E46 BMW Delivery Day

Took delivery with 7 miles. My technician took it out on his local test course before delivery, and then I took it out for a spirited drive. The only break-in requirement? Vary RPM and keep it off the rev limiter. Other than that, DRIVE IT!

When the car arrives from BMW, most of its systems are turned off. Here we are bringing the car to life. The yellow box is a wireless interface that allows the BMW diagnostic computer to talk to the car's systems.

Glad I chose the gray interior. If you're lucky to have one of the last production slots, note the alcantara wheel is no longer supplied with the ZHP option due to warranty claims. It's now a nice perforated leather with an M logo at the base.

Some people used to tell me that they thought the E36's interior was spartan for a car of this cost and they might be right. However, the E46's interior is no slouch. In fact, it's probably the best quality interior I've seen on a BMW, short of that of the M cars.

The cars are shipped with blocks to prevent the suspension from compressing too much when they're tied down during the shipping process. This pic is of the right rear wheel before the blocks were removed.

There's nothing quite as beautiful as a brand-spanking new BMW waiting for its new owner (ME!)

It was getting dark and the xenon lights were in auto mode so they turned on all by themselves.

My baby safe and sound at home. I'm so happy with my color choices. Mystic Blue is one of the few colors shared with the M car, and seeing it on the M at madrussian.net is what sealed the deal.

In the shop for pre-delivery inspection (PDI). I got the impression that my technican doesn't normally do PDI (except perhaps on the first few deliveries of new models) but he graciously cleared his schedule for me.