Importing costs?

[Brian 89 325i]

Ok, I did a quick search and didnt come up with much, so my question is:
Roughly,not including purchase price, how much money would it cost to import an E30 touring. Just getting it from Europe to So Cal.

Also, what needs to be changed in order to get it registered. I figure speedo, sidemarkers, catylitic converter, maybe the headlights. I read somewhere it needs door beams. Couldnt i just take regular US E30 doors and install them on the touring? Anything else?

Brian

[YAN-3]

door x bars for reinforcement. bumber shocks even on the later bumpers, turn signal and parking light rewiering... about 6k give or take 1k.... oh and u cant do any of the work yourself, must be a company in the states that will do it and has a contract with the DOT. so its almost a monopoly for them. although i believe that the West coast has more of these shops than the East cost, were I will need to bring my car

[Julien]

door x bars for reinforcement. bumber shocks even on the later bumpers, turn signal and parking light rewiering... about 6k give or take 1k.... oh and u cant do any of the work yourself, must be a company in the states that will do it and has a contract with the DOT. so its almost a monopoly for them. although i believe that the West coast has more of these shops than the East cost, were I will need to bring my car

if only we could bring our own e30 to customs, swap our us parts on the euro car, get the car to clear and swap the parts back.

[trent]

door x bars for reinforcement. bumber shocks even on the later bumpers, turn signal and parking light rewiering... about 6k give or take 1k.... oh and u cant do any of the work yourself, must be a company in the states that will do it and has a contract with the DOT. so its almost a monopoly for them. although i believe that the West coast has more of these shops than the East cost, were I will need to bring my car

Yea, this is right. Importing is stupid expensive. :(

[Court M3]

figure I was quoted $3750 to import my car and it was exempt from EPA since it was 22 yrs old. Not exempt from DOT though. Talking to the importer, if that was involved another $2-3K could be involved.

All new parts have to be used for the catalytic convertor, headlights, and such because everything has to be warranted for 5 years.

[Brian 89 325i]

So if i were to get a loan for about 10K I would be able to buy an E30 touring, import it, and federalize it. Also, once the parts swaps are done, would they check to see if i change anything when i get it registered every year. Also, would there be anything aginst me rebuilding my engine in my e30 and dropping it in the touring?

Brian

[bwanac]

What if being brought over from Canada?

[Brian 89 325i]

thats possible too but from what ive heard, you still need to federalize it here in the U.S. Plust your going to pay more for one in canada than if you were to buy one in europe. Still a good option.

Brian

[KenC]

I'd wait until they're 25 years old and then they're exempt from DOT.

It's still beyond me why anybody would think about dropping $10k on a 20-year-old station wagon.

[MattE30]

It's still beyond me why anybody would think about dropping $10k on a 20-year-old station wagon.

[mph]

Also, once the parts swaps are done, would they check to see if i change anything when i get it registered every year.
Brian

I have a Grey Market e30 cabrio. None of the car is looked over other than to make sure it has a cat. and meets EPA regulations. Thats Ohio though. I had the sidemarkers in the front, rear, and the third brake light removed and I have yet to ever have a problem.

[trent]

I'd wait until they're 25 years old and then they're exempt from DOT.

It's still beyond me why anybody would think about dropping $10k on a 20-year-old station wagon.

Yea If I spent 10k to federalize a car, it would be a really cool car. Like an E34 M5 Station Wagon :)

[Brian 89 325i]

ITs not for me, its for my G/F. She has a thing for station wagons. That and hurses. But buying and redoing a hurse is going to be more than 10k. She was also thinking about an E34 wagon but an E30 wagon is still cooler.

Brian