[JBB]

We're third in line in the dealer's allocation queue hoping for European delivery of a 2022 718 Boxster in the spring. Fingers crossed here. While there are no guarantees just yet, it's fun musing about the possible routes for a month-long drive. I've read some of the forum advice, and figured I'd see what you all have to say.

From what I understand, pickup in Zuffenhausen or Leipzig is currently limited to just that, pickup. If the dampener of Covid lifts, we may do the Leipzig delivery to take advantage of the factory track. Maybe. Else it's Zuffenhausen.

So, for now, here's our tentative route. Assume a few days in each location.

• Fly San Francisco to Paris.
• Train to Zuffenhausen.
• Drive to Hamburg. I like model trains. Big exhibit there... This dogleg may get scratched for time.
• Drive to Barcelona
• Ferry to Majorca
• Ferry to Ibiza
• Ferry to Barcelona
• Mediterranean Coast road to Tuscany. Side trips around Italy.
• Back to Zuffenhausen via Switzerland.
• Fly Stuttgart to San Francisco

We have no reservations about longer road trips in the Boxster -- we did U.S. coast-to-coast and back in our Miata. If Covid kills European delivery, we'll do that again. Maybe a Canadian route this time.

Thoughts?

JB

 

[Semitone]

Waiting for an allocation myself for a 2022 European Delivery. Did one back in 2018 and enjoyed it.

First, we picked up the car in Leipzig and returned just outside Stuttgart. Wanted the track experience plus we spent a week in Berlin just prior so Leipzig was very convenient. In addition, we headed straight to Dresden and went on from there.

Second, there is a mileage limitation that Porsche encourages. I forget exactly what..maybe 6000km. I don’t think there Is a legal limit except for the 6 mos but Porsche pretty much washes their hands if there is a lot of mileage on the car and it results in a VAT trigger.

Third, extra insurance, above and beyond the included two weeks is pretty pricy.

Fourth, having the car in any city is just a hassle. We’ve done long European road trips in the past, and it’s irritating spending 50 Euros a night to warehouse your car for weeks at a time. I prefer staying in cities, forgetting the car, and taking public transportation. So if you are going to do much time in the cities, I suggest you do it before or after you pick up the car to do your road trip. ( As you mentioned with Paris)

Porsche will send you some suggested itineraries( inc hotels and restaurants) when you sign up for the Euro delivery.

 

[Mozella]

...........snip..............Fourth, having the car in any city is just a hassle. We’ve done long European road trips in the past, and it’s irritating spending 50 Euros a night to warehouse your car for weeks at a time. ....... snip.......

This is very true. Even if your hotel has private off street covered parking, the spots will be sized for a Fiat 500. I lived in Italy for many years and owned a very nice Ferrari 360 Modena. The alloy body did not respond well to door dings, so even what might seem like a good parking solution, it usually wasn't very good at all.
.
When visiting large cities with my Ferrari, the trip to and from was wonderful, but the problem of dealing with the car for a few days was always worrisome. The solution on a number of occasions was to call the local Ferrari dealer and ask if they could recommend a safe and secure place to park, perhaps inside their fenced storage yard. Invariably they responded with an invitation to park inside at their place.

I used to bring them some special Ligurian olive oil (regarded by many as the best in the world) and a couple of bottles of our local Barbera wine because even though I always offered to pay, they would not accept money. When it came time to retrieve the car, they invariably had it washed and ready to go.

This may be a bit more difficult to pull off with a Porsche, but it might be worth looking into as a safe place to stash your car for a few days while you do the city thing. Even if you can't find a Porsche dealer, you might get a similar deal from a local high performance auto dealer and/or repair shop. Something to consider anyway.

 

[davchr]

We're third in line in the dealer's allocation queue hoping for European delivery of a 2022 718 Boxster in the spring. Fingers crossed here. While there are no guarantees just yet, it's fun musing about the possible routes for a month-long drive. I've read some of the forum advice, and figured I'd see what you all have to say.

From what I understand, pickup in Zuffenhausen or Leipzig is currently limited to just that, pickup. If the dampener of Covid lifts, we may do the Leipzig delivery to take advantage of the factory track. Maybe. Else it's Zuffenhausen.

