The Ultimate Trip - My BMW Euro Delivery -PIC Heavy!

"heliochrome85" (heliochrome85)
07/23/2014 at 20:00 • Filed to: None

The Story:

As I was coming upon the end of my then current lease (2011 Kia Optima EX-Premium), I figured I would upgrade my car to something I could truly fall in love with. My weekly work schedule is usually between 60-80 hours, per week, and as a result, I decided that if I was going to make a car payment, it had to be THE car. As a result, I started test driving options. The ATS, CLA250, 328i, A4/5, S60, and Infiniti Q50 were all in the running as was the LR Evoque. After alot of testing, I finally drove the 3 and promptly fell in love.

After talking numbers with my local dealer, and getting pretty abysmal (by KIA standards) service, I decided to start shopping around. I wasn't going to let an uninterested dealer stop me from what I wanted. After lurking for a while on Bimmerfest, I came in contact with a dealer in FL. They made the process incredibly simple and painfree. Emails were exchanged, and after a million questions, I finally placed my order.

The !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! :

Most cars in the USA are sold by dealer allocation. This means that a dealer gets a certain number of cars from the manufacturer. Those cars are built to the dealer or customer spec and sent over. Limited production models (M lines for example, and now the i Lines) are generally like this. Because the dealer has a certain number of cars they are allowed, they sell each at the highest price they can get since thats their primary revenue avenue. With European Delivery, the car is sold by the manufacturer directly to the customer, with a dealer handling the paperwork. As a result, with !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo, the savings are passed along to the customer. and Mercedes-Benz have an official 7% discount off US MSRP, Audi is around 6%, and Volvo 5%. Other perks are that you get a custom built car, European registration and insurance, hotel and airfare deals, and shipping back to the US built into the program. With !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! however, unlike others, the discount can be as much as 14% depending on rebates, and dealer hold back. Additionally, you do not pay dealer training fees and such, saving another 300 dollars. Generally speaking, savvy customers can negotiate with the dealer a deal based on European Invoice + 500 to 1000 dollars, with the latter being the dealer profit. So from a dealer perspective, they sell an extra car that month, and get paid 500-1000 to handle the paperwork. From a customer perspective, you can use any dealer in the US, plus you get a substantial discount and an incredible experience.

Knowing all of this and thoroughly combing the various BMW forums, I found a dealer and started the build process. After much going back and forth, I settled on the build and paid a deposit (Late August) and set a delivery date of 11/4/2013 in Munich.

The Build:

I added on heated seats to this pack, to bring the total to $46,675

The Tracker:

BMW has a fairly impressive order tracking system that allows you to follow along with the car's progress during production. While it could be updated with more frequency than it is currently, its better than nothing.

The Build Sheet:

With the paperwork signed 10 days prior to delivery, everything was ready!

The Trip:

Now that I had my car ordered, I needed a traveling companion. For the past few years, work and school have kept me far from home. As a result, I have not been able to spend as much time with my dad as I have wanted to. Given the opportunity to have an adventure, I asked to see if he was willing to go with me. He had never been to Germany or France, and so after promising that we'd make it to Paris, he finally agreed to go with me. Then the real fun began.

The Plan:

November 1st

CAE -> ORD (UA4293)

ORD -> MUC (LH435)

November 2nd

Land in Munich

Take train (S8) to OSTBANHOF

Check in at hotel – Residence Inn Ostbanhof

Marienplatz/Viktualienmarkt/Schrannenhalle

Walk around downtown

Dinner at TAVERNA DIYAR – at 800PM

November 3rd

BMW Welt/On Demand/Adrenalin Tour

BMW Museum

Walk around downtown

November 4th

BMW Welt - DELIVERY

BMW Factory Tour

Munich to Fussen – 2hr 30 min

Castle Neuschwanstein

Dinner in Fussen at Ristorante Pizzeria il Pescatore – 1700 hours

Stay at Hotel Sonne

November 5th

Morning picture outside Castle Neuschwanstein

Drive to Black Forest

Head to Stuttgart

Koeningstraße/Schlossplatz

November 6th

Mercedes Museum

Drop off car in Sindlefingen

TGV to Paris, get in at 1030pm

November 7th

Breakfast in Abbesses - Au Levain d'Antan" 6, rue des Abbesses, Paris 18th

Place de Concorde -> Tuileries Gardens -> Rue de Rivoli -> Louvre -> Pont-Neuf -> Ile de la Cite ->Sainte-Chapelle-> Notre Dame-> Ile Saint Louis -> Shakespeare and Co -> Latin Quarter

November 8th

Arc Du Triomphe

Champs Elysees

River Cruise

Champ de Mars – Eiffel Tower

November 9th

Champs Elysees

Pont Alexander III

Les Invalides

Sorbonne

Place des Vosges

November 10th

CDG ->CAE

After landing in Munich, we quickly collected our luggage and headed into the city.

