As someone who has now picked-up three BMWs in Munich, I personally swear by the program and the lifetime experience that comes with it. For years, I have been a huge advocate of the program and in my opinion, it’s the best way to be introduced to the brand.

But many of you might not know that BMW is not the only European brand offering the delivery program. Mercedes, Audi and Porsche are the other three German automakers that lure attract their customers with similar programs. Now after the sad bankruptcy of SAAB, Volvo is the only Scandinavian automaker that still offers an European Delivery program.

BMW fans have been spoiled with a series of great websites and forums that not only educate on the advantages and disadvantages (not many) of the program, but also provide insightful advice on how to best prepare for the trip of your life.

Here are some resources: www.edbmw.com, www.bimmerfest.com and now, a comprehensive guide put together by FrequentBusinessTraveler.

And now, let’s have a look at a quick history of the European Delivery Programs:

HOW EUROPEAN DELIVERY WORKS

While European Delivery, also known as Overseas Delivery, Tourist Delivery, or Factory Delivery, is relatively unknown, it is available at every dealership in the U.S. from Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Volvo.

A buyer simply goes to the dealership and orders a car for European Delivery, typically three months in advance of the desired delivery date. The savings vary by manufacturer (see the chart at the end of this article) but they are far from inconsequential as a buyer will save a minimum of several thousand dollars on a purchase, with the exception of cars from Porsche, which does not provide any discounts and, in fact, charges an additional fee for the service.

European Delivery is not only free (except from Porsche) but you get a variety of additional benefits and amenities above what most traditional car buyers would get. One night in a luxury hotel is standard except for BMW. All automakers provide you with admission to their respective museums, and they feed you while you are at the delivery center.

Volvo will pay for your flight to Sweden (as well as for a friend to accompany you); Mercedes-Benz will waive the delivery fee (currently $875); and BMW invites you to take advantage of a special redelivery program at the Performance Delivery Center at the company’s factory in Spartanburg, South Carolina, which includes a driving school as well as dinner and overnight accommodations.

EARLY DAYS

Today’s European Delivery programs can trace their roots directly back to the 1950s when members of the armed forces returning from Europe brought with them a taste for smaller and somewhat sportier European cars. Indeed, many soldiers and airmen purchased cars for use in Europe and then shipped their cars to the States.

In the 1960s, with the exception of the occasional Volkswagen Käfer (Beetle), a foreign car was truly unusual in the United States. Today’s popularity of European cars can be traced back to Max Hoffman, the Austrian emigrant automotive entrepreneur who, starting in 1948, almost single-handedly created the imported car business in the U.S. and, during the course of his career, imported and/or marketed Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Porsche, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Jaguar, and BMW vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz, Saab, and Volvo started their European Delivery programs in the 1950s, but the 1960s, with the advent of the jet age, gave European carmakers the impetus to market to those Americans who might be taking their first European vacation. They could drive around Europe in their own car, save on the expense of a rental car, save money on the purchase, and have a great story to tell. Hoffman (then at BMW) and his peers at Mercedes-Benz, Saab, Volkswagen, and Volvo lost no time in aggressively marketing these programs to the first generation of American jetsetters.

Other entrepreneurs saw possibilities here as well. Until U.S. safety and emissions regulations made it near impossible to bring in a European-spec vehicle, enterprising car dealerships in Europe advertised their own independent European Delivery programs.

For the full guide, visit FrequentBusinessTraveler

Ground broke for this super complex in the summer of 2003, and construction continued until late 2007. What slowly rose to the sky had the citizens of Munich gasping, and plenty of jaws drop to this day as thousands of people visit the Welt every year. BMW Welt translates ‘BMW World’ – and that is an accurate name for this mega hub of all things BMW. Walking through the front doors you enter an expansive space showcasing current BMW cars and motorcycles alongside a few classic cars including the famed BMW Isetta. Everything around you speaks of art and design and as you continue walking, the atrium opens up with metal beams and sheets of glass twisting and swirling around you. Beyond the impressive architecture, the Welt is a showcase of BMW’s operational efficiency. It is the crown jewel of the brand.

Those fortunate enough to be taking delivery of their new BMW will appreciate the special treatment they enjoy as they are guided through the Welt’s delivery process, and those who visit the Welt in interest will have plenty to see, but today we take you into an underworld not seen before.

With thousands of cars delivered from the Welt every month, one has to wonder exactly how this is achieved. Obviously cars do not grow on trees around the Welt, so how do they plop onto their rotating platforms in such quick succession, ready for another wide-eyed owner to take possession?

It all starts at a loading dock unseen from the main roadways frequented by visitors. Car carrier trucks frequent the dock, unloading cars in a steady stream. From the delivery dock, the cars are accepted to their temporary home through a gaping mouth leading down below the ground. Cars are filed into an elaborate car carrier system that lowers and elevates them into their assigned resting spot. Once the car is placed in the elevator, it is led down into the depths of a truly impressive underground world.

BMW’s ‘car hotel’ is an expansive storage system – completely automated with robotics. Think of it as a massive library of cars, with shelves along the walls housing each vehicle. When a car is due for the delivery process, a robotic car carrier descends to pick it up and then maneuvers it through the deep underground maze stretching many floors below ground.

The BMW eventually makes its way back up to the main floor, not far from the location it was originally delivered by truck, and now… it’s time for a bath. Fed one-by-one into an automated car wash, the cars surface at the other end, squeaky clean.

Now that customers are assured of a dust and dirt-free new car, it’s time to ensure that they are not presented with a flawed specimen. The car is driven over to an inspection station, brightly lit from every angle by a myriad of powerful overhead lights – the likes of which can expose imperfections on any surface. Exacting inspectors carefully examine every surface, angle and detail of the new car with near fanaticism. They obsess and peruse, they finick and fondle until every square inch of the car has been assessed. Any imperfection is unacceptable and will result in a very fast repair, or in the car being sent away for a suitable replacement.

