[Andy_o]

So after 42 weeks it has finally arrived

Early start this morning left home at 0230 to drive down to London to collect .. Taking the faithful X1 with me .. At least the 240 mile trip each way gave me a good chance to do a back to back comparison.

The weather was atrocious with torrential rain all the way down but at least the early start meant I missed the queues on the M6 and around Birmingham.

Stopped for a coffee and a leg stretch at Warwick

[Andy_o]

Just outside London on the M40 I stopped at the services and as dawn showed it head I got mine down for an hour or so before doing the final leg at the tale end of the rush hour into central London.

I had truly forgotten what a racetrack the M40 is !

Leaving behind the M6 and the convoy of early morning wagons where I was the fastest thing (70) to doing the same speed on the M40 and feeling as though I was going backwards

The A40 was equally challenging dodging cars left and right and suicidal motorcycles !

Not a sheep nor cow on the road anywhere !

Finally got to the dealer and parked up in a side street behind as instructed to wait for collection by the sales guy

X1 did well .. Did I do the right thing ?

[Andy_o]

The sales guy appears and I hand over my car which was driven away as I walked around the BMW i showroom where a lovely lady called Bev from Leeds provided me with copious amounts of coffee whilst I awaited the salesman to return

Very swanky if a little sterile and unfortunately no sign of my car or any other BMW's with the Devils fuel ., they were in a showroom next door

[Andy_o]

So we do the deal .. I get handed the keys

Really well done .. Very very professional and slick no complaints at all .. And more coffee

So where is my car ?

It turns out its in an underground car park underneath the Mini showroom a couple of hundred yards up the road


Off we toddle .. Then through a back door and then down several flights of stairs we emerge into an underground car showroom full of very nice BMW's .. All grey, black and white ...

And then we round a corner and sitting there is this

[Andy_o]

So we go through the handover and then I sit in the passenger seat whilst it is driven up a very narrow spiral exit from the subterranean world which was worthy of the tunnel in the film the Italian job

Once in the daylight .. It was my turn

[Andy_o]

So off we go ..Marble Arch .. 400 yds into the ownership of a car I have waited 10 months and paid a fortune for is not an experience I want to go through ever again

Once out of London my heart rate lessened and I started to enjoy ...

Stopped at the services on the M40

[Andy_o]

Eventually back home .. Long long day

Fuel comparable to the X1 .. Not bad for a brand new car

[Andy_o]

So home and a final few ..

The colour is lush .. Very rich and changes with the light

The beige interior goes really well with it ( in my view)

The 607 wheels again look really good in the metal

Initial thoughts ?

Yep I like it .. Very smooth, plenty of power, near silent on the cruise, very comfortable, excellent ride and absorbs bumps very well

Downsides .. Well there is a hesitancy to accelerate if in Eco-pro from a start

I can see sport being the default mode on the country roads where I live

When I have had some sleep I may bore you with more musings

[Andy_o]

Last few

[Kermit]

Hurray! About time. Congratulations.

[Sparky14]

Congrats very nice really like the red can't wait for the white strips to be added

Great report ever thought of a job on Top Gear there's a vacancy !

Enjoy at last

[clivem2]

Very good looking indeed. I hope you're resting....that's been a long day already!

[Akers]

Congrats Andy, fantastic colour combo enjoy your new motor..

[njc]

Very nice - I know that feeling when driving through Marble Arch.

[TuffLittleUnit]

At last! Looks great. The only time I ever use EcoPro is on empty motorways otherwise I find it verges on being dangerous when it comes to the need for acceleration.

Your story didn't seem to mention paying the congestion charge... I wonder if Park Lane will expect you to pay for both the X1 and the X3 :P

[Northandy]

That looks fantastic, congratulations on the final collection!

[Andy_o]

Originally Posted by TuffLittleUnit

At last! Looks great. The only time I ever use EcoPro is on empty motorways otherwise I find it verges on being dangerous when it comes to the need for acceleration.

Your story didn't seem to mention paying the congestion charge... I wonder if Park Lane will expect you to pay for both the X1 and the X3 :P

Lol

No they paid for both cars

[Andy_o]

Originally Posted by clivem2

Very good looking indeed. I hope you're resting....that's been a long day already!

I wish

Wife has gone away on business for three days today .. And today was my only free day .. So that's why I was up so early .. In time to get back to pick up my six year old from childminder after school .. Then straight into dad mode !

Oh well who needs sleep

[Max Well]

Congratulations on your new X3, and many thanks for a very enjoyable read!

[JSY]

It looks beautiful. Thanks for sharing!

[PX3]

Excellent commentary Andy on your adventure and what must have been a little nerve racking too (not knowing whether you could walk in to yet more issues once there). Stunning colour and great news you finally received it without any further drama!

Enjoy.

[PerryGunn]

Congratulations Andy, it's been a long wait but you'll soon forget that now she's arrived - just like a new baby really