BMW has a large facility called the BMW Welt. It is connected to the BMW Museum, Headquarters, and Plant Munich. This is a customer experience center, with representative models from all their brands (BMW, Mini, and RR, plus BMW Motorrad). Its stunning in person and lit up at night.

The next morning, we woke up early and headed back to the Welt. I had arranged to rent an Alpine White 2013 BMW M3 for the day. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! gives you the ability to drive their entire line for a per hour charge. I chose the M3 and off we went. The navigation system had a pre-programed mystery tour selected that was to show us around the areas around Munich for 2-3 hours. While the weather wasn't forgiving, the car was intoxicating and proved to be quite the apertif for the following day's main event. We ended up grabbing lunch at a Turkish Doner Kebab place near the Hauptbanhof (central train station).

After returning the car, we headed across the bridge, to the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! (click for pics), which was hosting a Rolls-Royce Exhibit.

The Next day was DELIVERY DAY!

Upon arrival to the BMW Welt, they check your bags, similar to an airline, then usher you upstairs to the welcome lounge, using a special elevator. Upon arrival to the lounge, you sign the legal documents for the car. You then check your coat and relax in the lounge, stocked with food and drinks. Its very similar to an airline business class or first class lounge.

After a while, your delivery expert comes and picks you up, then takes you downstairs to a driving simulator, to show you the various technological innovations. After playing around on the driving simulator for a while, the specialist gets a message on their iPad letting them know the car is ready. Then you take the elevator back up and take a very long staircase down. Halfway down the stairs, the specialist pushes a button on their iPad, signaling the lights to adjust and spotlight on your car, and then the platform rotates. This is to maximize the first look. You then descend the staircase, and the car is there, rotating under the spotlights.

They hand over the keys, and go through all of the features of the car. The specialist helped set up my phone and navigation system. Then we took a photo or two, which are printed on the spot as mementos. With the luggage loaded up, you take a victory lap around the facility, then exit the Welt via a ramp.

Once outside, the valets take your car, and park it out front by the BMW Welt sign, and you are then ushered back in to the lounge to await your factory tour of Plant Munich, which builds the 3 and 4 series.

Because the BMW Welt is a customer experience center, it has displays of all their models, including BMW Motorrad and Rolls Royce. Live displays are common.

Right after delivery, Dad and I made a Bee-line for Fussen and the German Alps.

After the photo shoot in Schwangau, we headed for our next stop: Stuttgart, by way of the Black Forest.

Outside of the Black Forest.

The next morning, we ventured to the Mercedes-Benz Museum (Pics to follow).

Then washed and fueled the car up before turning it over to the shippers.

We then took the train into Stuttgart Hbf and enjoyed the city before taking the TGV to Paris for the last leg of our trip.

Spending 5 days in Paris, we finally flew home. Overall an absolutely incredible trip with many surprises.

The car wouldn't return stateside for another 8-10 weeks, but I knew I was in for part two, because it would be delivered to the BMW Performance Driving Center in Spartanburg, SC...

DISCUSSION (70)

Brian Silvestro > heliochrome85
07/23/2014 at 21:02

Well, that was awesome.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > heliochrome85
07/23/2014 at 21:06

This just assured the fact that when I buy a BMW - which I will one day - European delivery will be a must. That sounded simply awesome.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > heliochrome85
07/23/2014 at 21:13

Sounds like a great experience, a real gearhead holiday.

ly2v8-Brian > heliochrome85
07/23/2014 at 21:15

Jealous would be putting it lightly. I hope that everything works out after I'm done with school so that I can do that as well. Was the trip preplanned by them? Or did you decide what to do? All of what you did sounded amazing, I would like to visit my hometown if I did this.

EL_ULY > heliochrome85
07/23/2014 at 21:16

awesome, i can only imagine how awesome Swedish, English, Japanese, and all other deliveries are.

ZiptieMcBumper > heliochrome85
07/23/2014 at 21:25

Kinja'd!!!

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > heliochrome85
07/23/2014 at 21:26

Eventually I'll get around to Euro delivery on a new car. However, I'm not certain that it would be a BMW.

Since I'm not particularly keen on the new models (I really wanted a 5er with a stick, but that order option was removed, removing the necessity for getting a 5er over another E-Klasse), I may just wait it out to get a new Porsche or some such.

But you are right, you can do two factory deliveries with BMW. One at the Welt, and one in Spartanburg.

f86sabre > heliochrome85
07/23/2014 at 21:29

Thanks for sharing that. Looks like a great time and a wonderful experience.

