jeffnin's Excellent ED Adventure (very long with pics)

Just returned from ED of my 335i Coupe. What a wonderful experience. I know from reading other’s posts that the process is great, but you really can’t appreciate it until you experience it for yourself. Thanks to everyone on this forum for help especially Beewang for the use of his European Nav Disk. Just not having to worry about where you’re heading or last minute change of plans made it very worthwhile. Weather was absolutely perfect with clear skies and temps in low 60’s. I was concerned about dicey weather in late November, but was pleasantly surprised.

Now for the details:

Day 1: British Airways from Phoenix to Heathrow. Flight time was 9.5 hours with on-time arrival. Thank God for those wonderful beds in Club World as I was able to sleep for 6 hours with no trouble. Upper deck on a 747 is the only way to go. Had a 3 hour layover in London, so took advantage of BA lounge and had much needed shower and 30 min massage along with lunch. In no time, I was ready to board next flight to Munich. Arrived in Munich at 6:00pm and Rolf was there waiting as promised in a brand new 760Li. I felt like a VIP with just he and I with 12 cylinders at our disposal. What fun. I can add my kudos to Rolf who is extremely helpful and a godsend. He spent 20 minutes with me in the hotel lobby with a map detailing places to see. Went to bed in anticipation of delivery the following morning.

Day 2: Woke at 7:00am and took UBahn from hotel to Delivery Center. Having used mass transportation around the world, the German system is among the best. No problems walking the 2-3 blocks from the station to the Delivery Center. Once there, rang bell and moments later, Ernst came to meet me. Went upstairs to café and had some bfast. Since it was only 8:30am, I was the only one waiting for US delivery. There were two other couples from Europe waiting for delivery, but they were paged instead of having the personal contact reserved for US deliveries. Ernst walked me through paperwork, and then escorted me downstairs for the unveiling. Based on other’s posts, I can attest to the anticipation as you take that walk downstairs and into the delivery garage. Ernst took the obligatory picture of new car and owner and also entered all my destinations into the Navigation System for me. He also linked up my Motorola Razr to the Bluetooth system (which worked flawlessly throughout my trip) and I was good to go. Ernst was impressed with my anal-retentive list of landmarks and area addresses that I had typed up and even asked for a copy for his future ED customers since my list was so complete. I then connected my iPod and headed out the dreaded narrow door without hitting the doorway, I might add.

I was a bit concerned since this was my first manual tranny in almost 20 years (my last manual was a 1988 911). Needless to say, I had zero problems since the 6MT in the 335i is wonderful with a silky smooth clutch and effortless shifter. Also, took me a few miles to get used to the Navigation system, or simply trusting that it knew better than I as to which route to take. Once I let the system do its job, it worked flawlessly.

First stop was Harms to complete paperwork in case I was late in dropping off car on Friday. Thomas was very helpful and we shared some car talk while he completed paperwork. Next stop was to Neuschwanstein via the Autobahn. Was able to get car up to 125mph for a brief moment…keeping car within the break-in period was very difficult, especially with every other car trying to catch up to me to stare at my car. Had an Opel driver try and race me, but I drove like an old lady to insure adherence to break-in process. What a pain! Made it to castle by noon and had lunch at Hotel Mueller. Walked around castle and streets before heading back to parking lot. I started to back out of parking spot, when I noticed another 335i Coupe next to me. Turns out it was Chris (northernlights) and his wife doing ED as well. Come to find out that he also lives in Phoenix and is a USC grad, like myself. Here we are in the middle of nowhere and I find another Bimmerfest member and Phoenix resident doing ED. What a small world!

After chatting for a while, I headed back to Munich. Stopped at BMW Niederlassung, the large BMW dealership in Munich near BMW Welt. They had a white 335i like mine in showroom with similar equipment. Price was €64K. We are definitely spoiled here in the US with pricing. Unbelievable. Made my way back to hotel. Squeezed my car into hotel parking garage trying to find space large enough for car to avoid any potential scratches, etc. Can’t believe how tight parking spaces are in Europe. I would definitely order PDC if I lived there. Thank God for folding mirrors as they proved useful in the tight parking spot.

