Euro Delivery--After Action Report
09-08-2006, 12:54 PM
#1
Poseur
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Euro Delivery--After Action Report
Thanks to the Rennlist I was able to survive a DOUBLE WAITER period!
Some data:
First approached my local dealer for ordering a Paint To Sample, Euro Delivery car: Late Aug 05.
Order submitted: 5 Sep 05
First Paint Color Rejected: First week Dec 05
Second Color Rejected: Third week Feb 06
Projected Delivery (in Europe date): 12 May 06 (Spring Grand Tour)
Check Point 8 Date: 29 May 06
Actual Euro Delivery Date: 13 Jun 06
Car Return to Porsche AG Date: 3 July 06
Car Ships out of Germany Date: 31 Jul 06
Car Carrier Arrival San Diego Date: 19 Aug 06
Delivered to Dealer Date: 6 Sep 06
Pick Up Date at Dealer in Santa Barbara: 7 Sep 06
Thoughts on the European Delivery--
Some difficulties with coordinating between PCNA, and Porsche AG, and my local dealership. Arrogance of Porsche AG appears to be the largest difficulty. This aspect of Porsche has not changed in my over 30 year history with this marque. (They always maintain that their engineering is top notch and without fault. (I can agree generally to the first part).
There is a choke point within PCNA at Atlanta,--a one-deep European Delivery office. I can't say how many Americans working through PCNA choose Euro Delivery but it's just not that smooth and there is much information that is not shared with you up front, e.g., insurance coverage.
Not much to say about the driving experience overseas, other than it is the best way to see Europe (instead of behind the wheel of a Eurocar mini like a Yugo or something!) I never felt vulnerable in Europe by European drivers (to include extensive driving in Italy,--but then again, I have spent several years in Europe over the years).
European delivery includes one night at a 5 star hotel (generally the Graf Zepplin in Stuttgart centre) or the Adler about 5 miles away in Asperg. Also included is a 5-course dinner, a VIP tour of the factory (generally on delivery date), a very nice lunch at the factory 'casino' on the day of your delivery, and as long as it takes briefings on how to operate and service your car while in Europe.
Porsche AG delivers 40 cars a day to people there in Zuffenhausen. (15 on Saturdays). That in itself is quite a feat! Getting the right cars in the queue for all those customers keeps several staffers quite busy. The Customer Care representatives will take excellent care of you. They open at either 8 or 8:30 in the morning and it's best to arrive early or be prepared to wait on your car. For non-Europeans they will put temporary plates on the front and rear of the car for you (no choices here!) and the car is shipped to North America with the plates intact. For Europeans they arrive with their plates either in hand or mailed directly to Porsche for installation on that delivery date. Insurance is included with Euro Delivery,--but only for two weeks. Same with licensing. Should you desire a longer vacation with the car they can arrange for longer licensing periods (no additional charge for the 3 weeks plus that I was there). For insurance,--their underwriter is not inexpensive. I seem to recall it to be about $300 roughly for that extra week with a 1000 Euro deductible. (My insurance company, USAA, could provide the same or better coverage with 500 Euro deductible for about half or less. Arranging that outside insurance must be coordinated with PCNA in advance.)
For those who order a Navigation equipped car, Porsche will loan you a European region DVD during your stay. The North American DVD is provided with the car's manuals when you check in there in Zuffenhausen. (Safeguard that stuff,--and do not allow it to be shipped with the car,--take everything that is yours out!) The navigation system also integrates in real-time to the European Traffic Advisory System that keeps you out of traffic congestion "Stau" that can delay you considerably. It will reroute you to a less busy road enroute, and in real-time. This is something America could use throughout the States!
Return times are highly flexible. At Zuffenhausen you can return a car 24-hours a day, on any day. They maintain a guarded entrance manned 24-7. Other drop off locations are published and some incur either an additional fee, or can delay delivery to the States. Porsche advises that delivery to your dealer can take up to 8-10 weeks as the car has to undergo some degree of special handling and processing, e.g., checking it out for leaded fuel usage and anything else they want to investigate. (Europe is essential 'blei-frei'--lead-free now in all their stations. It would be quite unusual to accidently get leaded gas in your car today).
