Buying and shipping car from Germany

[semaj4712]

I know this has to be something somebody has tried, but how much does it really cost all in once you own the car to ship a car from germany to US?

[Court M3]

There was a member not so long ago that looked into this, and iirc he did. Also check phil cataldi's page(imported an m3 cabrio)

[semaj4712]

Alright thanks

[Buzztt]

What exactly are you planning on shipping ?

[semaj4712]

Theres a few e30 tourings i may bring over and then flip

[e34john]

Might not be that easy to make some money, but check the willz site. Some info on there.

[Deathtoll]

I heard second hand that it's VERY expensive to get them shipped and legally sold here in the United States. There is also the gamut of smogging and paperwork.

[Massimo]

I am interested in this, I have been dreaming of owning a 2002 touring for many a years.

[wholethingoff]

you can ship it in bits?

[semaj4712]

Well i believe the expensive part would be the legalities of it, if my numbers serve me right it would be around 5k to ship the car, its just a question of the fees getting it street legal, theres all kinds of e30s for sale on craigslist for like 1000 euros

[semaj4712]

And 5k is on the hi end

[DrJosh]

I have been doing research going the other way (USA to Germany) and shipping via RoRo (roll on roll off) is anywhere from 1k to nearly 3k. I would imagine it would be similar going the other way. But I am sure the money is in the paperwork. I'd wait until they are at least 25, maybe 26, years old.

[flyboyx]

you can rent a short container and ship it in that. this way the car won't spend 2 weeks to two months exposed to direct salt air. the schedule frequency for container ships is much better than roro, also less possibility of damage.

you need someone in europe to get the paperwork done and get the car to the ship. that can cost a lot if you need to hire a facilitator company to take car of this for you. if you are lucky, you might be able to pay the seller to do it especially if he lives close to a port. assuming you can pick the car up at the port of l.a., that should save you from a facilitator on this end. since you are on the west coast,(cali) you will be paying a lot more for shipping than someone on the atlantic seaboard. however, it would be less than someone in say omaha that would need to transfer to trucking. you will probably shell out a lot to make the car comply with california smog.

25 year old cars don't need to meet u.s. safety and emmissions regulations.

[89AlpineM3]

Yup wait till its 25 years then pretty easy, if not its $$$$$$.

[semaj4712]

88 in before will be good after dec, i may look into this, just need to find someone in germany