BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read




 

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      08-28-2011, 07:16 PM   #1
///M1
Brigadier General
///M1's Avatar
United_States
271
Rep
3,164
Posts

Drives: Many
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: North of 7K RPM

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
Cool A Euro Delivery fairytale: ///M1 gets his 1///M

BIMMERPOST
     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com
Bimmerpost and 1Addict Brethren: I’ve been off the boards over the last few weeks (which I dearly missed and will catch up no doubt on old threads) all for a good cause – I took delivery of my baby 1///M, a.k.a “Arabella” (named after a pretty ferry from a famous foreign children's mini-series, which had magical powers, and 'Bella' meaning 'white' in many languages, and of course ‘beautiful’ in others ;-o). I will probably write a long review about it’s overall traights, performance, handling et all, but let me just say it left me absolutely speechless and once again scratching my head with admiration how the wizards from the ///M Division were able to spray so much magic dust (hence the ferry reference ) and turn this into the best ///M cars I have ever driven or owned. It is a big statement indeed, but as a current (heavily modded at that) 135i owner, and a former Dinan E39 M5, I can tell you this pocket rocket is just amazing, no confusing this is a true ///M specimen. It is really that good and now I understand the raves in all the press!

The European Delivery was simply amazing. Talk about a ‘bucket list experience’! Started of course with the reception and subsequent pick up of the AW 1///M at The Welt, followed by the ‘mandatory’ factory tour, and once done, a spirited 550+km drive North to Cologne, where for all 3 days I was hosted by the Scuderia Ferrari team in the Formula 1 Paddock during the German F1 Grand Prix at the Nurburgring. As a side note, I am on a life-long dream to visit every single active F1 circuit in the world, and happy to say at this stage I’m close to the half-way mark. My subsequent trip through Central and Eastern Europe was timed such that I was in Budapest a week later for the Hungarian Grand Prix (and on the way I passed the entire Vodafone McLaren team which couldn’t stop beeping, thumbs upping, high fiving ‘Arabella’ in sign of deep respect and appreciation – something that was a hallmark of the trip, it was insane how much attention, interest and approval the car was getting, no joke!) So without further ado, here is what seems like a fairytale of a story…


And the journey begins on one muggy afternoon at Newark Airport… Little did I know this would be considered a nice day over the next dozen or so days in Central Europe!



Only place to rent your sweet ride – Sixt FTW! This M3 can be had easily, but what is even better for those ever going to Munich (ED or no ED), is to rent from the BMW Welt directly. The M3 is 40 Euros an hour, but for a great opportunity: if you rent by 6pm and return by 9am, it is only 80 Euros. Totally worth renting it the day before your car’s pickup and driving for hours at unrestricted speeds around Munich.





This was the site right outside (if not part of) the Munich airport – the formal introduction of the Q3 and A6 Avant at the Audi Forum:







And off to the first night’s meal, at Hoffbrau Haus. What else can a man have in Munich other than a nice brew and a juicy pork knuckle!



While enjoying Germany’ ‘finest’ music:



‘Feasting’ on sexy (and perhaps some not so) German barmaids and traditional folk costumes







Rainy, rainy, rainy…



But I wake up at the King’s hotel (per BMW’s recommendation BTW) very next day and see the sun, right on the BIG day of my baby’s delivery! Great sign of splendid times to come!



Hello BMW Welt (the eye of a hurricane)!



Hello BMW Headquarters



And Hello Gorgeous (first look of many)!



Inside the Welt:



This guy performed live shows going through the building on the motorcycle, up and down the stairs, super cool:





Can you spot Arabella? (was told a very rare day to have all 3 colors at a time, I was only US delivery)



Nicely tucked and hidden





With her cousins awaiting their happy new respective owners:







Inside the Welt BMW Company store (to buy a few goodies with the supplied credit voucher and collect the personally engraved key change):







Other cars on exhibit at the atrium floor of the Welt:



































Another lucky customer getting his 1///M



And another happy camper waiting for her Alpine White 335i Coupe





Great rear! (all 3 of them!)



BMW Exterior and Interior colors:





BMW Motorad:



Champagne to be served before actual delivery (yeah, try that in our litigious USA!):



Time has finally arrived (3:10PM, and if you think I am kidding, think again – that was the time I was assigned 2 months prior to the date and in typical German accuracy and pedanticism – was met to the last second!)