As a cabriolet with the hardtop option, Porsche does offer at no charge temporary storage of your hardtop in a nearby storage facility of that top during your time in Europe. I suspect the lion's share of mileage that my car got on it between leaving it with them and returning it to me in the States was for running the top over and back. (9 extra miles were on my car when I saw it again,--no shades of "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" here).
Unless you are extremely familiar with Europe don't assume that you can get there from here easily due to decreased driving distances. It is a congested area in general. During the summer months of July and August the mountain passes will be lined up for miles. Most passes today have been excellently bypassed with terrific mountain tunnels. I've never been through so many excellent tunnels, in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy. All first rate, and significant time savers. I even wound up taking a car-train in Switzerland which saved me easily half a day (and I simply sat in the car as it rushed through a 20-30 mile tunnel. You'd never see that in America!) Plan on sufficient time to get around Europe and don't try to see it all. You just can't, even with a car that can mimimize the time between places.
The most effective tool to have with you is a little plastic card. A credit card will get you fuel in gas stations throughout Europe, as well as through toll stops in Italy, and car-trains in Switzerland. Only in Germany and perhaps Austria can you be assured of toll-free roadways. Switzerland does have a $50/year sticker that will allow you to use their autobahns. They will definitely hit you up for that at major borders (unless you go in through a little known mountain pass road!)
Fuel of course is super unleaded. You need not buy the 100 octane stuff. Porsche suggests you not waste the money. It cost roughly $6.50 to $7 a gallon. Mobil 1 oil will run you as much as 24.50 EUROs a litre,--about $30 a quart if bought at a typical Esso station on the autobahn. Seek that stuff elsewhere! I averaged about 19 miles per gallon while there. If you are going for endless speed-runs while there figure on less obviously. For your best opportunity to see what the car will do,--chose an early Sunday morning before the regular drivers get going (and recall that trucks are verbotten from using the autobahns on the weekends) and a location that is not between two popular places. I generally recommend the autobahn north of Heilbronn (E41).
As they say in Germany, Gute Fahrt!
Some data:
First approached my local dealer for ordering a Paint To Sample, Euro Delivery car: Late Aug 05.
Order submitted: 5 Sep 05
First Paint Color Rejected: First week Dec 05
Second Color Rejected: Third week Feb 06
Projected Delivery (in Europe date): 12 May 06 (Spring Grand Tour)
Check Point 8 Date: 29 May 06
Actual Euro Delivery Date: 13 Jun 06
Car Return to Porsche AG Date: 3 July 06
Car Ships out of Germany Date: 31 Jul 06
Car Carrier Arrival San Diego Date: 19 Aug 06
Delivered to Dealer Date: 6 Sep 06
Pick Up Date at Dealer in Santa Barbara: 7 Sep 06
Thoughts on the European Delivery--
Some difficulties with coordinating between PCNA, and Porsche AG, and my local dealership. Arrogance of Porsche AG appears to be the largest difficulty. This aspect of Porsche has not changed in my over 30 year history with this marque. (They always maintain that their engineering is top notch and without fault. (I can agree generally to the first part).
There is a choke point within PCNA at Atlanta,--a one-deep European Delivery office. I can't say how many Americans working through PCNA choose Euro Delivery but it's just not that smooth and there is much information that is not shared with you up front, e.g., insurance coverage.
Not much to say about the driving experience overseas, other than it is the best way to see Europe (instead of behind the wheel of a Eurocar mini like a Yugo or something!) I never felt vulnerable in Europe by European drivers (to include extensive driving in Italy,--but then again, I have spent several years in Europe over the years).