So, for now, here's our tentative route. Assume a few days in each location.

• Fly San Francisco to Paris.
• Train to Zuffenhausen.
• Drive to Hamburg. I like model trains. Big exhibit there... This dogleg may get scratched for time.
• Drive to Barcelona
• Ferry to Majorca
• Ferry to Ibiza
• Ferry to Barcelona
• Mediterranean Coast road to Tuscany. Side trips around Italy.
• Back to Zuffenhausen via Switzerland.
• Fly Stuttgart to San Francisco

We have no reservations about longer road trips in the Boxster -- we did U.S. coast-to-coast and back in our Miata. If Covid kills European delivery, we'll do that again. Maybe a Canadian route this time.

Thoughts?

JB

That sounds like a nice trip. Driving trips in Europe are fun. I would not do it in a nice car that I own though. As other have pointed out the streets in towns are small, parking spots are smaller, roads are crappy in the country, and parking in towns and hotels is expensive. I would rent a car, get the extra insurance, and let it get beat up.

 

[Moin66]

This is very true. Even if your hotel has private off street covered parking, the spots will be sized for a Fiat 500. I lived in Italy for many years and owned a very nice Ferrari 360 Modena. The alloy body did not respond well to door dings, so even what might seem like a good parking solution, it usually wasn't very good at all.
.
When visiting large cities with my Ferrari, the trip to and from was wonderful, but the problem of dealing with the car for a few days was always worrisome. The solution on a number of occasions was to call the local Ferrari dealer and ask if they could recommend a safe and secure place to park, perhaps inside their fenced storage yard. Invariably they responded with an invitation to park inside at their place.

I used to bring them some special Ligurian olive oil (regarded by many as the best in the world) and a couple of bottles of our local Barbera wine because even though I always offered to pay, they would not accept money. When it came time to retrieve the car, they invariably had it washed and ready to go.

This may be a bit more difficult to pull off with a Porsche, but it might be worth looking into as a safe place to stash your car for a few days while you do the city thing. Even if you can't find a Porsche dealer, you might get a similar deal from a local high performance auto dealer and/or repair shop. Something to consider anyway.

Agree with the assessment that parking in Europe, especially Italy, UK, and Germany is plagued by small spaces, often parallel parking is a must. I lived in Germany for 5 years and drove an MX-5 and was always worried someone would take out the side mirrors. Instead, I would probably lease a car through Porsche Drive and take that around. If there is damage, it's insured, but it's not my car getting repaired and the dealer has to take the depreciation. Just a thought.

 

[gfspencer]

I lived in Germany for 5 years. I never worried much about parking because I lived on post. However, driving around the small towns could be nerve racking.

If you can be sure and drive the Seilvio Pass. (I did it three times on a motorcycle.) Gross Großglockner is a hoot as well.

 

[AZ718S]

Parking can be a problem. I rented a C4S from Porsche Drive. The assigned parking spot at are VRBO had poles on both side of the parking spot. After getting it down into the parking garage, an adventure in of itself, I could get the front end on but the wide hips. The owner was not very understanding as they did not get that the C4S was to wide and thought I was an idiot oit that could not drive, until I sent her a photo. Luckily there was a hotel down the street that had a modern parking facility that could accomadate the car albeit at €30 a day. Even modern parking garages can be a problem so just be aware. The narrow streets in some place can be a problem but you get used to it. The pay off, glorious autobahn with not speed limits (when there is no traffic and glorious mountain roads, especially in the Alps.

 

[Robsx]

You may find this a useful guide for driving in Europe.

Tips for driving in Europe | AA

17 things to surprise you about driving in Europe. Learn how to navigate Europe's crazy long tunnels, quirky traffic rules and drive safely on the right-hand side...

www.theaa.com

 

[Miami Blue]

Having done euro delivery on a BMW, am in agreement that navigating the tight parking spots in the cities are challenging and one is generally a few microns from curbing the rims or worse. HOWEVER, it is one **** of an experience and I would do it again!

Best of luck and looking forward to your pictures.

 

[gfspencer]

Having done euro delivery on a BMW, am in agreement that navigating the tight parking spots in the cities are challenging and one is generally a few microns from curbing the rims or worse. HOWEVER, it is one **** of an experience and I would do it again!

