BMW European Delivery

motenor1

Thanks postoak. I will probably take the train instead.

Aukema: I will let you know of all the details of my ED experience. I arrive to Munich on thursday (19th)

Thanks all
325i,
metallic silver,
manual,
cold weather Pkg
navigation
leatherette
xenon
600 over invoice (sweet!)

markjenn

I'd advise taking the subway from the airport which are clean, safe, and fairly easy to figure out. They go everywhere. Cab rides are very expensive. English-speaking folks, both official and unofficial, are all over the place. The hotel can give you the exact subway to take.

The key thing is to pack super-light.

- Mark

aukema

Thanks for all the responses. The price with options was $1726 over ED invoice which means I over paid by $226. I'll take guilt free extended demo drives before our trip so I am familiar with the vehicle (since this is my first BMW). I'll give the salesperson a copy of your responses, if he gives me a hard time. LOL

motenor1, Look forward to your trip experience. Should have had you negotiate for me.

The Lufthansa 2 for 1 deal turns out not so good, unfortunately. Flights in May returning in June cost $1500 and you need to pay taxes on the second ticket of $120. Other airlines have round trip prices for $850 (PHX to Munich). Taking 4 means I'll be paying 50% more using Luftansa.

Thanks all

markjenn

I was considering a motorcycle trip to S. Germany Italy for this late spring, but the airlines are super stingy on freq flyer mile tickets right now and the airfares for when I needed to travel were about $1500, even with some serious hunting around. I had to scratch the trip.

You got a good deal, I wouldn't worry about it.

Congrats on the X3. I like this vehicle, although the initial reports of it being a little too harsh has me sitting on the fence for a replacement for my ML.

- Mark

dk3307

aukema,

Congratulation on your new BMW. You will like BMW’s handling. We used to have a 525.

What options do you have on your X3? Check out www.bimmerfest.com. It has a lot of good info. on ED. Good luck to you. Have a great vacation in Europe.

All,

We are still waiting to test drive the 2.5 before we decide what to do. We are considering either a 2.5 or 3.0 with automatic (wife does not want manual. It is going to be her car) with leather and premium package. What would be a good price?

aukema

DK3307,
Thanks for the congratulation. It's hard to feel the excitement of a new car when we wouldn't see it for another 4 months. Planning the trip is compensation. Thinking about driving the X3 through the scenic areas of Europe shown in the travel guides is providing the rush associated with a major purchase.
We went with 3.0i,Silver Gray Metallic,manual (currently have manual on the 87 Pathfinder, son 16 wanted it, wife went along),Premium Package, Xenon lights (almost 60 liked the idea of seeing around corners better),Privacy glass (live in AZ, lowers temp in car). Offered $1000 over ED invoice. Paid $1726 over ED invoice. The other BMW dealer refused to give any discount.

motenor1

The trip was a-m-a-z-i-n-g!! It did not take long to pick up the car. I took the subway from the airport and the directions from the ED packet was clear cut.

When I got there, I got in line and the receptionist pulled my records. He then advised me that my name will be called when the vehicle is ready. At which point, I went upstairs to the bistro and used my voucher to have a light snack (the food was delicious). The ED specialist went over the documents with me (intl registration, insurance, etc) and handed me 3 keys (2 original keys with fobs and one flat key for valet). Then we proceeded to the back and that is when I fell in love with the car. I tell you, it is different when you see it face to face. Boy, it was a beauty. My new toy...wohoo!!!

Since I have GPS, i insisted on the DVD. The ED specialist was kind enough to lend me one after I promised him that I will leave it to HARMs when I drop the vehicle off. Unfortunately, accdng to the customer agent, not many people who borrowed the DVD do return it so they have become very cautious. I then made it a point to leave it to Mr. Bhremens (harms) who will then mail it to BMW.

It was snowing relentlessly when I dropped off the car. Coming from CA, I have never driven on snow and I was dead scared. I was unsure if I needed cables for the tires. The hotel receptionist assured me that BMW installed at least all-season tires on my car.

