• Reply

#6 of 9 Re: 2012 328xi sports wagon with ED & recent college grad application [nick125] by megenedr

Jan 06, 2012 (9:31 am)

Replying to: nick125 (Oct 23, 2011 2:51 pm)

• Reply

#7 of 9 European Delivery by dino001

Jan 06, 2012 (11:00 am)

There is a separate European Delivery discussion forum, but pretty much not active for a while. Bimmerfest website has very good ED information. I picked up my 328i in October last year. Several pointers:
1. Price is negotiable (unlike other euro-delivery brands, which have a fixed price scheme for their Euro-delivery programs), i.e. invoice-retail negotiation rules are similar as if you bought one for US. The actual discount is exactly 7% on base price and options are priced same as US delivery options, e.g. base price is $40K MSRP/$38K invoice for US delivery, it will be $37.2K/$36.86 for ED. However, be advised that large number of dealers does not even want to hear the word "negotiate" when it comes to ED. It is widely reported people go to out-of-state dealers to make orders.
2. Make sure to find out exactly when 2012 wagon production ends and make your order at least three months before that date. I was a victim of allotments in 2011 - made an order in late June to learn it was no longer available and in production. I had to wait another three months to make an order for 2012, when details became available. Wagons are not popular here, so production runs are really small for US-spec. If you wait for too long, you may miss the window completely. You could do an order well in advance of your actual delivery.
3. If you want to avoid cost of rental of winter tires (at least M+S all-season tires are mandatory in many European countries during winter months and if you get stuck on the road and impede traffic, you'll be treated without mercy), wait until spring arrives. That is, unless you are getting car without sports or M-package (which have summer tires) and want to specifically drive during winter to test your AWD, then you can do a winter delivery. Winter tire rental is available through an independent operator, but somewhat costly for trips longer than couple of days (go into thousands).
4. You can combine ED with Performance Center Delivery in Spartanburg, SC. The latter one is a completely separate experience, with couple of hours of performance driving and now also opportunity to drive an X5 on an off-road course (all customers get that now). Hotel night and dinner paid (you+1 guest). Not many people do them both, even though there is no extra charge. I loved it!
5. Last thing - do it! It is a blast and it is worth the extra travel expense and waiting for an exact vehicle you want.

• Reply

#8 of 9 Re: 2012 328xi sports wagon with ED & recent college grad application [nick125] by rhmass

Jan 14, 2012 (12:17 pm)

Replying to: nick125 (Oct 23, 2011 2:51 pm)

Replies to this message:

• dino001 (Jan 15, 2012 4:57 pm)

• Reply

#9 of 9 Re: 2012 328xi sports wagon with ED & recent college grad application [rhmass] by dino001

Jan 15, 2012 (4:57 pm)

Replying to: rhmass (Jan 14, 2012 12:17 pm)

The word is wagon will be replaced by 3 GT (Gran Turismo) in same fashion as 5-series. It is not confirmed, but many well informed people say it is likely. I'd mourn it myself, that's why I got mine now.