BMW Pickup in Munich
Sep 7th, 2008, 03:37 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
BMW Pickup in Munich
Has any one puchased a BMW in the USA and picked it up in Munich?
My wife and I are planning on doing this next June(2009) and spending about 2 weeks in Germany and Austria. After Munich, we would like to see Vienna and Salzburg and maybe go to Budapest in Hungary.
My wife and I are planning on doing this next June(2009) and spending about 2 weeks in Germany and Austria. After Munich, we would like to see Vienna and Salzburg and maybe go to Budapest in Hungary.
Sep 7th, 2008, 05:10 PM
#4
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,461
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
cinquanta, in addition to any information you might get here about the travel side, there are several internet forums that are devoted to BMWs. You'll see quite frequent references to European delivery (often abbreviated as "ED"
:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/index.php
www.bimmerfest.com/forums/index.php
www.e90post.com/forums
Anselm
:http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/index.php
www.bimmerfest.com/forums/index.php
www.e90post.com/forums
Anselm
Sep 7th, 2008, 05:12 PM
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We didn't get much info from our dealer but there is an offer from Lufthansa for free companion fare if you pick up the car in Munich. The info said you must purchase a "Q" fare and the 2nd flies free. However the people at the dealer seemed to think we might get a better deal on our own.
Did you drive your BMW and drop it off at one of the alternate locations? Is there a hotel nearby the factory that you would recommend?
We have been to Europe 4 times but only drove a rental once in Northern Italy and Tuscany. We usually to a tour and then a week on our own, but this is going to be all independent travel.
We have a Magellan GPS and would probably take it. with a European map installed.
We may be planning a little early but my wife is very excited about the BMW and the adventure.
Thanks for any info.
Did you drive your BMW and drop it off at one of the alternate locations? Is there a hotel nearby the factory that you would recommend?
We have been to Europe 4 times but only drove a rental once in Northern Italy and Tuscany. We usually to a tour and then a week on our own, but this is going to be all independent travel.
We have a Magellan GPS and would probably take it. with a European map installed.
We may be planning a little early but my wife is very excited about the BMW and the adventure.
Thanks for any info.
Sep 8th, 2008, 03:32 AM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,076
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I didn't use the Lufthansa two for one fare, but, my Mom was flying from a different city. I'm not sure if it would have made a difference or not.
We dropped off in Munich. You certainly can drop off at other approved locations (your dealer can advise) but it was very simple to drop off in Munich. I guess in your case I'd find out from what city I planned to fly home and go from there. Munich has a GREAT airport and it will be very easy to fly from there to pretty much anywhere, so you might want to factor that into your decision.
We stayed at the Hotel Torbreau. It is not near the Welt but it was very convenient for sightseeing in Munich. I think you'd enjoy being in the middle of Munich to sightsee more than staying near the Welt.
You might want to consider getting Nav in your car? It's a great feature, I really like it. The iDrive is a must IMHO and while you are at it, I won't do without Comfort Access anymore either (keyless entry, keyless start).
We dropped off in Munich. You certainly can drop off at other approved locations (your dealer can advise) but it was very simple to drop off in Munich. I guess in your case I'd find out from what city I planned to fly home and go from there. Munich has a GREAT airport and it will be very easy to fly from there to pretty much anywhere, so you might want to factor that into your decision.
We stayed at the Hotel Torbreau. It is not near the Welt but it was very convenient for sightseeing in Munich. I think you'd enjoy being in the middle of Munich to sightsee more than staying near the Welt.
You might want to consider getting Nav in your car? It's a great feature, I really like it. The iDrive is a must IMHO and while you are at it, I won't do without Comfort Access anymore either (keyless entry, keyless start).
Sep 8th, 2008, 12:51 PM
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
AnselmAdorne,
Thanks the web sights are very informative and helpful.
Flygirl,
My wife wants the keyless entry, but the navigation system is a little bit too expensive for me.
Did you drive your BMW around to other destiations and then return it to Munich? This is going to be our vacation for next year and we want to use our car to travel from Munich to Austria, Hungary and some other locations in Germany.
Thanks the web sights are very informative and helpful.
Flygirl,
My wife wants the keyless entry, but the navigation system is a little bit too expensive for me.
Did you drive your BMW around to other destiations and then return it to Munich? This is going to be our vacation for next year and we want to use our car to travel from Munich to Austria, Hungary and some other locations in Germany.
