[Ascension]

Congrats on your ED By the way,

[martieg]

How do you order ED? Through the US dealer, o factory direct? Any additional charges, or standard US price? Please tell us more about the ED process. It's the first time I hear about it. Thanks!

[stressdoc]

Through your dealer here in the US. It's just like a normal sale, except you go to Germany and drive it around europe for awhile. And you save a lot of $. Read the other posts in this section on ED, visit the BMWUSA website
http://www.bmwusa.com/bmwexperience/europeandelivery/

[martieg]

This is so cool - I never knew about this - I will definitively order ED when I replace my BMW (and I just read the museum will re-open in mid-2007). Thanks stressdoc - I really appreciate the education.

[Gripster]

Fantastic pictures. Looks like you had a blast. Congratulations.

ED is the only way to buy a car. Ah, the memories!

[stressdoc]

Those of you thinking about (dreaming about . . .) ED definitely should check out Gripster's link above. Driving your new bimmer down to Rome, with your wife as co-pilot no less, takes some big ones. I had a great time perusing the ED descriptions here at E90post and over at Bimmerfest while planning this trip. My previous ED (1999) was too constrained by work -- I basically picked up my car and drove like a maniac over to the National Children's Hospital in Utrecht, Netherlands, parked my car in a garage for 10 days, then drove back like a maniac to Munich to drop my car off and fly home. It was so much cooler to do this with my son!

[Gripster]

Originally Posted by stressdoc

Those of you thinking about (dreaming about . . .) ED definitely should check out Gripster's link above. Driving your new bimmer down to Rome, with your wife as co-pilot no less, takes some big ones.

Hehe - You know me then... Actually, I'd attribute it more to stupidity with a pinch of naivete rather than bravery - even though I'm European by birth.

I'm glad you enjoyed the pics from our ED. I had to write it up properly to try and get across how wonderful a vacation it was that we had. Looks like you had the same experience with your son. It will be something he will always remember.

Folks that try and do the ED for the cost savings are wasting their time. While it may have worked in years past, the current exchange rates make it a costly exercise, despite the savings on the cost of the vehicle. What ED offers instead, is a fantastic experience that will remain with you years after the car is scrapped.

I left the link in my signature in the hope that others will be inspired to try this if they get the chance. You should do the same. One of the lasting benefits of ED is hearing from others that made the trip, so make sure you make it obvious that you're a member of the ED club.

[windnsea00]

Originally Posted by stressdoc

Been back for almost a month now, and I still view our trip as one of the highlights of my life. Wish we could have stayed 5 weeks (or months!) instead of days. In retrospect, maybe the only thing that possibly could be better is delivery at the Welt. Definitely looking forward to that experience. Starting to convince myself that we might have to go back and get a 335dT in a couple years. And then a Z2 M after that...

Looks like a great time...however the Z2 will probably be built in SC so a euro delivery wouldn't be possible but a Spartanburg one would be!

[stressdoc]

yes, that will be the big problem with the Z2.

[bluebug]

Question- how do people drive on the autobahn during the break in period? I dont want to start another hard vs soft break-in debate.

I'm liking the montego blue. Beige leatherette looks nice in photo too- not as yellow as I recall.

[MB330]

Originally Posted by bluebug

Question- how do people drive on the autobahn during the break in period? I dont want to start another hard vs soft break-in debate.

I'm liking the montego blue. Beige leatherette looks nice in photo too- not as yellow as I recall.

BMW suggested drive first 1200 ml with RPM not exist 4500.
I get 125 ml/h and rpm was only 4000.
And if you get factory tour in Munich you will be witness of tester hit 120 ml/h right before car lived factory. They even invite you to seat in a car during this test

[stressdoc]

If we had a couple more days I would have added in a trip up to the 'ring and a spin on the 'ring taxi. IMO the ultimate one week ED trip intinerary is to start out with a couple days relaxing in Munich, ideally with local friends from University or whatever your business. Then some moderate speed touring to visit other towns like Regensburg and do some castle touring. Then over to Nurnberg and a ride in the 'ring taxi. Then down to the Salzburg/Berchtesgaden area to do some hiking. Then the Grossglockner. Then a day or two in the N. Italy lake country, Bellagio or Como. Then back through the Timmelsjoch to Fussen and (sigh...) Munich for drop off.

