[slubu]

(06-08-2012 10:24 AM)control Wrote:  

It has always been the case that only North America maps are preloaded in navigation systems on ED cars bound for the US. I checked with BMW dealer as recently as past February. If that has changed, then this is great.

Pre 2007, or whenever the HDD systems were instituted for the Navigation systems, you had to somehow get the Europe NAV DVD before getting to Munich and use that disc. Now that they went to the HDD system, they preload the Europe map into the hard drive. This was the case for me when I did it in 2008, and it still exists now:

Quote:

If I have a navigation system in my car, will it work in Europe?

If you have ordered the Navigation System on your new BMW, Europe maps will be automatically loaded to the hard drive before you pick up your car at the BMW Welt and a navigation disk is not necessary.

[cheerfulwish]

Just to comment for anyone who may think of picking up their BMW at the South Carolina factory.

You get the 2 for 1 airline ticket (AA iirc), hotel stay for a night and they will put you through their local driving course as well.

Definitely not as awesome as picking it up in Germany!

[Vacancier Permanent]

Slubu,
Thanks a lot for posting the info on insurance while in Europe. Very much appreciated!

[Vacancier Permanent]

Yesterday went to both a BMW and Benz dealership. While the BMers in general look sleek from the outside, the inside is very basic looking. On the other hand, Benz is gorgeous from both outside and the inside. Asked the sales person and the manager of the Benz dealer about their European delivery programme and they gave me a sample contract. However, a couple of things I don't like about the Benz ED programme is that a) they charge about 2100 for the shipping from Europe to here and b) the guy said that for the ED programme, the full purchase price has to be paid up front and they don't do finance/lease for the ED. Not sure if the guy was BSing me or anything, but I'll check with MB's head office here. Link for the ED programme from the MB Canada site:
http://www.mercedes-benz.ca/content/cana...ivery.html

Slubu, did Bmer also say that for the ED programme, they required the full purchase price and no lease/finance option offered? If MB really doesn't offer finance on an ED programme, that would suck royally as my mind is made, I'll get a Benz next spring.

[slubu]

(06-19-2012 07:19 AM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  

Slubu, did Bmer also say that for the ED programme, they required the full purchase price and no lease/finance option offered? If MB really doesn't offer finance on an ED programme, that would suck royally as my mind is made, I'll get a Benz next spring.

Not at all. At least for the US, leases and financing is common for ED. I leased one and financed the other. Nor does BMW charge me for shipping back to the US.

For me it is a bit different, because Benz barely offers manual transmissions which I drive exclusively (can't stand autos). As to the interior comment, which model were you looking at? I know BMWs aren't Audis in terms of interiors, but with ED you do get to customize and make it nice at least with color/trim selection. Here's my interior:



Also, have you driven both? They are worlds apart in terms of driving feel. You drive a BMW, a Benz drives you. It all just comes down to preference. Personally, and in line with why I like manuals, I enjoy driving and like feeling the road, cornering, etc.