If you're like most people, you love getting a new car but hate haggling with the dealer. One way to put some fun into car buying is to take advantage of a European delivery program. Each of the major European brands except Volkswagen has one. You'll get a discount on the car as well as travel perks, and you'll be able to use your new wheels to tour the Continent.
Here's how it works: Order your car at the dealer three or four months before you'd like to pick it up. Then plan your vacation -- you can fly into the city where you pick up the vehicle, or you can choose another destination and get to your pickup point on your own. When you arrive, you'll be taken from the airport to a hotel, where you'll be treated to a complimentary night's stay. The next day, you'll visit the delivery center to get your car and take a tour of the factory and the automaker's museum.
After you grab your car, hit the road for your vacation -- you'll be provided with two weeks of car insurance (but you can pay extra for longer stays) and a tourist registration. When you're done, drop off the car at one of several designated locations and it'll be shipped back to the U.S. It takes about two months to ship the car Stateside. For more about each program, read on.
Audi
Models available: All models
Price: 5% off MSRP for most models (3% off for A3; no discount for R8). Final price negotiated with the dealer. U.S. destination charges apply.
Travel perks: Transportation from Munich airport to one of three hotels, accommodations for one night (one room), transportation to delivery center and meals on delivery day.
Pickup and drop-off: Pick up at Audi Forum Ingolstadt and drop off at any of 14 locations in Europe.
Extending your stay: You may insure your vehicle for up to 90 days (30 days costs $280; 60 days, $490; 90 days, $910). If the vehicle remains in Europe for more than 90 days, you will not be refunded the German Value Added Tax of 19% of MSRP, which is collected upfront by the dealer.
Winter travel notes: The laws in Europe require vehicles to be equipped with tires designed to handle inclement weather in the winter. All vehicles to be delivered between November and March must be ordered with factory-installed all-season tires (S-line vehicles and vehicles with performance tires will not be delivered in these months).
Visit Audi's Web site for more information on their European delivery program.
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BMW
Models available: 1 series, 3 series, 5 series, 6 series, 7 series, Z4 (crossovers are not included)
Price: 7% off MSRP. Final price negotiated with the dealer. U.S. destination charges apply.
Travel perks: Refreshments at the delivery center and a 10 euro gift card for the accessory center. Discounts of 5% to 15% on Lufthansa flights, along with discounts on Munich hotels and preplanned packages.
Pickup and drop-off: Pick up at BMW Welt, in Munich, and drop off at any of 12 locations in Europe. Non-German drop-off points delay shipping back to the U.S. If you request more than two months' insurance, you must drop off at a German location.
Extending your stay: You may insure your vehicle for up to five months (one month costs $274; two months, $788; three months, $1,301; four months, $1,815; five months, $2,329). If the vehicle remains in Europe for more than five months, you will owe the German value added tax of 19% of MSRP.
Winter travel notes: All-season tires, either factory-installed or rentals (www.edwintertires.com), are required between October 15 and April 15.
Visit BMW's Web site for more information on their European delivery program.
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Mercedes-Benz
Models available: All models except M-Class, R-Class, GL-Class, G-Class
Pricing: 7% off MSRP for most models (no discount for S600, E63 sedan and wagon, and CLS63). U.S. destination charges are waived.
Travel perks: One night of hotel accommodations (your choice of 14 hotels), breakfast or lunch at the delivery center, and two taxi vouchers for use in Stuttgart are included. Two-for-one economy flights on Lufthansa and travel packages are offered.
Pickup and drop-off: Pick up at Sindelfingen Delivery Center, near Stuttgart, and drop off at any of 11 locations in Europe. Non-German drop-off points extend shipping time to the U.S.
Extending your stay: You may insure your vehicle for up to 12 months (consult dealership for rates). If the vehicle remains in Europe past one year, you'll owe the German value added tax of 19% of MSRP. Note: Leased vehicles may remain in Europe for only one month.
Winter travel notes: All-season tires are required between November and April. MBUSA does not offer a winter tire exchange program.
Visit the Mercedes-Benz Web site for more information on their European delivery program.
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Porsche
Models available: All models
Price: Negotiable with dealers as a regular purchase. U.S. destination charges apply.
Travel perks: Transportation to and from the airport, one night of hotel accommodations, and lunch at the delivery center. Pickups at Leipzig include driving time on the track or on an off-road course. Discounts of 5% to 15% on Lufthansa flights, plus discounts to Steigenberger hotels throughout Germany.
Pickup and drop-off: Pick up at Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen or Leipzig and drop off at any of 18 locations in Europe. If you drop-off at a point other than one of the factories you'll incur additional charges.
Extending your stay: You may insure your vehicle for up to six months (consult dealership for rates). If the vehicle remains in Europe past six months, you'll owe the German value added tax of 19% of MSRP. This charge may be collected upfront by your dealer and refunded if the vehicle is returned on time.
Winter travel notes: All-season tires are required during the winter months. If your vehicle is not equipped with them, Porsche will provide them for two weeks at no cost. Rentals can be arranged for up to six months.
Visit Porsche's Web site for more information on their European delivery program.
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Volvo
Models available: All models
Price: Up to 8% off MSRP (varies by model). Prices are fixed. U.S. destination charges are waived.
Travel perks: Roundtrip airfare for two on Scandinavian Airlines, pickup at the airport, one night of hotel accommodations and lunch at the factory if you pick up in Gothenburg. Travel discounts and preplanned packages are offered.
Pickup and drop-off: Pick up at Gothenburg Factory Delivery Center or 13 other locations and drop off at any of 20 locations in Europe. Pickups and drop-offs at points other than the factory incur additional charges.
Extending your stay: You may insure your vehicle for up to six months (see dealership for rates). If the vehicle remains in Scandinavia more than six months, you will owe the Swedish value added tax of 19% of MSRP. Note: Vehicles may remain in mainland Europe for only two months.
Winter travel notes: Winter tires (not all-season) are required between December 15 and March 31. You may rent winter tires or purchase them.
Visit Volvo's Web site for more information on their European delivery program.
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