European delivery includes one night at a 5 star hotel (generally the Graf Zepplin in Stuttgart centre) or the Adler about 5 miles away in Asperg. Also included is a 5-course dinner, a VIP tour of the factory (generally on delivery date), a very nice lunch at the factory 'casino' on the day of your delivery, and as long as it takes briefings on how to operate and service your car while in Europe.
Porsche AG delivers 40 cars a day to people there in Zuffenhausen. (15 on Saturdays). That in itself is quite a feat! Getting the right cars in the queue for all those customers keeps several staffers quite busy. The Customer Care representatives will take excellent care of you. They open at either 8 or 8:30 in the morning and it's best to arrive early or be prepared to wait on your car. For non-Europeans they will put temporary plates on the front and rear of the car for you (no choices here!) and the car is shipped to North America with the plates intact. For Europeans they arrive with their plates either in hand or mailed directly to Porsche for installation on that delivery date. Insurance is included with Euro Delivery,--but only for two weeks. Same with licensing. Should you desire a longer vacation with the car they can arrange for longer licensing periods (no additional charge for the 3 weeks plus that I was there). For insurance,--their underwriter is not inexpensive. I seem to recall it to be about $300 roughly for that extra week with a 1000 Euro deductible. (My insurance company, USAA, could provide the same or better coverage with 500 Euro deductible for about half or less. Arranging that outside insurance must be coordinated with PCNA in advance.)
For those who order a Navigation equipped car, Porsche will loan you a European region DVD during your stay. The North American DVD is provided with the car's manuals when you check in there in Zuffenhausen. (Safeguard that stuff,--and do not allow it to be shipped with the car,--take everything that is yours out!) The navigation system also integrates in real-time to the European Traffic Advisory System that keeps you out of traffic congestion "Stau" that can delay you considerably. It will reroute you to a less busy road enroute, and in real-time. This is something America could use throughout the States!
Return times are highly flexible. At Zuffenhausen you can return a car 24-hours a day, on any day. They maintain a guarded entrance manned 24-7. Other drop off locations are published and some incur either an additional fee, or can delay delivery to the States. Porsche advises that delivery to your dealer can take up to 8-10 weeks as the car has to undergo some degree of special handling and processing, e.g., checking it out for leaded fuel usage and anything else they want to investigate. (Europe is essential 'blei-frei'--lead-free now in all their stations. It would be quite unusual to accidently get leaded gas in your car today).
As a cabriolet with the hardtop option, Porsche does offer at no charge temporary storage of your hardtop in a nearby storage facility of that top during your time in Europe. I suspect the lion's share of mileage that my car got on it between leaving it with them and returning it to me in the States was for running the top over and back. (9 extra miles were on my car when I saw it again,--no shades of "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" here).
Unless you are extremely familiar with Europe don't assume that you can get there from here easily due to decreased driving distances. It is a congested area in general. During the summer months of July and August the mountain passes will be lined up for miles. Most passes today have been excellently bypassed with terrific mountain tunnels. I've never been through so many excellent tunnels, in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy. All first rate, and significant time savers. I even wound up taking a car-train in Switzerland which saved me easily half a day (and I simply sat in the car as it rushed through a 20-30 mile tunnel. You'd never see that in America!) Plan on sufficient time to get around Europe and don't try to see it all. You just can't, even with a car that can mimimize the time between places.
The most effective tool to have with you is a little plastic card. A credit card will get you fuel in gas stations throughout Europe, as well as through toll stops in Italy, and car-trains in Switzerland. Only in Germany and perhaps Austria can you be assured of toll-free roadways. Switzerland does have a $50/year sticker that will allow you to use their autobahns. They will definitely hit you up for that at major borders (unless you go in through a little known mountain pass road!)
