[330ci2B]

Hello all,

I am considering Euro Delivery (primarily for cost saving and to check out Munich). If I go solo, the the trip will run me $1300, in which I would save about $1k on the car.

So, my question to you all who have done this - was the trip worth the time? I would only be going for four days, and my wife cannot come with me.

Thanks for your feedback.

Mike

 

[Alex Baumann]

Gary , aka Nat Brown did ED.

Here's his web addy :

Gary's Webpage

 

[in_d_haus]

4 days is tough. When I go to Europe (mainly Germany) I go for 3 weeks to a month. It will take you most of a day to get used to the time change. You have to consider you are travelling most of a day there and the same back as well.

I went once for just 9 days and it was too short.

To make 4 days enjoyable you will have to have a pretty specific agenda that is close to the delivery center.

My .02,
Haus

 

[ZBB 325Ci]

Definately worth it. I did ED last May - I was able to use freq flier miles for the ticket, so the whole trip (1 week) only cost about $600 for gas, food, and a couple hotels (I stayed with friends for a couple nights too).

I used to live in Munich (I worked for BMW for a summer in college) and it was great to get back and see the town again. Besides the summer in Munich, I've spent another year or so in Europe going to school or working (in Geneva, Zurich, Dusseldorf, and Bergen Op Zoom, NL), so on ED I was able to catch up with some old friends and see some new sights too.

Now that the car's in the US, it is weird to think that I drove its first 1500 miles in Europe. I even surprised one of my friends in the Netherlands during the trip (I pulled into a parking spot next to him as he was getting out of his car), and he couldn't believe that the car was mine and that I'd have it in the US soon -- until I showed him the MPH speedo.

Anyway -- its lots of fun. definately worth it!

 

[ZBB 325Ci]

I went once for just 9 days and it was too short.

Haus -
My shortest trip to Europe was a weekend in Paris for my birthday a year ago... Flew over on Fri night, Back in the office on Mon afternoon (took a morning flight). Wasn't even there long enough for jetlag to be a bother!

But I agree with you -- more time is much better. Most of my Europe trips have been for at least 3 months (longest was 8 months). I have done a few trips that were only a week (all but one were for business) -- including my ED trip. I wish that one could have been longer, but I couldn't take any more time off at that time.

 

[in_d_haus]

Haus -
My shortest trip to Europe was a weekend in Paris for my birthday a year ago... Flew over on Fri night, Back in the office on Mon afternoon (took a morning flight). Wasn't even there long enough for jetlag to be a bother!

But I agree with you -- more time is much better. Most of my Europe trips have been for at least 3 months (longest was 8 months). I have done a few trips that were only a week (all but one were for business) -- including my ED trip. I wish that one could have been longer, but I couldn't take any more time off at that time.

I guess it's what you are looking for. I have been in Europe 7 times visiting family. Like you I know my way around so a weekend would not be that bad.

If it is a first time trip and you want to "experience" europe then...you may come back disappointed.

I fly on frequent flyer miles when possible and stay with family so it's a cheap trip for me.

My family is in Wurzburg, Frankfurt, and Deiburg.

 

[___lk___]

Haus -
My shortest trip to Europe was a weekend in Paris for my birthday a year ago... Flew over on Fri night, Back in the office on Mon afternoon (took a morning flight). Wasn't even there long enough for jetlag to be a bother!

i'm guessing you took the:

:yikes:

 

[hts]

Before our first was born, my wife and I went to Paris for a 4-day weekend (one of those spontaneous, last-minute things you can do when you don't have kids). We left DC on a Thursday evening (arrived Paris Friday morning), and we departed Paris Monday afternoon (arrived DC Monday night).

It was great, and I'd do it again (although not with the boys). We spent 8 days in Germany last May for ED, and it was plenty of time. I guess my point is that I'd do it again, even if I only had 2-3 days. Just set your expectations at the right level. Picking up your baby at the delivery center, having a biere at the Hofbrauhaus, and driving your bimmer on the autobahn are experiences that you'll never forget!

(Oh, and if you have a chance to make it over to medieval walled city of Rothenburg ob der Tauber for a Schneeballen, you won't regret it!!)

 

[ZBB 325Ci]

I wish I took the Concorde that time, but nope. Just a regular flight. Even if I could have afforded a Concorde ticket, they were grounded at the time.

I do know a guy who missed a connecting flight and Air France bumped him up to the Concorde from New York to Paris! Oh well...

i'm guessing you took the:

:yikes:

 

[dp330ci]

On my ED, I flew into Munich on Thursday afternoon, went to the Hofbrau House that night, picked up the car the next morning, and took the factory tour that afternoon.

You'll be too excited to be tired!! Go for it - It is definately worth $300.00 for the experience and to drive the car over there!!

 

[Wingboot]

long............sorry

If you are going to drive in Germany please become familiar with the "right over left" rule and priority roads.

General information is available at:

http://www.travlang.com/signs/

http://www.german-way.com/german/driving.html

http://home.att.net/~texhwyman/gerlinks.htm

The gist of the rule is this:
"When traffic signs are absent, vehicles coming from the right have the right-of-way at intersections, junctions, and traffic circles. This rule applies to motor vehicles, bicycles, and animal-drawn wagons. Excluding the exceptions in b below, the "right-before-left" rule applies at all intersections regardless of the width of the street or the angle of the intersection. "

It's similar to our rules at a 4 way stop. The difference is that these intersections have NO SIGNS. You need not stop but you must yield to the vehicle on your right. Sounds easy but it's not clear cut all the time. If you are driving through an intersection and making a right turn you have the right away over everyone else and can proceed with speed. Some people do exactly that expecting you to yield if they are to your right. Confused? It's takes some getting used to but it is much better than the ambiguous rules here in the states. For example, in the states if you are driving parallel to a store front, lets say Home Depot on your left, and somebody is coming out of the parking rows and want's to turn right he will generally yield because it's perceived that you are on a "main road" even though you are to his left. In Germany since he is on your right you must yield unless there is a sign (yellow diamond for you, "yield" for him) saying otherwise. Well, it's not possible for me to get it all through with this post but please research the right of way rules or at least discuss it with someone in Germany before you drive there.

Have fun while your there!