Day 3: Drove to Dachau today. Spent 2 hours touring the camp. I was very humbled knowing all of the horrors that must have taken place here. I couldn’t believe that you were allowed into the actual cells in the Bunker as well as in the “showers” of the crematorium. Since it was off season, I was able to walk around with few others, so the experience was even more personal and meaningful. All in all, the experience was worthwhile albeit very depressing.

Next I headed to Flugwerft Schleißheim Museum. Very interesting for an aviation buff like myself especially given that this site was a former staging airport for Nazi bomb runs during WWII. When I got back to parking lot, there were two older gentlemen walking around my car and looking in the windows. As I approached, they start asking me questions in German. I did my best to explain that I didn’t speak German, and luckily one spoke good English. He asked me lots of questions about car and couldn’t believe how inexpensive car was in States. Since we both owned 5 series, I told him my initial impressions of differences between 335 and 5er. This was the 6th person to either approach me and/or drive up next to me on street and admire car. I didn’t see any other 335i coupes on the road in my travels, so it must still be a rare sight in . Next I went to the Schlossanlage Schleißheim to tour castle. I was only person in museum so I had the entire place to myself. I had scheduled a factory tour for this evening, but stupid me, had the time wrong on my calendar. I arrived at the designated spot (Tor 1) at 6:25pm instead of 6:00pm. Couldn’t figure out why no one was around. Finally after trying to communicate with a non-English speaking guard, I discovered that the tour had already departed, so I missed it. I was disappointed to say the least given that I was really looking forward to the factory tour. Oh well, I guess I’ll just have to wait until my next ED.

Day 4: Drove to Harms to drop off car. Rolf was waiting for me in parking lot. Thomas helped me remove front license plate and gave me copy of my signed inspection report. Process took all of 5 mins and I was off to airport for flight to London. Arrived one hour late due to heavy winds and rain delays at Heathrow. Took Heathrow Express to Paddington station and grabbed taxi to hotel. Had dinner in city and got soaked while walking around in rain. Having lived in London years ago along with frequent business trips, I was familiar with the iffy weather. Love the city anyways.

Day 5: Awoke to sunny skies and spent day doing some shopping and walking around London. Had tickets for Spamalot, Monty Python musical. Great show although some of the humor was over my head. Guess you have to be a die-hard Python fan to grasp all of the jaded humor.

Day 6: Took in some additional “tourist” spots including Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Grosvenor Square, National Gallery, etc. Stopped at Park Lane BMW across from Hyde Park. They had two 335i Coupes in showroom, one diesel and one gasoline. Again, couldn’t believe prices compared to similarly equipped cars in States. Diesel coupe was £39K.

Day 7: Flew from Heathrow back to Phoenix. Flight time was 10h35m, so was able to watch several movies, sleep for 4 hours, and relax.

Impressions of the Car: Coming from a 5 series, I was concerned about lack of space and possible handling compromises due to smaller footprint. Happy to say that I was wrong; the 335i, while smaller, makes up for it in improved handling and better overall feel. I’ve said on many occasions that I just couldn’t “bond” with my 545i with its artificial detached feel, overly touchy brakes, and awful hunt and peck steptronic tranny. It just never feels connected in the way that my previous BMW’s were. The 335i is perfect with that old BMW feeling back again. The steering was the first thing that I noticed. Since I avoided ordering Active Steering, I noticed that the 335 has a more neutral feel without that artificial feeling that AS displays. The manual tranny was also excellent allowing me to control the shifts myself instead of having the computer do it. Loved Comfort Access too although it felt strange never having to reach in my pocket to dig out the key (I’m going to love this feature). Navigation was excellent as well; my 5 has iDrive but no Nav, so it proved to be quite simple to transition into 335i. Can’t wait to try out new Traffic Information System when the car gets back to States.

All in all, I had a great trip. Now, the wait begins. Where are the postings for redelivery support groups?

First pics of car at ED center including the obligatory "foot" shot and delivery mileage.

Romantic Road, Castle, Hotel Mueller, and Dachau.

Romantic Road, Flugwerft Museum, Navigation pic, BMW HQ, Schloss Schleisheim

Rolf at Harms, MUC airport BMW display, London including Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Palace Theater, Piccadilly Circus, Price Tag from 335d in London

Green Park, Grosvenor Square, Souveniers from ED

O, Man!!!!1
THANK YOU!!!! And Congratulation!!!! Aamezing photos, great report, beautiful car!!!

