All I can say is that the trip/driving was amazing. We had the greatest time, and came home engaged and with tons of stories, memories and pictures. The car was great, my only gripe is that I now see why the Audis drive the fastest in the left lane, the 3er gets a little floaty at high speeds on the highway but loves to hug the corners unlike the Audi. Scratched one rim on the trip thanks to an a@# in salzburg so I had to drive off the road to avoid crashing, really not cool.
For those not familiar with my trip here it is in a nut shell. Using the Rick Steve's book for some nice advice, well worth the purchase!
Sat- leave NY
Sun- Arrive in Munich, take in the sights (including an M6) and drink the bier!
Mon- Pick up the 3er, leave at 10 am head to Fussen for the castles, see treck up the hill to see the castle Neu..... drive the backroads to Innsbruck... see the sights arrive in Hall, Austria stayed at the sporthotel hall (nice place with the net breakfast and nice parking garage
Tues- leave for Venice via the Brenner Pass. Arrive in Venice park at tonchetto and no need to leave the keys! see St. Marks take shuttle to Palace San Clemente (AMAZING HOTEL).
Wed.- More Venice, via Rick's advice.. gondola etc. Back to the hotel for dinner.
Thurs.- Off to Salzburg. Took a side trip over to the Eagles Nest and the Panaramic Road (nice winding road around the tops of the mountains with great views. cheap 5 euro toll but nice little road and views) Salzburg highlights, stayed at the Salzburg renassaince, good parking, ok hotel.
Fri.- Off to Vienna- Intercontinental hotel Vienna, ok hotel definately not a true 5 star but had parking and was located on the park. See some sights, eat a lot of pasteries!
Sat.- more vienna, trolley tour, Palaces, Opera, more pasteries and lots of bier.
Sun.- Back to Munich via the frommers driving tour #13 backward. can't remember all of the towns names at the moment but remember the 305 road..... great drive! Stayed the night at the munich marriot, hotel was ok minus the fact the A/C was kaput.
Mon.- Washed the car at: Shell station Eckstein, Muencher strasse 1 85716 Unterscheissheim (so it says on the receipt). Brushless, power washers booths!! Dropped the car off at Harms, taxi to the Aiport and fly home.
Tues.- back to work.......
I will post photos as soon as I get them on the computer... and have some anecdote and info with them! thanks again to everyone for the advice and info!