[ManhattanBMW]

I am finally replacing my 2013 F13 M6 Singapore Grey Coupe, with a 2025 F92 M8 Singapore Grey (Individual) Competition Coupe, both with Full Black Leather. For the M6, I was able to first take ED, which was an amazing experience, driving it to Nürburgring straight from the Welt, renting a Z4 to drive on the Green Hell with a Ring Card (not the thing to do with a new car during break-in), and then taking PCD at Spartanburg. I had also taken PCD of my 2003 E46 Carbon Black M3 (the most beautiful engine I have ever seen). Too bad ED is no longer available for US customers, but PCD is a fantastic way to greet your new BMW, and I highly recommend it.

As of today, my car still sits at the port of Bremerhaven, where it has been sitting for the last two weeks. Needless to say, I am anxious to get my new car, and it has been frustrating to track RORO ships docking and departing Bremerhaven without my car being aboard, and my status finally moving to “In Transit” status. A proactive person by nature, I have been peppering my CA, the BMW Genius Hotline (844-443-6487), and the PC (864-968-3000) with questions about the current PCD process and timing. I thought others might be interested in what I have learned, hence this post.

My understanding is that more recently, the PCDs have been dropped off in Brunswick, GA, instead of Charleston, SC. The latter is where my M6 was previously dropped off. I also learned, that as a general timeline, vehicles shipping from Europe to the PC are normally scheduled for delivery between 8 and 12 weeks after a vehicle’s production completion date. Once a car arrives in the US, there are many processes it must go through before it is ready for delivery – offloaded from the RORO ship, inspection, clearing customs, and being released for shipment to the Vehicle Processing Center (VPC). This process can take a couple of days, or a week or more.

Once at the VPC, the car undergoes further processing before it can be released to trucking, and this processing can take an additional 3-5 business days to complete. VPC processing can include the removal of protective films and other materials, further inspection, loading of manuals and documentation, the fitting of “port-installed” options (like splitters, carbon-fiber bits, and various other offerings of the BMW M Performance catalog), and repairs if necessary.

It then takes the transport company an additional 2-4 business days for a car to make it to the PC from the VPC. At the PC, it normally takes another 3-5 business days to get the car ready for delivery to the customer. You are given a window, of the later of 12 weeks from your production date, or 6 weeks from your delivery date to the US port, to pick up your car from the PC, otherwise, the car gets shipped to your dealership. The PC will work with you and your CA for you to select a delivery date during this window. PCD only occurs at Spartanburg.

In past years, PCD included being picked up at the Greenville/Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) in a new BMW, a free night’s stay at the nearby Marriott hotel, and shuttle service to the PC for your PCD. That is no longer offered, but if you book a room at one of the two listed hotels (Grand Bohemian Lodge, or the Hotel Hartness, through the PC), the hotel will have someone pick you up at the airport, take you to the hotel, and then the following day, drive you to the PC for your PCD. There is a discount rate for PCD stays. There are also many other hotels in the Greenville/Spartanburg area, so you do not have to stay at the Grand Bohemian Lodge, or the Hotel Hartness, for PCD.

PCD delivery has 3 components, each lasting 2 hours, and these sessions can be in a different sequence. These components are (i) driving instruction, and then getting track time in a PC Fleet vehicle similar to the vehicle you purchased, (ii) a tour of the onsite BMW Zentrum Museum, adjacent to the Spartanburg plant (historically, this component was a tour of the Spartanburg plant, but right now, there are no plant tours, however, they might restart them in the fall), and (iii) orientation and delivery of your new car in one of two bays, or in the lobby of the PC, by a highly knowledgeable person about your car (amazing experience). At the end of the orientation, you drive your car out of the bay or lobby. There is also lunch at the PC, and the last time I visited, there was a gift shop at both the PC and the BMW Zentrum Museum), so make time for some retail therapy. There may be a substitute option for testing a BMW X vehicle on the PC’s off-road course.

If, like me, you also ordered the M Driver’s Package, you are most likely not going to be able to have the driving instructions at the same time as the PCD. That package is not run by the PC, but by the Driving School. What you get with the M Driver’s Package, is a Certificate for a 1-Day M School Class. Those classes are scheduled on preset days throughout the year, and take place at Spartanburg or Thermal. There are also 1-Day M School Classes are other locations, like Indy, COTA, or Lime Rock, and it MAY be possible to use that Certificate at one of those locations. I will find out once I get my car.

The M Driver’s package is offered by BMW NA, so when you purchase the M Driver's Package, BMW Sales is responsible for processing and issuing the Certificate. The Certificates are issued once your dealer reports the vehicle as sold (which happens after you take delivery). Once issued, the Certificate is mailed to you directly from BMW NA. BMW NA then sends the Certificate information and your car's VIN to the Driving School so they can schedule your 1-Day M School Class when you call. The Driving School does not issue those Certificates, and for that reason, they may not be able to schedule your 1-Day M School Class until they receive the authorization from BMW Sales. So, it is recommended you immediately call the Driving School (888-345-4269) once you have your Certificate so it is registered with them. You then have 3 years to redeem the Certificate.

Hope you all find this information helpful.