[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Also... many do not know this... but even if you only need a rental car for say four days... it is best to tell the rental agency you want it for two weeks or longer. That way you get the lowest daily rate. Many rental agencies make you pay a higher fee for the first two days or rental... then its dirt cheap every day after that! And normally they do not have any penalties for early return. That was the way I always rented cars. I always ask for the cost of the rental a few different time frames. For a week or two or three.. then I ask about any hidden charges/fees for early return or high kms(driving).

Also note with any of the big German rental car companies(SIXT, EUROPCAR, ect) - you can return the car to ANY rental station in Germany. Its only when you rent from outside of Germany or drop the car off outside of Germany(when rented in Germany) that it can get expensive.

Thanks Dakel for the tip ... that is good to know

[tony20009]

Sounds like it might be a good idea, although I know now I'll likely never use this service. Moreover, if the pricing shown in the pic above are comparable (when considering the exchange rate) to the US rates, I cannot imagine anyone would rent one for a "special occasion" for it'd be cheaper and more convenient -- always dropped off at the front door, no need to worry about weather or parking -- to hire a chauffeur, which runs around $55/hour and you pay only for the hours you are being driven.

That said, I'm sure there will be folks who will use the service and to that end, it should make for a nice, new revenue source for dealerships.

[richardg]

I like the idea of the service. I think I would use it once. I am considering switching from 6-speed to DCT in my next M. It would give me a chance to try before I buy. I like DCT when I swap with a buddy for a few hours but given a few days I could see if I could live with it without it losing it's appeal.

[GuidoDoc]

I don't get it.
1- Paying $1000 for an extended test drive? Just tell the dealer you want to drive it in multiple settings and take it out for a while. I'm not paying to test a car I might buy.

2-I bought the car I want to take on weekend getaways.

3- I'm not renting a BMW on a vacation. The whole point of a rental is to not worry about the car. I'm not so pretentious to think I can't drive a base model Chrysler.

And I doubt socialites will need to rent a BMW to drive to the charity gala instead of driving their Yugo.

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by liborio

I don't get it.
1- Paying $1000 for an extended test drive? Just tell the dealer you want to drive it in multiple settings and take it out for a while. I'm not paying to test a car I might buy.

2-I bought the car I want to take on weekend getaways.

3- I'm not renting a BMW on a vacation. The whole point of a rental is to not worry about the car. I'm not so pretentious to think I can't drive a base model Chrysler.

And I doubt socialites will need to rent a BMW to drive to the charity gala instead of driving their Yugo.

You make fair points. You may have a SA that would allow you to really test drive the car but the dealerships in my area aren't as accommodating and I would assume there are other dealerships that are the same.

Like you said, this is nothing more than an extended test drive. Sure there will be some who will use this service to go out for a fancy evening but this is likely BMW introducing another way for consumers to test the product out. Nothing is final in terms of rules, pricing but assuming they're very fair and I was really serious in getting a BMW, this program works.

I don't think this is going to be a HUGE thing where it's going to rival car rental businesses.

[buckeyede06]

Originally Posted by sali

I think it is a bad idea
1. It sort of dilutes the brand as anyone can rent (I can understand if they only offered to current/past BMW owners; for example you have a Z4/M3 coupe, etc and need a bigger car to pick up someone at the airport, etc).
2. Most zipcar drivers don't know how to drive and they are a road hazard. Thankfully, they have large logos on the car which means you can avoid driving around them. Assuming the same kind of impatient New Yorkers will rent 328 from BMW directly instead of 328's at zipcar and they will drive like idiots.

It's like an escort service! Not sure if this is good or bad. It is brand exposure at least...

[IancoleTX]

I would rent the shit out of an M5. Talk about a fun afternoon.

[tony20009]

Originally Posted by 宝马.e90

You make fair points. You may have a SA that would allow you to really test drive the car but the dealerships in my area aren't as accommodating and I would assume there are other dealerships that are the same....

I understand your points, but really, if your SA won't allow you the driving exposure you need to make a buying decision, and you've made clear that you are a legit buyer, and not a joy rider or tire kicker, then your SA just doesn't want to sell the car to you.

I might suggest you develop a relationship with the person in charge of issuing service loaners. I've found my relationship with that person will get me pretty well any car on the lot as a loaner were I to ask for it. I've gotten a 1, 5, 5 GT, 6, 7, and an X6, and of course the 3er. I've never asked for an M car, mainly because I have no desire to buy one.

[M5007]

That's a great way to test drive a car for a few hours instead of 15 minutes. Get a real feel for what the pros and cons are

[M5007]

Originally Posted by IancoleTX

I would rent the shit out of an M5. Talk about a fun afternoon.

For sure.

[tony20009]

Originally Posted by ACSE90

That's a great way to test drive a car for a few hours instead of 15 minutes. Get a real feel for what the pros and cons are

Telling your SA you need more than 15 minutes is a less expensive way to accomplish that.

[deadlyrhythm]

Today I rented a brand new white M3 with DCT to drive between Frankfurt and Stuttgart to visit the Porsche museum.

Perfect opportunity for me to learn that I do not want DCT! Albeit the rev matching downshifts sounds great, I feel I still want to live and learn my own transmission.

In a couple weeks Frankfurt Sixt is going to receive the new M5s. Can't wait to take those babies for a spin!

This "exclusivity" is a load of BS. It isn't dirt cheap to rent M3s here either, but no one intends to demean your precious M3s image and hurt your poor image.

The rental price alone keeps the rentals low, and maintains the rich boy image.

I'm already an M3 fan and just trying to find exactly what I want.

Xoxo

[Kayani_1]

I am LOL @ those poor guys that are complaining about exclusivity. Relax fellows it is not like your run of a mill mass produced BMW is some exclusive Buggatti or Pagani Zonda.

You and your super exclusive BMW...God forbid if you bump into two more on your way to work...how your image and style will be cramped....everyone that knows you will just spit on your image

[JadeVetti]

Baffling how anyone would think this is a terrible idea.

If it was, Zipcar and all exotic car rentals carrying Italy's finest road masterpieces that go for over 1K a day would all be out of business. All of them.

BMW is merely throwing their foot in a pool already thriving. It's called owning the brand, and all aspects of it. Luxury meets convenience, 'tis all.

[DoD74]

Originally Posted by eatrach73

i'm totally down for this program. Going out of town, rent an X5 or a 550, and it will satisfy my needs.

I love this concept, it will be so nice to give my car a rest for roadtrips without having to downgrade quality or performance. Can't wait to see it introduced...

[DoD74]

Originally Posted by tony20009

Sounds like it might be a good idea, although I know now I'll likely never use this service. Moreover, if the pricing shown in the pic above are comparable (when considering the exchange rate) to the US rates, I cannot imagine anyone would rent one for a "special occasion" for it'd be cheaper and more convenient -- always dropped off at the front door, no need to worry about weather or parking -- to hire a chauffeur, which runs around $55/hour and you pay only for the hours you are being driven.

That said, I'm sure there will be folks who will use the service and to that end, it should make for a nice, new revenue source for dealerships.

I was actually thinking it makes for a great way to "try before you buy". Say you drive a 3 Series and you're thinking about upgrading to an X5 but you worry it's too big or you can't park it or whatever. Great way to try a new model for a couple of days without the hassle of salesmen or trying to gauge if you like something on a short test drive...