I have decided to custom order a new 335i Coupe with most of the options available on the car but I have not decided whether to pick it up in Europe or not.

Here are a few questions:

1) If I decide to go for European Delivery, I would pick it up in Jan of 2008. Can I drive from Munich to Paris or Madrid in Jan on my stock 18" wheels/tires or will I be forced to "rent" wheels and snow tires. If I do not have to temporarily swap my wheels, how can I investigate what the driving conditions are likely to be at that time to know if it is feasible?

2) Should I order the car from my local dealer in Seattle, to form a relationship with my local dealer, or should I just get it from any dealer that will give me the best price? I heard that many dealers will not give loaner cars when having servicing to people that did not purchase their car at that dealership. I will be leasing the car for three years, if that fact influences your answer.

3) I heard there was a particular BMW salesman at a dealership and in Oregon that specializes in European Delivery. Do you know who this is? Should I contact him to get a great price? If not, who might you suggest?

1) If I decide to go for European Delivery, I would pick it up in Jan of 2008. Can I drive from Munich to Paris or Madrid in Jan on my stock 18" wheels/tires or will I be forced to "rent" wheels and snow tires. If I do not have to temporarily swap my wheels, how can I investigate what the driving conditions are likely to be at that time to know if it is feasible?


Germany requires winter or all-season tires during that period, so you would probably need to get them....there is a fine for not having them, but im not sure what it is or how tightly it is enforced--i mostly saw it used when there was an accident and if you didn't have them you were automatically liable for an accident.....I lived there last year and we had about 3 inches of snow the entire winter, so you definitely didn't need them most of the time....

Can't speak for the laws in France and Spain...

good luck....

Bimmerfest has an excellent Wiki and support forum on Euro Delivery:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/wiki/index.php?title=BMW_European_Delivery (wiki)

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=25 (forum)


For #2, I'd probably see how good a deal your local dealership is offering, since if you buy from them they are probably more likely to give you a few perks like mats, or at least loaners when you go in for work. With Euro Delivery you should be able to get it for $1000 - $1500 over "European Invoice" (again, see Bimmerfest).

Germany requires winter or all-season tires during that period, so you would probably need to get them....there is a fine for not having them, but im not sure what it is or how tightly it is enforced--i mostly saw it used when there was an accident and if you didn't have them you were automatically liable for an accident.....I lived there last year and we had about 3 inches of snow the entire winter, so you definitely didn't need them most of the time....

Can't speak for the laws in France and Spain...

good luck....
How cold did it get though? Even if it doesn't snow, your summers will be useless below 38F or so. They will become hard and will skid as if on black ice even on dry roads.

To the OP, there is an ED expert on this forum. Forgot the name/userid, but do a search on ED and you'll definitely find him.