[DC_335i_Sedan-to-be]

Other than the autobahn, does anyone have any road experiences from ED in Germany or Austria that are "must do's" while across the pond? We're leaving at the end of September to take delivery of an E90 335i and want to start to map out the trip. Any suggestions for roads or spots to see would be great!

[shimshimhada]

Do the Nurburgring Nordschleife in your new 335i. Do it!

[DC_335i_Sedan-to-be]

Originally Posted by shimshimhada

Do the Nurburgring Nordschleife in your new 335i. Do it!

Thanks for the tip. Just pulled up google and found this link regarding Nurburgring http://nurburgring.org.uk/beginners.html.

Seems simple enough...the idea of someone rear ending you and it being your fault is a new one to me...makes sense on a test track though.

[shimshimhada]

Originally Posted by DC_335i_Sedan-to-be

Thanks for the tip. Just pulled up google and found this link regarding Nurburgring http://nurburgring.org.uk/beginners.html.

Seems simple enough...the idea of someone rear ending you and it being your fault is a new one to me...makes sense on a test track though.

You've never heard of the Ring? If you're too wary of going there with a brand new car, at least get a ride in the Ring Taxi! There are a couple of members who live in that area I think.

[DC_335i_Sedan-to-be]

Originally Posted by shimshimhada

You've never heard of the Ring? If you're too wary of going there with a brand new car, at least get a ride in the Ring Taxi! There are a couple of members who live in that area I think.

I'm a European virgin but now that I know about the Ring I'm definitely going to whip the 335i around a couple laps.

Any other suggestions out there?

[RoadRash]

If you're looking for scenery, I'd head south from Munich to basically anywhere on the border region with Austria. Upper Bavaria/Oberbayern (which is in the south, as upper refers to altitude, not northness) is really gorgeous. I'd think about the German Alpine Road, which runs from the border in the Berchtesgaden region in the Southeast to the Bodensee by Switzerland. http://www.german-alpine-road.com/
We just did ED and wanted to work this into our trip, but time constraints dictated otherwise. If you do it, be sure to post pics so we can live variously.

[DC_335i_Sedan-to-be]

Speed Channel's "M Series Test Drive" and the section with Hans Stuck in the M6 had me salivating for some mountain climbing on an Austrian mountain road.

Who knows were they filmed that piece or where a similar experience can be had?

[DC_335i_Sedan-to-be]

Originally Posted by RoadRash

If you're looking for scenery, I'd head south from Munich to basically anywhere on the border region with Austria. Upper Bavaria/Oberbayern (which is in the south, as upper refers to altitude, not northness) is really gorgeous. I'd think about the German Alpine Road, which runs from the border in the Berchtesgaden region in the Southeast to the Bodensee by Switzerland. http://www.german-alpine-road.com/
We just did ED and wanted to work this into our trip, but time constraints dictated otherwise. If you do it, be sure to post pics so we can live variously.

We've given ourselves 12 days in Europe and originally thought we'd spend most of it swining south...but I've gotten some advice to hit Berlin if time permits. Berlin's a ways away from Austria. Who thinks Berlin's worth the day-long drive from the south?

[Dante]

Originally Posted by DC_335i_Sedan-to-be

We've given ourselves 12 days in Europe and originally thought we'd spend most of it swining south...but I've gotten some advice to hit Berlin if time permits. Berlin's a ways away from Austria. Who thinks Berlin's worth the day-long drive from the south?

Personally not a big fan of Berlin, too big, too dirty.

But you should give Nürnberg (Nuremberg) a visit, it's my hometown. It's about 160 kms north of Munich, driving up the A9 to Berlin.

It's one of the most beautiful cities in Germany, very old with a medieval castle and lots to see.
Also, there are many nice roads around, especially in the 'Fränkische Schweiz' area.

If you decide to do a visit, let me know!

Few nice links:

http://www.nuernberg.de/internet/portal_e/index.html

http://www.panoramen.nuernberg.de/ka.../vollbild.html

[DC_335i_Sedan-to-be]

Originally Posted by Dante

Personally not a big fan of Berlin, too big, too dirty.

But you should give Nürnberg (Nuremberg) a visit, it's my hometown. It's about 160 kms north of Munich, driving up the A9 to Berlin.

It's one of the most beautiful cities in Germany, very old with a medieval castle and lots to see.
Also, there are many nice roads around, especially in the 'Fränkische Schweiz' area.

If you decide to do a visit, let me know!

Few nice links:

http://www.nuernberg.de/internet/portal_e/index.html

http://www.panoramen.nuernberg.de/ka.../vollbild.html

Thanks for the links! I'll let you know if we are heading to Nuremberg...I don't think we can pass it up.

[Got-BMW?]

Where are you picking the car up from in Germany?

I would just go all over. Start from pickup and take the complete tour and see the sites. Heidelberg, Munchen, Rothenberg, Stutgard, Dachau, BlackForrest etc....on down into Austria en-route to Garmich (forgive my spelling). Lots of amazing roads all of the way down.

You may even want to just get off the auobahn and hit some of the back roads going from town-to-town. They have a lot of fun roads but watch for speed cameras (or parked cars) as you approach little towns, etc... After you see the main sites, then head back North and stop at the Ring. Nurumburg Ring is kind of out of the way as far as other things you may want to see so do it towards the end.