On a two+ week tour I would add a leg through Austria and Slovenia to Croatia and the Adriatic coast, maybe all the way to Dubrovnik. Then a ferry over to Italy, over and up the Mediterranean to France, over to the Spanish border near Perpignan for some snorkeling and general beach partying, then into the Pyrenees for more hiking, small roads back across southern France up to the Alps again, past Switzerland back to Italy and the Timmelsjoch... Maybe add in a few days/weeks/months in case you make some new friends somewhere.

Oh yeah, I forgot that the reason I was responding was in regard to the break-in. That is the subject of many other threads; suffice it to say that I consider an ED to be a once in a lifetime orgasm, hence restraint on the autobahns/grossglochner/timmelsjoch is a matter of personal choice and good judgment. Listen to your engine at moderate speeds for the first few hundred miles, feed it the highest octane petrol, and if all seems in order then gradually let it sing for limited and varied durations.

[beemah]

a true enthusiast

[stressdoc]

A few more photos:
Redelivery (waahooo) thanks Danny!
Holiday tree -- my son calls it a "frozen firework" -- surely I can do a better photo...
Winter tires & M 193 rims. Got the M short knob, M steering wheel, and M ebrake handle too. Aaagh, sure wish BMW would offer a ZHP/M-pack from the initial release date.

[mkoesel]

I like the rims and the sweatshirt, doc.

If I get an E93 I am thinking seriously about style 19" 225M's.

[stressdoc]

225Ms rock. 19" tires are big $ though. I want the ProCede first.

[Fester]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

I like the rims and the sweatshirt, doc.

If I get an E93 I am thinking seriously about style 19" 225M's.

+1 "GO BLUE" fellow wolverine??

[uhaulball]

that is best way to get the car. looked like fun!

[stressdoc]

Originally Posted by Fester

+1 "GO BLUE" fellow wolverine??

Born with maize and blue blood in my veins. Mixed in a little Northwestern Purple. Let's not talk football, the memories are too painful this year...

[Fester]

Originally Posted by stressdoc

Born with maize and blue blood in my veins. Mixed in a little Northwestern Purple. Let's not talk football, the memories are too painful this year...

yup - don't even go there, it hurts!

[vase330]

Originally Posted by stressdoc

225Ms rock. 19" tires are big $ though. I want the ProCede first.

Loved your ED post so much I want to do it too. Only problem is negotiating a fair price. Here is my first quote. IMO not something didn't ring right. Not sure what, but gut feeling is watch out. You did ED so, you might be able to tell me better if this sounds off.

335 Coupe
Base - 40,600
sp gray - 450
sport - 1000
step - 1275
paddles - 100
Prem - 2450
Nav - 2100
Heated Seats- 500
Destination 695
Ipod adoptor - 0
State Sales Tax - 6%
Total 49,195 - sale price 48,720 ED

Lease - $7000 down $600/ month 12000 miles/yr 36 months residual $26000
Purchase $21000 down $600/month 60 months.

Hmmm?????? Somehow It just didn't ring right so I walk away to *sleep over it* I don't like BS and haggling. I will buy from the guy who makes me feel at home. BMW quality is suspect and the damn car is expensive as hell, so it makes sense to be sure it is really what you want.

[stressdoc]

That does not look right to me on several counts. You need to work from ED invoice pricing for both the car and options. Invoice (not MSRP -- see price stickys) + $1200 is reasonable. Some do better, some worse. Make sure all other "fees" are upfront as well. You should not have to pay MACO or training fees (yet another ED savings).

I am clueless about the lease rates, so perhaps others can help you there -- lots of threads on that here and on Bimmerfest.com