Seeing 0000000000000s all the way!









Last time seen clean!





License plate starting with an “M 1”, hmmmm, a coincidence or…



Tricolor magic!





In the wild at last!









Perfect backdrop:

















In the eye of the hurricane







And before her maiden journey (a longish 550km to Cologne and the Nurburgring Formula 1 weekend), an hour (or three) to spend at the BMW Museum near the 4-cyl building











The promising future…







And the glorious past:









Any why it couldn’t be called the “M1”:



///M powerplant glory hall of fame:





6-series concept





Art cars and such (Warhol and Frank Stella M1, etc.):











Why don’t we get this gorgeous F10 535i M-Sport Wagon escapes me (in Frozen gray with BMW individual extras):







And off on the road she goes. DT///Mmmmmmm





Where among our first encounters were these two Asian girls driving in style (but didn’t wanna play, perhaps for the better as I had less than 100km on my baby)



More of the RS 3 (which of I have to be honest, I didn’t really care for aesthetically, especially with these red accented wheels which are a factory option):





And more RS encounters we don’t get States-side:



And she is thirsty… First pit stop, and throughout the entire trip (1,800+ miles), only the best food for Arabella:





And after refueling and nearly 600km, her first night in Cologne, and off to the Nurburgring F1 following day where she was in the nice company of cars in the Paddock parking lot:















First day after Friday F1 practice at the Nordscheife (had I known it was open to the public, Arabella would have had her legs stretched, but alas, as it turned out that was only afternoon open prior to me leaving :-((((

You can rent this:



And some other hotness:









Well whatta ya know, another fellow 1///M-er;





And the only RS 4 I spotted on this trip (I frankly expected to have more than one encounter with my dearly missed but safely tucked at home Sprint Blue Beast, which is anxiously awaiting Arabella to join the stable ;-o):



Word travels fast: shortly after Arabella took the grandstand watching what could have been, a 1-series fan club emerged out of nowhere:











No mistaking 1///M for a ‘less wider’ brother:



Some rentals:











And some brand new beasts:















Here are just a few F1 pics from the Nurburgring to get a taste, I have a ton more which I will post in the OT section as I know there are a big amount of junkies here, so stay tuned. Was indeed a unique opportunity to see it all form the Ferrari paddock and get a peek of what goes on in, and behind, the garages of F1 teams.






















































































































So after getting my F1 fix in a 4 day stint in Germany (staying below the 4,500 RPM ‘limit’ but enough to take me well into the 200+ kmph territory), off we went to the Czech Republic, followed by Hungary, Slovakia, and Austria, for her eventual drop-off in Vienna. Here are the ones from friendly CZ:

First night ever sleeping under stars:



It all started with a much needed hand wash (by myself naturally) and a plethora of Sonax products. Hard to convince the folks around me why spending over 150 Euro on shampoos, bug removers, wax, wheel and cockpit cleaner, towels, sponges, microfibers, deerskin (for windows), etc. etc. was not insanity! LOL Here is an absolutely fabulous Sonax product that did wonders to a car that had already 2K kilometers and no wash (over 4 days when it was mostly raining though things got really baked up front)







And she’s clean at last (only 4 days, but over 2000km on the clock)!













You know you are in the Czech Republic when you see this:





Now that she has a bath and is presentable, time to get educated in European culture and see Prague:

















And she rules the night:











The following day, off she went for some nice twisties and exploring the many castles of CZ. This is in a place called Hluboka nad Vltavu (where the river Valtava that runs through Prague originates). This ‘little’ (as there is a much bigger castle behind it) you see is actually our hotel. And it used to be the slave quarters back in the days. Looks like slaves didn’t have it that bad after all, at least in Czech!

















Hard to be contained even by medieval gates:









Her wide hips barely get her through (hence why a friend tagged her the name of ‘Marilyn’ given her white voluptuous nature :-):





Another night neatly tucked away in the farthest spot in the covered parking lot:



And the castle itself:













A friendly town of Czeske Budiovitze (also known for the formal birthplace of Budwar/Budweiser):



Safest spot with Euro parking light feature enabled ;-):



And off to Marianbad and Karlsbad (Karlovi Vari, one of the most famous spa centers in Europe, though nowadays given its ownership and predominant clientele, you’d think you’re somewhere in Russia). Another great old school hotel:





And morning thereafter, off for some more exploration:











And Karlovi Vari itself:











And off to Budapest for some more spirited driving. First night’s meal (after the mandatory goulash, which was desperately needed given it was a brisk 13C, par for the course of the times in Germany, Hungary, and Vienna).



