BMW's from Japan

[drummerboy]

Hi all'
I haven't been a member here for too long so I don't know if this topic is old but..... I see a lot of 90's vintage BMW's imported from Japan these days. They typically have low mileage and seem to be in good shape, but there are no maintenance records. I'm just wondering if anyone has any experience with one of these. Do you think they're a safe bet if they pass a mechanical inspection? Thanks.

[SharkmanBMW]

Shogun should have some good input for you.... be patient!
Welcome!

[mholbrook]

Probably it becomes so hard to pass the Japanese inspections that it is just cheaper and easier to sell the car in another country. With regard to Japanese origin cars, that is the case. Most often the motors other running gear go to USA or other countries. For instance, all the Izuzu diesel motors go to the Philippines for the Jeepney factory (Saraou or similiar spelling) use. Very popular in PI. I know in San Diego there were at least three or four companies that sold replacement engines from Japan. They are very strict and due to that, there are almost no cars on the road that are over 10 years old or so. They have to go somewhere and shipping from Japan is not that expensive.

I was driving new Honda/Acura cars off the car ships in San Diego for a while. Really great job, paying $23/hour for 8 hours work. Each ship would typically hold about 3500 cars. Lots of fun.

[E34 530]

Hi all'
I haven't been a member here for too long so I don't know if this topic is old but..... I see a lot of 90's vintage BMW's imported from Japan these days. They typically have low mileage and seem to be in good shape, but there are no maintenance records. I'm just wondering if anyone has any experience with one of these. Do you think they're a safe bet if they pass a mechanical inspection? Thanks.

This is true. The cars have low mileage because it costs a ridiculous amount of money to maintain and operate a car in Japan. You have to be weary though, many times people neglect maintanence because of the high rates to fix the car, so they don't bother with it. I have heard a few horror stories of people who hjave bought cars from Japan only to find out that the original oil is still in the car with 30,000 miles.

[Paul in NZ]

you dont say what country tou are in.Importing used cars from Japan is a huge part of the Car market here.Most cars on the road would be used imports.Most seem to be fine.I would think tho that a careful inspection by someone who knows E34s will reveal any problems.Dont trust the odo readings
beware...a good buy is possible tho

[sKilled]

you dont say what country tou are in.Importing used cars from Japan is a huge part of the Car market here.Most cars on the road would be used imports.Most seem to be fine.I would think tho that a careful inspection by someone who knows E34s will reveal any problems.Dont trust the odo readings
beware...a good buy is possible tho

I guess I can count myself lucky - my 525 is a UK import.

[rob101]

I guess I can count myself lucky - my 525 is a UK import.
lucky? wait for the rust big boy, its gonna getcha!
rust is probably the biggest problem with imports. i never saw a jap import that wasn't stuffed! mind you, we are a bit spoilt in australia, it never snows and its usually fairly dry so cars can last a long time.

[sKilled]

Rust? Already there. That's a big downside about living in NZ - no matter where you are you're always too close to the coast. It's already started, but I'm on top of it. Will have it hopefully taken care of in a couple of weeks. Even if your car is mint condition, the kiwi elements will get you.

[shogun]

Bascially the cars from Japan are in a good shape. Low mileage is normal, as long trips are done by bullet train. About 7.500 km is normal per year, lower in big city, more in country side.
In the past the cars were exported because no one in Japan basically wanted to buy a car more than 6-7 years old. Dealer offered next to nothing for such a car. Over 10 years old cars had to go to the inspection every year instead of every 2 years. At that time only special appointed companies were allowed to do the inspection (MOT called in U.K.), they charged horrible amounts and just changed parts according to the check list on the paper, no matter if a brake was good or not, it was changed.
Nowadays, cars older than ten years have also 2 years inspection instead of every year, people can drive to the inspection points by themselves for a much lower fee than before, and they just repair what is claimed to be changed to get the stamp for the next 2 years.
Rust is not a problem on Japanese cars, unless they come from Okinawa Island or some other areas where the wind contains a lot of salt from the sea.
Japanese cars have no probs with suspension, usually japanese streets are good, the engine should be o.k., as there is a speed limit of 100 kmh on the Highway.
They (dealers for export) usually divide the cars, if it is a serious company. Australia, Canada, Mideast and some other countries for the better ones and Africa , Pakistan, etc where cheap is best. So whatever you want, you get it
http://www.japanesevehicles.com/tcl/en/index
http://www.rushcorp.com/cars/justinstock.asp
http://www.world-com.co.jp/
http://www.w-a.co.jp/
Just a few of the dealers

[rob101]

Rust? Already there. That's a big downside about living in NZ - no matter where you are you're always too close to the coast. It's already started, but I'm on top of it. Will have it hopefully taken care of in a couple of weeks. Even if your car is mint condition, the kiwi elements will get you.
yes well, salted UK roads are a serious problem with those cars, salt + water + steel = rust gone wild.

anyway i am sure the bmws in japan are in good condition, however the ones we see imported here are usually crap for their kms, unlike the JDM japanese manufactured cars that have been imported which seem to be in reasonably good nick.

[drummerboy]

Bascially the cars from Japan are in a good shape. Low mileage is normal, as long trips are done by bullet train. About 7.500 km is normal per year, lower in big city, more in country side.
In the past the cars were exported because no one in Japan basically wanted to buy a car more than 6-7 years old. Dealer offered next to nothing for such a car. Over 10 years old cars had to go to the inspection every year instead of every 2 years. At that time only special appointed companies were allowed to do the inspection (MOT called in U.K.), they charged horrible amounts and just changed parts according to the check list on the paper, no matter if a brake was good or not, it was changed.
Nowadays, cars older than ten years have also 2 years inspection instead of every year, people can drive to the inspection points by themselves for a much lower fee than before, and they just repair what is claimed to be changed to get the stamp for the next 2 years.
Rust is not a problem on Japanese cars, unless they come from Okinawa Island or some other areas where the wind contains a lot of salt from the sea.
Japanese cars have no probs with suspension, usually japanese streets are good, the engine should be o.k., as there is a speed limit of 100 kmh on the Highway.
They (dealers for export) usually divide the cars, if it is a serious company. Australia, Canada, Mideast and some other countries for the better ones and Africa , Pakistan, etc where cheap is best. So whatever you want, you get it
http://www.japanesevehicles.com/tcl/en/index
http://www.rushcorp.com/cars/justinstock.asp
http://www.world-com.co.jp/
http://www.w-a.co.jp/
Just a few of the dealers

Thanks for your help! I checked out the websites and it's interesting to see how little you can buy them for.