I'm new and here's my story...

uber_3er · Jan 22, 2004

Hi everyone! This is kind of an exciting day... Today I got the wheels rolling (no pun intended) on my big BMW adventure... my first BMW after 7 years of VW/Audis...

I am trying to do a Euro delivery on a car that dealers don't even have in their books yet- an '04 330Ci coupe with Performance Package (+ Black Sapphire, Alcantara, Nav, Xenons).

BMW press says PP cars will begin production in March with the first cars arriving at dealers in April.

I have a small window to pick up the car, which is a pre-booked trip to Europe in the first week of April which is the date I have requested. If all goes well, it may mean I will be driving one of the first US spec cars!

Today I gave the dealer my order- they will be contacting the Euro delivery center tomorrow to see what's up... right now I don't even know if it is possible or if it is what the price of the PP will be...I am hoping it will be the same price as the sedan of $3900.

So my heart is beating double speed because if tomorrow I am told that the coupes wont be ready for Euro delivery by April, I will miss the boat.

In that case I wonder, should I forego the Euro-del and just order it from a US dealer? Then there go the savings (I can guarantee no dealer will give $2575 off MSRP!!! on such a new car)

Option 2 is I just get the sedan as originally planned...

The saga continues...

PS, I came this close to getting an Audi A4 3.0quattro with the Ultra Sport Package, but the BMW's killer looks and the PP's 5.9 sec 0-60 time clinched the deal! Yeah!!

paddyLV · Jan 22, 2004

"You're the man, uber_3er..."

[wave]

uber

You are, without a doubt, going to LOVE [^]

the 'ZHP' {Performance Package} 330i.

If you get the Alcantara interior [also] get the 'Silver Cube' trim. It contrasts the black
interior really well and draws your attention to the full length of the dash board.

The only option didn't get on my '04 was the Nav. System.

The 6 speed [short-throw] shifter[driving2] is a BLAST to drive.

Check under 'Showroom' on this board and check out a post by Bryan330i and see his pic.'s
of his 'Imola Red' ZHP, that's another awsome color.

If you need any info on the Euro. Del. than look at and search
under bmw euro. del. ALL your questions can be answered. I was going with the E/D
but just didn't want to wait approx. 7-8 weeks for the car while it was in transit to the 'Left Coast.'

Keep us informed & [cheers]

.

uber_3er · Jan 22, 2004

shawwwweeeet!

[thumb]

Thanks Paddy! I'm a Brit in WA!

Bryan's 330 ZHP is a very nice color indeed. I'm sort of a Black on Black guy (afraid of trying color!!) But if I was brave I might have gone for a Mystic Blue. The pics in the gallery from the LA show look nice.

Do you have pics of your ride anywhere?

I am so full of questions right now, especially about the Euro Del. Like, "can I get a DVD for Europe for the Nav and will it work with the US equipment?"

I guess I'll be going to Edmunds.com next.... but would love to hear from anyone else who did the Euro Del and find out about the whole experience/ cool roads to drive on...

FYI The www.bmw.co.uk configurator is a great place to see how all the colors would look on the 330Ci ZHP- Just select 3 series Coupe and then the 3.0 litre Sport coupe (most expensive one)... I configured one and it came out to +$60,000 US!!!!!!!!! God Bless America!

DrWho · Jan 23, 2004

I would have thought that the shipping costs and insurance would have made the car far more expensive to import yourself relative to a standard car bought from the dealer (not to mention your own travel costs and accomodation).

In any case, I would advise against the 'Silver Cube' trim as it looks rather tacky, IMO. Go for the black cube trim (which I can attest to being way more classy), particularly with black leather interior.

uber_3er · Jan 23, 2004

DrWho--
read up about the great deal BMW NA gives the US buyers...

http://www.bmwusa.com/Joy/EuropeanDelivery/?dNav_loc=_root.europeandelivery.cdefault
To sum up- No shipping charges, free insurance, drop off from tons of places in Europe, and best of all... They give you a discount on the price!!!!!!! It comes out to $2575 on the 330Ci. Not bad going eh?

