[Brett]

Ok... I know I mentioned this a long time ago, but I can't shake the thought.

My plan... arrive Friday morning (10:00a) at Munich, pickup car and enjoy for the day. Pay "nominal" fee to drop off car on Saturday morning.

After plane ticket, hotel, and $200 "extra" expenses, I will likely be paying atleast $1,000 less for my turbo 335i Cabrio through ED than most people are paying for identically equipped non-turbo 328i Cabrios in the state. (PM me for the contact)

Now, I am a business analyst, so I need to evaluate the risk and opportunity cost. There is clearly a risk because I speak absolutely no German, and the flight could get delayed. As far as opportunity cost, I have to take 1 vacation day and the car will take 1-2 extra months than a normal order to be in my speedy, little hands.

Tell me is it really that crazy? I have no real desire to visit Germany otherwise...

-Brett

[Driv3r]

if you really dont have a desire, then just stay here, youll get what you want sooner and less money is spent.

[BMW F22]

the cost saving is probably not really worth it. You should take a few days off and enjoy Germany. If you ever want to travel to Germany again, it's going to cost you : another ticket, an extra night at the hotel, extra cost for food, etc. Might as well enjoy it while you're there.

PS- no you're not crazy. lol

[rmorin49]

I lived in Germany for 3 years, have spent a lot of time in Munich and driving all over Europe. It is a blast but I think your analysis is faulty. I would be happy to talk to you more. PM for a phone number if you are interested. Good luck.

[Brett]

Originally Posted by Driv3r

if you really dont have a desire, then just stay here, youll get what you want sooner and less money is spent.

See that is the common response, but I don't follow... how it less money spent to stay in the states?

-Brett

[Buckman]

I don't think the extra hassle it is worth a grand. For me, travelling to Germany, I would want to have a good vacation and save over $2,500. Otherwise, .

[Brett]

Originally Posted by Buckman

I don't think the extra hassle it is worth a grand. For me, travelling to Germany, I would want to have a good vacation and save over $2,500. Otherwise, .

I clarified my comment.

Its not just a grand savings. Its a grand savings and I am getting the 335i instead of the 328i.

-Brett

[JSpira]

It's not completely crazy but your analysis leaves zero margin for error.

Friday is the worst day for picking up a car for two reasons - one, the delivery center is busiest, and two if your flight is delayed or cancelled, you cannot pick up on Saturday. So you would have to wait until Monday to pick up the car.

The one day in and out isn't bad - I just did that to be in Paris for New Year's Eve - arrived the morning of the 31st, flew back on the 1st. Had a great time but was grateful for very comfortable seat/beds on the aircraft so I could sleep.

[Buckman]

Getting sleepy - sorry. Now you got me thinking....
More horsepower is always the way to go. What airline are you going to take?

[ages944]

Take your vacation and roll your ED into that. IMO, it's just retarded to go to Europe and not look around a bit.

...also, if you're looking to save cash, you might want to look at other airports in Europe instead of just Frankfurt/Main. For eg, I was researching a trip to Eastern Europe. Found a cheap flight to London. Then, I found a flight from London to Warsaw for only $20 more (no joke). Worth a look to see if anything is similar to that for Germany.

[ska///235i]

+1....

stay for 3 days at least

[Brett]

You guys will be glad to know that per your comments I am leaning towards extending my trip 1 whole day . JSpira's comment about flight delays and having zero-error margin is the kicker. I fly out of Atlanta regularily and nothing ever leaves on time.

BTW, I have not finalized flight planes yet for those asking. I allocated $1,500.00 for travel expenses. Which if I bum it in coach should easily be enough. I think it is wiser to fly direct verse adding more risk of delays / getting lost / cancelled flights in cities that I don't speak the primary language. Especially going on such a tight time schedule.

-Brett

[Gripster]

Dude. Take a vacation, drive your car on the autobahn, see a little of Europe. You might come out ahead $$ by doing it your way, but you're really missing the point.

Imagine, a trip around Europe without having to pay for some two-bit crappy rental car, but instead cruising around in your new bimmer and then having that SAME bimmer back home. The photos, the fun, the memories....

[steveo8998]

What I don't get is why any one Wouldn't do ED. You save money, get a nicer car, and get a free trip to Europe. Of course you can only look at it that way when you are comparing it to buying the same car and not doing the ED. Which is how you should compare it anyways! do overnight ED.

[mrbelk]

Originally Posted by Brett

Ok... I know I mentioned this a long time ago, but I can't shake the thought.

My plan... arrive Friday morning (10:00a) at Munich, pickup car and enjoy for the day. Pay "nominal" fee to drop off car on Saturday morning.

After plane ticket, hotel, and $200 "extra" expenses, I will likely be paying atleast $1,000 less for my turbo 335i Cabrio through ED than most people are paying for identically equipped non-turbo 328i Cabrios in the state. (PM me for the contact)

Now, I am a business analyst, so I need to evaluate the risk and opportunity cost. There is clearly a risk because I speak absolutely no German, and the flight could get delayed. As far as opportunity cost, I have to take 1 vacation day and the car will take 1-2 extra months than a normal order to be in my speedy, little hands.

Tell me is it really that crazy? I have no real desire to visit Germany otherwise...

