Not to interrupt the how-to-configure-your-Beemer discussion
but...
Date: 11/12
Location: LAX
Level: PC
Reserved: Intermediate
Offered: Nothing at first -- "Er, let me see what we got here...". Then various oddballs, including Captiva, Suburban, Excursion, Wrangler.
Requested: Almost any Mazda
Offered (& declined): Mazda 5
Offered: Mazda CX-9 (as soon as it got out of the wash)
Exchanged to: VW Tiguan
This particular experience was just as weird and disorganized as my summary above implies. When I arrived, every slot on the Preferred board said "See Preferred Counter". The agent found my reservation, and instead of offering anything just asked me what I wanted. Which flummoxed me, because usually I reserve Full and ask for an Infiniti or BMW, but I'm honestly not sure what to ask for with an Intermediate reservation. So I asked what they had, and was told "Basically nothing -- let's see..." followed by an eclectic list of SUVs that didn't sound all that appealing. Apparently Veteran's Day cleaned them out of every kind of sedan, leaving only SUVs and the occasional minivan.
If you don't ask you'll never know. FWIW, when I do not like my car I always ask for a specific set of cars. Rather than "What do you have?" I ask "Can I have a BMW, infiniti, Volvo?" and see what they come back with. I agree renting Full Size upfront does help a bit but you may get a generous person if it was an Intermediate rental.
LAX
PC
Rented: Full Size
Received: BMW 528i
On a side note, I have received a number of cars "Right after they were washed" It is annoying that apparently Avis skips the drying part of the wash so you just end up with dried water spots all over the car.