Pretty Buda and Pesht by night:











And did I mention, it was F1 weekend again! A week ago in Nurburging, and now the Hungaroring. In front of the Kempinski hotel in downtown Budapest where the McLaren team stayed:











A quick rest stop at the irresistable Mozart chocolate shop:



Buda-Pesht in the AM:



And after a couple more days, off to Vienna for her formal drop-off. Gotta start with some snitzel and spatzle:







How you can get around in Vienna when all else fails:



The famous Prater:



Final day: fill her up for the last time with Europe’s finest Shell V-Power 100 Octane. Also got to get her clean for her long voyage on the Asian Emperor vessel (despite an absolute downpour). Ended up paying 45 Euro (yikes!) so they wash her by hand and not through these scary looking OMV bristles! (then again that was the price the Radisson Blue charged in Vienna for overnight parking, ouch, but relatively smll price for piece of mind ;-)









At the Vienna drop-off spot and a loooong 6 weeks before she hits SC for the upcoming PCD, where I will look forward to getting not only Arabella back, but the one day of ///M schooling!



She is de-plated in the front, one of the many mementos Igot to keep (along with the mandatory-for-Europe warning triangle, first aid kit, and neon yellow safety vest – gotta take ‘em in your luggage as allegedly US Customs will throw them out!)



Plaque I left in the front, hopefully someone will read it! LOL



Final tally:






All in all, what can I say. This truly has been one of the best vacations and experiences I have ever had. Collecting your new ///M car + Scuderia Ferrari F1 hosting during the Nurburgring GP + 2 F1 venues checked + 5 beautiful Central and Western European countries (counting a quick trip through Slovakia), + + + … indeed a huge bucket list item crossed off!

European Delivery (ED) is the only way to go IMO when purchasing a new BMW, and if afforded the chance, everyone should do it. I tell you, if the upcoming F10 M5 is indeed offered in a 6-spd manual variant (as is rumored), you may have to check the threads this time next year for a summary of yet another great ED experience!
__________________
2011 BMW E82 1///M: AW, all options; Renntech, Akrapovic, Forge, P3, RevoZ CF bits, many mods
1988 BMW E30 M3: Hennarot, S14, stock
2018 Porsche 991.2 GT3: PtS, CXX, LWBS, PCCB
1998 Porsche 993 C4S: Zenith Blue, last aircooled widebody, Bilstein PSS10, Fister II + Fabspeed exhaust
2008 Audi B7 RS 4: Sprint Blue, Audi Exclusive Euro Bucket Interior, Premium+Titanium, many mods
Appreciate 0
      08-28-2011, 07:23 PM   #2
EINSER M
Major General
EINSER M's Avatar
United_States
377
Rep
5,730
Posts

Drives: BMW i3 rex
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (44)

Garage List
amazing set of pics. congrats!
Appreciate 0
      08-28-2011, 07:29 PM   #3
sergeremi
Lieutenant
41
Rep
574
Posts

Drives: 1 Series M Coupe
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Boston, MA

iTrader: (0)

EPIC! Congrats man!
__________________
there is no effing automatic
Appreciate 0
      08-28-2011, 07:42 PM   #4
iDave
Private First Class
20
Rep
137
Posts

Drives: BMW M4 Competition Pack
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Doncaster

iTrader: (0)

Wow great write up !

Thanks !
Appreciate 0
      08-28-2011, 07:55 PM   #5
1SerieStud
Brigadier General
1SerieStud's Avatar
183
Rep
3,939
Posts

Drives: '11 VO 1M (498 of 740)
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Jacksonville, FL

iTrader: (11)

Amazing and congratulations! Thanks for sharing. Every time I see a new thread I experience happy feelings as well as frustration...I still have to wait until October to see my 1M for the first time.

