M3 News from Monterey Historics/Euro Delivery (archive)

Just got back from all the festivities in Monterey/Carmel this weekend (e.g., Historic Races at Laguna Seca, Concours Italiano at Quail Lodge, Monterey Sports Car Auction, Pebble Beach Concours, etc., etc.). At the BMW tent at Laguna Seca on Saturday there was a Laguna Blue M3 on display. This was the first time I had seen the car in person. I was surprised to see Tom Salkowsky, the M Brand Manager for BMW of North America, standing around answering questions from people who were admiring the M3. This is the second time I have met Tom and heard him speak, the other time being at the LA Auto Show in January. Personally, from these two admittedly limited experiences, I find him to be extremely enthusiastic and eager to answer questions. In any event, I asked him if the M3 would be available for European delivery. He said the M3 would not initially be available for Euro delivery (as was the case for the M5). However, he said after approximately 6 to 8 months, the car would be offered for European delivery (as is currently the case for the M5). I asked Tom if there would be a "price break" on a Euro delivery M3, as is the case on all other BMWs purchased through the European delivery program. He said the European delivery price would reflect a normal Euro delivery discount, however, he stated that it would still be up to individual dealers to set the pricing on any M3 ordered for Euro delivery. I asked whether Euro delivery M3s would come out of a dealer's allotment and he said no. So that's what I found out about M3 Euro delivery from someone you would have to say is an authoritative source.

BTW, I was at the BMW tent earlier on Thursday afternoon just when workers were setting up the tent and organizing the display. The M3 was there along with a Z8, both of which were open. I had an opportunity to sit in the M3 at that time, pop the hood, etc., etc. As indicated above, the car was in Laguna Blue. The interior was light grey leather with wood trim. The seats were manual adjustment. The new steering wheel, which from pictures I was not extremely fond of, was much beefier and had a much better feel than the new wheel on the 330i I recently test drove. The new seats felt wonderful and seemed to fit my 6 foot frame perfectly. Bottom line - although I don't think Laguna Blue would be my first color choice, the car looked fantastic inside and out. Very aggressive and menacing to my eye. As I would pass by the BMW tent over the next few days, there always seemed to be a large crowd of people around the M3 which was subsequently roped off so you could not sit in it.

Follow Ups:

Ahhrrgg! I wish I'd have known the M3 was there! Maybe next time...(e) Animboy 22:39 8/20/2000 (0)

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