I just want a BMW this time

[e90m3]

In a couple weeks time, the wife and I are embarking upon our first European trip together. This has been a long time in the making as well.

Back when we were just dating, we planned a trip to go visit her sister and sister's husband in Belgium. This was supposed to take place in April 2020, tickets booked and everything. Well, then you know what happened. The following April, we got married, and before hand had discussed a European honeymoon. That was nixed in early 2021 over having to deal with restrictions, testing requirements, and a lack of vacation if either of us tested positive. It didn't feel like the positives outweighed the negatives.

We both had vacation for March of this year, where we originally penciled in a European trip. We didn't plan anything as we didn't want a repeat of 2020 where we got excited for it then had to cancel because of another COVID surge. A month or so prior, we pivoted to a Caribbean vacation. Eventually decided on Jamaica, and had a wonderful time.

Now though, it's time for Europe. We're doing a loop starting in Munich, and we're renting a car.

Both times prior, I've rented from Sixt and tired to get a BMW. In 2013, @DaveyD and I got a Mercedes B180 in Munich. We had reserved a 1 series, but since we were returning it in France and the 1 series had to be returned in Germany, they had to find another suitable car. So we got the Benz. It was at least a 6MT. Here's me standing next to it in France.

The next time I rented a car in Europe in April 2018, I got an Audi A3 Sport line from Sixt at Kings Cross Station in London. With a 2.0T and 6MT, I figured I would just take it instead of asking for an alternative car. Here's me with it in Scotland.

This time, I've reserved a 4 series convertible. Their were other options, like an M140i and M3, but they were all a lot more at the time I booked. So I'm hoping third time is the charm for a BMW.

[WhoIsTheLeader]

@e90m3 Weird that it's been so difficult to get a BMW since the brand has cheaper and more accessible models in Europe. Though the 4 series doesn't really fit that category. Either way, prepare for wallet hurting at the pump and don't let that hamper your enjoyment.

[e90m3]

@WhoIsTheLeader It's been 1 series or similar the past two times, so similar it was.

I'm not concerned about the gas prices, sort of is what it is. Almost hoping they offer me something like an M440i or M3 because people didn't want to pay for the fuel. I'll pay $10/gal to drive an 18 MPG M3 in the fatherland.

[Jb boin]

@WhoIsTheLeader when renting in Europe, most of the time you choose a category of car that includes at least 3 or 4 different possible models and you don't even know if it will be a petrol or diesel engine, making it simpler for rental companies to manage fleets and availability.

[e90m3]

@Jb-boin It's the same here in the states. Usually a few cars in all categories.

I'm still hunting the 36mm Oyster Perpetual in green, do any dealers over there have any stock? I'm assuming no.

[Jb boin]

@e90m3 sporty cars like a M440i or M3 are usually rented for weddings or by young people wanting to flex or "have fun", they are quite rare on normal rental companies fleets and sensibly more expensive.

There are plenty of small rental companies specialized in performance car but it's probably not the easiest/simplest route for a vacation rental.

It also depends on where you rent, if it's in a place like St Tropez or Marbella you will have some performance and/or luxury cars available but it will be harder to find one if it's a less glamour spot, i just checked on my city, there are zero sporty car on traditional rental companies and DS7 (or equivalent) or X4 (or equivalent) as Premium cars.

[Qaaaaa]

@e90m3 Do you like BMWs or something?

[e90m3]

@Qaaaaa I think I've been found out.

[nickhasanexocet]

@e90m3 Who are you renting from? The last time I rented a BMW from Sixt, they were like "You didn't want that silly 2 door anyways. Here's a Peugeot 308! Its FOUR WHOLE DOORS!"

[HFV]

@e90m3 I rented from Sixt once, in Denver I had a Cadillac ATS reserved but they ran out of sedans and I got bumped up to a GLC 300. For part of the trip we had 5 people in the car, so it probably for the best. Plus we got a snow storm so I went out and played around in a parking lot. The Merc performed admirably.

[e90m3]

@nickhasanexocet Sixt, and since it'll be in Munich, I'm hoping they favor BMW regardless.

[MidEngine]

Why not look forward to driving a different brand? When you get back you'll hop back into your BMW, I think it's a missed opportunity to experience something different.

[ash78]

I've always enjoyed getting stuff that you can't have in the States, personally, but that's mainly because our trips weren't driving-focused, so it was more of a way to get from the house to the train station, or locally to buy groceries.

[WhoIsTheLeader]

@Jb-boin said in I just want a BMW this time:

rented by young people

In the US, they just don't let you rent a car if you're even suspected of being less than 40. /s

[e90m3]

@MidEngine @ash78 There's a little bit of wanting to try something different, there's also, I don't want to put over 1000 km on something I'm going to not like. That said, I like both the Benz and Audi, but I want to drive a BMW in the Fatherland. Next trip can be for something weird.

[pyroholtz]

Username checks out. Have fun, can't wait to hear about how the trip turns out.

@e90m3 said in I just want a BMW this time:

So I'm hoping third time is the charm for a BMW.

[fintail]

@e90m3 If you're renting out of Munich you might have luck, due to location and the company. An old slogan was "Sixt liebt BMW". I've had 3 Sixt BMW rentals i
Germany over the years - 7er, 5er touring, X5. Also was once assigned a 4er coupe but talked my way into a more fun car, and had an X5 in Florida .