Budman

No, but I did use a home equity line of credit so I could deduct the interest.

Shoooosh. Don't tell anybody.

Tweeter

My husband and I will be picking up a BMW by the European Delivery program this spring. We definately had a savings by doing this (as Budman said), but we were already planning on a trip to Europe so the discount was a bonus. Bimmerfest.com has a European Delivery forum, which is specific to BMW but probably would be helpful for other car types. I am sure other cars have similar forums too.

Calamari

BUdman - Eventhough DH has his heart set on a BMW, what about buying a new Volvo S60 or S80? Where can I get info on buying it overseas and do they have the same model numbers? I looked under the hood of my rental Volvo (car accident last week) and noticed that in addition to the giant rats nest that caught on fire and caused me to pop the hood, most of the parts were from all over the place. Do you think Volvo is still a good car? Sans rats nest?

BTilke

My father-in-law bought a Volvo V70 XC in late 2002 through the overseas delivery program and was very happy with the entire process--except, of course, for the fact that the ship carrying his car back to the U.S. sank off the coast of Belgium and he had to wait a few months for a replacement. Oh well, stuff happens!
FYI, did you know that the Germans are now going to the U.S. to buy German cars and shipping them back to Germany? Apparently, very slightly used high end German cars (Porsche, the big Mercedes, Audi A8) can be bought for less in the U.S.! The Porsche Carrera is a particular favorite--buying the top model costs $100,000 less in the U.S. than it does in Germany. We watched a show about it the other night on Deutsch Welle tv. It's becoming a niche market for certain German cars. German dealers aren't too worried yet, but they are keeping a close eye on this developing trend (the savings have something to do with U.S. sales promotions and taxes in Germany).

keith_l

Anyone know if this can be done the other way (US to Europe) just as easily?

Queenie

I have a friend who works at BMW in Munich. 6 months ago she had her new BMW shipped from South Carolina (where it was made) to Munich.

She did have to pay duty on it in Germany.

Now she has been transferred back to the US, and will have to pay duty on it again to bring it back to the US.

Its a money loser for her.

Budman

Calamari,

Here's a link that may be useful. Do a google search on <volvo european delivery program> and you will come up with all kinds of info.

http://www.flyvolvo.com/msg10.htm

P.S. Go for the BMW -- you won't regret it.

Gardyloo

Here are some of the official sites:
http://www.bmwusa.com/joy/EuropeanDelivery
http://new.volvocars.com/overseas/
http://eurodelivery.saabusa.com/
http://www.mbusa.com/main/sitemap/edp.jsp
http://content2.us.porsche.com/prod/...ropeandelivery

By all means do a search on this as well; you can find various pricing reports and sheets that can give you a leg up in dealer negotiations. Remember any N. American dealer can do this, it doesn't matter if the dealer's in another town or state/province.

Yes, you can do the reverse, but remember that the European tax situation is very confusing, factory warrantees may be void, or getting service or parts for your AMC Gremlin might be troublesome. Or you can buy a Jeep Cherokee made in Austria if you like.

I tried convincing my sceptical spouse that ED would be a great way of scoring an inexpensive yet luxurious rental car for an extended trip. When you set the ED savings against the depreciation of the car that would occur while you had it, it came close to balancing on several Bimmers and Swedes. Drive the car in Europe, then sell it (used, of course) once you get it back in N. America. Net cost = way less than an equivalent rental car in Europe for the trip. Now I ask you, doesn't that make a lot of sense? No?

mitchdesj

When we lived in Denver we bought 2 cars;
when we moved back to Canada 3 years later, one car was stamped inacceptable at customs and the other one had to be modified, the whole process was a pain.
We should have sold the cars before leaving
the u.s.-
I know it's not what you are asking but the customs people said that each country has different specifications and a lot of them make no sense so I would definitely get a lot of info before doing something like that.

Budman

The only downfall to the ED program was dropping the car off in Europe and having to wait 4-5 weeks to get it back in the U.S.

tpmfab

My question is the opposite.
Is it possible to purchase a BMW or like in the USA and pick up in Europe with the intention of staying. And does it make sense to do this.
We are thinking of relocating to Ireland from the USA.

Michael

tpmfab

It porbably does not made sense because cars in Ireland have the steering wheel on the right side.

Gardyloo

You will be subject to all the taxes and national registration regulations that apply to Ireland or wherever you end up.

Probably be best to contact an Irish dealer for your preferred brand and see how/if they can arrange for a factory delivery. AFAIK most factory deliveries are for cars destined to go to N. America or the middle east.

bigtyke

I had an old classmate that went with 2 friends in 1979 to Germany where they bought 3 VW (rabbits it think), sent 2 to the US and then had a 2 week vacation using the 3rd until they shipped it back home. Sold all three here and made enough to pay for the trip!

anchoress

We were given a Smart car here for someone coming from Canada who just could not cope with a right hand drive car; this was a left hand drive. She wanted to take it back to Canada with her, but they flatly refused to allow that as these cars are cheap here but very costly in Canada; you can see the rationale Mercedes used.

tcreath

I think most overseas delivery programs are a decent deal. We are planning on getting a Saab in the next few years and picking it up in Sweden. As mentioned above, not only do you save several thousand dollars on the car, but you get free airfare, a free night in a hotel, and you don't have to pay for a rental car since you will be driving your fully insured car for the lenghth of your vacation. Seems like a pretty sweet deal to us!

Tracy