Fuel of course is super unleaded. You need not buy the 100 octane stuff. Porsche suggests you not waste the money. It cost roughly $6.50 to $7 a gallon. Mobil 1 oil will run you as much as 24.50 EUROs a litre,--about $30 a quart if bought at a typical Esso station on the autobahn. Seek that stuff elsewhere! I averaged about 19 miles per gallon while there. If you are going for endless speed-runs while there figure on less obviously. For your best opportunity to see what the car will do,--chose an early Sunday morning before the regular drivers get going (and recall that trucks are verbotten from using the autobahns on the weekends) and a location that is not between two popular places. I generally recommend the autobahn north of Heilbronn (E41).
As they say in Germany, Gute Fahrt!
09-08-2006, 02:40 PM
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Dan, nice to see your action report. Looks like all your numbers are in line!!! 
However, you were more positive about the PCNA than I would of been. I feel the Euro delivery is well below what should be offered by Porsche. It lacks communication between itself/dealerships and itself/customers. It poorly executes and after spending time(Spring Grand Tour) with the principles responsible for running the Euro delivery process, PCNA in Georgia and their German counterparts, I am not surprised. With Porsche charging customers for the experience, they should make sure it runs like the German train system.
While the driving experience is fantastic, as Dan has stated, whenever you have to deal with Porsche regarding the Euro delivery it is alot of work! Plan on spending your time on making sure things go right! Another negative is you basically prepay for the car before ever seeing it! When I arrived, the car had a factory paint blemish. Not much you can do???! Porsche will repair it at the factory before shipping, but they warn you this could delay your car for a month.
As long as you are willing to pay for it, work hard at it and understand a bunch of "preschool level" employees will drag you through the process, you should be just fine when you jump in you new car and crank the key!! 
However, you were more positive about the PCNA than I would of been. I feel the Euro delivery is well below what should be offered by Porsche. It lacks communication between itself/dealerships and itself/customers. It poorly executes and after spending time(Spring Grand Tour) with the principles responsible for running the Euro delivery process, PCNA in Georgia and their German counterparts, I am not surprised. With Porsche charging customers for the experience, they should make sure it runs like the German train system.
While the driving experience is fantastic, as Dan has stated, whenever you have to deal with Porsche regarding the Euro delivery it is alot of work! Plan on spending your time on making sure things go right! Another negative is you basically prepay for the car before ever seeing it! When I arrived, the car had a factory paint blemish. Not much you can do???! Porsche will repair it at the factory before shipping, but they warn you this could delay your car for a month.
As long as you are willing to pay for it, work hard at it and understand a bunch of "preschool level" employees will drag you through the process, you should be just fine when you jump in you new car and crank the key!!
09-08-2006, 05:33 PM
#4
Poseur
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Originally Posted by GT3Dog
Dan, can I ask what they told you with regards to breaking the car in?
As we all can find in the manual it recommends keeping it under 4200 rpm for 2000 miles. The Customer Care guy suggested I keep it below 5000 for 2000 miles. Interestingly, during this car pickup, the guy never asked me if I had owned a Porsche before. (Years ago they tailored their 'briefing' to you based upon your familiarity with the cars). Perhaps they are running into a whole bunch of new-to-Porsche customers.
I followed his suggestion.
09-08-2006, 05:55 PM
#5
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Dan,
Excellent write up. Did the factory gig myself but since still doing some of my tour here I just drove it "home"
partially out of the way through the Black Forrest before heading back to the Eifel region.
One thing about Austria is if you do use the autobahns they have a toll which requires a sticker just like Switzerland. The stickers, last time i was there, can be had for the weekend, 10 day or year and I think the weekend toll sticker was about 7 Euro. With Switzerland the sticker is for the year at 40 Euro if you buy directly from border control but you can get them cheaper at a gas station near the border usually for 30-35 euro range. Small savings but hey that's just more for gas, food or hell even bier!
You are right about the tunnels, they are excellent and I have not experienced anything like this in the U.S. Wish one could really rip through a tunnel without putting anything on the line as I know most tunnels have around a 100 kph limit. The driving onto a train and stitting in your car as you pass through many miles of mountain is indeed an experience.
Dan were you able to get gas at a "special rate" or did you have to pay the European market prices?
