have pipes sticking out like 4 inches

he probably traded the allocation with some other dealer....
looks like you car is scheduled for week 6th

You could have gotten the black grills for around $100 online and I wouldn't have ordered the tips for $270 and just kept stock black tips... but good that you got the car going...

[wjones14]

Originally Posted by pikcachu

yes the one with the diffuser has longer exhaust pipes so you need to order the correct one else you would have pipes sticking out like 4 inches

he probably traded the allocation with some other dealer....
looks like you car is scheduled for week 6th

You could have gotten the black grills for around $100 online and I wouldn't have ordered the tips for $270 and just kept stock black tips... but good that you got the car going...

I didn't want the chrome tips either, but it says they're required. Should I look into that?

[pikcachu]

i know people were reusing the black ones on the MPE but not sure they let you order like that from factory...

if you order afterwards you can just buy the parts separately...

[mvallido]

I would have done the same option if M Performance parts were available when I ordered mine Jan 2014.

[jbenington86]

Originally Posted by pikcachu

i know people were reusing the black ones on the MPE

This is one of the reasons I didn't get the MPE. Hate looking at the chrome tips with carbon build up on them. Used brasso in the past but just couldn't keep up with it.

[wjones14]

I understand that I overpaid somewhat when ordering these parts from the factory, and also that I was required to buy the chrome tips that I didn't necessarily want.

But the upside for me is that I won't have to deal with storing/disposal of the original parts, and obviously won't have to bother with installation issues. As far as the chrome tips, I actually don't mind them. Maybe that will change when I have to clean them like jbenington86 suggests.

[Alpine F31]

I cant see your screen shot.

Congrats on getting that much closer! I'm right behind you

[gaijin]

Good on you! Patience indeed pays off.