Next, the car is driven to a mechanical inspection station, where it is given one final run down and diagnostic assessment. Wires hang from under-hood and computers crunch numbers and cycle through testing. Busy technicians move their hands in a flutter and give their final approval after guaranteeing that each BMW is autobahn and Nurburgring ready. And if their new owners are as enthusiastic about driving as we are, then their new machine will see high triple-digit speeds and 174 corners within a few very short days after break-in.

After the cars are cleaned and inspected aesthetically and mechanically, they are next driven to a final station where they are plated and prepared for presentation to the customer. Whether a local car or one eventually destined for a far away land, all BMW’s are badged with the narrow blue and white plates coveted as a stylish memento by so many. As a final souvenir from you European delivery experience, your BMW will be delivered to your home dealership with its European plates still attached. This tin will look awfully good hung on your office wall.

Finally, turning into a giant glass encased car elevator, each BMW makes its accent to the delivery floor. Driven to its designated spot, it may be circling on a turn table with a few minutes, or parked elsewhere in the expansive building. And, alas, love is in the air. Bright eyed owners have a skip in their step as they spend their first momentous moments with their car. Go ahead. Let yours hands follow the curves as though wind across the paint. Survey it from every angle. Circle it as a bird of prey until finally, you crack open the driver’s door. A potent new car smells wafts into the air and perks your nose. Crisp surfaces and firm leather embrace your body. A car delivery specialist walks you through set up and gets you comfortable behind the wheel.

At long last, the moment of truth: “Munich – we have ignition.”

BMWBLOG is proud to present the below photo gallery highlighting our trip through the Welt’s underworld. We would like to offer our special thanks to BMW AG for their hospitality and extensive tour of their famed facility.

Stay tuned for BMWBLOG’s video review of our BMW Welt behind the scenes experience.

Special thanks to Manny Antunes at JMK BMW for allocation their first 1M to us.

After attending the exciting 24 hr of Nurburgring race and hanging out with the BMW team during the night, we set course back to Munich. By now our 1M was sitting in the parking garage for the past two days and we were more than eager to get behind the wheel, finalize the break-in process and finally enjoying some real speeds on the Autobahn.

On the way back to Bavaria, we chose some country roads where we could not only shoot some video, but also enjoy the curvy roads Germany has to offer. The 1M was eager to conquer the road even more and the growl coming from under the hood, let us know that it’s time to let the “baby-M” show us what’s capable of…with some direction from us.

With Shawn behind the wheel things were about to get more interesting. An enthusiastic driver and a regular at Mosport race track, BMWBLOG’s road test editor gave the car a run for its money conquering sharp corners at 100 mph and hard braking in hairpin turn. Weighing considerably less than the M3, using the chassis from its bigger brother and outputting a mad 370 lb-feet of torque, the 1M requires a bit more driver input in corners and extended driving skills.

Overall, the new BMW 1M can be classified as ///M’s return to driver-oriented experience, as well as a new beginning for the super sporty division of BMW.

As one would expect, the aggressive driving brings the MPG numbers to a fairly low level, between 16 and 17 MPG. On the highway at normal speeds, our estimation says 21 MPG, with three passengers and heavy luggage.

After a fairly long drive, we finally reached Munich and headed to the hotel as the odometer indicates nearly 800 miles.

Next morning, we slept in longer than planned and had a very late start to the beautiful Garmisch, mountain resort town in Bavaria. Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a favored holiday spot for skiing, snowboarding, and hiking, having some of the best skiing areas (Garmisch Classic and Zugspitze) in Germany. And of course, some perfect roads for an aggressive car like our 1M.

On the way, the GoPro cameras helped us capture some beautiful footage of the Alps sitting in front of us. We also couldn’t miss the opportunity to shoot the 1M in the gorgeous scenery at the bottom of the Alps.

The 1M continued to amaze us and turned more heads than any other car we have seen on the road, partly to its uniqueness in a land of BMWs and the flashy Valencia Orange. On our 300 miles round trip, only one BMW 1M was seen on the road, ours, making us feel special for a day.

After a quick lunch in Garmisch and more back roads driving, we headed back to Munich for the end of our trip and a final ride before dropping off the car at Munich Airport.

Looking back, this has been an emotional and extraordinary experience. It all began days before delivery with a ride on the classic BMW R51/3. Next, we headed to BMW Welt and spent 8 hours learning more about the European Delivery process and what goes behind the scenes (more on this in a future article and video). Shortly after we picked up our 1M through the delivery process setup by BMW and set course for Austria. Morning comes and BMWBLOG team was once again heading back to Munich for a special visit at the BMW M headquarters where M engineers talked to us about the 1M and upcoming M5. In our trip, we were accompanied by an Alpine White 1M and the almighty M3 Sedan that set the pace for our M caravan.

Next stop in our journey, Nurburgring, M3 CRT and M5 unveiling, the M Corso, M Testing Facility and 24 hour race. Another great and unique experience that is recommended to any M fan or owner.

The BMWBLOG European saga ends with the drop-off in Munich and more on that soon…

Special thanks to Manny Antunes at JMK BMW for allocation their first 1M to us.

You are allowed to be excited.  This is one of the most momentous days of your life, making the short list beside your graduation day, marriage day, purchase of first home, and birth of first child.  BMW is, after all, delivering a child of sorts – the mechanical sort that doesn’t complain or soil itself.  Although, like a human child it may eventually ask for new (brake) shoes, frequent baths, and maybe even a (car) bra down the road.  You’ll need to feed it premium food fuel regularly and it will inevitably get more expensive with age.  The similarities are truly endless.  But at least you don’t need to save for a College fund.

Conjecture aside, it’s time to embrace the moment.  Are you ready?  In “Step 1 – Ordering Your BMW,” we highlighted the ordering process which will eventually find you at the door of BMW Welt.  For those allergic to foreign languages, Welt translates “World,” hence you will find yourself in the middle of all things BMW.

