So I have this plan.... (Italian touring content)

[GillesBigCowboy]

Wifey has always wanted to live in Italy for a while and down the road when we have some career transition off time, we rent an apartment for 6 months in central or southern Italy. While there, I purchase a solid e30 touring for us to tour in.

Of course, when I am coming home to jawja, I have my classic car shipped to savannah, and I encounter no issues with any port authorities or motor vehicle registrations or whatnot.

I come before the collective e30 genius philosophers to ask if this is all truly a fantasy, am I dreaming... Or can this actually be implemented?

[InuFaye]

If its an antique its possible.

[Sagaris]

Wifey has always wanted to live in Italy for a while and down the road when we have some career transition off time, we rent an apartment for 6 months in central or southern Italy. While there, I purchase a solid e30 touring for us to tour in.

Of course, when I am coming home to jawja, I have my classic car shipped to savannah, and I encounter no issues with any port authorities or motor vehicle registrations or whatnot.

I come before the collective e30 genius philosophers to ask if this is all truly a fantasy, am I dreaming... Or can this actually be implemented?

Sounds like something a Rasta would say.

[slammin.e28]

So wait, your post went from future to present tense. Did you go to Italy and ship a car back, or are you asking a "what if" scenario?

Either way, it's a moot issue if the car is 25 years old....

Or you can ship it over piece by piece and assemble it in your garage. Can't do emissions shit on car parts that don't run.

[ohthejosh]

So wait, your post went from future to present tense. Did you go to Italy and ship a car back, or are you asking a "what if" scenario?

Either way, it's a moot issue if the car is 25 years old....

Or you can ship it over piece by piece and assemble it in your garage. Can't do emissions shit on car parts that don't run.

Remove engine, send shell, send engine? :D

[slammin.e28]

Remove engine, send shell, send engine? :D

Why not? It's auto parts then, not an automobile.

[mikeedler]

keep dreaming.

[firefirefire90]

if it's a 1988, you can do whatever you want. Grandfathering in cars is FTW!

[Roysneon]

Fuck that, you want a 320is.

[GillesBigCowboy]

This is a future scenario... Realistically, it will prolly happen about ten years from now, but if anyone has had or will have experience/knowledge related to bringing in a 30 year old car that was never sold in USA please chime in!

[acolella76]

Fuck that, you want a 320is.

An even slower and less torquey S14? Ew.

JK, 320is would be badass.

[robrez]

Wasn't this the plot to Revolutionary Road? Tip, it didn't end well for Kate and Leo.

[MikeDE]

keep dreaming.

This, and stop smoking the jawja.

[Emre]

If you want to live in Italy and tour Europe by car, the north will be more interesting than the south. I recently made the drive from Milano to Rijeka (via Trieste and Slovenia) and it was a blast. Great driving roads in the Italian alps to the west as well. Definitely consider northern Italy.

As for the car, you can easily import any LHD car to the USA once it's >25 years old. So, any E30 manufactured before February 1987 will be OK. Unfortunately for you, that means the Italian-market 320is doesn't make the list. Honestly, no other Italian-market E30 (except maybe a touring) would be worth the hassle and expense to import. Even the M3 wouldn't make sense as they're very expensive in Italy.

You may want to look into Italian cars, such as the Lancia Delta HF Integrale. Pretty sure the 8V models were available in late '86 or early '87. Other interesting choices would be the iconic Fiat 131 Mirafiori, the Alfa Romeo 75, and the Maserati Biturbo. Also check out some French cars, such as the Peugeot 405 Mi16 and especially the 205 GTi. You never see 205 GTi's in America. You'd have something unique on your hands.

You can also try to find an original Mini or Clubman. These were manufactured in Italy and there are tons available. Of course, there's always the Fiat 500. But prices have been going up for years. They've long since entered the realm of "collector car" and are priced accordingly.

[mikeedler]

when will you guys figure out that the Europeans are buying BMWs, VWs, Benz and such from the U.S. and bringing them back over here. It is 90% rust buckets over here.

I happen to know someone on this forum even bought an E30 M3 from the states and had it shipped over here due to the no rust Cali cars.