A recommendation for a some what safe location to test top speeds would also be the A60 from Wittlich to the German/Belgian border...here 167+ can be accomplished
not sure how I know.
Excellent write up. Did the factory gig myself but since still doing some of my tour here I just drove it "home"
partially out of the way through the Black Forrest before heading back to the Eifel region. One thing about Austria is if you do use the autobahns they have a toll which requires a sticker just like Switzerland. The stickers, last time i was there, can be had for the weekend, 10 day or year and I think the weekend toll sticker was about 7 Euro. With Switzerland the sticker is for the year at 40 Euro if you buy directly from border control but you can get them cheaper at a gas station near the border usually for 30-35 euro range. Small savings but hey that's just more for gas, food or hell even bier!
You are right about the tunnels, they are excellent and I have not experienced anything like this in the U.S. Wish one could really rip through a tunnel without putting anything on the line as I know most tunnels have around a 100 kph limit. The driving onto a train and stitting in your car as you pass through many miles of mountain is indeed an experience.
Dan were you able to get gas at a "special rate" or did you have to pay the European market prices?
A recommendation for a some what safe location to test top speeds would also be the A60 from Wittlich to the German/Belgian border...here 167+ can be accomplished
not sure how I know.
09-08-2006, 08:41 PM
#6
Poseur
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tetzlafh,
I paid the 'market rate' for the petrol!
It has made the $3.35 a gallon for super in Santa Barbara TAME by comparison!
I paid the 'market rate' for the petrol!
It has made the $3.35 a gallon for super in Santa Barbara TAME by comparison!
09-09-2006, 12:20 AM
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Great summary. I wonder if many of the problems you had pre-delivery might have been attributed to ordering a special color or maybe your dealer not pushing PCNA enough on your behalf. I did a Euro delivery back in 2003 and it was a breeze.
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09-09-2006, 12:43 AM
#8
Originally Posted by Edgy01
tetzlafh,
I paid the 'market rate' for the petrol!
It has made the $3.35 a gallon for super in Santa Barbara TAME by comparison!
I paid the 'market rate' for the petrol!
It has made the $3.35 a gallon for super in Santa Barbara TAME by comparison!
09-09-2006, 02:45 AM
#9
Poseur
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A lot of the problems were with the local dealer not handling euro deliveries much. The special paint to sample definitely delayed the process.
09-10-2006, 07:40 PM
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Originally Posted by SrfCity
Good info. Wow, just over a year for this experience. Considering you can rent a 997S over there would you do it again?
09-10-2006, 09:24 PM
#13
Well I had a pretty seamless euro delivery where they even installed the roof rack and thule for me. I had my thule sent to Zuffenhausen and they put it on when I got there. No charge.
The problem is largely due to US dealers not having too many euro deliveries. They'd rather sell you one off their lot instead of dealing with a euro delivery. The 2 big things are insurance and registration of the car. 2 weeks included isn't much. But I have a company I use in germany which does all the liasing and paper work for me BEFORE I even get there. Euro delivery is the only way to buy a euro car. Audi must be out of their minds not to set up a program yet. Even Maserati and Ferrari have one.
The problem is largely due to US dealers not having too many euro deliveries. They'd rather sell you one off their lot instead of dealing with a euro delivery. The 2 big things are insurance and registration of the car. 2 weeks included isn't much. But I have a company I use in germany which does all the liasing and paper work for me BEFORE I even get there. Euro delivery is the only way to buy a euro car. Audi must be out of their minds not to set up a program yet. Even Maserati and Ferrari have one.
09-11-2006, 02:29 AM
#14
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I would probably do it again, but I would hope that Porsche learns from each one. The fact of the matter is that Porsche still 'thinks' small, being the small producer over there. But they are delivering 40 cars a day at Zuffenhausen to a variety of buyers,--Europeans, and a sprinkling of North Americans. All in all, they don't have adequate staffing within the PCNA side of the Atlantic,--IMO.