During my stay, I made it a point to go to their sales office on Frankfurt Ring 35 (Niederlassung..i think). I picked up some brochures. They sure offer bmw's in a lot of different configurations, colors and upholstery. They even offer cloth seats!

I also did the factory tour. Another great opportunity to see how the vehicles are made.
Overall it was a fruitful experience!

307web

Premium unleaded is averaging over $2 per gallon in California. What can of pricing can you expect in Germany and the rest of Europe?
I have seen prices rise and fall as much as 20 cents a gallon in one week here.
Does pricing fluctuate there as much as it does in the US?

Is there a website that lists updated average fuel prices in Europe?

jb_shin

just like US, it is different from store to store and city to city. Roughly, figure about 2.5 to 3 times what you are paying.

6fanatic

Anyone have a 6 ordered for ED? What's the lead time? Premium or ED invoice? 05 available yet for ED? THANKS!

307web

Are there certain blackout weeks ED is not available due to model year change overs at the factory?

aukema

Motenor1,

Sounds like you had a good ED experience. I am concerned about how long it took for you to get to the ED center from the airport after touch down. We arrive around 11AM and plan to take the subway. Can we still make it to the center to checkout the vehicle? Did you stay in Munich and where?

Thanks for your response.

rfrith

We did ED last April for my wife's car and we're heading back 4/3 to pickup an X3 for me. We stayed at a Renaissance, which is a Marriott property. (see website http://marriott.com/property/propertyPage.mi?marshaCode=MUCBR) It was excellent. Many visiting BMW employees stay there since it's close to the BMW World Headquarters. There is also a Marriott nearby.

motenor1

it took me about an hour to get to the bmw center. if you take the subway to marienplatz, you need to transfer to U6 (i think..check the credit card size map provided with the ed packet). it also took me awhile to figure out what ticket to purchase since the vending machines are in german. However, if i am going to do it again, i would rather pick up the car the next day. i was so very tired when i get there, my mom was practically sleeping in the lobby while the ED specialist was going over the car with me. I also did not get much sleep on the plane.

just like rfrith, i stayed at renaissance marriot which is right at the nierdrofh station (which is 3 stations before frieman station where the ED center is). They have excellent buffet breakfast from 6am- 11:30 am. My hotel cost is 55 euros per night. they upgraded my room to a suite...i dont know why. the regular price for the suite is 389 euros.

good luck aukema. if you need further info, you can email me direct at brgn9099@yahoo.com (i am at tokyo intl airport right now)

markjenn

I agree with the previous poster - all you folks doing the red-eye over and then going from the airport to pick up the car are masochists. This is a once-in-lifetime-experience - what's the big hurry? Get a good night's sleep and then enjoy your new car. (Probably safer too - driving a new car in Munich traffic while dog-tired sounds like a recipe for disaster.)

- Mark

330iii

I'm just curious,I know there are no special discounts for Euro Delivery M models (Munich pickup pricing). If i was interested in an M3 Munich pickup could i at least get a break off the US MSRP of 47,100 plus 695 dest. Such as xxx amount (dealer profit) over US confidential wholesale invoice?(43,020 plus 695 dest.charge as per Edmunds) What do you guys think?

markjenn

I think you can get the same discount for an ED delivery M3 as you can get for a US delivery M3 - small to none. But it doesn't hurt to try.

- Mark

gretsch6120

I hope I am putting this in the correct forum.

Does anybody have any experience importing a BMW into the US from Germany? How much of a hassle was it? How long? Did the car meet US specs? Is it more expensive to repair a European made BMW? Does the warranty carry over? etc, etc,.

Sitting in Germany and scoffing at the US prices for used BMW's, could just bring one with me when I move back over this summer, but want to hear some experiences. Might be more hassle than I want to go through.

