Ryan... Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 Specifically, are there any issues you know of regarding the importing of an e36 Touring into the USA? I cant seem to find the reasoning of BMW behind not importing it to begin with, and I cant imagine it has anything to do with the crash test ratings or ability to meet smog requirements. I'm seriously honestly very interested in making this happen. The options would be either to find one up in Canadia and drive/trailer it back home, or find one in the UK and have it shipped back here. Some Googling has told me to expect shipping to be anywhere from $5k in a container, to as low as $1k for a roll-on-roll-off type deal which is very common. I've tried searching BFC, Bimmerfest, etc.. but I got a combined 20,800 threads about intakes, exhausts, and turbo kits instead.. And just some porn, and a great website to browse:http://www.cars4sale.pro/detail/uk/BrrTpTTUroAUrnrBroA/1999-BMW-E36-328i-SE-Touring-Metallic-Black-with-17-Genuine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earl Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 I want one for a daily. Canada never got them=/ I am not sure why BMW felt they would not sell here. It is the same case with the e30 tourings. In a few years when they are allowed to be imported, I will be looking into it for sure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan... Posted August 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 Well shoot, I thought for sure Canada had them too.. In any case, they're pretty cheap over in the UK, and it seems like finding a clean car and getting it over here could very easily be done for right around $3500-4000 after taxes and shipping insurance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earl Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 Cars with over 100,000 miles are throw away cars in Germany. You can get tourings, the cleanest e30's, and any sort of other BMW for pennies. It makes you sad to look at the listings. If a head gasket goes out, or anything along that line, they part them out or throw them in the junkyard, regardless of how mint they are=/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan... Posted August 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 Tis my goal to find one and get it here.Honestly, I was thinking of picking up something along the lines of an e60 M5 next year, but then got to thinking.,... You could get a touring, install coilovers, replace every suspension component, //M bumpers, nice wheels, upgrade brakes, and turbo it for less than the M5, and it would still be more reliable Plus, it wouldn't look like dog poop! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earl Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 ^Insanely valid argument=) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wasnt m3 Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 Not old enough to import. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earl Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 That is what I am waiting on. That petition to change it from 25 years to 15 years seems to have fallen through too. It was going strong but definitely fell off after the first two weeks=/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoungCR Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 Canada got everything we got with the exception of some options/interiors as their cars are "north american" spec. That's why my brother's car was able to be imported 12 years ago since its identical to US cars besides the metric gauges and headlight washers.It is possible to import car's before the 25 year ban, it is just extremely time consuming and expensive to do so. If the engine wasn't offered here in the US or has different emissions that is what kills the deal. Below is a list of the companies you should contact, I would start with businesses on both the EPA and NHTSA lists as they would seem the most qualified. NHTSA Active Registered Importers (RI)EPA Independant Commercial Importers (ICI) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsbimmer1 Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 What about bringing a shell in and putting an m50/m52 in it then register it as a kit car. There were some manufacturers that did this to make it easier to bring vehicles in such as Noble with the M400 and Detomaso with the Pantera. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoungCR Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 What about bringing a shell in and putting an m50/m52 in it then register it as a kit car. There were some manufacturers that did this to make it easier to bring vehicles in such as Noble with the M400 and Detomaso with the Pantera. I forgot to mention that as a work around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowleym Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 Someone should get the hookup with a mail delivery person and Import them for pennies I want one so bad... But I would also be keen to import an AWD 6 speed TDI golf.... I have heard of many people importing(taxes and shipping) for less than 2k. And those cars go for nothing over there as well. Especially considering Wisconsin rust. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan... Posted August 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 Not old enough to import.Sort of like chris mentioned below, I was under the impression if you could find one with the same motor that we got, that it wouldnt be difficult to get one over here?Canada got everything we got with the exception of some options/interiors as their cars are "north american" spec. That's why my brother's car was able to be imported 12 years ago since its identical to US cars besides the metric gauges and headlight washers.It is possible to import car's before the 25 year ban, it is just extremely time consuming and expensive to do so. If the engine wasn't offered here in the US or has different emissions that is what kills the deal. Below is a list of the companies you should contact, I would start with businesses on both the EPA and NHTSA lists as they would seem the most qualified. NHTSA Active Registered Importers (RI)EPA Independant Commercial Importers (ICI)Thanks, I'll check out those links when I get to a desktop! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan... Posted August 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 Chris, Canada got the Euro spec m3 didn't they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earl Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 I don't think they did Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoungCR Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 Canada's transportation bureau literally copies and pastes most of our laws/rules/regulations hence why they get the same cars as us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan... Posted August 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 I don't think they didCanada's transportation bureau literally copies and pastes most of our laws/rules/regulations hence why they get the same cars as us.What the heck.. There's a Canadian guy on bimmerfest with a euro spec m3, guess it was swapped Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earl Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 He could have imported it. They are allowed to import cars that are 15 years or older. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsbimmer1 Posted August 27, 2014 Report Share Posted August 27, 2014 There were something like 40 euro spec m3's brought in to canada in 94ish while bmw worked on the north american model. They were special edition numbered m3's that had a ridiculously high retail at the time. Canada didnt get another m3 until 97 and it was the North American model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan... Posted August 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2014 Ok that would explain it, I could've sworn his was legit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoungCR Posted September 2, 2014 Report Share Posted September 2, 2014 Just curious if you got any answers on this Ryan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan... Posted September 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2014 Just curious if you got any answers on this Ryan. I only sent out two emails with no response yet, once I get internet back up in my new apartment I'll probably email everyone on the list lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BimmerBonez Posted September 8, 2014 Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 Neat interview with a U.S. enthusiast who owns a euro spec e36 m3: http://chrisparente.com/2014/09/02/bmw-enthusiast-interview-paul-valliere-part-one/ He goes on to talk about his e30 m3 and e34 m5. Ya, he's a bastard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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