E30 Tourings in the states

[Julien]

problem with the roller idea is the title will say 4 door (4s) and not wagon (wgn)..


Julien

[ColdAccord]

I wonder if you bought a roller, replaced the cowl with the vin for a brand new blank one, removed all the vin stickers completely and had all your receipts, could you register it as a special construction title (blue tag vin)? I know people who have done it with motorcycles.

german cars don't have public vins; no vin on the dash, no vins on the body panels.

[Farbin Kaiber]

That is possible, but illegal.

You didn't read what you quoted, or you don't comprehend.

[Need4Speed1299]

I wonder if you bought a roller, replaced the cowl with the vin for a brand new blank one, removed all the vin stickers completely and had all your receipts, could you register it as a special construction title (blue tag vin)? I know people who have done it with motorcycles.

That is possible, but illegal.

[einstein57]

I wonder if you bought a roller, replaced the cowl with the vin for a brand new blank one, removed all the vin stickers completely and had all your receipts, could you register it as a special construction title (blue tag vin)? I know people who have done it with motorcycles.

[Farbin Kaiber]

It's pretty easy to import tourning and/or Skylines to Idaho...

[lgb240]

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

Don't think this is the case ...E30 Tourings are in Canada becuase of the 15 year rule. Only coupes, sedans and verts where brought in new - no Tourings in Canada when new.

Even with the 15 year rule, in Ontario, you need to have the shop certifying the vehicle to cut you some slack on the side marker lights (some Euro only cars don't have side markers) Everything else is OK. also when you register the car, they need to manually over ride the VIN becuase it's not in the MTO data base.

Not sure how to get a Touring into the states, I'm sure different states have different rules. With all the posts about switching VIN's ect. I'm sure if there ever was an accident, your insurance company would definitely scream fraud, and leave you on the hook for everything. If someone was hurt ... could be lots of $$'s


lgb240
E30 325i Touring (legally registered in Ontario, Canada)
E30 318is

[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.

[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.

[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?

[ColdAccord]

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

[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.

[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.

[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

[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.