First things first, upon arriving at the Welt you will walk through an impressive atrium full of current, and a few classic BMW cars and motorcycles.  A space-age glass ceiling wraps around you at great height, twisting and swooping back down to the ground.  Arriving at the welcome desk, you’ll next be shown to the documentation floor.

A friendly BMW associate will go over all the paperwork with you and assist you in signing the ownership documents.   You will also be offered practical advice on driving in Europe including a brief road sign tutorial.  Basic break-in procedure will be explained, and if you still have any questions, now would be a good time to ask.  Congratulations, you are now the proud new owner of a BMW.

Moving to the East side of the building, you are now free to enjoy food and refreshments (including fine German Beer!) while you “soak it in” and savor the view looking down at the city of Munich and up at BMW’s four cylindrical-tower headquarters building through windows high up in the Welt.

And now, the time has come.  A friendly “car delivery specialist” will escort you down a long, elevated staircase leading down to the delivery floor.  You will stop half way to admire the brilliant headquarters building stretching up to the sky, with roundel glimmering in the sun.  Landing on the delivery floor your steps may quicken, anxious for the first few moments with your new baby.

Arriving at your car, the delivery specialist will walk you through the controls and electronic functions of your car.  They will assist you as you sync your cell phone to the cars Bluetooth and enter presets in the cars memory.  Slowly, the car begins to feel “yours.”

With a firm handshake it’s time to part ways and head for the open roads of Europe (although we suggest you try to avoid rush hour, for the roads won’t be very ‘open’).  Your tactile senses are heightened as you put the car in gear.  A timid toe explores the accelerator pedal, releasing a modest burble from the exhaust.  You drive the ramp along the building’s circumference leading down to the exit door.  Exiting the Welt you are free to explore a whole new world in your brand new car.

From all of us at BMWBLOG: congratulations on your new BMW and enjoy your journey – wherever it takes you.

Follow our BMWBLOG European Road trip to see more of the new 1M and Nurburgring

After breakfast this morning, we pulled our 1M out of the parking garage, and lined up to participate in BMW’s Corso parade lap prior to 24 Hours of Nurburgring qualifying (speaking of which, we are very pleased to confirm 4th and 5th starting positions on the grid for BMW’s factory M3 racers).  It was an enlightening experience to see the track at “ground zero” and get a feel for the actual width of the track, along with the other above mentioned track challenges

While I enjoyed our friendly hand-waving, horn-honking parade lap at very slow speed, the racer in me was aching to find a rhythm and show some pace.  Unfortunately, an unadulterated lap of the legendary race track is not to be this trip, largely due to the 24 hour race which closes the track to open lapping.  Lapping the Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit will have to remain unchecked on my ‘bucket list’ for now; but I remain bent on crossing this experience off of my bucket list as soon as possible.

I’m not the only one disappointed: our baby M smelled blood while being driven so slowly on the race track, and it’s hungry for a taste of Nurburgring asphalt.  We’ll have to feed it a taste of Road America, Laguna Seca or Mosport upon its arrival in North America -  I just hope it doesn’t eat any other small cars or passers by until then.

Prior to the start of the Corso parade lap, all participants lined up in two rows of cars, snaking around the access roads of the race track.  A delay in the start of the Corso allowed for ample time to admire and photograph fellow M cars lined up for the lap.  It was a spectacular line up, full to capacity with every M car you’ve ever driven, or dreamed of driving.  An M1 ProCar was found near the start of the parade.  In front of it, the 1M MotoGP Pace Car, the new (and seen for the first time today) M5 Ring Taxi, a copy of the new M3 CRT; and heading to the back of the line up we found an M3 GTS, G Power M3 (and while I don’t typically care much for modified cars, I do have to tip my hat to the clean design and outrageous performance of the machine – it would be fun to take for a boot), several M Coupes, and a plethora of other M cars including X5Ms, E36, E46 and generic E9X M3s.

The parade was formed exclusively of M cars, and it was special to enjoy the company and social environment of so many M car owners.  During the parade lap, it was also encouraging to see the enthusiasm of so many loyal race fans lining the track side fences, waving, clapping, and smiling with excitement.  While some parts of the world are experiencing a lull in motorsport participation and enthusiasm, it is reassuring to see the passion and the dedication of the predominantly German and European crowd present for the race.  Their attendance is even more impressive when you factor in the rainy weather, muddy roads and camp grounds, and the fact that their tent will do nothing to quell the thunderous engines roaring merely meters from their track side camp.

Motorsport, I suppose, is an addictive interest that hooks you in and overcomes reason and logic with passion and emotion.  It may not be the most agreeable way to spend a weekend: dressed in rubber boots covered in mud, walking the grounds, sleepless for at least 24 hours – and yet just the opportunity to see the latest race cars in action, driven to the limit while demonstrating the limits of modern design and technology, is enough to make you look for your rubber boots.  On behalf of BMWBLOG, I would like to acknowledge and applaud the enthusiasm and dedication of race fans present at the 24 Hours of Nurburgring race, particularly those currently lying sleepless in a soggy tent wearing muddy rubber boots.

At the conclusion of our day, it is satisfying to look back in retrospect and recall our Corso parade lap of the famous Nurburging race circuit, and the energetic festivities surrounding the track.  And yet as I sit here typing on my computer, the keys to a 1M sports car are calling out to me loudly, “drive me!”  Tomorrow is a new day, and I can’t wait.

Special thanks to Manny Antunes at JMK BMW for setting us up with the 1M.

After grabbing breakfast near our hotel, we jumped on the Autobahn and made haste for the Nurburgring.  A beautiful trip through the countryside followed with rolling hills, towering wind mills, old churches, and far off castles crowning the skyline.  Spending several hours on the Autobahn has shown us the car’s highway character.  Its suspension is compliant enough over bumps that you are not thrown around or beaten up over bumpy roads, although it is responsive and tight enough to make you aware of every bump and undulation in the road surface.  This is a compliment of the highest order, because from a sport driving background you both want and need to feel the intricacies of the road surface.  To this end, the 1M is second to no other M car – perhaps the M3 GTS which we have not had the opportunity to drive yet.

