Bringing euro 325i to the U.S.

[e30guy]

Good luck man. The 320is will be 1 year shy if I don't get approved for an extension or another overseas location. I can't imagine the feeling of possibly not being able to bring it with me to the US.

[M-technik-3]

US Army is shipping home non op vehicles wow! I would done that but Transcar does not allow that with USAF, has to be driven on to the truck so in op is out the window.

Ask for an IPcot or say a two year tour to Avanio.

[mikeedler]

US Army is shipping home non op vehicles wow! I would done that but Transcar does not allow that with USAF, has to be driven on to the truck so in op is out the window.

Ask for an IPcot or say a two year tour to Avanio.

non-op as in not having passed a current inspection. the cars need to drive and not leak.

[Court M3]

That's weird, but they didn't touch my euro bumpers. They did however put in a reinforcing bar behind them. They will undo everything you do and replace it, in the sake of making more money of their end. Remember it goes by the build date on the car not model year.

[bloodshot-e30]

hmmmm ill have to ask my dad what he did to get his back over. his was a 90 325 and this was back in 93 so ill see if he had to do anything special or if it was easy cuz of military

[e30rida]

hhmmmm...there are easier ways. I wouldn't go through the hassle of federalization unless it was a $100K plus car non existent in the US.

[Dirtboy]

So I've been digging around and here's a small list of modifications that will need to be done to the car to be federalized:

Remove and replace light assemblies- has to have "DOT" on lenses
Install side marker lights
install 3rd brake light
Remove, modify and replace speedometer- has to be U.S. spec speedo
Modify parking brake system- warning light has to say "brake" and not the symbol
Install seat belt & key warning buzzer- self explanitory
Modify door locks- not sure on that one
Install engraved vehicle identification number (VIN) plate
Install VIN location label
Install certification label
Install tire information label
Perform etching on passenger side mirror- "objects in mirror...."
Remove, document, and evaluate bumpers
Perform engineering evaluations on bumper strength
Modify and reinforce bumpers to comply with engineering
Remove door panels
Perform engineering evaluation on door impact strength
Modify and reinforce doors to comply with engineering
Install rollover valve- valve in gas tank filler tube
Install seat belt micro-switch & warning buzzer
Photograph all original & modified parts
Document photographs to substantiate compliance
Prepare vehicle and customs documents
Purchase DOT warranty insurance (Required)
Submit statement of conformity and compliance package to DOT in Washington (approximately 70 pictures)
Pay DOT eligibility fee

I really wish I had family over here that I could trust to leave the car with for 2 years. But I don't and I don't want the car to sit with someone I don't know for 2 years. I'm gonna have to bite the bullet and just do it. I've gone this far with the car and I'm not going to sell it...

I found a registered importer in Baltimore that is authorized to do the work. It will take 4-6 months to do and cost about as much as the car is worth. The good thing is that the car is old enough that no EPA mods have to be done. Now I just have to get it shipped to Baltimore and then once the work is done I'll have to pick it up. But I have another 4-5 months before I have to start all this...

[mikeedler]

start buying u.s. specific used parts now and install them (speedo and such)

[M-technik-3]

As mentioned registered importer buys all materials and installs all so to be complaint with DOT rules.

[Eric]

Honestly, it seams like a waste of time/money when it's so close to being 25 years old. You know in the back of your head that the importing process is going to cost more than you were quoted, and how long is it going to take? 6 months? Or is a year more likely? So what is the difference between the car sitting in the RI's shop for a year, and the car sitting in somebody's barn being looked after?

Remember, they have you buy the balls too. new lights cost $1,000... who's to argue with them? if they don't federalize the car, then it's off to the crusher, so you pay.

I'd contact Jake over on S14.net and ask him about the hell he went through with bringing a E30 M3 SHELL into the country. Not a car, just a new from bmw shell. he's AF too, helicopter mechanic...

[mikeedler]

I could really find a garage around here for your car to sit in for a few years, maybe my neighbor would agree for the right price- they have a small 1car detached garage that I used to store my Vert in for the winters. Do what you feel you need to do, I PMed you before on the other option, bring the car here for a month, and I can have the thing old enough to ship too-- for about a 1000 or so.
PM me if you want my number and we should really talk on the phone before this all starts.

[Eric]

I could really find a garage around here for your car to sit in for a few years, maybe my neighbor would agree for the right price- they have a small 1car detached garage that I used to store my Vert in for the winters. Do what you feel you need to do, I PMed you before on the other option, bring the car here for a month, and I can have the thing old enough to ship too-- for about a 1000 or so.
PM me if you want my number and we should really talk on the phone before this all starts.

wish I knew about this option when I was leaving! I had a sweet e28 that i wanted to bring back :(

[Court M3]

Which one in Baltimore? If it's JK Technologies, add another $3-4k to their estimate, because they always have some crap they add to the cost. They had a few complaints on them at the BBB for awhile. Used them and wouldn't recommend them. Really not customer friendly once they have your car.

[tjts1]

The easiest way to import the car is sell it to someone local over there, have them 'travel' with it to the US, then resell it back to you once here. It bypasses the whole federal problem. Or just chop it in half and ship it as parts.

[James]

That sounds like an awful lot of work. Either store it or ship it to Canada, its over 15 yrs old and could easily be stored up here and would be a piece of cake to import.