Best of luck and looking forward to your pictures.

I had a European delivery for two BMWs. I was stationed in Germany.

We have talked about the stresses of driving in Europe - and I agree - but I would rather park my car in some small German village than in my local USA grocery store parking lot. I drove BMWs and Audis in Germany for five years and never got a scratch or a door ding.

I envy anyone who is going to drive in Europe on a European vacation. Enjoy your trip and have "ein großes Bier" for me. Prost!

 

[eeki]

Sounds like a fun trip! I would echo the suggestions to do some great mountain passes, like Grossglockner or Stelvio. I would personally also include Nürburgring in the itinerary, and if you end up first driving up to Hamburg, it is (sort of) along the route to Barcelona anyway. Rivers Rhein and Mosel are also very nice. For Italy, I would check out Cinque Terre, if that's conveniently on your route.

On driving over here, I don't think the Boxster is a particularly large car for European roads, although the narrow streets and parking spots is of course something to be aware of, especially in Italy. For what it's worth, I never had any parking dings or other issues during the five years I had my 987.2, which is the same width as the 718.

Springtime is a good period to visit as the school holidays haven't yet started, so roads should be (relatively..) uncongested. Still, driving in old big cities is not a lot of fun, and parking can be costly, so I think your decision to take the train from Paris is a good one.

 

[K. Folsom]

I have a build date of October 15th and queried Porsche about the possibility of European Delivery this fall. The response I received a couple of weeks ago was: "We received instruction that we cannot schedule any new deliveries until next year, as figuring out the existing ones have proven to be difficult to say the least." My guess is that 2022 will open things up for European Delivery. For me, I will pickup at the LA PEC.

 

[K. Folsom]

Your trip sounds amazing! Your timing may be perfect!

 

[Bucket_List]

We're third in line in the dealer's allocation queue hoping for European delivery of a 2022 718 Boxster in the spring. Fingers crossed here. While there are no guarantees just yet, it's fun musing about the possible routes for a month-long drive. I've read some of the forum advice, and figured I'd see what you all have to say.

From what I understand, pickup in Zuffenhausen or Leipzig is currently limited to just that, pickup. If the dampener of Covid lifts, we may do the Leipzig delivery to take advantage of the factory track. Maybe. Else it's Zuffenhausen.

So, for now, here's our tentative route. Assume a few days in each location.

• Fly San Francisco to Paris.
• Train to Zuffenhausen.
• Drive to Hamburg. I like model trains. Big exhibit there... This dogleg may get scratched for time.
• Drive to Barcelona
• Ferry to Majorca
• Ferry to Ibiza
• Ferry to Barcelona
• Mediterranean Coast road to Tuscany. Side trips around Italy.
• Back to Zuffenhausen via Switzerland.
• Fly Stuttgart to San Francisco

We have no reservations about longer road trips in the Boxster -- we did U.S. coast-to-coast and back in our Miata. If Covid kills European delivery, we'll do that again. Maybe a Canadian route this time.

Thoughts?

JB

I thought this exchange might be helpful
(names have been changed to protect the innocent).

Dear European Delivery Program,
Thank you for the information last April. I finally got an allocation/Commission Number for a Boxster GTS 4 liter on November 1.
I have a few questions, if you will. I anticipate taking the full 16 days of complimentary coverage & registration.
a. When must I register the car in my home state? Do I need to register beforehand and bring plates with me?
b. If they will be European plates, will they fit in the American license plate area - how does that work? And, my SA has promised me there will be no holes drilled in the front bumper to mount a front license plate - can you confirm that? because I will only have a rear license plate when I register the car.
c. When do I need to insure the car? Will that be after I pick the car up from my dealership?
d. I have heard that financing must be done through Porsche when taking European Delivery... is that true? Either way, when do I need to have financing in place?
e. Are there any locations that Porsche would not recommend taking the car? Any travel restrictions? Is there an advisory on best parking practices for overnight, at hotels, sightseeing? Will a steering wheel lock be provided?
f. It says winter tires are installed for European Delivery after October 1st, but until when? does that go until April?
I realize this is all predicated on the ED program being active - is it active now? I suppose the European Delivery Program will be subject to many factors and variables going forward, but best guess on timing, if the build on my car is complete around January 21, 2022, how much time do I have to pick it up to begin my 16 day sojourn? Is that the 8 weeks mentioned or is it different? Also, are you conducting Zuffenhausen Factory Tours?
Best,
Bucket List

