Well,

We did it! The ED is an awesome program by BMW. I always wanted to do it,
but never had the opportunity before. However this time around I used some creative math to justify selling my 03 M3 (with only 15k on the clock…), and adding Germany to an already pre planned trip to Paris and London. And I also must send a big thanks to everyone on this forum for so much useful information! And another big thanks to e36M3r for replying to one of my posts on roadfly telling me about this forum.
So, my girlfriend (fiancée by the end of the trip…) and I got to Munich on June 6th, checked in, and went straight to the Hofbrauhaus for some fun. A couple liters of (surprisingly) cold beer and a few traditional German tunes (Ein Prosit!) were enough to make us feel welcome and ready for the vacation of a lifetime.

Our time in Munich was very limited since the whole Germany part was a late addition to an already planned trip. Next day at 8 am we arrived at the delivery center, and by 9 we were on the road to the Alpenstrassee. The people at the delivery center were very kind, professional, and thorough, and seemed more than willing to snap a few photos of a couple of very excited new BMW owners. Before we knew it, we were on the road with a goal of figuring out how to get the Autobahn and ultimately the German Alps. After stopping at a gas station for a couple maps to help lead the way, we were headed toward the best few days of driving experience that all car enthusiasts dreams of. Driving in Germany makes you never want to drive on an American Interstate again…. and being passed while doing 100mph, as if you were standing still, is breathtaking! Of course, pushing the speedometer past the 140 point is pretty cool too…

We drove all day, stopping in tiny towns for a quick strudel or cup of coffee, having a fabulous lunch in Schliersee (the food was great), and taking in the jaw-dropping scenery. We spent the night in Fussen, had lots of beer, tried some delicious traditional German cuisine (rabbit fillet and veal cutlets), and took a million pictures; the entire day was like driving thru and being in a post card.

We got back to Munich on the 8th very late, and then woke up early for our next driving adventure at the Nurburgring, since the track would be open from 17:15 till 19:30.
We got there early, found a hotel and went to the track, visited the museum and then bought a five lap ticket. That track is incredible! I kept the revs under 5500rpm since the car was still under 1200 miles, and it was plenty fast! Lots of blind corners and crests, if you go there you better respect that track, or you are going to be making full use of your insurance….

There were lots of super fast cars , including 3 CSL, a 350z racer, and a few 911, including two GT3. …and the bikes are insanely fast, really nuts! My girlfriend/navigator was in charge of triple checking the mirrors… so I could move to the right and let people pass on the straights.

Then after that we drove to Paris (if you are dropping off in Paris, try to do so on your way in, and take a cab into the city – Friday rush hour traffic is not fun), and dropped of the car at CDG on Monday.

People everywhere were very nice, especially Germany. It was a great time!!


FSV

LINK TO PICTURES:
http://www.pbase.com/fscherer/bmw_european_delivery