Sep 9th, 2008, 12:23 PM
#10
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
When I picked up my BMW I took a taxi directly from Franz Josef Straus to the Delivery Center. I had scheduled a 9:45 AM pickup time. They were pretty emphatic that I be there at the prescribed time. They put the cars to be delived that day in a que and try to keep order by moving about 10 cars at a time into the delivery room. The paperwork only took about 10 minutes and I was out of there in less than an hour.
I drove directly into Munich and stayed for two nights at the Platzl Hotel to get well rested and to read up a little on the new car. http://www.platzl.de/english/index.html The Platzl is a very nice hotel and they have a private underground parking garage directly under the hotel with elevators that go straight up into the hotel.
After that I drove around southern Germany, Austria and northern Italy for two weeks before dropping off the car at one of the Harmes locations . . . at Morfelden-Walldorf, which is immediately around the back of the Frankfurt Airport. Morfelden-Walldorf, as well as the airport, are all just south and a little to the west of Frankfurt.
I stayed overnight at a modest hotel there and the girl in the Harmes office got me a taxi, which took me around to the terminal. Take your BMW flare kit, first aid kit and one of the two license plates and bring them home with your checked luggage. Apparently these items often get 'lost' in the transfer back to your local dealer.
I took a friend with me and I seem to recall that I was able to get better prices on air fare than the Lufthansa 'deal' but I can't speak to that now.
I had my Tom-Tom 910 and it was invaluable in getting around. We intentionally got off the beaten track often. I too, could not justify the cost of the factory nav system.
I drove directly into Munich and stayed for two nights at the Platzl Hotel to get well rested and to read up a little on the new car. http://www.platzl.de/english/index.html The Platzl is a very nice hotel and they have a private underground parking garage directly under the hotel with elevators that go straight up into the hotel.
After that I drove around southern Germany, Austria and northern Italy for two weeks before dropping off the car at one of the Harmes locations . . . at Morfelden-Walldorf, which is immediately around the back of the Frankfurt Airport. Morfelden-Walldorf, as well as the airport, are all just south and a little to the west of Frankfurt.
I stayed overnight at a modest hotel there and the girl in the Harmes office got me a taxi, which took me around to the terminal. Take your BMW flare kit, first aid kit and one of the two license plates and bring them home with your checked luggage. Apparently these items often get 'lost' in the transfer back to your local dealer.
I took a friend with me and I seem to recall that I was able to get better prices on air fare than the Lufthansa 'deal' but I can't speak to that now.
I had my Tom-Tom 910 and it was invaluable in getting around. We intentionally got off the beaten track often. I too, could not justify the cost of the factory nav system.
Sep 9th, 2008, 04:09 PM
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
pef1234,
Did you have any problems with parking during your travels?
Did you take a tour of the factory?
Were there any places in southern Germany or Austria that you would recommend getting off the beaten path for a short stop?
Did you have any problems with parking during your travels?
Did you take a tour of the factory?
Were there any places in southern Germany or Austria that you would recommend getting off the beaten path for a short stop?
Sep 9th, 2008, 08:24 PM
#12
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm planning my second ED either next June or the following June. It was a great trip! We drove to Treviso near Venice----- very scenic drive---- then Florence, Lucerne, Reims, Giverny, and then drop-off in Paris. Looking forward to the next trip!
Sep 9th, 2008, 08:44 PM
#13
Refer to the European Delivery forum at Bimmerfest.com, including the wiki - http://www.bimmerfest.com/wiki/index...opean_Delivery and follow the links to the "Ask-A-Dealer" forum where you can see info on wholesale ED pricing - even greater savings than through the regular ED program. Some seriously good deals can be had.
Sep 9th, 2008, 09:02 PM
#14
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,337
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We've done it twice, and my parents did it once. Go on the bimmerfest boards. By reading up on the old posts first, almost all of your questions will be answered.
If you book your Lufthansa tickets far enough in advance, the rate may be cheaper than the Q rate with a free additional ticket. (We used the 2-for-1 deal once and orbitz another.) You can use the Lufthansa 2-for-1 to get an open jaw ticket if you want to drop the car off with Harms somewhere else.
You'll need a toll sticker to drive in Austria. More info is available on the bmwusa.com set of ED pages.
There is no Harms drop-off in Hungary. If you drop off in Italy, they drive it back to Germany (not recommended).
If you book your Lufthansa tickets far enough in advance, the rate may be cheaper than the Q rate with a free additional ticket. (We used the 2-for-1 deal once and orbitz another.) You can use the Lufthansa 2-for-1 to get an open jaw ticket if you want to drop the car off with Harms somewhere else.
You'll need a toll sticker to drive in Austria. More info is available on the bmwusa.com set of ED pages.
