Anyone have the cliffnote personal insight on utlilization and savings of BMW's European Delivery. While not especially planning a trip to Europe if the savings from the program would be a wash as against buying here in the U.S. why not take the trip?? Are there any hidden costs, unseen drawbacks, disappointing process???

 

Good question, your whereabouts?

 

Everything you need to know is here;

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=25

 

Live in Orange County, California. Looking to buy a 530i, heard that the European Delivery can be fun and save money.

 

My car was almost exactly 12% off MSRP.
Trip cost came in at around $2000 for two peeps staying a short 3 nights, 4 days.
But my city also has a direct Lufthansa flight to Munich (which you get two for one pricing for Euro Delivery, although the rate is not spectacular it was convenient).

Also if have have been a BMWCCA member for over 1 yr you will get $1000 for leasing or buying a new 5er.


PROS?

So I still saved money and besides how else can you get pics like this on a public road and be perfectly legal??



You get two of these cool plates


And a cheap alarm clock (made in China)


DOWNSIDES?
- You have to secure financing or initiate the lease at least 14 days prior to pickup, but BMW will make your second payment on a lease with a slightly higher money factor.
- West Coast transit times can be up to 90 days from what I hear, although 8-9 weeks is about average.
My East coast delivery was only 33 days.

Many more pics on the ED pages in my sig - good luck on your quest!

 

THANKS!

 

Fun it is fore sure.

Be sure then to buy a genuine MY '07,
September '06 ->!

The 530i might get some more juice...

 

Pros: You buy the car from BMWNA allottment not your dealers, thus you are able to deal at ED invoice +.

The trip to Europe.

Cons: You pay for the car 2 weeks before you leave for Europe. You buy a car sight unseen.

A 3rd party shipper (although reputable and fully insured) ships your car.

The car takes longer to get to your dealer than a similar direct ship vehicle.

Your car is fully prepped in Europe for pick up. It is up to your local dealer how much they will reprep your car. Some do it fully some hand over the car with european bugs still on the windshield.

I saved $ 10,000 off of MSRP on my 550 doing ED.

 

Now THAT is a hell of a deal.
What did you pay, $500 over ED Invoice??

 

I've done two EDs and will never buy a BMW any other way. However, one other downside not mentioned previously is that you don't have a car while waiting for your BMW to be redelivered. If you don't have a second car, that could be a problem.