Bringing euro 325i to the U.S.

[Dirtboy]

The reason for Registered importer is because of all the shit ass jobs that were done in the early to mid 80's. Typical of greed.

I'm just really bummed I couldn't make it 2 more years. And there's no one here I would trust to leave my car with. Would have loved to reach 25 years and not have to go through all this...

[Eric]

I know your pain man, I was one year away with my junkyard 520i. It would have been the perfect wintermobile here in colorado... or a v12 transplant recipient...

ANyways, I would say the best option is to just store it for 2 years. You've been in k-town for a long time minus the year in korea, don't you know somebody who can look after it, or a storage area that will keep it with a montly fee?

I know a few places up at the ring that store cars for british guys. They keep the car down on the mainland, then just take a 30 euro ryanair flight to Hahn. Saves them all the gas and ferry fee's, plus a ton of time with the drive!

I'd bet it would be cheaper and MUCH less hassle to just store it for 24 months instead of swapping all the parts, and getting the feds involved.

[M-technik-3]

Hmm send it to Mike maybe he could hide it in his barn.

Next question did you ship a car to Europe via military? Because for quite some time you had to ship one to your duty location in order to receive the allotment to ship one back.

There have been changes to the JTFR regulations so this might not apply anymore. Check with your local TMO and if you don't get answers you like enquire about it as they are public regulations.

See page 39

http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/shared/media/epubs/JFTRV1-JTRV2_AFSUP1.pdf

[Eric]

http://tte-racing.com/index.php

Mark and his wife are really nice people, and I know they do car storage. I'm pretty sure ring-racing does car storage, but I'd suspect they are pricey.

TTE always has lots of nice E30/E30 M3's at their shop, so i'm sure they will take good care of your MtechII.

[Eric]

Hmm send it to Mike maybe he could hide it in his barn.

Next question did you ship a car to Europe via military? Because for quite some time you had to ship one to your duty location in order to receive the allotment to ship one back.

There have been changes to the JTFR regulations so this might not apply anymore. Check with your local TMO and if you don't get answers you like enquire about it as they are public regulations.

See page 39

http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/share...RV2_AFSUP1.pdf

It's not a problem Greg, my wife did NOT ship a car over when she came over, but we shipped the jeep on her orders without a hickup.

At any rate, I think he's shipping the E46 on his orders, and doing the E30 on his own... At least that's what I deciphered from this thread.

[MikeDE]

Ok ok.....i'll keep it till you come back for it:nice:. I have an open spot right next to my Touring.

[Dirtboy]

It's not a problem Greg, my wife did NOT ship a car over when she came over, but we shipped the jeep on her orders without a hickup.

At any rate, I think he's shipping the E46 on his orders, and doing the E30 on his own... At least that's what I deciphered from this thread.

Yeah, that's what I'll be doing. The e46 is going on my orders and I'll have to ship the e30 out of my pocket. The wife's X3 should be able to be shipped by BMW since we bought it here, hopefully.

I have thought about storing the e30 here for 2 years but what kind of hassle would it be to ship it with out tags and all that. Plus I'd be worried the car wouldn't fair well sitting for 2 years. I still have nightmares when my dad left his fully restored 53 Chevy with his brother for 4 years and it was a rusty POS when we got it back...

[Eric]

Yeah, that's what I'll be doing. The e46 is going on my orders and I'll have to ship the e30 out of my pocket. The wife's X3 should be able to be shipped by BMW since we bought it here, hopefully.

I have thought about storing the e30 here for 2 years but what kind of hassle would it be to ship it with out tags and all that. Plus I'd be worried the car wouldn't fair well sitting for 2 years. I still have nightmares when my dad left his fully restored 53 Chevy with his brother for 4 years and it was a rusty POS when we got it back...

Remember, BMW will ships a car for you to the nearest PORT, not your destination. We had to drive our MINI from Newark NJ to Colorado Springs when BMW shipped ours for us.

You will have to contact your shipping provider about the registration. I know the place on base needs current registration to ship, and I suspect that is because USAUR uses the registration to determine ownership. Do you have some german friends you can enquire about registereing it as non-op on the german system? This still proves your ownership since you'll get the green TOLL book, but clears you of the registration office/customs.

You see guys stateside buying cars overseas and shipping them here, and I'm assuming they aren't registered in europe in their name. My guess is that with most commercial carriers your proof of ownership is enough to put it on a boat.



If I were in your situation I would stick the thing in whatever type of storage you want. I have a few friends still that have barns full of cars, and that's where I'd leave it, or do one of the storage places up at the ring. They deal with much more expensive cars, so if the owners of GT3's are comfortable with keeping them there, then I would be too.
Next when the time comes to ship the car, I would take a hop on the rotator back to Ramstein, rent a big Sprinter van at sixt then find a friend with a car hauler. Load the Mtech on the trailer and take it up to Dunkirk yourself and see it on the boat personally. Besides in 2 years you'll be dying to go back and see the place again! I haven't been stateside a year and I'm already trying to get back!

On an unrelated note, where are you going next?

[72ratcamaro]

I'm just really bummed I couldn't make it 2 more years. And there's no one here I would trust to leave my car with. Would have loved to reach 25 years and not have to go through all this...

PM Sent

[Nairb]

Good luck.. that takes some dedication..

I was stationed in Germany and had an '89 320i Touring.. Schwarz/Cardinal.. loved that thing. Seriously considered bringing it back until I found out about the time limits and overall cost.. somewhere about $7-8K.. not worth it to me unfortunately.

Ended up having to junk the car because I could not sell it in time (wouldn't pass inspection because of a torn CV boot (other than that, car was mint) and only had 3-4 days left to clear before my flight.. and I had to clear the auto registration station..

Pic:

[M-technik-3]

Birkenfeld? what Army at Baumholder?

[Dirtboy]

I think I'm gonna weigh my options. I really don't want to leave it over here for 2 years, but I'm not going to totally reject that option. As soon as I get some more info from the guy I know I'll decide which direction to go.

Anyone know if it's easier to import through Canada?

And I know that BMW will only ship to certain ports... Roadtrip!! LOL

Govt is going to ship my 330.

And I think we're going to Vegas, not sure yet though...


Oh, BTW thanks to everyone who's PMed me and offered to help out. R3V rocks!

[M-technik-3]

It's easier as it only has to be ten years old. Send a call to WillZ they bring cars in all the time to Canada.

[mikeedler]

I shipped my 55 Chevy over here still in my fathers name with a bill of sale.

As far as waiting 2 years, you can get the red sided tab plates (they are for export) or find someone to get you 5 day temp plates through the german system.

My buddies Mini cooper was shipped on an inop U.S. Army veh. reg.- so that shouldn't be a problem. I think the Army wants the cars reg. for insurance purposes.

As far as my Barn-- there would be no worries of the car rusting- My M3 has been in it for the last 10 years and no problem with mold or anything, but I won't hold a car for someone for 2 years, sorry. Its a lot of responsibility for someone else's property.

[freeride53]

Dude, you're the fuckin man. Your car is probably in my top five favorite cars on this board...
its just how I picture my car looking in maybe a few years, minus two doors..