Have you used European Delivery?

[FStephenMasek]

How did you like it? What discount did you receive? What would you recommend to others considering European Delivery?

We go to Europe about every year, and plan to go this summer to visit my Wife's family. We generally fly from LAx to a hub airport in a city such as Munich or Frankfurt before going on to Vilnius, so the European delivery, especially with the discount they offer, would be quite nice.

[two-five boy]

There's an entire sub-section on bimmerfest dedicated to info and members' experiences on their ED adventures. You will find MUCH more valuable input over there.

[Dandaman184]

Originally Posted by two-five boy

There's an entire sub-section on bimmerfest dedicated to info and members' experiences on their ED adventures. You will find MUCH more valuable input over there.

Maybe Google broke just like the configuration tool on BMW USA?

Sorry, I couldn't resist

[FStephenMasek]

Originally Posted by two-five boy

There's an entire sub-section on bimmerfest dedicated to info and members' experiences on their ED adventures. You will find MUCH more valuable input over there.

Thanks, I just joined that forum. I was aware of it, but this one initially looked better. It seems that joining both is the better approach.

[conceyted]

I did ED this past Nov. - Dec. and it was amazing. Like others have said, check out the forum dedicated to ED and be sure to stop by and read the wiki (located at the top of that forum as a sticky), as well.

To see how much you can save (7% off) head over to bmwconfig.com and choose European Delivery from the right drop down after you configure the car.

Lastly, I leave you with two pictures of my X1 during my ED and a link to the thread where I posted my entire private album of photos we took during our ED.

Link to thread: http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=660707

[Naambezet]

Our BMW was delivered in Europe, nothing special about it.

[two-five boy]

Originally Posted by conceyted

I did ED this past Nov. - Dec. and it was amazing. Like others have said, check out the forum dedicated to ED and be sure to stop by and read the wiki (located at the top of that forum as a sticky), as well.

Nice pics! I give you extra props for scheduling ED in winter! I guess you didn't bother with winter tire rental?

How long did it take for the car to be re-delivered after dropping off in Europe? I've heard that the shipping of ED cars are not prioritized like the new ones since the sale has already been accounted for?

[conceyted]

Originally Posted by two-five boy

Nice pics! I give you extra props for scheduling ED in winter! I guess you didn't bother with winter tire rental?

How long did it take for the car to be re-delivered after dropping off in Europe? I've heard that the shipping of ED cars are not prioritized like the new ones since the sale has already been accounted for?

Thanks. We did not do winter tire rental, but it was light snow and my car had m+s al l season tires. We had no issues with it.

We dropped the car off on Dec 3 and it hit US shores on Jan 5. Since my car comes through an east coast port the estimated time is 4-6 weeks. West coast deliveries have a 6-8 week delivery estimate. My car still has to go through VPC and then board a transport truck to Louisiana. We hope to see it in the next two weeks. The wait felt long but the entire experience was totally worth it.

The people at BMW Welt in Munich make bmw owners feel extra special. Do it if you can afford the time off and wait after.

[conceyted]

Originally Posted by Naambezet

Our BMW was delivered in Europe, nothing special about it.

At the Welt? Or do you mean you bought a European car? These are two completely different things.

[adc]

I've done 3 Euro deliveries so far: 2005 X3, 2007 335i and 2009 M3. I've started planning the fourth one this summer for an X1.

It is an absolutely incredible experience, they make you feel special at the Welt, you bond with your car in a way it's simply not possible when picking up in the US, and you get a hefty discount for it too.

It's the best way to buy or lease a new BMW, bar none.

[DUH CAR]

Originally Posted by Naambezet

Our BMW was delivered in Europe, nothing special about it.

LOL.

[miataken]

Hope this is not a dumb question, but why would they offer a discount due to ED VS US/CDN delivery? Does it actually cost BMW less for ED?

I would think it actually cost BMW more to do an ED as they need to meet and greet you in Germany and extra communication with the local dealer.

Thanks.

[Naambezet]

Originally Posted by conceyted

At the Welt? Or do you mean you bought a European car? These are two completely different things.