Appreciate it

6thbeatle

in 1990, my dad contemplated bringing a new mercedes s-class sedan over himself from germany (MB had a specific customer program for this), but decided against it for reasons of time and hassle. he concluded that if you wanted to make a trip out it--for example, you wanted to see the factory where your car was built and then take the car for a tour through germany and europe, it was a great way to go.

however, if you're just trying to save money, it's probably not worth all the extra paperwork, aggravation, and valuable time spent bringing it here when you can just as easily walk into the local dealership and sign on a dotted line.

since you're talking about used vehicles, you might want to ask regular posters like rroyce or driftracer, as they are very experienced in the auto business, and could probably give you some anecdotal insights into the related costs and so forth. and you can always ask the hosts if you need help. good luck!

gretsch6120

Hi 6thbeatle,

Thanks
New here and trying to find out ANY information.
I see used BMW's here (in Germany) for $10,000 under what they are in the states and have "heard" it's somewhere around $1000 to ship over and then a matter of taxes to pay depending on the value of the car + safety issues for the USA. Which I might get hit because it would be the "USA's" value of the car. Like bringing a Ferrari to India. Haha. Well not quite that astronomical I'm sure.

Will run over to the local BMW dealer here and ask about warranties etc. Was hoping someone had some experience with this.

take care,
Andy

andys120

the used BMWs you are looking at over there have not been federalized and must be expensively altered to meet US emissions and safety standards before you can import ans register them in America.

Don't forget your US$ is worth 20-25 percent less than a Euro. You may find that when comparing equipment levels and currency differences those cars are really not very cheap.

Oh yeah, those "factory warranties" are provided by the importer not BMW AG and would not apply to used vehicles bought in Europe because you're not importing thru their channel.

gretsch6120

Thanks andys120,
 I hear you and have thought along the same lines, but it never hurts to reseach, right? I have heard the negative side (some of what you state) and then others that say, it was no problem, but I would like to know details. Simply that.

I'm not so sure about emissions, we're pretty strict in Germany, as well with safety, but nothing would surprise me at this point.

From what I understand the Z3, X5, and X3 are all still made in Germany and exported to the states? So, someone, somewhere must have information as to what the costs/possibility is to actually do this.

take care,
Andy

Mr_Shiftright

If it's not a Federalized BMW, you can just forget it. it's not coming here.

Best plan is the eurpean delivery program, which I believe you can research either by going to the BMW website or doing a "search" right here to the left of this page. We've had topics on Euro Delivery.

rroyce10

..... ** Best plan is the European delivery program, which I believe you can research either by going to the BMW website or doing a "search" right here to the left of this page. We've had topics on Euro Delivery. **

              Bingo ....!

          No matter what price you are paying there, by the time you get the transport, the conversion, a this and a that, it's still going to go "grey market" .. which means take the wholesale figure and divide by 2, thats what it's going to be worth here ..

          Are you getting a deal .? .. yeah kinda, until you go to trade it or sell it and it's worth about 50% less than the prevailing market, and thats IF you can get someone to hook on it .........

                      Terry.

planoml

Please, give me your thoughts on the new (2005?) 3 series, as far as EU delivery availability & discounts. My understanding is that the new model will be available around August. What has your experience with ED been when a new model is out? I would also welcome any insight as to what changes the new model will have. Thanks.

gretsch6120

Appreciate the response.
I traveled around town a few days ago and neither of the two BWM dealers could answer my questions so that leads me to believe this would be highly complicated to deal with.
Learn something everyday.

Have a good day.

Mr_Shiftright

"highly complicated" is an understatement. There are professional expeditors who specifically handle EPA/DOT conversions for you, and they are not cheap. It's pretty much a "leave that blank check and we'll call you when we're done".

As Terry so wisely points out, any gray market car immediately suffers a huge depreciation as soon as it hits US shores. And dealers might absolutely refuse to even work on it.

Further, if you don't meet the strict time limits imposed by EPA/DOT for the conversions, they have the legal right to impound and destroy the car if you don't immediately deport it yourself. AND you have to post a bond in trust while the conversion work is being done.

The regs are so complex I've lost track of them anymore. The whole process seems exhausting and pointless unless you are bringing in a race car or a specialty museum piece of some sort.

I guess Bill Gates brought in a Porsche 959 but I'm sure he didn't personally sweat the details. You've heard the expression "It would take an act of congresss to ______". I think in his case that's exactly what it took!

307web

It looks like there will be no "new" 3-Series this fall in the US.
The redesign is more likely going to be a 2006 model.
Do you have a recent, official website link somewhere saying otherwise?

carlisimo

I guess I should forget about that Alfa Romeo 147gta then, huh.

Curses.

6thbeatle

just go over there and get your car!

who knows, maybe you'll like it in germany and decide to stay indefinitely. then you won't have to worry about importing it to the U.S. anymore. life has a funny way of working itself out. Peace!

lilipeutia

I'm flying in to Munich March 30 at 8 am and was intending to sleep there that night and pick up the car on the morning of the 31st. However, I can't find a free hotel room anywhere in the city--except maybe something for $450 per night. (There's some sort of fair.)

The only alternative I can think of is to pick up the car on the 30th (which I can do--I just realized it's actually scheduled for then) and drive somewhere to stay. A friend's flight gets in at 4 pm on the 30th, so I would have to swing by the airport first.

Any thoughts of what a good place to stay would be that wouldn't be too taxing for the weary traveller? And does anyone know what this fair is about?

shipo

Hmmm, it seems that something is going on in Munich (what I don't know) during that time, and it's a sellers market. The best I was able to come up with is the Linder Hotel Kaiserhof in Landshut, which is about 32 kilometers northeast of the airport just off the E53. Even then, the hotel room is $382.85 per night, single occupancy! Quite a change from my trip over there just two years ago where a hotel room could easily be had for under $100.

I routinely do not make reservations when I am touring Europe, and have yet to fail in finding a place to sleep. As a suggestion, you might want to go from the airport directly to the ED Center, fetch your car, and then head out from Munich in basically any direction that suits you. Once away from Munich, I suspect that you will be able to easily find accommodations that aren't too expensive (given the Euro/Dollar issues). On our trip two years ago, the only place my wife and I had reservations was in Paris, and for the rest of the 9 day trip, we simply drove into a town, picked a hotel, and if it was full, they called around and found us a room someplace nearby.

Good luck, and don't forget to keep a journal as you go.

Best Regards,
Shipo

jb_shin

I agree with shipo. You can get to Salzburg, Nuremburg, Regensburg, Ingolstadt, Innsburck and some other decent sized cities in about 1 1/2 hour from Munich. I am sure you can find a room in one of the those cities.

lilipeutia

Thanks for confirming my troubles with getting a hotel and for the suggestions. It's been really helpful for someone who has never been to Germany before.

aukema

If you want to tour while you are there and plan to visit Ludwig's castle, Rick Steve suggest staying in Reutte,Aust. We have stayed there, very scenic and the hotels were wonderful.

markjenn

My last two trips to Munich, I stayed in a hotel in the small town of Sauerlach about 30-minutes S of Munich. Perhaps they wouldn't be as full as the hotels in the city. The hotel is called the Sauerlacher Post (08104-830) and is a short walk from the subway station that takes you into town. I prefer to stay outside the city and subway in.

- Mark

joab

There is a trade fair in Munich from 3/29 to 04/04/2004. Trade fair listing as well as info on travel & accommodation are available at www.messe-muenchen.de. Try also www.munich-info.de/hotels/welcome_en.html for hotel listing in Munich. Pension and Gästehaus are usually cheaper than hotel.

By the way, does anybody know whether European Delivery is available to German citizens working in the US?

307web

I had been waiting for the 1 series for trip to Europe in summer of 2005, but it looks like a US version the 1 series will be a few years out or not exported to the US at all.

I think I would be happy with a lightly equipped 325i.
I know "leatherette" is standard, but I have heard that sometimes you can special order a BMW with some options not normally available in the US (such as cloth seats and sliding rear sun shade on the 3 series). This is supposed to be possible if the dealer takes the time and effort to order it and also does not require Euro delivery. It would also be available on ED cars since those are all special ordered.

Are non-typical options still available through ED and special ordering?

A 2005 ED BMW 325i sedan with automatic, moonroof, HK stereo, cloth seats and rear sunshade would be ideal and shouldn't it sticker under $30K even before any possible discounts from the ED MSRP?
While I'm curious to see the new 2006 3 Series, but the prices may be much higher. The rumor is the next generation 3 series will move upmarket with bigger engines and more standard equipment for US-spec models.

kyfdx

I'm not sure on the availability of the euro options, but you are correct.. A car like that would have an ED sticker under $30K.

Most dealers are going to ask for a non-refundable deposit on a car like that, I would think. It would be a hard sell on the lot. But, if that is what you want, I'd say 'go for it'.

regards,
kyfdx

307web

I have heard that typical auto loans through banks and credit unions are not available with cars purchased through ED programs.
Are you required to either pay cash or finance/lease only through BMW's finance company?

307web

I don't think it would be "that hard" to sell if it was the only one in the entire region like that. The sunshade is not a negative. With automatic and sunroof, it would only lack leather seats as far as typical expected equipment. Cloth would be unique enough to be a selling point. There are always a few people looking for one not loaded down with almost every option.
A very hard to sell 325i would be leatherette, manual transmission and navigation system and no further options.
Regardless, putting down some deposit would not be a problem for a ED car.

kyfdx

Either way...if you are buying it, it won't matter... It just seems to me, that those are the cars I see left over the next October, when the new ones are coming out. At the local dealer, fully 90% of the '03 models he had last year were metallic paint, auto, leather, premium pkg, heated seats.. $34,895.
Now, he also had one that only had sunroof, sport pkg, heated seats, jet black w/leatherette.. $31,445. I thought that was the perfect enthusiast car, and would be snapped up... only one like it.. but, it was also left over. Go figure.. Anyway, good luck with it. I'm betting you could get a better deal right now, than you will be able to get on an '05 next fall, though.. assuming you are ready.

regards,
kyfdx

307web

The trip would be June 2005, so I would be ready to order by this time next year.

kyfdx

307web

There is one guy posting here saying that he works for BMW and he thinks the "new" 3 series will actually come out this fall as a 2005 model instead of next fall as a 2006.
That could be a good thing if they decide to not move it upmarket due to the postponement or cancellation of the 1-Series for the US market.
Of course, I would prefer the all-new design if it wasn't much more money and was available in time for my trip.

kyfdx

I'm guessing he is wrong... but it is just a guess. I would be amazed if they were bringing a car to the U.S. in less than six months, that hasn't even been seen in Europe at the car shows yet.

And, another guess (doing a lot of that) is that the price increase will be substantial, as it was with the new 5-series.

regards,
kyfdx

307web

It remains to be seen, but I really wonder how much they can expect to raise the price if there is no 1 series to be the "entry level."
Mini doesn't count for people shopping for a BMW-type vehicle.
Competition is very strong with the TL and and G35 as it is now.
Imagine how many people they would drive away if they made some dramatic price increase for the new 3 series with no offering at the old price point.
Maybe if the made a lot of popular equipment standard that are extra-cost options now (leather, moonroof, premium package etc.) so the out the door price difference wasn't as shocking.

seivwrig

If you want some of the Euro-only options, you have a better chance getting them on a non-Euro delivery car. Most (stealers) dealers will not do specials on an ED car. It does not make sense. If you need option numbers, send me an email.

turtleva

Hi all,

I'm heading to Munich in May to pick up my 530. I ordered the nav system but still a little unclear on how to get the EU dvds for the nav system. I know BMW doesn't provide them. Do they sell them? Or do I have to buy the discs from a separate vendor? (I dont' want to end up like Bill Murray and Harold Ramis's STRIPES army pals, who mistakenly drive into Czhechoslavakia). And lastly, does BMW provide the nav discs for the US as part of the nav system purchase? Any clarification would certainly be appreciated. Thanks.

krsipykreme

I did ED on 2/04. I borrowed the nav disc from them with the condition to return it when you drop off the vehicle -- which I did. When you drop it off, take it with you and hand it to the Eharms representative. They will mail it to the ED Center.

They will be a little hesitant bec most of the clients who borrows it do not return it. Be as amiable as you can. The nav disc costs 239 euros.
If you want to purchase, they sell it in the ED center.

yes, your car will come with the US version when u pick it up from your dealer.