On the way to the Nurburgring we stopped in the town of Karlsruhe for a photo shoot.  Winding up a switchback road, we climbed above the city to capture the 1M in its element.  Blocking off the roadway for a few photos, we garnered both friendly and less friendly looks from passers by.  In the 1M it takes more time to photograph the car on location than it does to arrive at said location, I cannot say the same of many other cars.  As much as I enjoy photography, I would really rather drive.  Of course, in the interests of bringing you the latest photos from our European road trip, I mustered every ounce of my self control and frequently pulled the trigger.

After becoming accustomed to the dimensions of the generic 1 series it is surprising to see how much wider the 1M is while driving down narrow streets.  There are plenty of the aforementioned in Europe, and Karlsruhe is no exception.  This only serves to boots the 1M’s appearance because it looks so muscular and broad shouldered driving through the narrow lane-ways.

A flattering moment found us on the Autobahn as we overtook two gorgeous sports cars.  The first was an Aston Martin Vantage, the second a BMW M Coupe.  While passing the Aston from the fast lane the driver looked over at us and smiled approvingly.  Then, he presented a bold, confident ‘thumbs up.’  This from the driver of a sports car priced 3 times the cost of our 1M.  A few hundred meters beyond, the driver of the M Coupe gave a similarly enthusiastic smile and thumbs up – unsolicited, besides driving the brightly painted Valencia orange sports car down the roadway.  There is a reputation that transcends the price tag of BMW’s 1M.  Drivers who know how to drive, will find it irresistible.

Finally reaching the foot hills of the Nurburgring, we were surrounded by precious metal.  A Porsche GT2 RS blew our doors off and sang a full bodied warrior cry near redline in the process.  It was highly enjoyable.  A Ferrari F50 made a brief appearance; the brevity secondary to its speed.  A measure of intensity was palpable as we approached the racetrack; as much as lapping the Nurburgring has been near the top of my ‘bucket list’ for many years, I did not anticipate such feelings of excitement based merely on proximity.  This ‘Green Hell’ really does have an effect on you, it is a special experience just to be here, trackside.

Next, it is important to mention the amount of attention our 1M has been gathering from the sidewalk.  Entire groups of young men and women literally turned their heads in unison to admire our passing M car.  The last time I garnered this much attention in a car – I was driving the Rolls-Royce Drop Head Coupe.  Once again, it feels the 1M is swinging above its league.

After checking into our trackside hotel, we enjoyed the opening festivities of “M Fest,” held by BMW in an auditorium beside the race track.  The best of German foods were served, and quality German Lagers flowed like water.  We were treated to live music (from a band whose lead singer is Brian Watts, the Global Sales and Marketing Manager of BMW M) in a fun yet relaxing environment.  Xbox 360s were set up with steering wheels and foot petals to demonstrate Forza Motorsport’s 4th version of their driving simulator game, featuring the new M5, of course.  Several laps of the 24 Hours of Nurburgring race circuit only wet my appetite for the racing yet to come, and we are eager to watch the race while providing you with live coverage and updates from pit wall.

Speaking of the M5, it made a dinner appearance along with the new BMW M3 CRT.  Under coloured lights with dry ice fog surrounding, it was stunning to behold these two M cars for the first time in the flesh.  Please enjoy our breaking photos in the photo gallery below.

We’re back in the hotel, and we’re winding down our night.  Tomorrow is another busy day full of motorsport, adrenaline, and cheek stretching smiles.  Thus far, European Delivery has been worth every moment of our time; we at BMWBLOG look forward to bringing you updates from the race throughout the weekend!

Special thanks to Manny Antunes at JMK BMW for setting us up with the 1M.

Heading North West back to Munich, we enjoyed another blast on the Autobahn before arriving at the next destination on our itinerary, BMW M headquarters.  Not a bad day so far, and it’s not even lunch time.

Inside the BMW M studio, we saw an assortment of significant M cars through the ages.  At our request, we were allowed to back one of our 1Ms into the studio to facilitate photos taken beside the M1.  It shares nothing more than a number and a letter, but seeing the first M car beside the latest M car was a very special sight to behold.  After photographing the E30 M3 Sport Evo (sporting only 11,000 original km!), E46 M3 CSL, slightly camouphlaged M5 and a few other models, we moved on to speak with a group of M engineers about the new 1M and M5 design details.  Stay tuned for video coverage of both interviews in due time.  We wrapped up our time at BMW M with lunch in their cafeteria, sitting alongside the engineers and designers who have made every M car we’ve driven become a reality.  Needless to say, we passed on our very special thanks for their contribution to the automotive world.

After lunch our friend Justin and his Alpine White 1M departed for another destination, the BMW Museum as I recall.  We will reunite later at the Nurburgring, but until then we’re driving solo.

As it turned out, traffic conditions conspired against us, and upon returning to Munich proper, valuable time slipped away.  Such is the nature of road trips, they are unpredictable and evolve with time – but they are always rewarding.  I still can’t get our morning romp through the mountains out of my mind.  I suspect such a sublime time behind the wheel will stick with me long beyond this road trip.  Did I mention I’m deeply impressed by the new 1M?

A moment of comic relief came while refueling our 1M.  While Horatiu was pumping the petrol, I pointed out a small sign on the handle that said, “Dieser” which looks an awful lot like ‘Diesel’ if quickly glancing.  After a few superlatives matched his wide open eyes, I conceded the joke and reassured him it was in fact 95 octane – the good stuff.  Thankfully, there was no need to remove our spark plugs…

Night time is upon us and we’ve just arrived at our hotel in Karlsruhe, Germany, a city not far from the Nurburgring – about a two and a half hour drive.  Tomorrow we will head to the Nurburgring for M Festival where we will be bringing you life coverage via Twitter, Facebook, and at bmwblog.com.  Stayed tuned!

