Importing my car into the U.S.

[tbrown540]

I have basically decided to return to the U.S. in the next couple of years and I am thinking about taking my garage queen with me. I know what to do on this end (Japan:de-registering, shipping companies, etc.) but what about the U.S. side of things? I have read the DOT page(s) and the EPA pages. My car is on the list that CAN be imported(1994 540i). I will need to get a new speedo so that will read in miles and a couple of other things. But do I have to go through a registered importing company if it is just for me? I mean personal use, not to sell. I checked some on the list and they sound kind of expensive.

Does anybody have some personal experience with this? Any first-hand experience/advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[gtopaul]

I have basically decided to return to the U.S. in the next couple of years and I am thinking about taking my garage queen with me. I know what to do on this end (Japan:de-registering, shipping companies, etc.) but what about the U.S. side of things? I have read the DOT page(s) and the EPA pages. My car is on the list that CAN be imported(1994 540i). I will need to get a new speedo so that will read in miles and a couple of other things. But do I have to go through a registered importing company if it is just for me? I mean personal use, not to sell. I checked some on the list and they sound kind of expensive.

Does anybody have some personal experience with this? Any first-hand experience/advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

I imported a non-US model Mercedes back in the eighties when everyone else was. I used an import/conversion company and they did the DOT conversion which consisted reinforced bumpers, door beams, DOT lights and lenses, speedometer, and seat belts. I also had to post a bond in case the car didn't conform after the work was done. The entire process, with shipping, cost about $2400 at that time. You could get an EPA waiver on emission requirements back then so that wasn't a problem. The requirement at that time was that you had to keep the car two years before selling it. If the car didn't pass the conversion process it would have to be re-exported to the country of orgin or sent to the crusher. I believe they've tightened up the import requirements since then so I'd check into real good before going through the hassle.

Paul

[Gayle]

Here is a second hand story.

I just bought my 535 in Pennsylvania and brought it back to CA which has the strictist emmision standards in the country. My boss who thought I was totally nuts for doing this kept telling me this story to try to talk me out of buying my car. HIs former partner brought a mercedes in from europe in the early 90s and had to spend $3-4 (probably equivalent of $6-8k now) to get it where it would pass smog test and could get registered here.

If you are going to do this consider the state standards in addition to the national ones. Not trying to talk you out of this either. I love people who are bonded with their cars. Just another something to consider.

[bahnstormer]

i was considering this and did some research

if your car is 25 years or older just put it on a boat
and u're all set

however if it is younger as is yours, you're kinda screwed...
its gotten very VERY tough and very expensive...paper work
is possible on your own, there are a few sites that give u some
tips but from what i've gathered (mostly speaking with motorex)
it'll cost you about 15,000 to import and convert a car using a
specific company for the work....there are very few companies
that do this and they kinda charge a lot....

=[

[Gayle]

i was considering this and did some research

if your car is 25 years or older just put it on a boat
and u're all set

however if it is younger as is yours, you're kinda screwed...
its gotten very VERY tough and very expensive...paper work
is possible on your own, there are a few sites that give u some
tips but from what i've gathered (mostly speaking with motorex)
it'll cost you about 15,000 to import and convert a car using a
specific company for the work....there are very few companies
that do this and they kinda charge a lot....

=[


Martin Did you bring this baby back and just not tell us?

http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showthread.php?t=12795

[infinity5]

there is a website of a company that does nothing but import cars, and specifically Euro spec M5s. They have the entire process step by step. You need new Cats, headlights, various stickers, speedo, etc.

the pricey part is the cats, and the pricey part of the entire conversion is you can't do it yourself. the EPA only lets you in if a company they lisence to do the conversion does it. and there are only a handful of those companies.

I can';t seem to find the website at the moment :(

basicaly i think you're required by law to have someone specifically lisenced by the EPA do the work, and they're going to charge whatever they feel like.

[tbrown540]

Thank you for the responses. I've got some homework ahead of me. I found some good info at:http://www.bmwworld.com/bmw/importing.htm for anyone that might be considering the same nightmare.

[bahnstormer]

this is an idea i considered for about 3 days....

put the car into storage in japan (or in my case europe)
and after 25 years bring it stateside...

may have to replace some rubber....maybe some gaskets

but u'll have a hella nice condition car low miles, low import
cost =]

of course this is a good idea with some a bit more rare than
a 540 =] heheheh

[Bill R.]

.
Thank you for the responses. I've got some homework ahead of me. I found some good info at:http://www.bmwworld.com/bmw/importing.htm for anyone that might be considering the same nightmare.

[632 Regal]

a farm vehicle, hmm....

Theres a lot more to it than I thought besides money. Did you figure how much it would cost?

[tbrown540]

I don't quite get the joke...but, no.

Maybe I'll give up on the 540 and get a shark-nosed M5. I always liked those.

[632 Regal]

I really think it would be less trouble and less expensive to sell the car there now before it depreciates and earmark that money towards another 540 when you return. Probably get a decent ride for less than you currently can get for yours.

Sorry, just common sence talking, I know how addictive these cars are.

[tbrown540]

a farm vehicle, hmm....

Theres a lot more to it than I thought besides money. Did you figure how much it would cost?
No, not yet. So much is going to depend on if it is compatible with EPA regs. The actual shipping might be the cheapest part. It looks like that can be done for under $1000 U.S. Of course, if this is going to end up costing more than a few grand I will have to reconsider.

[tbrown540]

Well....yes and no. The market over here is a bit different than many other places. People over here don't sell to each other directly. Almost everything goes through dealers and auctions. Plus the average Hiroshi Tanaka (for many reasons) thinks that anything over ten years old is junk and should NOT be bothered with. I have already gotten a quote from a guy and he said that MAYBE I could get 2-3000 for it. 32K on the clock, excellent condition in and out, heavy sigh...

[632 Regal]

3x lower than going value here...your in a prediciment for sure.

[632 Regal]

Hey! Post some pictures of your hooptie so we can either side with the boat trip or side against it?