BMWUSA European Delivery: Part 1

Sections: European Delivery, Sales/Marketing Feb 19th, 2008 28 Comments

With just over 100 days since the opening of BMW Welt, or to us English speakers: BMW “World”, I thought it would be a good time to begin an on going series dedicated to the BMW European Delivery program.

Since opening on October 17th of 2007, BMW Welt has welcomed more than a half of a million visitors and 3500 cars have been delivered. Just over 700 hundred of these deliveries were customers from the US.

The origin of the BMW program is attributed to the original US importer, Max Hoffman. In the 1960′s Hoffman offered that his customers travel to Europe and pick up their vehicle while enjoying a vacation. Jonathan Spira wrote a very informative article in the March 2006 issue of Roundel on the history of the program and his experiences. Today the reasons for the program are more for brand image and marketing to promote customer loyalty than anything else. About one-third of all US deliveries in Munich are repeat customers, showing that the program is successful at keeping people in brand and coming back for more!

Having been to Munich several times to take delivery myself, I believe that there is no other way to take delivery of your newest addition than in the land is was designed to be driven in. You can experience driving on the Autobahn, on the twisty alpine roads and drive for miles under some of the world’s tallest mountains in brilliantly engineered tunnels.

The European Delivery program is open to US residents 18 years and older on models that are produced outside the US (current models excluded: X5, Z4). The model you pick up will be built to US specifications, there is no difference in your car than one at a local dealer. Your knowledge of speaking German is not a prerequisite and you will be amazed at the number of people that speak English. For further information on where models are produced see our previous post entitled: Made in Germany?

Over time I will be explaining the ins and outs of the program, the financial benefits, and other tips that I have learned over the years. If you are planning a vacation and are contemplating a new set of wheels there is no better option than killing two birds with one stone! (Parts updated 5/2009 to make more current) Part 2

Written By: Michael

http://www.ausringers.com Liam

This sounds really cool!

Daft question though, when a US resident goes to Munich to collect their car … what arrangements are made for shipping the car to the States?
Cris Anderson

These guys have a really good website. http://www.edbmw.com I think one of the owners is a major player in the ED business. Tons of good information as well.
mpezzullo

Daft question though, when a US resident goes to Munich to collect their car … what arrangements are made for shipping the car to the States?

I will be sure to cover this at a later date.

These guys have a really good website. http://www.edbmw.com I think one of the owners is a major player in the ED business. Tons of good information as well.

Thanks, I am aware of Irv’s website and it is great in its own right. He by trade is a car salesman and does focus on ED as part of his sales pitch; nothing more than that. Much of his information is in regards to sales etc.. My purpose is to be more about the experience and the facts rather than sell you something. I have had years of experience on the buyers side so the perspective is to be a bit different! If in the Chicago area Irv is a great option and I highly recommend his services, We will discuss other dealers as well! Thanks and best of luck!
Jon

Have been looking hard at the Z4 M, the Z4 goes through a redesign currently, when production starts on the new car it will be moving from Spartenburg to Regensburg. Once the new Z4 M hits the streets I will be using this program to take delivery. Though dealing with a break in period will be less fun believe a Ring trip will be in order.
ulrich

Are there suggested itineraries for people who just want to do a few days vs. a week or more?

Ulrich
brad.

the mobile tradition museum and the welt are on my list for sure. not sure i’ll ever be able to do a delivery, at least not until the 135i hatch is rolling around US streets, that is.

several of our BMW CCA chapter members have done the euro delivery and all have greatly enjoyed it. if you snoop around some of the chapter websites, you will find a newsletter article or two from members reporting about their euro adventures.
mpezzullo

brad. Feb 20th, 2008 :the mobile tradition museum and the welt are on my list for sure.

BMW Mobile traditions is not a public venue, it is a group of vehicles that travel to public venues for special ocassions…. The NEW BMW Museum (located across from WELT) will reopen sometime this year and is more likely a destination you would enjoy. Munich is a great place regardless of taking delivery, my wife and I have been there every year for the past 4 years and have collected only 2 cars. It is a great city with tons to do.

ulrich Feb 20th, 2008 Are there suggested itineraries for people who just want to do a few days vs. a week or more?Ulrich

We will discuss itineraries at length at a later edition; there is one important rule. LESS is MORE and we will go into that!

Thanks for all your comments and we are looking forward to seeing you and your friends leave more here at BimmerFile! -M
cosmos

Awesome site, great info.

