ED 2013 Imperial Blue 550 w/ PICS

Just got back from my ED. Only got to drive the car one day, but I made the most of it. We headed south of Munich towards our first stop of Kochel and Urfeld. Had breakfast in Urfeld and kept going south towards Innsbruck, Austria. Kept going further south and hit the Italian border. Stopped in Brunico for an Espresso and then made our way back towards Munich. Ended up putting 400 miles on the car and made it back to the drop off location in Munich with 1 mile left on the range Averaged 21 mpg with many sprints up to 120-130 and cruising around 110 on the autobahn. I wonder if the 100 octane V-Power race gas helped with that Here is a link that is pretty close to the route we took... https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr...a=ls&via=6&z=8

The 550 did not disappoint. The power is enormous and the handling was brilliant in the twisty mountain roads and VERY stable at high speeds. All in all we spent about 9 hours in the car and the cabin is very comfortable and luxurious. I could have stayed in longer but we ended up being 2 hours late for my drop off appointment. Was truly and epic experience and I loved every minute of it. Here's a few pics of our trip:


Pick up!!!



First fill up. Wish we could get this in Houston.



First stop at Kochel





Urfeld





Innsbruck, Austria

Wow! On delivery day, I usually pick the car in the morning, park it, and then go to bed. (I normally take the red-eye to Munich.)

Your car looks great! Now the long wait begins...

Nice looking car...only 13 weeks till mine arrives!

Great looking car. I really debated getting the blue, it's a gorgeous color.

Really nice!!

Not to burst your bubble...but 100 Octane (Euro Spec) does nothing to increase your horsepower. The car is a monster out of the box and using anything other than what the manual says is a waste of your money. Save it for tires.....But you did make a few of the marketing guys at Shell happy. Ha!

Have fun..be safe.

That chrome grille is stunning on darker color cars. Congrats, fellow H-towner.

Congratulations! Looks beautiful. Just wait until you get home and find any/every excuse to drive it. "Oh, we're out of milk? Be right back!"

Congratulations. Your car appears identical to mine.....and I also live in the Houston area.

Fantastic. After a small taste of European Delivery - you get totally hooked. I did a short trip last year, but a long one this year (1957 miles).

I'm already planning next years trip! Nothing like driving a new BMW in Europe, and especially in the Alps.

You car is a stunner. That is THE color combination for the 550i imo.

For those who haven't experienced the European Delivery, this video captures the magic of it.

Originally Posted by Stealth.Pilot

Fantastic. After a small taste of European Delivery - you get totally hooked. I did a short trip last year, but a long one this year (1957 miles).

I'm already planning next years trip! Nothing like driving a new BMW in Europe, and especially in the Alps.

You car is a stunner. That is THE color combination for the 550i imo.

Thanks Stealth, you are absolutely correct. I doubt I'll ever experience a driving adventure like that again. It was truly breathtaking.

As far as the color combo, your 550 was my inspiration for my build. I considered buying your car and canceling my euro delivery order, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to take part in the Euro Delivery experience.

Congrats, beautiful color combination with the beige interior.

My car leaves Germany this Friday on the Aida. Maybe well be on the same boat .

Enjoy your gorgeous 550i in the best of health and safety!

Nice! I hope to set up a Houston GtG at some point.

bTw, that 100 octane is roughly equivalent to 94 over here.

Beautiful!

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

Nice! I hope to set up a Houston GtG at some point.

bTw, that 100 octane is roughly equivalent to 94 over here.

Beautiful!

Great looking car, and looks like a nice quick Munich trip, something that I want to do if I get another 5 after my lease is up.

And needs is right, that is about equivalent to 94 over here. They use the RON measurement, while AKI is used in the US and Canada.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octane_rating

Originally Posted by Mbbrewer

Just got back from my ED. Only got to drive the car one day, but I made the most of it. We headed south of Munich towards our first stop of Kochel and Urfeld. Had breakfast in Urfeld and kept going south towards Innsbruck, Austria. Kept going further south and hit the Italian border. Stopped in Brunico for an Espresso and then made our way back towards Munich. Ended up putting 400 miles on the car and made it back to the drop off location in Munich with 1 mile left on the range Averaged 21 mpg with many sprints up to 120-130 and cruising around 110 on the autobahn. I wonder if the 100 octane V-Power race gas helped with that

The 550 did not disappoint. The power is enormous and the handling was brilliant in the twisty mountain roads and VERY stable at high speeds. All in all we spent about 9 hours in the car and the cabin is very comfortable and luxurious. I could have stayed in longer but we ended up being 2 hours late for my drop off appointment. Was truly and epic experience and I loved every minute of it. Here's a few pics of our trip:


Pick up!!!



First fill up. Wish we could get this in Houston.



First stop at Kochel







Urfeld





Innsbruck, Austria

Why imperial blue over carbon black? What do you think of Deep sea blue on the 5er?

ED look so fun and fulfilling!! Did you get a good price for airfare?

Originally Posted by Ace535i

Why imperial blue over carbon black? What do you think of Deep sea blue on the 5er?

ED look so fun and fulfilling!! Did you get a good price for airfare?

I like Carbon Black, but I've found in most lighting situations it looks black. Deep Sea is a nice color on grey cloudy days, but in the sun i think it looks too purple. Imperial Blue is sort of a mix in between. You can pretty much always tell its a blue car, and when you get it in the sun, the depth of the color is stunning.

ED and driving through the alps and autobahn is something, as a car enthusiast, you must do in your lifetime. It is pure driving fun where you will be engaged with the car and the road at all times. I've been living in London for 18 months but I'm moving back in November. Airfare was less than £100 round trip on BA. I certainly realized the savings from ED since my travel expenses were very low.

Yes indeed imperial blue is stunning!!

Which months are best for ED in your experience?

Congrats on your new ride! Get a coat of wax on her when she get back home.