You may not know it, but the marketing center at BMW has been working hard to put an even bigger smile on the face of their customer than do the engineers in Munich. I am talking about taking delivery of your new car in Spartanburg, South Carolina at BMW's beautiful Delivery Center. Once we decided that we wanted the 2002 E46 330, our choice was easy for where to take delivery. These three pages and 50 images or so are meant to document one of the most fun BMW experiences of my 39 years behind the wheel.
"One sleepless night, one awesome morning."— Performance Delivery, March 2002
I'm not sure where the thought of taking delivery from the Spartanburg facility actually came from. I spend so much time reading, fantasizing, asking and answering questions about BMWs that by now, such an option is as ingrained in me as the marque itself. We had not planned a European trip, and European delivery was out. Besides, we had never been to Spartanburg, and it sounds German-esque anyway. (Actually, to someone who studies language, it sorta sounds like the folks who named it didn't think much of it, but hey, things change.)
The Night Before
We left after work on a Thursday night before our scheduled pickup on Friday, March 15, 2002. Worried about a pickup on the Ides of March? Yeah, I was. What of it?
Once on the ground, we had been sent a letter detailing whom we should call and what we should tell them. I would be lying if I expected that no one at the Marriott would know what the hell I was talking about, but I was relieved to find them old hands at the BMW delivery process. Our ride would arrive in minutes.
Want to get some weird looks? Take a picture of the 525iT that picks you up at the airport and takes you to the hotel. Our driver was courteous, informed, and casual. He told us that our evening meal was provided by BMW at the hotel restaurant. We were already checked in and felt as though the only responsibility we had was to have a good time and try to get some sleep.
