E30 Tourings in the states

[thedeal]

I have imported a car from Canada before and it is not that difficult nor expensive. I only know about importing from Canada though. It's definitely not easy, but it is not too bad.

Basically you need three forms. One for the EPA, one for the DOT (PM me and i can get you the actual form numbers) and a letter from BMW Canada stating that that model complies with all us laws and safety standards (which it does except for the gauge cluster)

You will need to insure it before you take it across the border, and when I brought mine over I had to lie and say that I had an appointment with a BMW dealership to change the gauge cluster (I ended up doing it myself.)

Customs are total dicks and will give you a hard time. You have to pay duty on it and 3% importation fee. I lied on the bill of sale to make these fees more manageable.

Hope this helps.

[Matt-B]

this /\


i knew you would chime in

[DeM3n]

There is a guy that owns one not too far from me. If you have the cash to get your hands on one, do ettttt!

Seriously tho, do it!

[e34john]

Wow and that E46 is actually registered in Ca. Makes me want to go down to Mexico and get a 130 wagon, but then I should just get someone to register it there and not have to deal with DMV fees, smogging and federalizing it.

[DeM3n]

There is a guy that owns one not too far from me. If you have the cash to get your hands on one, dooo ettttt!

Seriously tho, do it!

[DeM3n]

If you have the cash and can get your hands on one.... dooooo etttt!

Seriously, tho, do it! They're freaking sweet!

[e34john]

^^^
That guy really really really wants you to get one!!!

[ColdAccord]

I have imported a car from Canada before and it is not that difficult nor expensive. I only know about importing from Canada though. It's definitely not easy, but it is not too bad.

Basically you need three forms. One for the EPA, one for the DOT (PM me and i can get you the actual form numbers) and a letter from BMW Canada stating that that model complies with all us laws and safety standards (which it does except for the gauge cluster)

You will need to insure it before you take it across the border, and when I brought mine over I had to lie and say that I had an appointment with a BMW dealership to change the gauge cluster (I ended up doing it myself.)

Customs are total dicks and will give you a hard time. You have to pay duty on it and 3% importation fee. I lied on the bill of sale to make these fees more manageable.

Hope this helps.

That is the process for a car that was intended for use in Canada (or Mexico, we have reciprocal agreements with both countries).

Tourings are in Canada because they pass the 15 year rule (it doesn't matter what country the car is from, if its 15 years old or older you can legally import it to canada. In America, it's a 25 year rule not 15). Tourings are from across the pond, the only reason they're in canada is because of the 15 year rule. NOT because they become automatically legal canadian cars, they are not the same as a canadian car even though they are registered in canada.

as far as importing a regular canadian car, all you need is a letter of compliance, a letter that it's free of recalls, and a MPH speedo (you can install yourself. On one car I did it AT the border crossing)..

as I implied in my first post, just do a search OP. There's so much info on this, it's been mentioned a million times. There's a reason I don't have my touring in my sig. People never search.

[808BMW]

If you get pulled over for some reason, how would a cop know?

Your proof of insurance would say it is a white 4-door bmw, vin# matching, plates matching. Unless a cop would look at the vin#'s on the doos or the stamped one on below the hood, i dont see how they would figure it out. Seems to me you could have two e30's, one of course being a touring, all for the same price.

I'm not saying this would be legal, I just dont think the average cop pulling you over for speeding would even think of questioning it.

My cousin almost got arrested because the cop noticed the vin plate on his dash didn't match his paperwork.
He had a swapped honda that must have gotten a new dash in it's lifetime, while retaining the old vin. He had to show them the door sticker matched his paperwork, and they made him pop his hood to check the firewall. Luckily the door+firewall matched up with his registration, and he was ok.

Not all cops are tech savvy, but if it were me, I'd probably get the 1 officer who is also an ASE master tech :P

[gearheadE30]

^^Yeah, stuff like that can kinda come back to bite you. I'd rather do it the most legal way possible just to make sure I'd never have an issue down the road.

[16v of E30]

From what I have learned, there were originally 3000 tourings shipped to canada between 88-91. That was it. The US didnt get any.

[ColdAccord]

i've never heard of a touring intended for canada. anyone have evidence?

[delatlanta1281]

That is the process for a car that was intended for use in Canada (or Mexico, we have reciprocal agreements with both countries).

Tourings are in Canada because they pass the 15 year rule (it doesn't matter what country the car is from, if its 15 years old or older you can legally import it to canada. In America, it's a 25 year rule not 15). Tourings are from across the pond, the only reason they're in canada is because of the 15 year rule. NOT because they become automatically legal canadian cars, they are not the same as a canadian car even though they are registered in canada.

as far as importing a regular canadian car, all you need is a letter of compliance, a letter that it's free of recalls, and a MPH speedo (you can install yourself. On one car I did it AT the border crossing)..

as I implied in my first post, just do a search OP. There's so much info on this, it's been mentioned a million times. There's a reason I don't have my touring in my sig. People never search.

This. 25 year rule here?

[bimmerboy08]

after reading all this I saw an identical e46 318i on base yesterday. I've also seen a euro e30 that is definitely not enthusiast owned on base twice. I need to get in on this action apparently.

[pbr87]

It would be totally illegal to drive one across the border from Canada, and then swap the VINS with a junker US car. It would also be illegal to cut up the old US junker car and spread it over a few dumpsters. Do not do that. It's illegal.

That picture is hilarious!
But on a more real note...yes, it's illegal, but the chances that you'll get caught are very slim. Even if someone suspects you, you can lie, and say that you employed a metal fabricator to do a custom touring conversion. And even if you're found guilty, if you have a clean record, I think it's rather unlikely that you'll go to prison.