PS, your pic is making me drool all over my keyboard. That will be my car! just picture a little orange reflector on the corner there and you have it... a US 330Ci ZHP.

Oh AM I JEALOUS!!! LOL-- happy driving and put some miles on for a brutha in waiting...[driving2]

Kin · Jan 23, 2004

If I were you and have time to go to Europe, I will wait a little bit until the Euro delivery is available. If you have waited 7 years, why not a little bit more. You can get the car custom made for you and visit the factory.

I didn't have time and I needed a new car when I bought my 2003 ZHP, otherwise, I don't mind to wait. Just think about it, are you going to regret if you don't take the Euro delivery, when are you going to buy your next BMW after this ZHP!?

DrWho · Jan 23, 2004

uber_3er said:

That's a pretty good deal, I didn't realise you could do that in the US. Here, you would have to do it all your self and you would probably come out behind, though the more expensive the vehicle, the better the equation.

While 2.5k is nothing to sneeze at, it's beer money compared to what I paid for my 330Ci with the ZHP package ($AU115,000 = $US87,400)

Rest assured, miles (er, kilometers) have been put on - first thing I did was to drive up the coast to Brisbane (from Sydney). It was fantastic!

uber_3er · Jan 23, 2004

$87,000!

That is NUTTY BEYOND BELIEF.

Mine would be just over $40K (no leather). Plus sales tax.

I would love to do a drive like that- Sydney to Brisbane. I guess the closest we have on the west coast is SF to LA (about 400 miles) or even Seattle to San Diego (about 1500) if you really felt like it...all along Pacific Coast Highway.

I moved up from LA to Seattle in April but with a GTI full of stuff, speed was of the essence, so I drove along the 5 Freeway.

What is the speed limit on the highways in Oz? Are the cops vicious down there? I drove in England for 5 years without a single ticket, and since moving to the US, I've lost count, I average at least 1 or 2 a year. In WA the Buggers have radar guns and they hide under behind the overpass structures waiting to pounce...

DrWho · Jan 23, 2004

uber_3er said:

Yeah, over $US15,000 of that is eaten up in federal and state taxes. On the positive side, the cars do come fully loaded including:
Full Nappa leather, sports seats with memory, adaptive headlights, cruise, widescreen TV with in-dash CD and 6 stacker in boot, climate control windshield, clear lenses, 6 speed manual, and all the ZHP bits.

Max speed limit is 110 km/h which is about 70 mph. However, in the Northern Territory there are no speed limits (unfortunately you wouldn't really want to live there!).

The cops are pretty anal here. We have an increasing population of speed cameras (or revenue generators, as we call them) and red light cameras. New South Wales is pretty good in that you get three warning signs posted before the fixed speed camera, so you can slow down in time (if you're paying attention). Radar detectors are illegal.

Victora is the worst. They have the most cameras and they're set at a ridiculous threshhold of 3 km/h over the limit, and no warning signs. I'd hate to live in Victoria!

But you get used to it and you learn what you can do and where. Touch wood, I haven't had a ticket in 2 years.

paddyLV · Jan 23, 2004

"E/D"

uber...

Edmunds will allow you to ask questions on their site and 'hook-up' with BMW owners
that are either on their way to Munich [or] just got back. They will have some GREAT
stories, photo.'s & advice on where to go and stay while in Europe. [thumb]

I do believe a DVD on Europe is available for your Nav. Syst. at Border's etc.

flashinthepan · Jan 23, 2004

You are Da Man !!

Congrats !!!

If the ED falls through, you should easily be able to get $1500 off MSRP, if you cannot I can recommend someone. Yes its not 2500+ off but its a good discount.

Enjoy !! & BTW Excellent choice on color !! [:D]

Kirby · Jan 23, 2004

Hang in there for the ED if you can!! It is a GREAT trip!! I was in your situation exactly 1 year ago. I went in April and took delivery on one of the first '04 330ci convertibles that came into the US. Oh yeah, also one of the first '04 SLIPTronics...[fake]

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