WTB E46 325ti
 

Since they never made the e46ti here I am seriously considering importing a 325ti. I want a left-hand drive one, so it must be from Germany or wherever else they have the steering wheel on the same side as USA.

If anyone has one or would be willing to help me get this done let me know. Costs for shipping/ customs etc is important and if anyone knows about that, please let me know. Thanks.

I prefer a 325ti 5spd with M package. :cool:

I have seen all that info before. The only thing I would be worried about is the emissions. Is there any rule of thumb on which countries or cars will pass US emmissons or what? Thanks

Probably no cars from any countries will be able to drive straight off the boat, I know of alot of skiylines which have been imported to be an offroad/track use only car and can not be driven on roads. But later have doing the work or self or getting it done you can apply for the emissions testing. buying a e46 325ti in germany, probly 7500, shipping to us, about 5000(low geuss, it could be exponetionaly more). that being said is the cost of an good condition e46 3 series here. At this point it would only be a offroad/track car, to convert it to US emisions standards I have heard, are anything from 10 to 40 thousand. Good luck!!

Was the e46 compact available in canada? may save some money there... Anyone know how similar the emisions are in the bmws in canada or mexico. I have seen good prices on the old 1 series hatchbacks in mexico at a dealerships website in mexico, I would love to drive one back. I need to learn about what it would cost to convert a car like that.



I do know that I have seen many skylines sell for 40,000 to 100,000 for sale, fully licsened and street legal

Check this page. Find the list of "Registered Importers" and contact one near you. They should be able to help.

Doesn't the US require crash data to approve any cars for use on American roads? That was the whole deal with the skylines, the company only crashed R33s and then sold R32s and R43s using the same crash data. The gov't found out and shut them down.

Anyway, expect to pay way way more than the car is worth.

Yeah but what is the car really worth? It would be one of a kind and far faster then the 318ti. I mean I wouldnt pay 20 grand for it.. but if I could get one for like 10-15 I would.

Or even an E36 323TI

You don't have to import one of those, you can accomplish the same thing with an engine swap. :biggrin:

well for a e36 323ti just swap an 323 engine which is point less just go for 332ti yeahhhhh

First of all finding a decent 318ti with the m-package and sunroof and 5spd seems to be alot harder here. I have seen alot more on the international Ebay sites. The prices people on here ask are such a joke. I mean be realistic for a minute 5000$ for 97 with 200k and dont even have the sport package, etc. etc. Also the international ones especially the e46's have much nicer interior. But lets say I find one here for 6000$ finding a decent engine is a few grand, and if your going to use the M3 engine you need alot more than just the engine, then add the labor, etc.. your talking atleast 11,000$ probably alot more than that. I can by an m3 for that price that wasn't put together by a 2bit mechanic and a junkyard motor. And buying one already done is taking a huge chance. I mean if your going to do that chances are your car was diven really hard and fast.. thats the problem with buying any performance or modifed car.. they are beat to ****.
I have seen e46's for sale for the same money or cheaper than e36's on here. So it;s like any swap.. whether its a making a non-turbo eclipse- turbo or a 4cyl ti a v6.. there is a reason why the 323 or GST costs several thousand dollars more than their lower counterpart and to recreate it is going to usually cost more than buying the real thing.

Check this out.
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=105699

Basically the only way to legally import skylines anymore. I'm fairly certain that the skylines imported by motorex are no longer legal because of what the company did. Anyway, if that process can work for a skyline it could probably work for a E46 ti.

However, it will obviously be expensive because you still have to modify the body to comply with US standards. But, you effectively turn it into a kit car.

I do know of one individual who was able to legally import and register an Audi S3 into the states, he got it from Mexico (and promptly drove it drunk and totalled it, but thats another story). He would never say what he had to go through to get it legal in the US but he did make it sound like a very complicated process.

ur gonna have to worry about emossions (prolly mostly software and maybe the cat) seatbelts, headlights (glass v. plastic),maybe even windows because im sure u have to make sure they all have DOT tags... unless you ship it in parts (like some skyline and S15 buyers) and register it as a kit car... if im not mistaken thats what they do. or get it shipped at registere in Mexico ^^^ or canada or a chill state when it comes to that like arizona. good luck u can def do it with the money/time/patience

Another resurrection!!

Highly doubt you'll be able to get one here, why not just swap a motor in. If you don't like the prices here go to Craigslist.