Their Reply - 2021.11.18
Dear Mr. Bucket List,
A. This needs to be done once the vehicle is in the U.S, same as if you were not doing a European Delivery. In general the answer to most of your questions is the following: during a European Delivery, it is essentially like the car has not been built yet in terms of what you need to do. We handle all of the registration and insurance, you only need to show up and drive. Once the vehicle is returned at the end of your delivery, it is sent back to the factory, where everything then happens as if it was just finished production, and is being sent to the port to be exported.
B. We have the option of the plate only being affixed to the rear when you pick the vehicle up. We provide a temporary bracket that does not drill into the vehicle, it is your choice to put it on the car or not. Know however that vehicles in the EU need to have both front and rear plates.
C. You will only need insurance once you go to take second delivery of the vehicle at your dealer.
D. You unfortunately cannot finance the car outside of PFS, as most lenders will not be okay with the vehicle being driven in Europe. You need to have the car paid for or financed before you can take delivery in Europe.
E. The insurance is only good within the European Union and the U.K. For covid travel restrictions outside of Germany you will need to figure those out on your own. As long as you use your best judgement in terms of where to park and visit, there should be no problems. All of our vehicles have very advanced security systems, which if the thief is able to get by, a steering lock would not be an issue. However, since your vehicle is not equipped with Entry and Drive, it reduces the risk of theft even more as no one can ghost your key’s signal and use that to enter the vehicle. I would not worry about the vehicle being stolen.
F. April 1st is when winter tires are no longer mandatory.
For Factory Tours, unfortunately those have stopped at Zuffenhausen as they are not comfortable with the risk of covid protocols for workers with how strained the supply chain already is. It is still an 8 week period to pick the vehicle up, currently your vehicle looks like it would complete on 1/14. European Delivery is currently on pause, however if you give me a preferred date at least 19 days (buffer necessary to register and insure the vehicle) after 1/14 but before 8 weeks, we can see if we can do anything for you.

Best regards / Mit freundlichen Grüßen,

DB, Vehicle Personalization and Accessories Intern
Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

 

[alavigne]

I thought this exchange might be helpful
(names have been changed to protect the innocent).

Dear European Delivery Program,
Thank you for the information last April. I finally got an allocation/Commission Number for a Boxster GTS 4 liter on November 1.
I have a few questions, if you will. I anticipate taking the full 16 days of complimentary coverage & registration.
a. When must I register the car in my home state? Do I need to register beforehand and bring plates with me?
b. If they will be European plates, will they fit in the American license plate area - how does that work? And, my SA has promised me there will be no holes drilled in the front bumper to mount a front license plate - can you confirm that? because I will only have a rear license plate when I register the car.
c. When do I need to insure the car? Will that be after I pick the car up from my dealership?
d. I have heard that financing must be done through Porsche when taking European Delivery... is that true? Either way, when do I need to have financing in place?
e. Are there any locations that Porsche would not recommend taking the car? Any travel restrictions? Is there an advisory on best parking practices for overnight, at hotels, sightseeing? Will a steering wheel lock be provided?
f. It says winter tires are installed for European Delivery after October 1st, but until when? does that go until April?
I realize this is all predicated on the ED program being active - is it active now? I suppose the European Delivery Program will be subject to many factors and variables going forward, but best guess on timing, if the build on my car is complete around January 21, 2022, how much time do I have to pick it up to begin my 16 day sojourn? Is that the 8 weeks mentioned or is it different? Also, are you conducting Zuffenhausen Factory Tours?
Best,
Bucket List