Rico > heliochrome85
07/23/2014 at 21:32

Simply amazing. How did your dad like the car? I was in awe at some of the sights in the pictures, the scenery just looks mind blowing! You fuckin rock man.

Vicente Esteve > heliochrome85
07/23/2014 at 21:42

This is the kind of thing we car enthusiasts lust after and hope to experience someday. It was an epic trip, complimented by your very cool car. Congrats, and thanks for posting it!

Also:

MERKLINGEN/MUNSINGEN/BL on the nav!

heliochrome85 > Rico
07/23/2014 at 21:46

He has an E350 4matic. He thought mine was too sporty for his tastes, but he is already planning to replace my moms car with a 5 series, Euro Delivery of course. Im just happy he could come along!

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > heliochrome85
07/23/2014 at 21:51

Kinja'd!!!

What was flying Lufthansa like? Was it better or around the same as flying American airlines?

heliochrome85 > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
07/23/2014 at 21:54

Lufthansa is one of the best airlines I've ever been on.

Ive previously flown: KLM, British Airways, Air France, United, American, Delta, USAirways, Southwest, Virgin Atlantic, Austrian Airlines, and Alitalia. Lufthansa is phenomenal. American Airlines is no where near them in terms of service.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > heliochrome85
07/23/2014 at 21:57

Nice, I'll remember this when or if I ever get the chance to go to Germany.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > heliochrome85
07/23/2014 at 21:57

Nice! Makes me want a BMW even more. Time to get a job and start making some money!

Rico > heliochrome85
07/23/2014 at 22:34

Too ... sport..y ?

Kinja'd!!!

Kenaft - some new kid > heliochrome85
07/23/2014 at 23:52

Here's a random question I have: do you have the chance to keep the Euro plates? I enjoy seeing them and how they look on BMWs and other European cars here in the States (in states where front plates aren't required, of course).

Major props on accomplishing one of my - and tons of other peoples' - life goals :D

heliochrome85 > Kenaft - some new kid
07/23/2014 at 23:54

the front one is still installed on the car. the rear one is on my shelf in my office at home.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > heliochrome85
07/23/2014 at 23:55

Does BMW still let one do BMW Individual with non-M cars?

I haven't confirmed but I hear it's restricted to M cars only now.. and if not, is there any reason you didn't try for the program (assuming you knew about it)?

heliochrome85 > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman
07/23/2014 at 23:55

Its available in 5/6/7 configurations. Not available in 2/3/i/x lines.

heliochrome85 > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman
07/23/2014 at 23:56

for the USA that is. BMW Individual options are available in Canada for the 3.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > heliochrome85
07/24/2014 at 00:01

that kinda sucks then.... unfortunate really but really it's not that big of a deal in the end.

Dakar Yellow II F10 to match my dakar yellow E36 M3 would be sweet.........

Or a Mint Green 6er.

BMW seems to be doing a bad job about publicizing Individual here in the USA

heliochrome85 > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman
07/24/2014 at 00:02

Considering that most people in the US refuse to get anything other than Black or white, I don't see how publicizing BMW Individual would help the company in any way other than to ruin resale value for the random lime green ones.

PushToStart > heliochrome85
07/24/2014 at 00:09

Wow, that sounds so awesome, that's cool that you got to do all of that!

Oh yeah, and this picture is absolutely amazing.

And this post made me edit my bucket list:

Buy a car and get European delivery. Never really occurred to me to even do that one day, but that looks totally awesome.

heliochrome85 > PushToStart
07/24/2014 at 00:13

Its been my desktop since.

Kevin Rhodes > heliochrome85
07/24/2014 at 00:34

Fantastic pics! Especially of the Welt at night - stunning.

I did this in 2011, picked up my 328i wagon (RWD, stickshift, Tasman green on chestnut). You actually got to see Munich! I did the insane version of your delivery - because I had already committed to two weeks in Scandinavia with friends, I had to cram Germany into a long weekend. So we flew into Munich at 11am, took a 90 Euro cab ride to the Welt, and picked up the car at 3pm. Then drove to Stuttgart... Nothing like driving your first new BMW on the Autobahn for the first time, in Friday evening rush hour traffic, on about 2hrs sleep in 2 days. At 125mph... Did the Porsche and MB Museums on Saturday, then drove to Berlin. Toured Berlin Sunday morning (went to Mielenwerk - amazing), then drove straight through to Stockholm. Which is like driving from Maine to the Carolinas, with a 1hr boat ride in the middle. Met up with our friends Monday and got on a BIG ferry to Helsinki and I slept like the dead for 10hrs. A week in Finland (Saab International Convention and driving tour - my previous car was a 9-3 SportCombi), then a few days back in Sweden, then back through Germany to drop the car in Amsterdam. Drove with different friends to Paris for a few days, took in the Ralph Lauren car show at the Louvre. TGV back to Amsterdam and flew home. Just about 3000 miles total. Took exactly six weeks for delivery.

