winkingchef

From Edgy's pictures, it looks like they already have their fill of ED customers.
Both times I've been at the factory, there were a fairly large number of people picking up their cars (5+).

Methinks they know what they are doing with their pricing.

rijowysock

from only a 3 time new Porsche buyer, i would say that if it was free, i would do it every time(flight included, nothing else).. with the BMW one being 5-10k cheaper to do european delivery, it honestly makes me wanna buy a new M3 for the sole reason i get 6k discount and get to go to europe and bring my GF for free....

i would never expect porsche to discount for it, but to charge... shame on Porsche!

not sure how it would affect resale however, as the gap between new and used would have to be even larger to justify the used car.. then again many do not have the luxury to take off work, also the luxury to wait 6 months for a car to be at home.

Marine Blue

I guess you can always buy the Porsche at a discount here in the US and then use the money you saved for a vacation in Germany with a Porsche car rental. In the end it might cost you slightly more but probably not as much as Porsche is charging.

winkingchef

What you should get is "California Delivery"
Have them drop it off in Long Beach and then you fly in and enjoy LA, Palm Springs, Malibu, SLO, Big Sur, Paso Robles (Sideways was filmed here), Hearst Castle, Yosemite, Napa and San Francisco.
Get your car shipped back from SF.

There are some *fantastic* roads along the way and the vistas are unmatched.
We also have some nice tracks that are very active.
Honestly, I'd rather drive here than in Germany.
Cheaper too.

If anyone does this, let me know. I'd be willing to write you a guidebook.

Mike in CA

Marine Blue

+2

Having lived in Socal for a few years I would definitely have to agree with this. The only thing missing from the experience would be the factory tour and museum but I think the twisty roads and car culture in CA can more than make up for this shortcoming.

Z356

The story of European Delivery for Porsche and other West German car companies date back to the 1950's when the post-war German government wanted to promote hard-currency sales of cars and tourism. At that time, Americans were avoiding Germany because it was still partially destroyed and some hard feelings remained from the adversarial role it played against us in WII. The West Germans had a bright Finance minister that later became Chancellor by the name of Ludwig Erhard and he came up with a tax-incentive program to promote West German car sales and in-country tourism. It became part of the so-called Wirtschaftswunder (Economic Miracle) that characterized the later half of Adenauer's tenure as its first post-war German chancellor.

So the savings Americans and others got was subsidized by the government and Porsche & others promoted it heavily. In early 356 times, the newly formed PCA organized annual Treffens to Zuffenhausen for members to collect their cars and then enjoy a European vacation. To this day, many oldtimers still have incredibly fond memories of their 356 and early 911 European Deliveries, which bonded them to the Porsche brand forever.

I have done six European Deliveries to date (2 Porsches, 3 BMW's and 1 Mercedes). As others have stated, BMW and Mercedes continue to offer discounts of their ED, while Porsche charges a premium which discourages our participation in the program. I don't know for sure, but it wouldn't surprise me if the German gov't STILL gives tax credits for ED (in the case of Non-EU customers), which accounts for the continuing discounts by MB & BMW. Even Audi is now offering ED.

The tale that too many Americans were crashing cars in the Autobahn & the program discontinued is a simple red herring. The insurance component for ED can be easily quantified and adjusted for any such history (if in fact it was ever the case). It is a third party that offers it, not the manufacturer. In fact, insurance & registrations rules are changed often. It used to be 30 days (free) and is now reduced to 15 days, althought you can add to it if you plan to stay in Europe longer for an additional fee. I think there is still a program which allows you to stay up to one year (registration & insurance) before the car needs to be exported out of the EU!

Also keep in mind that ALL the German auto manufacturers have large 'at factory' delivery centres for Germans to take delivery of cars that were ordered from their local dealers. In the numerous times I have been at the Porsche facility in Zuffenhausen, most people taking delivery were Germans. Same at MB's massive Sindelfingen delivery facility or the impressive new ‘BMW Welt' in Munich. So since Porsche has to dedicate staff to service these deliveries to their fellow citizens at the factory in any case, it is hard to make the case that a few deliveries to US clients each day would burden them too much. I think where there is a will there is a way. And there is no 'will' at Porsche today to accommodate this once great tradition of ED for us Americans, which is a shame.

Personally, I think Porsche is making a huge mistake by abandoning European Delivery for its rest-of-the-world clientele. The bonds with the manufacturer that are established when you pick up YOUR own car at the factory is something that transcends any other experience you will ever have when purchasing a new car. To give this up is folly and very short-sighted. I hope each of you gets to do at least one ED in your lifetime - even if it is BMW or MB. It is a momentous experience you will never forget. Saludos, z356 (Carmel)

Dharn55

I was looking at a price book I have from 2000. At that time the cost for ED was $1,150 for a Boxster and $2,250 for a Carrera. This included:

1. European Delivery Preparation
2. Two weeks collision insurance
3. One full month of third party liability insurance and vehicle international registration
4. Custom License plate
5. Lunch at Porsche Casino after the factory tour
6. Re-emissions testing after vehicle is returned to factory
7. Preparation and shipment from PAG to USA port.

There was also a VAT deposit to the German Government of $10,000 for a Carrera and $6,500 for a Boxster, returned with 4% interest when the car entered the US and cleared customs.

There was also a $150 fee if the car was picked up at the port or a $765 fee if delivered to a dealer.

So the charges for ED have been around for a long time. I would think that with the market as soft as it is you could look for the selling dealer to cover these charges in a price reduction.

Edgy01

Actually, Porsche does not ship to Long Beach. Only to San Diego. (That is where their stevedores--Pasha--are).

Sideways was filmed in Santa Ynez and Buellton--not Paso Robles.

Edgy01

I guess it's time to bring this back:

http://coochas.com/porsche/Resources...roDelivery.pdf

waiting for PDK

I actually inquired about this to see if I could work with a local dealer and pick up the car out west. Maybe the salesman was lazy or this somehow circumvents dealer allowances or annoys Porsche, but I was told it couldn't be done.

Macster

Or to cover warranty claims of those that violate the break in guidelines while there.

Sincerely,

Macster.

Minok

There are added costs for Porsche for Factory Delivery for your car, as there is more touch labor involved. Porsche has decided to pass those costs on to you. They do so because they can; people are willing to pay for it. You get to drive on the autobahn to do the engine break in. I don't get why the costs are related to the price of the car, other than their provided insurance is, of course, more expensive for the more expensive cars.

Mike in CA

Absolutely correct. Instad of the car being wrapped for shipping with all the other vehicles it must be seperated out and completely cleaned, prepped and made ready for the customer to drive it. The car is brought to the delivery showroom, and a factory presenter spends an hour with you going over all the features. Upon the vehicle's return to the factory it must again be handled seperately and made ready for transport. All of this in addition to the costs for insurance, hotel, taxi vouchers, lunch, etc etc. As you said, Porsche has decided to pass on these costs to the customer because they can.

fjpdds

winkingchef,

I'll take you up on the guide book info! I will be in Palm Springs in November. I'm contemplating trying to buy a used 997 cab out there, touring with it, and shipping it home to Tennessee afterwards. "California Delivery" indeed. A company out there, charges $6000 a week. I want a cab, so this could be pretty fun.