While walking the M headquarters we came across a few spicy development cars, still in varying stages of camouflage disguise.  One which caught my eye (though not my camera’s eye, as photos were not permitted) was a lightly camouflaged M6.  Just sitting in the parking lot it looked menacing and muscular, we can’t wait to see it naked.  On second thought, we can’t wait to drive it!  During our travels in Munich and around BMW’s headquarters, we’ve also seen an assortment of camouflaged BMW development cars; the highlight being the new 3 Series, a very important car for BMW.

Special thanks to Manny Antunes at JMK BMW for setting us up with the 1M.

Every moment in the Welt is impressive and meaningful in the context of your day; one earmarked as the day you bring home your new ‘baby.’ And today, we drove away in the new ‘baby M’ as some have coined it.

Think about it as a baby with very big, sharp teeth, a knarly growl and slanted, focused eyes. Oh – and about 340 pounds of muscle; a baby Great White shark of sorts. Well, ours wasn’t white – it was Valencia Orange, sparkling in the sunlight even from within the Welt’s towering glass walls.

However, there was a baby Great White with us, owned by Justin, a friend of a friend who decided to join us for his 1M pickup. Having the two cars delivered together was very special, and not just for photographic reasons. There was a certain intensity in the air. It was present the entire day. Double trouble? Nah, double the fun.

The day went well in every respect, following the normal BMW Welt delivery procedures: plenty of signatures upon arrival, followed by time in the hospitality lounge where we could enjoy good food , quality German beer (is there a German beer not of good quality?) coffee and deserts. You really begin to feel a bit spoiled during the delivery, and I believe that was BMW’s intention.

Finally, it’s time to meet your brand spanking new BMW. The odometer reads something in the realm of 1 mile. The paint is glossy and sparkling such that you nearly need your sunglasses to look at it. And when you open the door, a wonderful aroma of ‘new car smell’ envelops your nose and pleasures your senses. This… is going to be good. And so it was, setting off from the Welt to begin our European journey.

Our first destination was to Tirol, Austria where I’m writing our first installment from my Hotel room. The drive here, from the Welt, was truly one of the best I’ve ever had. There were many ‘firsts’ and ‘bucket list’ checkmarks completed along the way, starting with my first drive on an unrestricted Autobahn. While I held back in the interests of break-in, we still achieved triple digit speeds that would have had our car towed and license pulled had we been in North America. But that wasn’t even the best part. Pacing our friend in the Alpine White 1M, we happened upon a terrific Alpine road leading to our Hotel. Twisty in all the right ways, it served up the Cole’s Notes version of driving ecstasy. The narrow road was shiny from the fresh rain fall, and covered by a canopy of trees stretching out in front of us like a rustling green tunnel. The brawny and naked exhaust notes rang out into the mountains with every blip of the throttle and heel-and-toe downshift. Only now do I fully appreciate why it’s said that, “Life is in the journey, not the destination.”

Thus concludes day one of our European Delivery adventure. Join us tomorrow for our second, blissful day behind the wheel of the new 1M.

Special thanks to Manny Antunes at JMK BMW for setting us up with the 1M.

It was only a short time ago that Horatiu, my friend and Editor-in-Chief called me with exciting news: we’re going to Germany. But this isn’t another trip to an International auto show, or tour of BMW’s head quarters or manufacturing facilities; this is a trip to pick up a dream car – BMW’s new 1M.

As you can imagine, my ears were somewhat perked, and at the mention of the ‘N’ word (Nurburgring), I was into a full fledged salivation and drool-fest, usually indicative of rabies. Just the thought of wringing out an M car on the famed German racetrack is enough to get most enthusiasts’ hearts pumping. Of course there is more to this process than meets the eye – a little bit of foot-work is required behind the scenes, and that is exactly what this series of articles is purposed to layout: the European Delivery Process.

Step one happens somewhere in your heart. The point at which you finally decide to ‘pull the trigger’ and purchase a new BMW. Once that decision has been made, it’s time to consider how you will take delivery of your new car. There is the traditional way: pick it up from the local dealership, drive home, and savor. Or the bold and adventurous way: experience the European road trip of a lifetime, unleash on the Autobahn, drive home, and savor.

Now that I have your attention, let’s get into the nitty gritty. Once you’ve chosen which vehicle and options you will purchase, it’s time to head down to your local BMW dealership to complete paperwork. The typical vehicle purchasing documents will be filled and signed, and a deposit will likely be required by the dealership. Now it’s time to talk about a delivery date from BMW’s famed BMW Welt. The amount of time required before your vehicle is built and ready for pickup from the factory in Munich will depend on several factors, including its popularity, speed of production, and how many others are ahead of you in line. In BMWBLOG’s case, the vehicle was purchased with Manny Antunes at JMK BMW dealership on April 7th, 2011, and an assigned pickup date of June 21st was arranged. The 1M is a limited production car, and requires a bit of M specific tender loving care along the production line – chances are your BMW will be ready for pickup in a shorter period of time. But oh, is an M car worth the wait…

Besides the incredible experience you’re sure to enjoy when pickup up your BMW in its natural habitat, another benefit awaits. Through the European Delivery process, cars are typically discounted up to 7% off of the MSRP. The money you save from the purchase price should go a long way to cover your hotel and travel expenses to Germany, as well as a little petrol for your new machine. For example, on a $50,000 MSRP, you would save an expected $3,500 dollars which could then be spent on airfare and hotels. How much you save will depend partly on your negotiation skills with your dealership, as well as how ‘in demand’ your new BMW is. When buying in North America, you will notice a disparity in the pricing and discount offered through the European Delivery process between American and Canadian dealerships.

Typically, the American dealerships will offer far greater discounts when purchasing through European Delivery, thus making the trip more affordable – and the decision to go, obvious. BMW Canada has recently improved their European Delivery process, and while a discount is not directly offered through their program, all other expenses incurred during the process are now covered, including overseas shipment of the car, import duty and customs clearance, shipment from the landing point in Canada to the respective BMW dealership where the car was purchased, European tourist licenses, European car insurance, marine insurance, vehicle preparation / PDI and local licensing. Previously, all of the aforementioned was charged to the Canadian customer in addition to the vehicle price. We’re happy to see BMW Canada moving in the right direction, to match the American program and help many more Canadians enjoy the bliss that is European Delivery.