Their Reply - 2021.11.18
Dear Mr. Bucket List,
A. This needs to be done once the vehicle is in the U.S, same as if you were not doing a European Delivery. In general the answer to most of your questions is the following: during a European Delivery, it is essentially like the car has not been built yet in terms of what you need to do. We handle all of the registration and insurance, you only need to show up and drive. Once the vehicle is returned at the end of your delivery, it is sent back to the factory, where everything then happens as if it was just finished production, and is being sent to the port to be exported.
B. We have the option of the plate only being affixed to the rear when you pick the vehicle up. We provide a temporary bracket that does not drill into the vehicle, it is your choice to put it on the car or not. Know however that vehicles in the EU need to have both front and rear plates.
C. You will only need insurance once you go to take second delivery of the vehicle at your dealer.
D. You unfortunately cannot finance the car outside of PFS, as most lenders will not be okay with the vehicle being driven in Europe. You need to have the car paid for or financed before you can take delivery in Europe.
E. The insurance is only good within the European Union and the U.K. For covid travel restrictions outside of Germany you will need to figure those out on your own. As long as you use your best judgement in terms of where to park and visit, there should be no problems. All of our vehicles have very advanced security systems, which if the thief is able to get by, a steering lock would not be an issue. However, since your vehicle is not equipped with Entry and Drive, it reduces the risk of theft even more as no one can ghost your key’s signal and use that to enter the vehicle. I would not worry about the vehicle being stolen.
F. April 1st is when winter tires are no longer mandatory.
For Factory Tours, unfortunately those have stopped at Zuffenhausen as they are not comfortable with the risk of covid protocols for workers with how strained the supply chain already is. It is still an 8 week period to pick the vehicle up, currently your vehicle looks like it would complete on 1/14. European Delivery is currently on pause, however if you give me a preferred date at least 19 days (buffer necessary to register and insure the vehicle) after 1/14 but before 8 weeks, we can see if we can do anything for you.

Best regards / Mit freundlichen Grüßen,

DB, Vehicle Personalization and Accessories Intern
Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

Very interesting info... thanks. I find the last bit about the periods and the buffer a little ambiguous. Is the representative saying that the Euro delivery period starts for you on 1/14 and lasts 8 weeks from that point in time? and that if you still wanted to do Euro Delivery you would have to contact the rep with your chosen preferred ED date - but that you would have to contact the rep with that info at least 19 days before the end of that 8 week period (as in, you'd have to contact them by March 11 minus 19 days, so.... by February 28th?)

Of course all of the above would be subject to whether or not ED is "un-paused". Did you get any further indications of what the criteria might be for that to happen, by any chance? Or what exactly did the rep mean by "European Delivery is currently on pause"....

 

[Bucket_List]

Very interesting info... thanks. I find the last bit about the periods and the buffer a little ambiguous. Is the representative saying that the Euro delivery period starts for you on 1/14 and lasts 8 weeks from that point in time? and that if you still wanted to do Euro Delivery you would have to contact the rep with your chosen preferred ED date - but that you would have to contact the rep with that info at least 19 days before the end of that 8 week period (as in, you'd have to contact them by March 11 minus 19 days, so.... by February 28th?)

Of course all of the above would be subject to whether or not ED is "un-paused". Did you get any further indications of what the criteria might be for that to happen, by any chance? Or what exactly did the rep mean by "European Delivery is currently on pause"....

They subsequently asked me to pick a preferred delivery date between 2/11 & 3/11 and said they'd see what they could do for me. Officially, European Delivery is paused and Zuffenhausen Factory Tours have been stopped. With Austria on a hard lockdown as of yesterday and Germany considering it, I'm not making any travel plans till there's a firm invitation to accommodate me.

 

[alavigne]

Thanks for the quick reply. Ok, so the sense is that they are still planning for you as if its going to happen, but it's all dependent on the current covid situation in Europe (which I've also been tracking, yes - there's a big spike there now).

 

[Bucket_List]

Thanks for the quick reply. Ok, so the sense is that they are still planning for you as if its going to happen, but it's all dependent on the current covid situation in Europe (which I've also been tracking, yes - there's a big spike there now).

More or less... they are being super responsive to my emails, so I am hopeful.

 

[GregW]

The escalation of the fourth covid wave in Europe will possibly have consequences not only for the delivery—no matter what Porsche will arrange—but for the rest of the trip. 🙁

 

[Bucket_List]

The escalation of the fourth covid wave in Europe will possibly have consequences not only for the delivery—no matter what Porsche will arrange—but for the rest of the trip. 🙁

In the face of reality, we must have hope.