Decide on a route, change it daily
Get an International Drivers license
Make hotel reservations
Purchase Garmin Nuvi SD card containing Euro Maps for the GPS
Learn how to use my new camera
Purchase camera bag, memory cards, UV filter, circular polarizing filter, remote, tripod attachment.
Upload Picasa, Excel, and Adobe Pdf to the netbook
Purchase toll Vignettes for Austria and Switzerland
Purchase required safety equipment for Austria
Print copies of credit card and passport info to carry with, scan second copy to flash drive
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Second thing to do - getting there
Departure:
18 October 2009
JFK - AMS
3:50pm - 6:00am
AMS - MUC.
9:35am - 11:00am
Return:
26 October 2009
MUC - AMS
5:45pm - 7:30pm
27 October 2009
AMS - JFK
10:25am - 2:15pm
This will allow a nice overnight in one of my favorite cities.
Round trip cost = $575. Cheap!
18 October 2009
JFK - AMS
3:50pm - 6:00am
AMS - MUC.
9:35am - 11:00am
Return:
26 October 2009
MUC - AMS
5:45pm - 7:30pm
27 October 2009
AMS - JFK
10:25am - 2:15pm
This will allow a nice overnight in one of my favorite cities.
Round trip cost = $575. Cheap!
First thing to do
Order the car.
A short posting on my order.
BMW 328i Coupe
6-speed manual transmisson
Titanium Silver Metallic
M-sport package
Premium package
iPod with USB adapter
Heated seats
Auto high-beams
Satellite radio w/1 year subscription.
A short posting on my order.
BMW 328i Coupe
6-speed manual transmisson
Titanium Silver Metallic
M-sport package
Premium package
iPod with USB adapter
Heated seats
Auto high-beams
Satellite radio w/1 year subscription.
Why the 328?
For many knowledgeable about BMWs, some may wonder why I chose the 328 over the 335. The primary reason is longevity.
Jeff and I test drove both the 328 and 335 in Atlanta back in 2007, prior to my two year assignment in the NY office. The 328 is a fantastic machine. The engine is silky smooth with plenty of torque and it has the exact same suspension as the 335. The 335 is flat out fast. I was laughing at the power before we even left the parking lot. The problem is that I plan to own this car for a very long time and the twin-turbo 335 has had issues with the high pressure fuel pump, and it's longevity is completely unknown.
My choice actually came down to the 328 coupe, including a good bit of options, versus a stripped M3 sedan. The Euro Delivery price on the M3 put it about $10K more than the car I purchased. If I had been approved for the special order paint I mentioned in an earlier post, the difference in purchase price would have been much, much less.
The fact that I don't take my car to the track means that all the power of the M3 would be a complete waste, especially since fuel, insurance, and maintenance on the M would cost quite a bit more. So, the 328 won! For those of you who will get the chance, I'm sure you will agree it's blast to drive. Just one request - please don't burn up my clutch.
Jeff and I test drove both the 328 and 335 in Atlanta back in 2007, prior to my two year assignment in the NY office. The 328 is a fantastic machine. The engine is silky smooth with plenty of torque and it has the exact same suspension as the 335. The 335 is flat out fast. I was laughing at the power before we even left the parking lot. The problem is that I plan to own this car for a very long time and the twin-turbo 335 has had issues with the high pressure fuel pump, and it's longevity is completely unknown.
My choice actually came down to the 328 coupe, including a good bit of options, versus a stripped M3 sedan. The Euro Delivery price on the M3 put it about $10K more than the car I purchased. If I had been approved for the special order paint I mentioned in an earlier post, the difference in purchase price would have been much, much less.
The fact that I don't take my car to the track means that all the power of the M3 would be a complete waste, especially since fuel, insurance, and maintenance on the M would cost quite a bit more. So, the 328 won! For those of you who will get the chance, I'm sure you will agree it's blast to drive. Just one request - please don't burn up my clutch.
Euro Delivery 2009
I have finally ordered my first BMW.
Pretty straight forward choice - a 328i coupe with a manual transmission. I tried to special order a paint color, but BMW N.A. denied my choice. They offered an alternative which was not to my liking. The special paint is expensive, so BMW must be doing pretty well to not allow my request, especially since that color is on many 3 series in Europe.
I placed a second special order request, but that color has not been reformulated for BMWs new eco-friendly water based paint formulas.
After trying twice to order the most expensive option available, I gave up and instead ordered my car in Silver. I know, I know, I've had a silver car for 7 years, but I like it, and I've always wanted one.
I also ordered the newly available M-sport package, which has nicer wheels, a higher top speed limiter (I really need that!), the M steering wheel and shifter, and some other nice touches. As an added, and perhaps best option, I have chosen European Delivery. Pick-up is in Munich, Germany on October 20, 2009 and for a week thereafter, Jeff and I will be driving around various sites in the Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, and Leichtenstein. We may even pop into Bratislava for a couple of hours. After dropping off in Munich for shipment to the US, the car will arrive at the US port in Brunswick, GA sometime in late November, early December. My re-delivery will occur at the US Performance Center in Greenville, SC shortly thereafter.
It's going to be a fun ride, but there are many things to plan prior to departure from JFK on October, 18.
Pretty straight forward choice - a 328i coupe with a manual transmission. I tried to special order a paint color, but BMW N.A. denied my choice. They offered an alternative which was not to my liking. The special paint is expensive, so BMW must be doing pretty well to not allow my request, especially since that color is on many 3 series in Europe.
I placed a second special order request, but that color has not been reformulated for BMWs new eco-friendly water based paint formulas.
After trying twice to order the most expensive option available, I gave up and instead ordered my car in Silver. I know, I know, I've had a silver car for 7 years, but I like it, and I've always wanted one.
I also ordered the newly available M-sport package, which has nicer wheels, a higher top speed limiter (I really need that!), the M steering wheel and shifter, and some other nice touches. As an added, and perhaps best option, I have chosen European Delivery. Pick-up is in Munich, Germany on October 20, 2009 and for a week thereafter, Jeff and I will be driving around various sites in the Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, and Leichtenstein. We may even pop into Bratislava for a couple of hours. After dropping off in Munich for shipment to the US, the car will arrive at the US port in Brunswick, GA sometime in late November, early December. My re-delivery will occur at the US Performance Center in Greenville, SC shortly thereafter.
It's going to be a fun ride, but there are many things to plan prior to departure from JFK on October, 18.
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