Can you elaborate on what that European-enabled parking light feature is? I see what it does, but, what does it symbolize, and do you get to keep that feature or is disabled when shipped to the US?
Appreciate 0
      08-28-2011, 08:04 PM   #6
crumbelieve
Enlisted Member
6
Rep
32
Posts

Drives: 1M
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: NYC

iTrader: (0)

JEALOUS

Absolutely epic, thanks for posting.

Your photos are brilliant, and I'm sure they don't even do the entire experience justice.

I have a 1M coming in October, but timing wouldn't allow me to do an ED this time around. I'm going to have to wait a couple years, but you've absolutely sold me!

-Crumb
Appreciate 0
      08-28-2011, 08:54 PM   #7
///M1
Brigadier General
///M1's Avatar
United_States
271
Rep
3,164
Posts

Drives: Many
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: North of 7K RPM

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1SerieStud View Post
Amazing and congratulations! Thanks for sharing. Every time I see a new thread I experience happy feelings as well as frustration...I still have to wait until October to see my 1M for the first time.

Can you elaborate on what that European-enabled parking light feature is? I see what it does, but, what does it symbolize, and do you get to keep that feature or is disabled when shipped to the US?
Thx for the kind words, guys!

Stud: the parking feature I referred to 'euro' is actually available on US cars as well. When you park and switch off the car, you can activate is by simply turning your right or left turn signal to the "On' position (up for right, down for left turn signal). Only that respective single-side rear LED light, and front AE halo (and eyebrow for LCI cars) will illuminate, so minimum juice is sucked out of the battery (nothing on the dash or in the car is illuminated).

I call it a "euro" feature because European cars have it (Audi and Merc included). It is generally meant in cases when you park on some narrow, badly lit street, and you are the first car off the corner. You always illuminate the outer side of the car, so it could 'trace' and signal to others, especially in times of poor visibility. You just don't want to have someone slam into you in the example I gave you (narrow, 2-sided parking, badly lit, in foggy condition street). In this case I was just playing as I love the LCI lights, though was the left-most car, so perhaps I had a case to make
__________________
2011 BMW E82 1///M: AW, all options; Renntech, Akrapovic, Forge, P3, RevoZ CF bits, many mods
1988 BMW E30 M3: Hennarot, S14, stock
2018 Porsche 991.2 GT3: PtS, CXX, LWBS, PCCB
1998 Porsche 993 C4S: Zenith Blue, last aircooled widebody, Bilstein PSS10, Fister II + Fabspeed exhaust
2008 Audi B7 RS 4: Sprint Blue, Audi Exclusive Euro Bucket Interior, Premium+Titanium, many mods
Appreciate 0
      08-28-2011, 08:59 PM   #8
Rapture1
Private First Class
Rapture1's Avatar
69
Rep
125
Posts

Drives: 2021 BMW M2C
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Milwaukee, WI, USA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2018 Audi TTRS  [8.00]
2017 Porsche C4S  [9.50]
2011 BMW 1M Coupe  [10.00]
2007 Audi RS4  [5.50]
2004 VW R32  [6.50]
2021 M2 Competition  [9.50]
Wow!

That's all I got.
Appreciate 0
      08-28-2011, 09:19 PM   #9
sergeremi
Lieutenant
41
Rep
574
Posts

Drives: 1 Series M Coupe
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Boston, MA

iTrader: (0)

Hey M, I noticed that you got the H/K upgrade. So, after all that time with the car and all the speculation on sound quality how does it stack up? Do still think it needs aftermarket speakers/amp? Or if going the aftermarket route, would it be better to start with the 1M base or H/K?

Will that be included in your hopefully extensive impressions write up? Sorry to harp on this particular subject, but based on your past posts I think you're of the same mind I am when it comes to car audio and I'd really appreciate your insights on the matter.
__________________
there is no effing automatic

Last edited by sergeremi; 08-28-2011 at 09:46 PM..
Appreciate 0
      08-28-2011, 09:21 PM   #10
dwildone
Private First Class
dwildone's Avatar
United_States
10
Rep
130
Posts

Drives: MW F80 M3
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: KC

iTrader: (0)

Great review and pics. I agree with everyone else- I am now certain that my next M will be done ED. At least I only have 9 more days until my PCD....
Appreciate 0
      08-28-2011, 09:55 PM   #11
adobeee
Captain
adobeee's Avatar
United_States
170
Rep
821
Posts

Drives: '23 X6 M50i
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Los Angeles

iTrader: (0)

looks like you had a blast man. thanks for the pics!
Appreciate 0
      08-28-2011, 10:01 PM   #12
m3kerry
SCCA B Street
m3kerry's Avatar
United_States
117
Rep
660
Posts

Drives: 1 M
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Dallas

iTrader: (0)

Appreciate 0
      08-28-2011, 10:19 PM   #13
crumbelieve
Enlisted Member
6
Rep
32
Posts

Drives: 1M
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: NYC

iTrader: (0)

///M1,

If you've left from EWR, I'm assuming you're from the tri-state area. Are you planning on storing your 1M away for the winter being that you have that Audi?

