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NHTSA lifts ban on E30 touring imports

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    NHTSA lifts ban on E30 touring imports

    Didn't see this posted yet.



    Report: E30 wagons can now be imported to the USA

    For the uninitiated, the obsession might seem odd. Why import a high-maintenance small wagon for much more than the ‘blue book says it might be worth? In many cases, this is one’s only ticket to a reasonably priced rear wheel drive wagon with a standard transmission, something that is akin to finding a unicorn with an on-board bacon dispensary.
    One of the most loved automobiles among car nerds is now available in wagon form over here (thanks to lifted regulations from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) in the ‘States. Not everyone loves themselves a long roofed E30, I don’t particularly understand the attraction of the rear window; but that really has nothing to do with what we are dealing with. One can essentially order up a car from overseas, have it licensed/taxed here for around $2,000, drop another $2,000 or less on shipping and voila!
    The circa ~1986-1991 BMW wagons came with optional sixes and fours and a diesel too. Similar to the E30 M3, most of these cars have been ridden hard and put away wet, so finding a clean and low mileage example will be pretty tricky; expect to pay US E30 rates for the E30s in Europe and elsewhere, though this is of course before the importing and shipping fees. The most costly will likely be the 325iX wagon, which only came with the 168 bhp M20B25 straight six, this will cost somewhere between $6-9 grand in decent shape, though a beaten up M10 or M42 powered 316 or 318 could be had for as little as a grand.


    #2
    This is old news and incorrect.

    Yes, E30 Touring are now legally chill to import into the States, there's no exemption to them.

    Only the 88-89 models are exempt since they're 25 yo.

    That being said, there are hella E30 Tourings in Socal. I've personally seen 5 in my town.

    1991 BMW 318i (Old Shell RIP, Now Being Re-shelled & Reborn)
    1983 Peugeot 505 STI
    1992 Volvo 240 Wagon
    2009 Toyota 4Runner SR5 Sport 4WD

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      #3
      Originally posted by freeride53 View Post
      That being said, there are hella E30 Tourings in Socal. I've personally seen 5 in my town.
      And you haven't copped one? The fuck, dude?

      Originally posted by SpasticDwarf;n6449866
      Honestly I built it just to have a place to sit and listen to Hotline Bling on repeat.

      Comment


        #4
        I saw an e30 touring in 2012. It was ragged to all fuck tho. And I remember in grade school this guy had an r32 in my neighborhood. Figure that was 5-10 years ago, and I've seen r34s at car shows recently. What is this whole, you gotta wait 25 years to get a car imported BS?

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          #5
          Originally posted by anabolice30 View Post
          I saw an e30 touring in 2012. It was ragged to all fuck tho. And I remember in grade school this guy had an r32 in my neighborhood. Figure that was 5-10 years ago, and I've seen r34s at car shows recently. What is this whole, you gotta wait 25 years to get a car imported BS?
          volkswagen never made R34s what you smoking fam?

          nah but seriously people have been illegally importing skylines for a while now through moterex or someone else.

          "Many Skylines were subsequently imported through Motorex. This lasted until late 2005, when NHTSA learned not all 1990 through 1999 Skyline models would perform identically in crash testing. Motorex had submitted information for only the R33, but had asserted that the data applied to R32, R33, and R34 models. NHTSA determined that only 1996-1998 R33 models have been demonstrated as capable of being modified to meet the federal motor vehicle safety standards, and that only those models are eligible for import. In March 2006, Motorex ceased all imports and Motorex principal Hiroaki "Hiro" Nanahoshi was arrested and held on $1 million bail on financial, kidnapping, and assault charges."

          as for the 25 year thing...

          "In 1998, NHTSA granted vehicles over 25 years of age dispensation from the rules it administers, since these are presumed to be collector vehicles
          Originally posted by HarryPotter
          not to be racist but i've had multiple african americans comment on how they love my car. I've seen pics of e30's rolling through africa with at least 15-20 africans on them with ak-47's. WILD. its in the african blood. Hope this wasn't too racist, forgive me as I am intoxicated.
          Instagram: @jstnlws

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            #6
            It's called the Chicken Tax. look it up... there's a good piece on jalopnik about it.
            If you were arrested for being a good mechanic, would there be enough evidence to convict you?

            "The cycle you're working on is a cycle called 'yourself.'" -- Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

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              #7
              Nothing fancy about just the e30 touring for import. If its 25 years old (or older) you are usually good to go for import

              I imported my 02/88 built car in 04/2013

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                #8
                Where's a good place to import them from? I'd assume dry, mild climate cars would fare the best?

                Originally posted by whysimon
                WTF is hello Kitty (I'm 28 with no kids and I don't have cable)

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                  #9
                  I'm thinking Spain or Portugal? I wonder if there's anything in Central or South America.
                  My Feedback

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                    #10
                    New life plan. Sell all the things, acquire E30 touring, move to Socal.
                    91 318is M50 swapped
                    05 Honda Pilot

                    24V swap thread
                    http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=302524

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Originally posted by James Crivellone View Post
                      Nothing fancy about just the e30 touring for import. If its 25 years old (or older) you are usually good to go for import

                      I imported my 02/88 built car in 04/2013
                      Says mister I own an e30 touring, e34 m5 touring and mtech 1 e30... No big deal

                      ;)

                      Originally posted by SpasticDwarf;n6449866
                      Honestly I built it just to have a place to sit and listen to Hotline Bling on repeat.

                      Comment

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