-Brett

For what it's worth, there are no other "nominal charges" for dropping off the car on a weekend day or after hours. What you have to do it go straight to the dropoff location after taking delivery, fill out all the paperwork and leave them a key. When you drop it off, you just park the car, put the damage report in the car, take out the first aid kit, warning triangle, front plate, lock it, and either have a pre-scheduled cab pick you up (they can arrange that at the office) or walk to the subway station about 1.5 miles away.

As to the whole flight thing, I have flown to Europe (on British Airways) from Atlanta every year for the past 7 years and have _never_ had an international flight not land on time, either going or coming. Usually they land a little early. Since the direct long haul flights from ATL are not really dependent on other airport conditions, and they usually build in substantial fudge factors, I think there is much less chance of being delayed on a direct international flight than you might think; even if you're stuck on the tarmac taxiing for 30 minutes to get to the right departure runway.

Don't worry about the language issue. If you are not going to leave the Munich area, you will not have a problem communicating with whomever you need to. Munich is a very cosmopolitan city.

-MrB

[KL2DC]

I'm gonna have to agree with other posters, language shouldn't be a deterent, its a non-issue. English is widely spoken in europe and even in places that don't, simple gestures will get your round.

I understand your plan, its feasible but as JSpira have commented, its too tightly scheduled. I'd take a few days to unwind and enjoy your new E93 as others have encouraged you to do. You'd still come out ahead. If you do your research ahead of time you can find maximize your savings. Do you have flyer miles?

[Brett]

Originally Posted by KL2DC

Do you have flyer miles?

I earned 200,000 this year alone

However 100,000 miles for an international ticket that normally cost $800.00 does not seem logical to me. I can get 4 coach tickets within the states for the same number of miles.

Originally Posted by MrBelk

For what it's worth, there are no other "nominal charges" for dropping off the car on a weekend day or after hours. What you have to do it go straight to the dropoff location after taking delivery, fill out all the paperwork and leave them a key. When you drop it off, you just park the car, put the damage report in the car, take out the first aid kit, warning triangle, front plate, lock it, and either have a pre-scheduled cab pick you up (they can arrange that at the office) or walk to the subway station about 1.5 miles away.

Interesting! Is this safe, is there a security guard or gate where you drop off the car?

-Brett

[mrbelk]

Originally Posted by Brett

Interesting! Is this safe, is there a security guard or gate where you drop off the car?

-Brett

The Munich dropoff location is at the very back of a dead-end road in an industrial suburb north and east of Munich called Garching (FWIW, the BMW M workshop is on the same main road as the dropoff location), and the parking lot is up on a deck. It is not gated, guarded, or otherwise secured.

Dropping off on a weekend is no less safe than dropping off late in the day during business hours on Friday and having it sit in their lot all weekend until the following week when the next truck is loaded and drives off to Bremerhaven.

Your's will be one of many BMWs, Mercs and Volvos all sitting there waiting to get loaded up to get shipped out.

-MrB

[E90T]

Why not go for a weekend at least?

[stressdoc]

Originally Posted by rmorin49

I lived in Germany for 3 years, have spent a lot of time in Munich and driving all over Europe. It is a blast but I think your analysis is faulty. I would be happy to talk to you more. PM for a phone number if you are interested. Good luck.

+1

Look Brett, it's easy. Just fly out of Atlanta Thurs PM, get it Fri AM, taxi to pick up your car, drive over to Harms and fill out the paperwork so you can drop off the car there anytime on the weekend. Then drive off to wherever you want. The driving is better and easier than in the States. Sleep in a castle, whatever. Drive around Saturday, drop off at Harms Sat night, taxi to hotel at airport, catch flight Sun AM, back in Atlanta Sun afternoon. So easy. That said, I think you are absolutely bonkers not to live a little. Break out of the box. Arrange a 10 day vacation in April or May. Drive to France, wherever. Take a friend. Do a few laps on the 'Ring. This is what life is all about IMO. ED is the #1 best thing about buying a BMW.

If you are worried about your flight then leave on Wed PM. I would guess Delta has some cheapo flights [see nonstop for $749 below]; I prefer Lufthansa. American Airlines is also good if you can get a 777. They have good flights from Raleigh/Durham.

Here's a sample from Travelocity:

Delta Air Lines
Flight 130
4:25pm Thurs, Mar 29
Atlanta, GA (ATL)
7:50am - Fri, Mar 30
Next day arrival
Munich, Germany (MUC)
9hrs 25min - Nonstop

Delta Air Lines
Flight 131
10:05am Sun Apr 1
Munich, Germany (MUC)
2:35pm
Atlanta, GA (ATL)
10hrs 30min - Nonstop

[Buckman]

Too my brudda's in the South (USA) - you guys either don't get enough or take enough time off. Light that new BMW up on the Autobauhn before coming home! I bet you have a nice digital camera? Go have some good German beer, take some photos, and have a good time! Take a couple days off!! When you come back, you can be the expert for e90post on ED. Your decision is made, my friend.

[STE92VE]

I considered ED but the thought of paying for the car in full and then waiting over a month for the car to be redelivered turned me off to that idea. Instead, I've decided to do PCD in Spartanburg, SC. Driving 750 miles home will sure lessen the tme for break-in!