DUCKMAN

Flawless trip thanks to Beewang's navigational dvd disc. I totally recommend getting the navigation system if you go the European Delivery route. Then beg, borrow, or buy a European disc. The added security of having the BMW lady navigate your car around is well worth the price you will pay. I lucked out and got 4 good days of weather and put 1503 miles on my new fantastic 550i. On day four, I raced to 152 mph on the autobahn. Sure there was a lot of wind noise and I wasn't able to run that speed for long (you catch traffic kinda quick at that speed), but the memory will last me until I stop breathing. Taking the picture wasn't as dangerous as you might think -- just don't look thru the viewfinder and hang on tight with your left hand.
The German roads and German driver are far superior to what we have in the States. Though paying $1.36 per liter for Super Plus is not something I want to do everyday.
Thanks everyone who contributes to this forum. You helped me make the best decision of my life -- buying the car and taking European Delivery.

darkside

Duckman, that is some car you have there. What car were you driving previous to this purchase and how does it compare? Your car looks strangely similar to the one I just purchased. Congratulations!

Just noticed something. You went over 150mph prior to reaching 1200 miles. I guess I'm not doing as bad as I thought on my breakin.

znod

Thank you for sharing your experience. I am sure you really enjoyed the trip. And, I am glad you are still breathing.

DUCKMAN

Yes but I was real close to breakin' 1200 miles when I did that. I could not wait until Friday to try for the record speed. Bad weather was expected and it arrived. The wind was exceptionally strong on Friday. I held my speed to only 110 mph. Didn't want anything bad to happen to my baby.
I drove my 1995 Buick to the Washington airport and was quite disappointed in its performance on my way home from the airport. The steering response is so detached on the Buick. And the V-6 performance from the GM car is several magnitudes behind the mind-numbing power of the 4.8 liter powerplant BMW provides.
I have not yet exceeded 5000 rpms yet so I can only imagine what that feels like, but I will say that 5000 rpms is kinda scary. Passing on the 2-lane country roads when quickness was extremely important was exhilerating -- though I never applied the kickdown procedure during this break-in run.

stream

Sounds like fun! Gotta love the autobahn!

dgjk

Nice and Congrats.

Not sure If I want to know the answer to this, but how did you get the picture? It looks like you took it while driving?

joepoole

Duckman, Very Nice and Congratulations.

Just, do not try to do the 150+, and take the picture either on the Beltway or I95!

Joe

miss525i

awesome experience I bet. congrats! how long will you have to wait for her now?

EBMCS03

Very nice!! I have to do Euro Next time! HAVE TO HAVE TO HAVE TO!

Nice pics. Love the Speedo one.

How cold was it there? Looks a little white.

DUCKMAN

Hey girl -- like the green hat -- very fly. The standard line is "six to eight weeks". Since I am on the east coast, I am hoping for something closer to six weeks. The people who handle the car's departure at the drop-off locations say that a truck will pick up my car on Monday and move it to the port where it will leave. They have no idea at this time when the boat will sail. I am trying not to think about the car's journey and the length of this separation. No reason to raise my anxiety fretting over this situation I can not control. Maybe I should be planning a trip to South Carolina when my car arrives????

Munich was in the low to mid 20's at night and about 10-15 degrees warmer than that during the day. But with heated seats, all the critical parts were toasty. And the killer Logic 7 was awesome. The music cds I brought got a major work-out. Quiet comfortable surroundings with beautiful sound -- a great mixture.
By the way, the new double cd from Kate Bush is lovely. The music carresses you and transports you to a higher plain of existence.