There is no Harms drop-off in Hungary. If you drop off in Italy, they drive it back to Germany (not recommended).
Sep 10th, 2008, 07:51 AM
#15
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,076
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cinquanta
Sorry to get back to this so late.
I spent 16 nights, most of it out on the road. We stuck to the Alps for the most part, visiting Austria, Switzerland, and several nights in Italy. We dropped off in Munich.
Re: options. I got nearly every option available and enjoy all of them. I'd probably miss the Comfort Access, bluetooth, and integrated iPod dock the most however - and I think bluetooth and the iPod dock must come with iDrive (which as a package is just great and I'm glad I got it).
My Mercedes doesn't have NAV in it, and when I drive it (even now) I don't notice the absence really - even though I'm really liking the iDrive in the BMW!
Where do you live? There are ED specialists, especially in large metro areas, and if you use a dealer that knows the ropes on ED that can be really helpful too.
Sorry to get back to this so late.
I spent 16 nights, most of it out on the road. We stuck to the Alps for the most part, visiting Austria, Switzerland, and several nights in Italy. We dropped off in Munich.
Re: options. I got nearly every option available and enjoy all of them. I'd probably miss the Comfort Access, bluetooth, and integrated iPod dock the most however - and I think bluetooth and the iPod dock must come with iDrive (which as a package is just great and I'm glad I got it).
My Mercedes doesn't have NAV in it, and when I drive it (even now) I don't notice the absence really - even though I'm really liking the iDrive in the BMW!
Where do you live? There are ED specialists, especially in large metro areas, and if you use a dealer that knows the ropes on ED that can be really helpful too.
Sep 10th, 2008, 11:56 AM
#16
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cinquanta:
I never had a problem with parking even in places like Salzburg, etc. where parking is often spoken of as being a big problem. Having said that I must add that we visited more small towns than larger cities during our tour.
We did not do the factory tour. I had visited the BMW Museum previously and felt that it was enough to satisfy that aspect.
There are hundreds of smaller towns and places all over that part of Europe that will get you off the beaten track and many will really surprise you with stunning scenery, charming inns and gasthauses, etc.; it just depends on what your interests are. Give us a little input and you'll get lots of suggestions.
I never had a problem with parking even in places like Salzburg, etc. where parking is often spoken of as being a big problem. Having said that I must add that we visited more small towns than larger cities during our tour.
We did not do the factory tour. I had visited the BMW Museum previously and felt that it was enough to satisfy that aspect.
There are hundreds of smaller towns and places all over that part of Europe that will get you off the beaten track and many will really surprise you with stunning scenery, charming inns and gasthauses, etc.; it just depends on what your interests are. Give us a little input and you'll get lots of suggestions.
Sep 10th, 2008, 01:00 PM
#17
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 338
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The best part about European delivery is that you can be pretty darn sure some @#$%^ won't key your brand new car the day after you get it. I've had that happen to two of my last 3 cars and also my parents' latest.
Sep 10th, 2008, 06:31 PM
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for all the replies so far.
I read somehwere that you had to get extra insurance protection or pay extra to drive a rental in Slovenia. Should I avoid Slovenia for a side trip or drive through?
If I drove from Budapest to Venice
it might be shorter to drive through Slovenia.
Flygirl, we live in Ohio about 40 miles from Pittsburgh and spent about an hour with a salesman at Sewickley BMW.
My wife and I both love red wines, museums and shopping(her more than I). We like to stay places for at least 3 nights so that we are not constantly packing & upacking. We also like the beach but that may not be practical on this trip.
What exactly is a Q fare?
I read somehwere that you had to get extra insurance protection or pay extra to drive a rental in Slovenia. Should I avoid Slovenia for a side trip or drive through?
If I drove from Budapest to Venice
it might be shorter to drive through Slovenia.
Flygirl, we live in Ohio about 40 miles from Pittsburgh and spent about an hour with a salesman at Sewickley BMW.
My wife and I both love red wines, museums and shopping(her more than I). We like to stay places for at least 3 nights so that we are not constantly packing & upacking. We also like the beach but that may not be practical on this trip.
What exactly is a Q fare?
Sep 11th, 2008, 11:53 AM
#19
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cinquanta:
WOW! Any special reason why you are considering going down to Venice? It's 498 miles via the best route, which is Budapest back to almost Vienna, then south on A-2 to Eisenstadt, Graz, A-23 Klangenfurt and down to Venice. Going via Slovenia takes about 90 miles off the distance but there are no decent highways going that way and it would actually take longer to get there.
Then, June in Venice is a zoo. You would have to leave your new Bimmer in the Tronchetto car park for the duration. It's a covered multilevel ramp/garage however, there are plenty of signs around regarding leaving valuables, etc. in your car. Enough said?
Have you considered going from Budapest to Prague? Prague is a beautiful city, not overly trampled with tourists, accomodations may be a bit pricey but most everthing else is quite reasonable. I know of several hotels close to The Charles Bridge, in the centrum, with private secured parking. The Best Western Kampa Hotel is hard to beat for cost, location, etc. http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwest...ertyCode=89603
If you were to continue due west from Prague on CR Route 6 back into Germany you could visit the spa town of Karlova Vary. It's about 70 miles west of Prague, still in the CR. It is a wonderful old spa town down in a valley with a strong Russian influence, still a favorite of Russian tourists. There is still a lot of signage in Russian and a lot of the architectural style reflects the influence, also. In KV there are lots of beautiful big old aristocratic hotels, etc. as well as plenty of newer botiques, restaurants, etc. KV is a walking town and worthy of a full day if not an overnight.
From KV you would be about 234 miles or 4 hours east of Frankfurt. You could bypass Frankfurt and go about 30 miles further to the Rhine Gorge area and spend your last few days in that area before dropping your new car off at Moerfelden-Walldorf, on the back side of the Frankfurt Airport.
Just some thoughts.
I don't recall that I got any additional insurance while there. You may want to check with your local insurer. BMW did provide a 30-day road hazard policy similar to AAA.
We may live fairly close to one another. I got my BMW through New Motors in Erie, but we live SW of there.
WOW! Any special reason why you are considering going down to Venice? It's 498 miles via the best route, which is Budapest back to almost Vienna, then south on A-2 to Eisenstadt, Graz, A-23 Klangenfurt and down to Venice. Going via Slovenia takes about 90 miles off the distance but there are no decent highways going that way and it would actually take longer to get there.
Then, June in Venice is a zoo. You would have to leave your new Bimmer in the Tronchetto car park for the duration. It's a covered multilevel ramp/garage however, there are plenty of signs around regarding leaving valuables, etc. in your car. Enough said?
Have you considered going from Budapest to Prague? Prague is a beautiful city, not overly trampled with tourists, accomodations may be a bit pricey but most everthing else is quite reasonable. I know of several hotels close to The Charles Bridge, in the centrum, with private secured parking. The Best Western Kampa Hotel is hard to beat for cost, location, etc. http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwest...ertyCode=89603
If you were to continue due west from Prague on CR Route 6 back into Germany you could visit the spa town of Karlova Vary. It's about 70 miles west of Prague, still in the CR. It is a wonderful old spa town down in a valley with a strong Russian influence, still a favorite of Russian tourists. There is still a lot of signage in Russian and a lot of the architectural style reflects the influence, also. In KV there are lots of beautiful big old aristocratic hotels, etc. as well as plenty of newer botiques, restaurants, etc. KV is a walking town and worthy of a full day if not an overnight.
From KV you would be about 234 miles or 4 hours east of Frankfurt. You could bypass Frankfurt and go about 30 miles further to the Rhine Gorge area and spend your last few days in that area before dropping your new car off at Moerfelden-Walldorf, on the back side of the Frankfurt Airport.
Just some thoughts.
I don't recall that I got any additional insurance while there. You may want to check with your local insurer. BMW did provide a 30-day road hazard policy similar to AAA.
We may live fairly close to one another. I got my BMW through New Motors in Erie, but we live SW of there.
Sep 11th, 2008, 02:09 PM
#20
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
pef1234
Prague may be a very good option.
Karlova Vary sounds interesting and my wife would love a spa treatment.
We don't have anything definite.
I was just curious about driving through Slovenia if we decide to head that way. I have relatives north of Venice we visited them last year, but I don't know if want to try to visit them on this trip. They live near San Danielle and speak no English, and my Italian is limited.
Strasbourg, Vienna and Budapest are the main destinations we want to see.
We were in Venice last year so we probably won't attempt a stop in Venice.
I have started a notebook for all the suggestions I get from here and bimmer(BMW) sites.
Prague may be a very good option.
Karlova Vary sounds interesting and my wife would love a spa treatment.
We don't have anything definite.
I was just curious about driving through Slovenia if we decide to head that way. I have relatives north of Venice we visited them last year, but I don't know if want to try to visit them on this trip. They live near San Danielle and speak no English, and my Italian is limited.
Strasbourg, Vienna and Budapest are the main destinations we want to see.
We were in Venice last year so we probably won't attempt a stop in Venice.
I have started a notebook for all the suggestions I get from here and bimmer(BMW) sites.
