[georgebmwM3]

Fellow members:
I would like to start a poll of how many of us would like to start another European Delivery for the US. I am going to pick up a Euro Spec 530d M pkg Touring. While there, I asked to speak to someone at BMW Welt about restarting the program. I will document the Euro delivery and submit my interview to the ROUNDEL. Let me know your thoughts.

[LunarRide61]

I've ordered and had built and shipped to California my last two cars - 2012 525i and 2018 530e. I'm thinking about a 2024 5 series later this year.

So what are the advantages of European Delivery? I'm also considering a vacation to Scotland in August 2024. Is it worth delaying buying later this year and adding a visit to Germany to pickup my car as part of my vacation next year?

[RichReg]

You mean what "were" the advantages of European Delivery.
Wow...where do I begin?

Other than the immediate 7% discount off of the base price there was:
1) Rental insurance for 30 days through most of Europe.
2) Additional margin for further negotiating a discount OFF of the European Delivery price...sometimes totaling as much as 13%.
3) Free pickup from the airport to your hotel (when you arrive).
4) Free meal vouchers at the Welt when you showed up.
5) Tour of the Factory in Munich.
6) Shipping back to the US dealer you made the deal with.

But let's not forget this program was intended for those that tend to vacation in Europe.
So to add: no rental car expense is necessary while there.
Sadly, the whole program was terminated due to the Pandemic...
something I believe BMWUSA used as an excuse to get rid of it altogether, as the dealer network here was never really in favor of it.

[LunarRide61]

Thanks for the info. I didn't know the program had ended. Too bad, given what you described I probably would have tried it.

['Cane]

Originally Posted by RichReg

You mean what "were" the advantages of European Delivery.
Wow...where do I begin?

Other than the immediate 7% discount off of the base price there was:
1) Rental insurance for 30 days through most of Europe.
2) Additional margin for further negotiating a discount OFF of the European Delivery price...sometimes totaling as much as 13%.
3) Free pickup from the airport to your hotel (when you arrive).
4) Free meal vouchers at the Welt when you showed up.
5) Tour of the Factory in Munich.
6) Shipping back to the US dealer you made the deal with.

But let's not forget this program was intended for those that tend to vacation in Europe.
So to add: no rental car expense is necessary while there.
Sadly, the whole program was terminated due to the Pandemic...
something I believe BMWUSA used as an excuse to get rid of it altogether, as the dealer network here was never really in favor of it.

It was a 5% discount off MSRP, the 7% was reduced in 2014 or 2015 (though dealers were still discounting below that - I got about 12% off my M4 when I bought it in 2016). The insurance was 2 weeks, though you could pay separately for a longer trip.

Also, the timing of the cancellation was only “coincidental” according to the announcement, it was the take-rate for North America that BMW said was too low to consider continuing the program, and there was also a huge petition circulating at the time, and BMW didnt seem to care.

[BimmerBahn]

Originally Posted by georgebmwM3

Fellow members:
I would like to start a poll of how many of us would like to start another European Delivery for the US. I am going to pick up a Euro Spec 530d M pkg Touring. While there, I asked to speak to someone at BMW Welt about restarting the program. I will document the Euro delivery and submit my interview to the ROUNDEL. Let me know your thoughts.

Good luck, but it’s not BMW AG, it was BMW NA who killed it. The CCA did a letter writing campaign….and AFAIK, it fell on deaf ears.

Sad, I’ve done three ED’s and was looking forward to #4 if I picked up another ///M3 or ///M4

[vkoprivica]

I am from Chicago, took g30 ED back in 2017, would concider taking g60 as well if becomes an option.

[hinckley]

I've done six EDs and would have love for my M8 purchase to have been my seventh. Best of luck keeping that dream alive!!

[sarafil]

Another mail in the coffin for Euro Delivery for US buyers is the fact that a smaller share of BMWs sold in US market are actually manufactured in Germany these days vs. 10-20 years ago. X3 & X5 have become BMW’s top sellers and made in South Carolina. 2 & 3 series now made in Mexico. Hard to justify an ED program that would only be used for 4, 5, 7, 8 series buyers.

[RichReg]

Originally Posted by 'Cane

It was a 5% discount off MSRP, the 7% was reduced in 2014 or 2015 (though dealers were still discounting below that - I got about 12% off my M4 when I bought it in 2016). The insurance was 2 weeks, though you could pay separately for a longer trip.

Also, the timing of the cancellation was only “coincidental” according to the announcement, it was the take-rate for North America that BMW said was too low to consider continuing the program, and there was also a huge petition circulating at the time, and BMW didnt seem to care.

You don't see a pattern here? It was because of BMWNA in the first place that the 7% discount was reduced (as if these cars aren't profitable enough). And in the VERY beginning of the program..there was no extra charge for the full month of travel; this was gradually increased over the years to a ridiculous margin of upcharge for the extra time. I suggest you read between the lines. Coincidental my a$$. If you believe that, then I have a career for you in selling Amway products.

The pandemic is Officially OVER. There is currently NOT ONE GOOD REASON they can't bring back European Delivery, other than pure greed by U.S. dealerships, because they have had it out for that program since the 90's. Anyone who attempted "discussing" it with their local dealer back in the day;.. I'm sure knows what I mean.

[BimmerBahn]

Originally Posted by RichReg

You don't see a pattern here?

nope... BMWUSA and BMW.CA cancelled their respective ED programs..I'm guessing it was strictly a financial decision, with the decreased demand and the continued globalization of their manufacturing, it's a even smaller number of consumers who can cover by margin the program costs... IMO, they could've followed Porsche's model and made it a paid option vs shutting it down... BMW.AG still does deliveries at the Welt... the US/CA offering was gratis... it wasn't for EU buyers.

**actually, the CA offering might've been a PAID offering, which would mean it was even more related to the attach rate**

Anywho.... a close second is a PCD in Greer, SC. Well worth it, IMO.

Fingers crossed BMW launches it again at some point, but I don't have high hopes, especially after the CCA letter campaign fell on deaf ears.

Cheers!

[The J-Man]

Lack of European Delivery is one of the primary reasons why I have moved from a 3 BMW household to a 1 BMW household. And it will soon be zero as I am looking to do Porsche ED on a new Cayenne to replace my X5.

[tsbrown]

Originally Posted by BimmerBahn

Anywho.... a close second is a PCD in Greer, SC. Well worth it, IMO.

I did PCD at Spartanburg with my E90 M3 and it was great. Would do it again, especially if no ED.

[Jagu]

Originally Posted by tsbrown

I did PCD at Spartanburg with my E90 M3 and it was great. Would do it again, especially if no ED.

Absolutely!