I bought an european car, which was delivered in Utrecht = Netherlands = Europe = European delivery.
Our X1 even met the Autobahn a few times. (but the car becomes very unstable above 160-180)

[Rockfish66]

Originally Posted by miataken

Hope this is not a dumb question, but why would they offer a discount due to ED VS US/CDN delivery? Does it actually cost BMW less for ED?

I would think it actually cost BMW more to do an ED as they need to meet and greet you in Germany and extra communication with the local dealer.

Thanks.

Not a dumb question, but they do. And it's substantial. Enough to essentially pay for your trip.

Maybe they get some import duty break since it's now a "used car" coming over on the boat. I honestly don't know the math, but I hope they keep it. I' haven't been able to do it yet (just bought by first ever new BMW, so missed my first ever chance!) but hope to some day.

BTW, I HAVE toured the Munich factory and if you ever are in Germany for ED or any other reason I highly recommend it.

[adc]

Originally Posted by Rockfish66

Not a dumb question, but they do. And it's substantial. Enough to essentially pay for your trip.

Maybe they get some import duty break since it's now a "used car" coming over on the boat. I honestly don't know the math, but I hope they keep it. I' haven't been able to do it yet (just bought by first ever new BMW, so missed my first ever chance!) but hope to some day.

BTW, I HAVE toured the Munich factory and if you ever are in Germany for ED or any other reason I highly recommend it.

The most plausible explanations I've come across say that you order directly from the European factory's inventory,not from BMWNA inventory. That accomplishes 2 things:
- takes BMWNA off the books money wise, thus the savings (which seems to indicate that BMWNA takes a 7% cut usually)
- allows your local dealer to sell one more car, because they have fixed monthly allocations against of which your car would otherwise be counted against.

So not only do you get a 7% discount, but the local dealer should be extremely amenable to deals and discounts. When I bought my M it was a fairly new model and great deals were hard to come by, but I got a 12% discount total. And of course, got to drive it all over Europe, do the Alpine passes, the Nurburgring, in other words the works.

It's worth checking out, especially if you already had plans to visit Europe.

[conceyted]

Originally Posted by Naambezet

I bought an european car, which was delivered in Utrecht = Netherlands = Europe = European delivery.
Our X1 even met the Autobahn a few times. (but the car becomes very unstable above 160-180)

You can call it that if you want to but that was not the BMW European Delivery. European Delivery is in Munich at the welt and is provided as an incentive offering 7% off of MSRP.

[DUH CAR]

Originally Posted by miataken

Hope this is not a dumb question, but why would they offer a discount due to ED VS US/CDN delivery? Does it actually cost BMW less for ED?

I would think it actually cost BMW more to do an ED as they need to meet and greet you in Germany and extra communication with the local dealer.

Thanks.

Canadian ED programme is not the same as the U.S. There is no 7% discount, but you do get the car and free insurance. If it is over there for many months, then there will be less duty when it comes to Canada as it is now a "used" car.

So, you are correct sir. It does cost them more, but will help increase brand and customer sat.

[dicker]

Originally Posted by adc

The most plausible explanations I've come across say that you order directly from the European factory's inventory,not from BMWNA inventory. That accomplishes 2 things:
- takes BMWNA off the books money wise, thus the savings (which seems to indicate that BMWNA takes a 7% cut usually)
- allows your local dealer to sell one more car, because they have fixed monthly allocations against of which your car would otherwise be counted against.

So not only do you get a 7% discount, but the local dealer should be extremely amenable to deals and discounts. When I bought my M it was a fairly new model and great deals were hard to come by, but I got a 12% discount total. And of course, got to drive it all over Europe, do the Alpine passes, the Nurburgring, in other words the works.

It's worth checking out, especially if you already had plans to visit Europe.

The allocation not coming from the dealer has recently changed and some cars (x1 and m3 as examples) must still come out of dealer allocation, and this kills dealers willingness to sell one at $500 over ED invoice.

[adc]

Originally Posted by dicker

The allocation not coming from the dealer has recently changed and some cars (x1 and m3 as examples) must still come out of dealer allocation, and this kills dealers willingness to sell one at $500 over ED invoice.

Bummer that. I was hoping for a killer deal this time around too...

[dicker]

Originally Posted by adc

Bummer that. I was hoping for a killer deal this time around too...

Agreed,

I've lost a couple of sales because of it. The regular 3's 5's 6's and 7's are still ED allocation though