BMW USA says goodbye to European delivery options

BMW will end its European Delivery program for U.S. customers this fall.

Under this program, customers who purchased certain BMW models could pick up the keys to their new car at the BMW Welt Museum adjacent to BMW's headquarters in Munich, Germany.

This way, you could enjoy a European road trip in your new car and then have BMW drive you back to the United States when your trip is over. Best of all, this program can save you thousands of dollars from MRSP. For example, checking the European Delivery Program option on a 3 Series can save you $2,000 to $2,500, depending on the model.

Unfortunately, all U.S.-built BMWs, i.e., SUVs from the X3 and up, are not eligible for the program, and as more and more new car buyers are turning to these vehicles, demand for the program is declining.

It also did not help that BMW offers the delivery program at its plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and for U.S. customers, all BMW models are eligible, regardless of where they are built. Known as the Ultimate Delivery Experience, the U.S. program includes a performance driving course that includes classroom instruction and circuit driving, as well as a tour of BMW's factory and museum in Spartanburg.

"After carefully evaluating the changing preferences of BMW U.S. customers for U.S.-built X vehicles and the declining interest in the European delivery program, BMW has made the decision to end the European delivery program for the U.S. market in the fall of 2020," said company spokesman Oleg Satanovsky told Motor Authority in an email Tuesday.

It is not clear if the program will be discontinued in other markets.

Audi had a similar European delivery program, but discontinued it at the end of 2018.