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BMW European Delivery
1563 messages, Last post on Apr 02, 2013 at 6:00 PM
You are in the BMW 3-Series Forum.What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, BMW 5 Series, Coupe, Convertible, Sedan, Wagon
Please share your Euro delivery experience here!
#579 of 1563 ED Negotiation... by shipo
Jan 05, 2004 (8:03 am)
Back in 2002, I was nearing the end of the lease on my 1999 328i, and fearing BMW would "Banglize" the 5-Series, decided that I wanted a new 530i while it still looked good. Given that the dealership where I leased my 328i had given me a very nice deal (especially considering the hot selling E46 had only been out for two months at the time), I went to them first.To my dismay, my previous salesman had been promoted up into the management ranks of the dealership chain, and was no longer able to take care of me. The new salesman they assigned me left me cold, to say the least, and when I tried to negotiate on the 530i, he said, "You are already getting enough of a discount with the ED program, what more do you want." Needless to say, I was less than pleased.
The next day, I called another BMW dealership that was not even ten miles up the very same road from the first one and asked them for a $1,500 over ED invoice deal on a 530i. They called me back in less than ten minutes and asked me if I was ready to do the deal. We signed the paperwork an hour later.
Epilogue: Ten weeks later, on the day I took U.S. delivery of my 530i, I noticed that the guy who was assigned to be my salesman from the first dealership was now selling used cars in the second dealership. It seems that he got canned shortly after I informed his boss that I leased my new car down the road.
Best Regards,
Shipo
#580 of 1563 motenor1: What are the cancellation fees on your Air Tickets by vsaxena
Jan 07, 2004 (3:57 pm)
Most international fares are refundable after a $100-200 fee. You still might be able to save some money with the 2 for 1 deal if you cancel and rebook with Lufthansa. This is assuming that Lufthansa will give you a similar price for their 2 for 1 deal.#581 of 1563 X3 ED with kids by dk3307
Jan 08, 2004 (12:19 pm)
My wife and I are thinking about taking the kids (12&16) to get a X3 ED and vacation (7 to 10 days) this summer. Is it a good idea? It is better not to bring the kids? Any suggestions on where to go and stay in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.#582 of 1563 for anyone who has done ED by motenor1
Jan 08, 2004 (11:22 pm)
OK..what is there to see in Munich? I am taking delivery in Feb 04 and can't wait... i am also staying at rennaisance. how far is it from the delivery center?Also, how long does the delivery take? i arrive around 10:30 am and head directly to the center. i know they close at 3 pm.
do i need my driver's licence translated to german? i went to german embassy and said i need to ask AAA. hmmmm
#583 of 1563 motenor1 by shipo
Jan 09, 2004 (5:55 am)
As for Munich sights, well, since my wife went with me on my ED trip, and since she is in the garment industry, we went SHOPPING! I must say, Munich has a wonderful shopping district, I even liked it. :-/Depending upon how busy they are, your delivery should take between 1.5 and 2.5 hours.
As for having your license translated, horse hockey! I've driven all over Europe including Germany many times, I've even been given the "Once over" by the Stuttgart police at a road block coming out of the Volksfest (Stuttgart’s version of Oktoberfest). They were checking for drunk drivers, and since I admitted to having a single beer (1.5 liters!), four hours previously, I got the full treatment including a breathalyzer (sp?) test, I blew a .008 by the way. Every officer that I have ever approached (or who approached me) in Europe has spoken fluent English.
Have fun on your trip.
Best Regards,
Shipo
#584 of 1563 License by jb_shin
Jan 09, 2004 (7:07 am)
If you are going to visit Austria, I recommend getting an International Driver's license from AAA just in case. Austria does require International license unless the driver possesses an EU license.#585 of 1563 motenor1 by 530ir1150r
Jan 09, 2004 (7:32 am)
You will need the International License for Austria. Also be aware that Austria has developed a reputation as a speed trap, you will have tourist plates on your car and the tunnels have cameras for checking speeds; 60 kph(35 MPH) for two way tunnels, 80 kph (45 MPH) for two lanes in one direction.Austria and Switzerland require gas or road tax stamps. Austria's are available at most gas stations, especially near the border. Switzerland's are available at the Border Station.
The first thing Austrian Police check for when they pull you over is the stamp. It costs 6 Euros, the fine is either 126 E or 136 E. By the way, speeding fines are payable on the spot, but they do take credit cards.
I did get pulled over, I was the middle car in a group of three and I am sure it was random. I did have the road stamp. Speeding fine was 30 E.
Otherwise, get something called a trip ticket for Munich at a bookstore here before you go. Ours had maps of the city, subway maps, motel and restaurant guides, a description of the top 25 attractions and other items. Munich is easy to get around by subway and walking.
Lucerne is worth a visit and the best French Restaurant we found is off A9 near Vevay, Switzerland.
We plan to do a ED again this summer or next.
#586 of 1563 Munich/Motenor1 by bavarian
Jan 10, 2004 (11:53 am)
How long are you visiting Germany for? I know some buyers get the next plane out after pick up-they save money but miss the wonderful experience of driving in Germany. Although I did save money on ED I would do it again just for the experience, regardless of savings.My ED pickup in Sept took one hour at 10am. 20 mins after setting down my bags I was joined in the bistro by Chris from BMW and the paperwork (insurance docs etc) was conducted in 15 mins over espressos. Showing me the car took 20 minutes and would have been quicker but for the navigation demo.
I would urge you to get out of Munich after pick-up and get on the Autobahn south to the Bavarian Alps. Within 15 minutes from pick-up you can be cruising at 100mph and half an hour later be up in the mountains, in the twisties, shouting "yee-ha!"
Mittenwald is a good lunch stop-Post Hotel is reccommended. From there you might want to head over to Schwangau and bed down at the Hotel Muller with views of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles and do a tour in the morning.
In Munich you will likely want to walk as it is very pedestrian friendly. Yes there are great shops for clothes and stunning chocolate shops. There is a wild rushing river (The Isar) running through the city, a great open park (Englisher garten)and a superb museum (Deutsches Museum) with a fine transportation section (historic BMWs, Mercs, Audis).
I can vouch for the Spatenhaus (opposite the National Opera) and the Ratskeller (under Marienplatz) if you are hungry or thirsty.These are huge restaurants with no waiting and superb basic cuisine. Loosen your belt.
Frauenkirche is a church with a panoramic view and has an elevator to the top and Marienplatz is a tourist must-see for the mechanical clock and is a good people-watching spot.
I didn't rush around sightseeing much- I toured around in the car, in the Alps and north to the Rhineland as Munich was one of those cities I figured I would return to.
As Shipo says- a valid US driver's lisence is 100% fine for ED pick-up.
A splendid time is guaranteed for all on an ED trip!
Norris, trusting you bought a manual with SP?
#587 of 1563 Munich by hgeyer
Jan 11, 2004 (7:28 am)
Other recommended sights:1. Drive south to Garmish - see the Zugspitze (a tram to the top of Germany's tallest mountain).
2. Nurburgring - your car won't be broken in yet to drive it properly, but you can ride with a professional driver in their car. www.nurburgring.de
3 Augustiner brauhaus in Munich was my favorite
#588 of 1563 HGyer by shipo
Jan 11, 2004 (8:21 am)
It was posted here a year or two ago that they would not let ED cars with the tourist plates on the Ring, the car needed to be a car registered in the EU. Yes, no?Best Regards,
Shipo
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