In USD, our 1M lists for $47,010 with Destination and Handling fee, and the European Delivery price is shown on the www.bmwusa.com website as $43,830 for a savings of $3,180 dollars. A compelling discount, no doubt.

After your vehicle delivery date from BMW Welt has been set, it’s time to make travel plans. When booking your airfare, it is best to land at the Franz Josef Strauss Airport in Munich (airport code: MUC). The BMW Welt is located South West of the airport, about a 30 to 45 minute drive by taxi or rental car. For a look at the airport and trip to BMW Welt in Google maps, hit the jump.

The address and contact information of BMW Welt is as follows:

BMW Welt, Am Olympiapark 1, 80809 Munich
BMW Welt Info Service: +49 (0) 180 2 118822*
infowelt@bmw-welt.com, www.bmw-welt.com
Opening times Monday – Sunday 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. (GMT +1)

As per BMW’s website, you have the following travel options from the airport to BMW Welt.

By train and subway:

There is a convenient connection from the airport via urban railway and underground. Take the S1 or S8 urban railway lines to Munich and exit at “Marienplatz.” Change at “Marienplatz” and take the U3 underground line to “OEZ,” exiting at “Olympiazentrum” underground station. When you exit here, it is just a few metres to the North entrance of BMW Welt.

By shuttle service:

When you arrive plane, you can book a shuttle service to be picked up at the the airport. The driver will take you directly to the BMW Welt. This service is available at extra charge and can be booked via our travel partner, phone: +49 (0) 18 05-22 20 25.

If you plan arrive in Europe and make travel plans prior to taking delivery of your car, you may decide to take the train to Munich instead of flying there. In this case, the trip from Munich Central Station by rental car or taxi takes approximately 30 minutes. From Central Station, you have a convenient underground connection to the BMW Welt. The trip takes approximately 20 minutes. Take the U2 line in direction “Feldmoching” and change at “Scheidplatz.” From there, take the U3 line to “Olympiazentrum.” When you exit here, you will find yourself only a few metres to the North entrance of BMW Welt.

You’ve arrived! In our next edition of “Ordering Your Dream: The European Delivery Process,” we will walk you through check-in at the Welt, what to expect upon arrival, and what should make your “must see” list once you arrive. Follow BMWBLOG on Twitter and Facebook as we take delivery of our latest BMW, and be part of our adventure.

More good news just arrived from my doctor – the rabies test came back negative. We’re going to pick up an M car.

Special thanks to Manny Antunes of JMKBMW for making the 1M dream possible, and also to Simone Zaccardi, BMWNA European Delivery.

But for now, we wanted to share with you some exciting photos of a BMW M3 E93 Convertible with the Dakar Yellow II Individual paint. The car was picked up in Munich by “danik”, a member of m3post. The price to be unique? $5,000 for each color in the Individual catalog.

We’re not sure if this is the first M3 Convertible in Dakar Yellow to appear on U.S. roads, but certainly not the first M3 we have seen. IND-Distribution added an M3 Coupe Dakar Yellow in their portfolio in 2009, followed a year later by another one at South Bay BMW.

The photos seen below really don’t do any justice to this unique paint job, the color is far more attractive in person, vibrant and eye-catching. Adding some blacked out wheels and kidney grille to the car will really make a nice contrast with the special yellow.

To make the European Delivery process even more special, BMW decided to place the upcoming i8, in disguised, unfinished form, on the floor at the Welt.

Enjoy the photos!

BMW’s European Delivery program ads a new perk to the unique experience of picking up your car at the Welt Center in Munich: free tickets to the newly redesigned BMW Museum.

BMW Museum, reopened in 2008, and features innovative and fascinating exhibition design, just as it did when it first opened in 1973. Since its reopening, the BMW Museum has raked in 13 internationally prestigious prizes. The new museum with its 53,000 square foot is one of the largest car museums in the world. Over 400,000 visitors stop by the museum every year, up 150,000 compared to the previous facility.

Playing a pivotal role in these awards is the Kinetic Sculpture in the entrance area of the Museum. It represents the form-finding process in the car manufacturing sector. 714 computer-controlled metal balls suspended from fine steel strings display a range of shapes through their movements before the actual BMW design materializes.

Besides this sculpture, the outstanding design concept of the Museum’s so-called “Mediatecture” is attracting further prizes. The facades of the “Houses” in the new low-rise building are made up of LED surfaces which showcase the exhibits.

The sections of the facades surrounding the central plaza in the Museum are made up of more than 700m2 of LED panels, comprising a total of 1.765 million light-emitting diodes that allow the surfaces to be actively illuminated and choreographed.

So, if you’re in Munich picking up your new BMW, head across the street to see history in making.

In May 2011, a new European Delivery episode will begin for myself and BMWBLOG. The moment I set my eye on the new BMW 1M, I knew that the only way to fully enjoy my first M car was to fly to Munich and take delivery at the now iconic BMW Welt. In what I like to call the “perfect marriage,” the 1M European Delivery saga will take you through the entire experience, from ordering the car, to signing the paperwork, to picking up in Munich, driving across Europe, dropping off the car, tracking it across the ocean and awaiting delivery at JMK BMW in New Jersey.

But before we take you on our journey, we are going to share with you some of the key points associated with the ED program.

What is European Delivery?

European Delivery is a program offered by BMW that allows you to pick up your new BMW in Munich, Germany at the BMW Welt. The Welt was opened in late 2007 and delivers anywhere between 230-250 vehicles a day. In my opinion, the biggest advantage of ED are the cost savings which in many cases can offset the cost of your trip. In general, the purchaser saves approximately 10 percent off of US MSRP. Furthermore, BMW of North America offers members of the BMW Car Club of America (BMW CCA) a rebate on the purchase of a new or CPO vehicle after one year of continuous membership. The amount ranges from $500 to $1500 depending on the model

The second biggest advantage is the ability to drive YOUR own car on the Autobahn and experience Europe like never before.