I'm planning on using mine as a DD, but I also don't have a winter alternative...

-Crumb
Appreciate 0
      08-28-2011, 11:13 PM   #14
LeMansM5
First Lieutenant
LeMansM5's Avatar
26
Rep
366
Posts

Drives:
Join Date: Apr 2005

iTrader: (0)

Congrats! excelent write-up. When I was at Welt I noticed that German 1Ms have rear windows factory tinted. Even the VO 1M on Welt display floor had rear windows tinted. Is that an option in Europe?


Appreciate 0
      08-29-2011, 01:34 AM   #15
sanctified
New Member
0
Rep
7
Posts

Drives: BMW E46 M3
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah

iTrader: (0)

Whoa. That's quite the journey, congratulations! Great photos, great inspiration! How does one go about lining a european delivery up?
__________________
///Adrian - Geekbox.com
Appreciate 0
      08-29-2011, 03:30 AM   #16
Tony135
Lieutenant Colonel
178
Rep
1,516
Posts

Drives: ‘22 Model 3
Join Date: May 2011
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

Funny, I was just in Munich and Cologne too! Amazing cities. Looks like you had a great time!
Appreciate 0
      08-29-2011, 04:23 AM   #17
marcel b
Lieutenant Colonel
marcel b's Avatar
132
Rep
1,898
Posts

Drives: F31 340i
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Europe

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by LeMansM5 View Post
Congrats! excelent write-up. When I was at Welt I noticed that German 1Ms have rear windows factory tinted. Even the VO 1M on Welt display floor had rear windows tinted. Is that an option in Europe?
yup, that is an option here. I have it as well.
Appreciate 0
      08-29-2011, 04:25 AM   #18
marcel b
Lieutenant Colonel
marcel b's Avatar
132
Rep
1,898
Posts

Drives: F31 340i
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Europe

iTrader: (0)

OP, congratulations and thanks! Looks indeed like an amazing trip.
Appreciate 0
      08-29-2011, 04:51 AM   #19
RimasRS
Colonel
RimasRS's Avatar
85
Rep
2,438
Posts

Drives: BMW X3 SD
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Europe

iTrader: (0)

One word... AWESOME!
Appreciate 0
      08-29-2011, 05:48 AM   #20
1mGator
1mGator
1mGator's Avatar
United_States
144
Rep
567
Posts

Drives: Valencia 1M
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Aventura, Florida

iTrader: (0)

Congratulations and thanks for sharing .... 1M + F1 = major bucket list win!!!!
Appreciate 0
      08-29-2011, 10:12 AM   #21
watsons
New Member
Hong Kong
0
Rep
10
Posts

Drives: 2009 Porsche Boxster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Hong Kong

iTrader: (0)

AWESOME!!! Thanks for sharing!
Appreciate 0
      08-29-2011, 10:30 AM   #22
Artemis
Moderator
Artemis's Avatar
28912
Rep
13,047
Posts

Drives: BMW M2 Competition
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Belgium

iTrader: (0)

Awesome. You sure had a blast.

Quote:
Originally Posted by LeMansM5 View Post
Congrats! excelent write-up. When I was at Welt I noticed that German 1Ms have rear windows factory tinted. Even the VO 1M on Welt display floor had rear windows tinted. Is that an option in Europe?
Quote:
Originally Posted by marcel b View Post
yup, that is an option here. I have it as well.
It is European option 420 - "Sonnenschutzverglasung" (i.e. sun protection glass)
Germany: €294.12 (19% VAT excl.) - €350.00 (19% VAT incl.)
Belgium: €293.39 (21% VAT excl.) - €355.00 (21% VAT incl.)
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:06 AM.




1addicts
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST