Tour of the "Delivery Center" (warning: lots of photos)

[roots]

Before I went to do my ED, I've seen many photos of the delivery center from other people who had done it. But most of the times people post only a few photos of the ED counter and/or their car at the garage.

The photos, while exciting, always made me wonder what the delivery center looks like. If you're interested in seeing more of the delivery center, then read on. I'll attempt to walk you through the delivery process and show the photos I took when I was there ;)

First, the Euro Delivery center itself...

<img src="http://members.roadfly.com/roots/edbldg.jpg">

The ED center occupies the rear end of the BMW complex there. This is the rear entrance:

<img src="http://members.roadfly.com/roots/edrear.jpg">

When I went there, I came by the subway (U-bahn) so I came from the rear. From the U-bahn station to the complex is about 5 minutes walk. If you take a cab, you'll come in through the front entrance and your cab can go through and drop you off right in front of the building.

I proceeded to the gate as instructed in the ED packet from BMW NA. There's an intercom by the gate to notify the people inside. Immediately someone came out and opened the gate for us.

<img src="http://members.roadfly.com/roots/edgate.jpg">

We walked in past the lot:

<img src="http://members.roadfly.com/roots/edlot1.jpg">

<img src="http://members.roadfly.com/roots/edlot2.jpg">

The lot was full with BMW's and Mini's. I don't know if those are cars waiting to be picked up or to be delivered elsewhere or what.

There's also a gas station that is probably used to fill up the cars pre delivery.

<img src="http://members.roadfly.com/roots/edgas.jpg">

Next, the Euro Delivery lobby...

[roots]

OK, after taking a few photos of the lot, I proceeded through the door...

<img src="http://members.roadfly.org/roots/eddoor.jpg">

to the ED counter:

<img src="http://members.roadfly.com/roots/edcounter.jpg">

At the counter, I gave them the order letter from BMW NA (came in my ED packet) and my passport. They told me to wait and make myself comfortable while they prepare my car.

They have plenty of tables and seats along in the lobby.

<img src="http://members.roadfly.org/roots/edlobby2.jpg">

The center also does delivery for their German customers. They have, what I think is, the registration counter inside so people can register their car when they pick it up. Apparently the German customers have to do the registration themselves (I saw one guy picking up his license plates from the registration counter). Fortunately for us, we don't need to do those... our car will already have the license plates mounted.

<img src="http://members.roadfly.org/roots/edlobby1.jpg">

The stairs in the middle of the lobby go up to the cafetaria (they call it "Bistro" :D).

<img src="http://members.roadfly.org/roots/edbistro.jpg">

There they have various sandwiches (I had the ham and cheese sandwich which IMHO is very good - :p OK, I admit that my standard is pretty low), sodas, juices, fruits, desserts, ice cream, etc.

You can enjoy a breakfast or lunch free compliments of BMW NA (you get the voucher with the ED packet). Just tell them what you want and they'll bring them to you. There are also tables upstairs for you to sit down and enjoy the meal.

Next: more of The Lobby...

[Jon S.]

Damn me at my multi-tasking maddness....

I just edited your thread, and messed it all up...


I'd better go hide now...

:tsk:

Please re-post...

:banghead:

[Jon S.]

Alls you got ta do is edit your original post...

:angel:

[machmeter]

Originally posted by roots


<img src="http://members.roadfly.org/roots/edb1.jpg">



Why don't they just call it "Factory Delivery"? Obviously you're in Europe if you're reading this sign! Like you might not be sure.

[roots]

Notice the shelf full of brochures underneath the stairs? Yup, it's a shelf full of various brochures of all models.

<img src="http://members.roadfly.org/roots/edshelf.jpg">

They have some unique ones that we don't get here (e.g. BMW Individuals, etc). They already have Z4 brochure too! Here are some that I picked up:

<img src="http://members.roadfly.org/roots/edbrochures.jpg">

Actually I picked up one of each but before I flew back home I had to throw away some :( because 1) I didn't have anymore room in my carry-on suitcase and 2) the whole brochures weighed like 10 lbs.

After hanging around in the lobby for about 30 minutes, my delivery advisor came out and greeted me. Then we sat down and he brought out the paperwork and started going through them.

<img src="http://members.roadfly.org/roots/edpaper.jpg">

We went over the German tourist registration, then the insurance, then the roadside assistance, and finally I signed the Acceptance Receipt.

My advisor asked me if I need some directions to go immediately from there. I was going to the BMW museum so he pulled a map and gave me the directions (but I still managed to get lost).

We were done with the paperwork in about 15 minutes. Now is the time to meet my baby ;)

We went through that door in the middle to The Garage...

<img src="http://members.roadfly.org/roots/edlobby3.jpg">

[uter]

Did you mention the little sugar packets in the Bistro with BMW-MINI logos on them?

[Patrick330i]

Hey, roots, good work. I am enjoying your tour of the "European Delivery" center. Hope to do that with 3er redo in 3 years! :thumbup:

[roots]

There was my baby! :D

530i manual in Sterling Gray with Gray leather
Sport + Premium package
Xenon lights
Premium hi-fi
Rear electric sunshade
Rear airbags

<img src="http://members.roadfly.org/roots/edgarage1.jpg">

I gave it a brief inspection and everything looked good. Then we sat down and went over various aspects of the car (seat adjustments, power windows, locks, lights, OBC, climate control, etc, etc). I'm actually already familiar with 98% of it because I own a 328 and I've downloaded the 530 manual from Owner's Circle and gone through it at least twice :)

<img src="http://members.roadfly.org/roots/edgarage2.jpg">

I popped the hood open and checked to make sure I got the right engine :D

<img src="http://members.roadfly.org/roots/edengine.jpg">

After everything was completed, my service advisor thanked and congratulated us once again and sent us away. Before leaving I took some more photos of the garage.

Have you ever seen this neon light on other people's photos? I always wondered... why they put a neon foot there?

<img src="http://members.roadfly.org/roots/edneon1.jpg">

<img src="http://members.roadfly.org/roots/edneon2.jpg">

The garage wasn't very busy that day. IIRC there were 3 other deliveries going on. The 7 series across the garage above was being delivered to a couple from Chicago (whom I met later at the factory tour). They were picking up their titanium gray 745Li.

OK, finally we were ready to leave... the exit doors are those on the left (they'll open automatically)

<img src="http://members.roadfly.org/roots/edgarage3.jpg">

[roots]

I drove out and took more photos :D

<img src="http://members.roadfly.org/roots/car2.jpg">

<img src="http://members.roadfly.org/roots/car3.jpg">

<img src="http://members.roadfly.org/roots/car4.jpg">

That concludes my tour of the "Delivery Center". I hope you enjoy the tour and find it informative.

Please feel free to add any comments, corrections, etc.

[Nat Brown]

Here are a couple of photos walking towards the delivery center from the suburban area that surrounds it. You might think you're lost if you follow the directions, since you'll be walking through a residential neighborhood. Bring the address on a piece of paper, since some taxi drivers aren't so sure where it is.

--gary

http://www.bariaur.com/e39/images/munich1.jpg

http://www.bariaur.com/e39/images/munich2.jpg

[·clyde·]

Originally posted by roots
The photos, while exciting, always made me wonder what the delivery center looks like. If you're interested in seeing more of the delivery center, then read on. I'll attempt to walk you through the delivery process and show the photos I took when I was there ;)

Wow...lots of Tourings!

Cool.

[machmeter]

Thanks for posting these pictures! Very interesting. :thumbup:

Oh, and beautiful car, too!

[Civi330i]

Thanks for taking the time to do that...thoroughly enjoyed the pictures...Now i have an idea of what to expect in 3 weeks...
Picking up on Thanksgiving day...talk about a day to be thankful!!!:thumbup:

[berford]

Boy, does that bring back fond memories. Nice touch for those who haven't been there. I only took pics of the car and they didn't turn out well because of the license plate reflection from the flash made the shutter close too fast...so they were mostly way too dark.:thumbup:

[mbushnell]

It looks like you had the same Delivery Advisor that I had when I picked up my 2003 325xiT back on October 9.

He was a gentleman from I believe Haiti, who came to Germany sometime in the mid 1960's. My parents were with me, and he recognized my mother's French accent, so after that the conversations were a mixture of English & French.

Mark

[Keith]

Roots, thanks alot for taking the time.:thumbup:
I really enjoyed all the pictures and information, it makes me want to look into this more.

[Whohangs]

Loved it! Thanks for posting the pictures!

[berford]

Originally posted by Keith
Roots, thanks alot for taking the time.:thumbup:
I really enjoyed all the pictures and information, it makes me want to look into this more.


IMHO, everyone should do it at least once.

[beauport]

Roots, thanks for posting such great pictures. I took delivery there on Sep 3rd this year and was too darned excited to really take any pictures and I've regretted it. It was a terrific experience. I agree with those who have done ED that everyone ought to try ED if at all possible and I sure plan to in the future. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[IndyMike]

Originally posted by roots
Have you ever seen this neon light on other people's photos? I always wondered... why they put a neon foot there?


<img src="http://members.roadfly.org/roots/edneon2.jpg">


You mean like this one? :D
<img src=http://members.roadfly.com/mikecanada1/Pb050030.jpg>
I understand from the gentleman in your picture, Ernst Fortune, that the neon foot is actually taken from the footprint of an elephant at the local zoo. I'll take his word for it. :dunno:

[berford]

Originally posted by IndyMike

the neon foot is actually taken from the footprint of an elephant at the local zoo. I'll take his word for it. :dunno:

Doesn't look a lot like an elephant's foot. I'd say it's the German version of an Alexander Calder piece of art. :dunno:

[bmw325]

I had the same advisor too. Seemed like a nice, patient guy. In some ways that must be a great job-- you're constantly dealing w/ people who are generally in great moods since they're excited to be picking up a new car.

[bmw325]

I had the same advisor too. Seemed like a nice, patient guy. In some ways that must be a great job-- you're constantly dealing w/ people who are generally in great moods since they're excited to be picking up a new car.

How does the 530 compare to your old E46? I've been toying w/ the idea of trading in my 325i for a 530i. My recollection of driving several 520is in europe was that they seemed better built than the e46 and seemed more buttoned down on the autobahn.

[desiguyincali]

Autobhans are great. I was able to speed up to 140 Miles per hourParis_to_Munich 006.jpg

[roots]

Originally posted by robg
I had the same advisor too. Seemed like a nice, patient guy. In some ways that must be a great job-- you're constantly dealing w/ people who are generally in great moods since they're excited to be picking up a new car.

How does the 530 compare to your old E46? I've been toying w/ the idea of trading in my 325i for a 530i. My recollection of driving several 520is in europe was that they seemed better built than the e46 and seemed more buttoned down on the autobahn.

I think someone else posted that his name is "Ernst Fortune". Yeah, he was a really nice guy. :thumbup:

I agree that the 530 feels more "solid" and better built compared to my 328. Here are some of my impressions in the 7 days/1095 miles I had it there:


First, the interior does feel larger than my 328. I know the dimension is only marginally larger, but it does feel a lot more spacious.

The way the door closes and the sound it makes feels "heavier" and adds to the overall impression that the 5 is more solid.

Then there are some nicer, "step up" features from the 328 (e.g. dual climate zones, power steering-wheel adjustments, on board computer with more functions, etc).

Acceleration and power is almost even. The 3 liter engine makes about 30 more HP (225 vs 193) but the extra weight offsets it. As expected, the 328 (mine has sport package) is much more tossable on the corners.

Steering feels a bit heavier on the 5 but I actually prefer it that way. Steering feels sharp and precise in both 3 and 5.

The sport suspension in the 5 seems to absorb bumps / irregularities on the road surfaces better than the 3 sport suspension. This is probably because the 5 is a heavier car. But it doesn't transmit the jolts/bumps to the interior as much as I remember my 3 does. My passengers (who have been in my 3 also commented the same). But hey, that was on the autobahn :)... will find out with the roads here in the bay area when I get the car here.

The sport seat in the 5 is a lot better than the 3. When I got back home and went back to my 3, I realized that the 3 seat is uncomfortable compared to the 5.

I really like the combination radio / onboard computer on the 5. The controls are easier to use IMHO (with the button' functions shown on the display) and easier to use at nights.


I guess those are my impressions so far. Overall I'm very happy with the "upgrade" to the 530. I don't think I will miss my 328 at all. :D

ian

[Nick325xiT 5spd]

VERY cool. :)

Thanks for the vicarious tour.

[CascadeTelcom]

Great series of images, many outstanding memories.
We picked up my 330CIC in June and did not record our visit digitally. We were delivered to the center by a German friend who is getting his PhD in California and was visting his mother who lived in Munich. He discovered the availability of bier in the upstairs lounge and we were talking instead of recording.
I also convinced the factory team to install a USA type alarm system on my vehicle prior to delivery which was a definite surprise for my service advisor.
We are convinced that ED is the only way to purchase a new BMW and see Europe, will do it again.:thumbup:

[darchen]

Originally posted by CascadeTelcom
I also convinced the factory team to install a USA type alarm system on my vehicle prior to delivery which was a definite surprise for my service advisor.

Did you call them in advance to get the alarm installed or did you do ask them when you were there to pick up? How much did the alarm + installation cost?