Great pictures and nice car. I was considering white from mine but got overruled by my spouse. All my previous cars were white.

Will you get your car via West Coast or East Coast shipping?

Good luck for a speedy redelivery!

Thanks. Love the classic colours.

Great pictures and beautiful car! Thanks!

(BTW that's Piccadilly Circus, not Trafalgar Sq.)

Originally Posted by Beemersn

Great pictures and nice car. I was considering white from mine but got overruled by my spouse. All my previous cars were white.

Will you get your car via West Coast or East Coast shipping?

Good luck for a speedy redelivery!

Thanks. I decided to go with White since my past umpteen BMW's have been black. Unfortunately, I live on West Coast (well Southwest) so car is shipped to Port Humene which means 8 week wait.

About Dachau...I have been twice and didn't see the cell area you have a picture of or the other building with the chiminey. Where is that area??

Cell area is in the "bunker" building on far right side of property upon entering. Chimney is part of the crematorium building just outside of the gate at north end of property. Both are open to public (don't think that they are new areas).

Great write-up and pics...love the Alpine-Red combo. And having driven a 545 for a bit I hear you 100% about the detached feeling in the 5 vs the 3.......good move!!

the coupe in white looks amazing. congrats on the new car and a great trip

Great write up,really nice pictures ( we went to Dachau as well ) and a perfect AZ car,fast and fun......Happy Holidays !

Looks amazing. I'm jealous! It looks like you have tint on the windows, can you order your car with tint on it from the factory??

Great Color Combo! Congrats...

Now, that's what I am talking about. Great report, great car. You demonstrate that despite extensive expierence travelling and living abroad, planning and homework are still essential to a great ED. Much appreciated relief to read a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing. Enjoy the ride.

Like your color choices. Very nice looking car.

jeffnin, I love your thread title!! That's awesome, bro. Listen, I'm in awe by your write up and your wonderful pics. Also, I'm diggin' the white'/red combo, man!

Congratulations on your "excellent ED adventure" and your beautiful 335i Coupe.

Hey Adrian! Thanks for comments. I think of you as my "surrogate" delivery center given all of the assistance that you provided me in the early stages. Take care!

Great report. We've recently took delivery on 10/30 of our 335i White,Nav,SP,PaddleShifters and black interior and had the opportunity to visit Dachau as well on a guided tour, if anyone is interested I would recommend someone who is very knowledgable, my wife and I became good friends and we highly recommend him,PM me for more info. I share the same feelings about this place and I would encourage everyone who is doing ED to go.

I followed the recommendation of 3500RPM for the first 1200 miles and I was able to reach 116mph, enough to see slower cars move out of the way at the best Autobahn protocol. Coming from Miami where the right lane is the faster lane I was really impressed about this discipline. I've noticed the same principle at the escalators, slower or standing people stay on the right. The US has a lot to learn yet, they should make it a law and issue tickets to slow drivers on passing lanes.

Jeffnin, I am willing to share my Dachau pictures if you are interested. Here are some samples.

Originally Posted by jeffnin

Walked around castle and streets before heading back to parking lot. I started to back out of parking spot, when I noticed another 335i Coupe next to me. Turns out it was Chris (northernlights) and his wife doing ED as well. Come to find out that he also lives in Phoenix and is a USC grad, like myself. Here we are in the middle of nowhere and I find another Bimmerfest member and Phoenix resident doing ED. What a small world!

Welcome back Jeff. Yes it was slightly more than surreal to run into you there in the parking lot at Neuschwanstein. In fact outside of talking to the ED people at BMW and our hotel staff the first night it was the first time in 3 days we had a conversation in English with anybody. Two points of clarification about my so called deductive reasoning, in assuming your car was a US spec. First I was correct about the temporary plates being a possibility of being a fellow ED'er in front of a tourist destination close to Munich. Second I assumed the third tail light was only for US bound cars (DOT req.) but it turns out that as I paid more attention there were many Europen cars with the third red light.

Great write up, once I sort through my 1000+ pics I took I will get my ED write up in.

Fight On!

I knew about the 3rd brake light, but you seemed so sure that I didn't want to burst your bubble! Now get cracking with those pictures so that you can post; while there is no 12 hour rule, there has to be a 12 week rule for posting.