I recently did European Delivery last October for a 2008 M6, the experience truly spoils you. The attention to detail goes above and beyond. If anyone has the opportunity to participate in European Delivery I highly recommend it.
http://www.ausringers.com Liam

@mpezzullo, thanks for your reply, I look forward to your next update…
mpezzullo

cosmos Feb 20th, 2008 Link Edit Awesome site, great info. I recently did European Delivery last October for a 2008 M6, the experience truly spoils you. The attention to detail goes above and beyond. If anyone has the opportunity to participate in European Delivery I highly recommend it.

Cosmos, thanks for the kind comments! We hope you enjoy the site and spread the word.
brad.

the BMW Mobile tradition museum is open to members of the BMW CCA and the international equivalent clubs, or it was at one point. two representatives from mobile tradition spoke at the Washington DC area BMW CCA techfest in 2004 and said that if you make a reservation and you are a BMW CCA member you could get a tour.

but, as you said, the new museum may have usurped the old space. but as they told it, the old space was where they did most of the restoration work and they had several hundred motorcycles, cars as well as boat and airplane motors. the pictures they had were amazing.
http://edBMW.com Irv

I am currently the Director Of European Sales for Motor Werks in Barrington,IL.I also help promote the Mercedes and Porsche programs as well.I sell the dream with customers currently from 36 states and growing.I have done two ED’s for the dealership in the last two years.Awesome site,very well done !
Matt

“I have done two ED’s for the dealership in the last two years.” Irv, I think you’ve done quite a few more EDs than that. Did you mean “two hundred”?
http://edBMW.com Irv

I have done two for the dealersip in the last two year,over 120 last year for customers……
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j kuehnle

Michael, While talking to your mother-in-law at the Y, she thought you might be able to give me some information about hotels (less expensive) near the Welt. I will be picking up a 335i Coupe Aug.20, 2008. I’m looking for a place to sleep and park a new BMW before heading toward France. Don’t want to spend money on a fancy place. John K. Manitowoc
http://www.bridger.us/ Gabe

Hi John – actually that’s my mother-in-law you spoke with But I’m sure Michael would be happy to try to answer your question.
http://bimmerfile.com Michael

John,

There are bunch of sources I can recommend for info. Tripadvisor.com

Then there is Priceline.com, you can bid on your room via city but not specific hotels. I can tell you that for Munich they are all great. I utilize biddingfortravel.com as my resource for Priceline, that forum has a lot of info and basically tells you what hotel you will end up with. I hope that helps. BMW also has an agreement with the King’s Hotel (or they did) for discounts and from what I have heard it is a clean and cozy location. Depending on where in France you are heading you may even want to stop along the way. Rick Steve’s travel guides are priceless!
j kuehnle

Gabe, What can you tell me about picking my new car ( the one I was getting in Munich till my wife had her foot problem and will not be able to walk very well ). I am having the car ordered the way I want it and delivered either here, or at the S. C. plant. Any info about a USA plant delivery would help make up my mind. Thanks (Missing my Y partner!)
j kuehnle

Thanks for the reply – NOT
http://bimmerfile.com Michael

Gabe, has been extremely busy, and we can not always follow all the older past threads. If there are direct questions the contact link up top is best to use.

As far as the Performance Center Delivery it is a nice thing but you will have to drive your car from SC home and there is no discount on the car. The PC is a great way to use a similar car on the track in a safe and controlled environment.
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Jack

If I was to do European Delivery, Is there anyway I can order a Euro Spec E92 M3? Im thinking about doing the European Delivery and driving the car down to France to visit Family then ship the car back when I fly back to the States… Is there ANY Possible way to buy a Euro Spec M3 from the European Delivery??? If not how else Can I possibly Do this to buy a Euro Spec M3 from Germany then Drive it back to France then Ship it back! Is this Possible in any Way????

Thanks

Jack
http://bimmerfile.com Michael

Jack- There is no way to do that. It is extremely cost prohibitive to import a foreign car and have it certified to be in the US.

You can pick up a US spec and have it redelivered to you at the dealer after driving it around in the EU. Check out the rest of our Euro Delivery info, it is a great program!

What specifically are your reasons for a Euro-Spec?
Jack

Hey Michael. Well I just wanted to know if it was possible or not. There are a few things the Euro M3 has that the US Spec does not or is different, from Different seats to some options like front PDC. Just wanted to know if it was possible.
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