Here are some other key points:

• A customer still places the order through a US BMW dealership. All vehicles are available in the ED program, excluding the ones built in Spartanburg – X3, X5 and X6.
• You may stay with your car in Europe up to 5 months after delivery (there is a 19% penalty tax if your car is not exported within the 6-month period). If your BMW is financed through BMW Financial Services, the vehicle must be exported within 90 days. Cars leased through BMW Financial Services must be exported within 30 days.
• Your new BMW is restricted to private use by tourists. Persons working in Europe on temporary or long-term assignments are not eligible for the special customs license plates issued under the European Delivery Program.
• BMW pays your car insurance up to 2 weeks.
• Anyone who is 18 or older can participate as long as they have a permanent residence in the U.S., a valid passport, a valid U.S. driver’s license and a social security number.
• Shipping back to the U.S. is free. The approximate shipping time of your vehicle to the U.S. depends on the drop-off location and the U.S. destination port. The estimated shipping time of your vehicle to the East Coast is approximately 6-8 weeks and to the West Coast approximately 8-10 weeks. Vehicles shipments to Hawaii and Puerto Rico will take approximately 10 to 12 weeks. Vehicles dropped off outside of Germany may take an additional week. Upon arrival in the U.S., all vehicles require U.S. Customs and Department of Agriculture clearance.

Steps to accomplish before going to Munich.

• Passports and Visa if needed. US citizens do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days, starting on first entry to a Schengen Agreement country. Visitors traveling on non-U.S. passports should check with the German authorities.
• Payment has to be made prior to picking up the car in Munich. This applies for both financing, including lease, or cash payments. The transaction must occur through the dealer no later than 7 days before you collect the vehicle. (More on financing and leasing options in a future article)
• Lufthansa has a 2 for 1 flight deal for BMW European Delivery customers. This two for one is based on their Q level pricing, but often customer found cheaper fares by using online booking services.

Picking up the car at the BMW Welt.

• Get there at least 30 minutes prior to your pick-up.
• Check-in at the Premium Lounge which offers some German delicatessen and drinks.
• You will be handed out some important documents: International Car Registration booklet, insurance policy and Green Insurance Card, General Conditions of Insurance, information regarding Roadside Assistance, a copy of the Purchase Order you signed and Owners Manual.
• The first step in the pick-up process is the Product Info Center where you will learn a little bit about the car design process with all its steps.
• Next and most exciting part of your trip is seeing the car on a turntable waiting for you. Snap as many shots as you can now, this opportunity doesn’t come around often.

Drive away and enjoy Europe.

• After a thorough presentation of your car by a BMW delivery specialist, you can drive off the Welt and in less than a mile, jump on the famous Autobahn.
• Ahead of time, setup some itineraries with places you would like to see. Most popular ones among BMW fans are, of course, Nurburgring, then the Neuschwanstein castle or the Black Forest. The list can go on and on, but more on this in the upcoming weeks after we setup our own itinerary.

Drop off your BMW

• You can drop-off your car at different European locations: Germany (Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Munich, Frankfurt, Sindelfingen), Austria (Vienna), France (Paris, Nice), Italy (for a fee, E.H. Harms will send a driver to return your car from a location in Italy to Munich for drop-off), Netherlands (Amsterdam), Switzerland (Zurich, Geneva)
• Shipping back to the U.S. is free of charge.
• Don’t forget to inspect your car prior to drop-off for any damages.
• If you have done any driving on dirt roads, you MUST clean the wheel wells and undercarriage, otherwise customs will not clear your vehicle.
• Get on the plane and come home, and become addicted to the tracking process, from vessel tracking to the truck going to your dealer. For those of you that “enjoy” the torture, we recommend our How-To: Follow a new BMW from Order, to Shipping and to Delivery.

If you are one of the few lucky ones that will pick up your BMW 1M through the European Delivery program, I hope this short guide comes in handy. Also, stay tuned for my own ED experience with the BMW 1M, from the moment I sign the paperwork to the delivery back in the United States, but more on this shortly.

Driving the Alps

[Source: Some info courtesy of Bimmerfest, BMWUSA and edbmw ]

We won’t go into all the details around the European Delivery, but we will provide you with some useful links. Our BMW European Delivery section will give you more insight into the program, BMWUSA page describes the program even further, and last but not least, www.edbmw.com.

Thanks to one our readers, Ariel, who shared a video with us, we can show you some of the experience one goes through after picking up the car. In this case, Janitha (janitha.com), an owner of a 335is with DCT, takes his car through an unique experience into the Alps.

The goal was simple: an Ultimate driving experience. 1000 miles of twisty and windy driving nirvana, the scenic Alps across Germany, Italy, Austria, and Switzerland, all spread out over 10 days of pure Bliss.

This is a compilation of a few drives and mountain passes on my 335is immediately after I picked it up via the European Delivery program.

Notable mountain passes in the video: Stelvio pass, Timmelsjoch, Pordoi pass, Bernina pass, Fluela pass, San Bernadino pass, St. Gotthard pass, Grimsel pass, just to name a few.

Quite fascinating, isn’t it?

Click here to view the embedded video.

BMW Welt servers primarily as BMW delivery center where people across the Old Continent and North America come to receive the key to their new car. The experience is truly unique and it is by far one of the best car purchasing experiences I have ever had.

Today, BMW released new photos of the Welt, along with a couple press releases that tell the story of the BMW World building. To let in a little secret, a week from this Saturday, yours truly will take another trip to Munich and of course, stop by the Welt for more photos and live reporting. Stay tuned for more information on that!