I'm going to do it again in 2016 for a 228i. Keeping the wagon though, the 228i will replace my Abarth. I might do Performance Center delivery too - please do another write up on that!

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > heliochrome85
07/24/2014 at 00:37

Individual is so much more though... I have a buddy in California who has an Individual E90 335d with some pretty seriously cool options beyond color

heliochrome85 > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman
07/24/2014 at 00:47

They used to offer it, until the F30 line. I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't comeback in the next model year or so.

heliochrome85 > Kevin Rhodes
07/24/2014 at 00:47

YES YES YES YES YES. Ill do the PCD write up tomorrow.

tehGnomeArmy > heliochrome85
07/24/2014 at 00:58

Great post man, beautiful car. I am on track to do the same in about a year.

rad_mike > heliochrome85
07/24/2014 at 01:56

Excellent post. I did this when I bought my Volvo. Let's be honest, if you're going to buy a new car, is there any other way to do it?

(The wait during shipment back the the states is brutal.)

heliochrome85 > rad_mike
07/24/2014 at 02:29

i love this damn car.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > heliochrome85
07/24/2014 at 02:30

Now I know what European Delivery is, just you wait Porsche. Within six years, you'll be expecting me in Stuttgart; THIS I SWEAR!! :D

Jimmy Tango > heliochrome85
07/24/2014 at 02:49

Awesome trip report brother! Mad prop on bringing Papa alone. My dad is also a Merc customer, and said the same thing about my e46 being too sporty. Hope to post mine next year if everything goes with plan!

heliochrome85 > Jimmy Tango
07/24/2014 at 02:54

easily the best trip I've ever been on. Don't listen to that dealer. GO FOR THE TRIP!

Eazy-O > heliochrome85
07/24/2014 at 04:02

No 'ring trip? I am disappoint.

Conan > heliochrome85
07/24/2014 at 07:47

This seems like about the coolest possible trip with your Dad (or to take with anybody). I'm so glad you got to experience it. I'm going to suggest this to mine for his next car.

E92M3 > heliochrome85
07/24/2014 at 08:38

I've never bought a new car, I can't stomach the depreciation. But now I want to buy 1 brand new car in my life just so I can go do European Delivery. Awesome story!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > heliochrome85
07/24/2014 at 09:06

Kinja'd!!!

That's one hell of a rental...

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > heliochrome85
07/24/2014 at 09:08

Kinja'd!!!

Such a stunning color.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > tehGnomeArmy
07/24/2014 at 09:11

What car?

heliochrome85 > Eazy-O
07/24/2014 at 09:46

Dad isn't much for such things. Also, the Ring is fairly far away from where I was heading. Next trip!

heliochrome85 > Conan
07/24/2014 at 09:47

it was an incredible experience. absolutely incredible.

heliochrome85 > E92M3
07/24/2014 at 09:48

based on the discounts, i basically negated the depreciation for the first 12-18 months.

heliochrome85 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
07/24/2014 at 09:48

i miss that v8

heliochrome85 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
07/24/2014 at 09:49

Considering that we can't do BMW Individual in the US on the 3 series, I think i chose ok.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > heliochrome85
07/24/2014 at 10:39

So much better than just "ok"...

So many good blues in the BMW back catalog - not impressed with the Yas Marina on the new M3/4 (but haven't seen it in person yet).

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > heliochrome85
07/24/2014 at 10:39

It's addicting, that's for sure!

heliochrome85 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
07/24/2014 at 11:20

agreed.

E92M3 > heliochrome85
07/24/2014 at 11:30

What percent do you think you saved? I've always heard around 7% on BMW ED. Was it enough to cover the airfare, lodging etc in Europe for a week? Fingers Crossed things go well enough for me I can do ED on the current M3 once the Competition Package is released in a few years.

heliochrome85 > E92M3
07/24/2014 at 14:01

16% total savings not including cost of trip, which wasn't that bad. (Trip was about 2500)

heliochrome85 > Brian Silvestro
07/24/2014 at 19:18

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/re-delivery-at…

heliochrome85 > Rico
07/24/2014 at 19:19

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/re-delivery-at…

heliochrome85 > Kevin Rhodes
07/24/2014 at 19:19

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/re-delivery-at…

heliochrome85 > rad_mike
07/24/2014 at 19:20

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/re-delivery-at…

heliochrome85 > Jimmy Tango
07/24/2014 at 19:20

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/re-delivery-at…