You may want to get a book with the basic info on German roads. (DO NOT drive in the fast lane UNLESS passing, what areas are restricted/unlimited, etc...) My parents live in Germany so let me know if you need anything. I can have them email you a list of things they normally recommend for people visiting (unless you already have that planned)......

Josh

[Got-BMW?]

Originally Posted by DC_335i_Sedan-to-be

We've given ourselves 12 days in Europe and originally thought we'd spend most of it swining south...but I've gotten some advice to hit Berlin if time permits. Berlin's a ways away from Austria. Who thinks Berlin's worth the day-long drive from the south?

I would say there is more to see and do in the North West -to- South West side of Germany than over by Berlin. I would save that for another trip and see more in your 12-days elsewhere. Unless you don't mind cruising at 140mph+ to save time to make Berlin....

[CALIF65GM]

Originally Posted by Got-BMW?

Where are you picking the car up from in Germany?

He's doing ED. He's picking up the car in Munich.

I'd recommend anything towards south from Munich into Austria and the alps.

[harry335]

Tell me if this is a stupid question, but how do you get the car back to the states?

I'd love to do a factory collection but its not available to UK customers for some reason.

[RoadRash]

Originally Posted by harry335

Tell me if this is a stupid question, but how do you get the car back to the states?

I'd love to do a factory collection but its not available to UK customers for some reason.

I won't tell you it's a stupid question, because you're from the UK. BMWUSA has a program called "European Delivery." Buyers here can order their car, completely US-specs, but before BMW ships it to the United States, the buyer picks the car up in Munich and uses it like a rental car for anywhere from an hour to three months. The buyer turns the car back in to a designated freight forwarder at any of a number of locations throughout Europe, and then the car re-enters the normal supply chain and gets shipped to the United States. The buyer picks it up at their local dealer 4-6 weeks after dropoff. It's a great way to meet your car, and you get a discount of about 7% off the regular price. The Bimmerfest.com site has a whole European Delivery section. I did ED back in June, and it was awesome.

DC335i, I would go to a Borders or Barnes-&-Noble and look in the travel section. There are special guide books that suggest driving tours through Germany, Bavaria, etc. We picked one up a few months ago that has various suggested routes through Bavaria and the Austrian Alps. Other guide books will recommend different trips depending on how much time you have. Berlin is a great city, but whether it's worth a trip from the South of the country, which I think is more scenic, depends on your preferences and priorities. I'd pick up a guide book and start reading to see what sounds good to your tastes.

[harry335]

Thanks for that, nice discount.

Harry

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by DC_335i_Sedan-to-be

Seems simple enough...the idea of someone rear ending you and it being your fault is a new one to me...makes sense on a test track though.

It's NOT a test track, it is a public toll road. And if you are in the wrong lane and get rear ended, it is your fault, that is all.

[DC_335i_Sedan-to-be]

Originally Posted by Got-BMW?

Where are you picking the car up from in Germany?

I would just go all over. Start from pickup and take the complete tour and see the sites. Heidelberg, Munchen, Rothenberg, Stutgard, Dachau, BlackForrest etc....on down into Austria en-route to Garmich (forgive my spelling). Lots of amazing roads all of the way down.

You may even want to just get off the auobahn and hit some of the back roads going from town-to-town. They have a lot of fun roads but watch for speed cameras (or parked cars) as you approach little towns, etc... After you see the main sites, then head back North and stop at the Ring. Nurumburg Ring is kind of out of the way as far as other things you may want to see so do it towards the end.

You may want to get a book with the basic info on German roads. (DO NOT drive in the fast lane UNLESS passing, what areas are restricted/unlimited, etc...) My parents live in Germany so let me know if you need anything. I can have them email you a list of things they normally recommend for people visiting (unless you already have that planned)......

Josh

Thanks. If you're parents are up for it, I'd love to see their recommendations.

[DC_335i_Sedan-to-be]

Originally Posted by JSpira

It's NOT a test track, it is a public toll road. And if you are in the wrong lane and get rear ended, it is your fault, that is all.

Go it. I'll still be in the "break in period" for the car (1,200 miles) and probably won't be able to push the car too hard around the ring. How busy is the ring usually?

[Got-BMW?]

Originally Posted by JSpira

It's NOT a test track, it is a public toll road. And if you are in the wrong lane and get rear ended, it is your fault, that is all.

He's talking about the Nurumberg Ring, NOT the autobahn!

It's a CLOSED COURSE race track that you PAY TO RUN LAPS. It's not like you just enter it heading North on the Autobahn. It's just like a normal race track except it's so big, ONE-LAP is like a journey....

[Got-BMW?]

Originally Posted by DC_335i_Sedan-to-be

Thanks. If you're parents are up for it, I'd love to see their recommendations.

As long as they are in town when you are, they would be happy to do it. Just email or PM me and I'll give you there email.

Josh

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by Got-BMW?

He's talking about the Nurumberg Ring, NOT the autobahn!

It's a CLOSED COURSE race track that you PAY TO RUN LAPS. It's not like you just enter it heading North on the Autobahn. It's just like a normal race track except it's so big, ONE-LAP is like a journey....

No kidding. And it is considered a public toll road when it is open to the public. If you don't know the correct info, please don't correct with misinformation.