BMW Welt Donwload1 | Download2

Basic data BMW Welt Building.
Start of construction: 1 August 2003
Start of building construction: June 2004
Completion of building shell: 1 July 2005
Grand Opening: 17 October 2007
Contractors: 100
Max. length of building: approx. 180 m (590 ft)
Max. width of building: approx. 130 m (426 ft)
Min. width of building: approx. 50 m (164 ft)
Max height of building: approx. 28 m (92 ft)
Size of land: approx. 25,000 m² (269,000 ft2)
Floor space, gross: 75,000 m² (807,000 ft2)
Building capacity, gross: 531,500 m3
Roof area: approx. 16,500 m² (177,500 ft2)
Glass facade: 15,000 m² (161,500 ft2)
Stainless-steel facade: 10,000 m² (108,000 ft2)
Size of Double Cone: approx. 600 m² (6,500 ft2)
Daytime Storage Capacity: 25,000 m3 for 284 vehicles
Warehouse area: 1,400 m2 (15,000 ft2) (underground)
Loading yard area: approx. 1,700 m2 (18,300 ft2)

The BMW Welt in Figures.
No. of floors: 9
No of rooms: 1,154
Operating hours: approx. 4,000 p.a.
Concrete used: 55,000 m3
Reinforced steel used: 9,000 tonnes
Stainless-steel elements: approx. 80,000 (total number of all elements)
Technical systems area: approx. 7,900 m2 (85,000 ft2)
Weight of roof: 3,000 tonnes
Elevators: 18 with 93 stops
(11 passenger elevators, two vehicle elevators, one number plate elevator, one baggage elevator, three cargo elevators, three elevator platforms)
Photo-voltaic modules: 3,660

Annual energy yield
photo-voltaic system: 650 MWh p.a.
Car washes: 2, with biological water conditioning
Heating: 3.8 MW
Cooling: 2.7 MW
Ventilation: 400,000 m3/hr
No of sprinklers: approx. 10,000
Smoke detectors: 1,750 (individual detectors)
Cables: 150 km (93 miles)
Lights: 15,000
Underground garage: 580 parking spaces on two levels

The BMW Welt Experience.
No. of visitors annually: approx. 2 Million
Employees: approx. 400
Vehicle deliveries: approx. 100 per day
Shops: 2 (BMW Lifestyle & Accessories with
650 m2 on two floors and the
BMW Welt Shop with 60 m2)
Catering: Restaurant International, Bistro and Coffee Bar with a total of 450 seats
Forum: Space for approx. 700 people

After all, we’re all used to just go to a dealerships, scout the showroom area or the parking for that car that we want or like, then get into a painful negotiation game and hopefully driving off with the car you wanted. But the BMW European Delivery program really takes the shopping experience to another level. First of all, all the hassle and negotiation techniques are far limited, almost non-existent. Then, it’s the price which most of the time is around 10% lower than the regular sticker.

We have talked about the BMW European Delivery program many times and we’ll leave it up to you to read more on it in our ED section or you can follow my last European trip here.

And to really prove our point of how exciting this program really is, the following video and photos will tell this story even better. The story starts with four friends going to Munich to pick up a gorgeous Montego Blue BMW 135i Coupe, then taking the car through Switzerland, Austria, Italy and France.

Did they have the time of their life? Let’s find out.

Click here to view the embedded video.

More photos on the Picasa folder

BMW Museum with its 53,000 square foot becomes one of the largest car museums in the world. It accommodates around 400,000 visitors per year, up 150,000 compared to the previous facility. There are over 120 exhibits displayed in the museum.

Now, let’s see what Jedrzej has prepared for us, this has proven to be an entertaining and informative series. You can always catch the other episodes by heading over to our BMW European Delivery section.

Video courtesy of PostCardsFilms

BMW Welt was opened in late 2007 and even though BMW has not disclosed the cost of the Welt project; people close to the company said the price tag was significantly more than 200 million euros, or about $275 million.

About 170 vehicles a day are delivered to the cathedral-like showroom at BMW Welt. Rather than picking up a new car at a local dealership, drivers who pay 457 euro ($674) for the privilege to come here to receive delivery of their vehicles, finding them bathed in a spotlight and rotating on a turntable.

I had the opportunity to pick up my car at the Welt and all I have to say is that the buying experience has been taken to a whole new level by BMW. You can read my story here

But let’s see the footage filmed by Jedrzej from PostCardsFilms

The first two episodes after the jump:

Travel Show: BMW European Delivery Part I

Travel Show: BMW European Delivery Part II

Jedrzej is also a producer of a web travel series on a site called Tripfilms.com as well as a filmmaker with a documentary and film background.

Our BMW European Delivery section will tell you all about this great program.

The ED program gives you one of the most amazing experiences that you could get when purchasing a BMW. On top of the great experience of picking up your car at the famous BMW Welt Delivery Center, you can save serious money on a new BMW, usually anywhere from 7% to 10%. But I won’t be getting into all the details now, you can read more in our BMW European Delivery section.

Last summer, one of our readers, Jedrzej Jonasz, sent us email explaining his upcoming video project: a series of episodes on the BMW European Delivery Program detailing the entire process from purchasing the car to picking it up and to exploring the more unique European destination and roads.

Jedrzej is a producer of a web travel series on a site called Tripfilms.com as well as a filmmaker with a documentary and film background.

Today, we have the first episode with more to come every week.

BMW European Delivery is one of those perks that us, bimmer fans, are spoiled with. The purchasing experience, the delivery and the Europe vacation are something that we will remember forever, and most likely we will be bragging about it to our friends, while already planning for the next one.

Last week, BMW’s Manager of European Delivery Program, Mrs. Keri-Lynne Shaw, talked to us openly about the program, what makes it special, what the benefits are and what the emotional return is. I strongly encourage you to read the interview if you missed it, lots and lots of good information in there and please, if you still have questions, feel free to ask.

Now returning to our M5, what you will see below are some great photos that were taken in Europe recently. Our friend Irv Robinson put us in touch with Mark, the lucky owner of the M luxury sedan. We didn’t have time to get all the details from Mark yet about his trip, but he was kind to share with us some photos.

Now tell me if they don’t make you jealous.

Thanks Mark and Irv