» Site Navigation | | » Recent Threads | 1999 M3 Swap 09-07-2023 10:10 PM 05-02-2024 08:18 PM 6 Replies, 367,201 Views | | | | | | 05-13-2007, 06:19 PM | #1 | Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Germany Posts: 5 | Possible to import a 2002 318ti from Germany? I am currently working in Germany for the next 18 months and bought a 2002 318ti. The more I drive the car, the more I like it and don't mind spending some cash on it to bring it back home to the U.S. if possible. I've looked into the basics but can't find an import/export company or rules that apply specifically to my car. Can anyone point me in the right direction? | | | 05-13-2007, 06:58 PM | #2 | Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Los Alamos, NM Posts: 344 | I don't know if germany has something like a DMV, but I think you should try them | | | 05-13-2007, 08:18 PM | #3 | Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: state college, pa Posts: 3,431 | Are you military or a civilian? __________________ I scream, you scream, we all scream for ZOMBIES. | | | 05-13-2007, 09:09 PM | #4 | Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hawaii Posts: 124 | http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/...LIG010906.html This is basically the list you want to use for importing cars younger than 25years. If its on the list it shouldnt be to hard to federalize for US specs. It may still be expensive though. If its not on the list well... then be prepared to find a different car or spend alot more than the car is worth unless its some collector car. | | | 05-13-2007, 09:27 PM | #5 | Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Germany Posts: 5 | I am a civilian working for a German company. Specifically, I'm looking for a company contact that will take care of the paperwork and shipping. If the car meets U.S. emissions then I am basically left with paying for changing the speedometer and shipping, which I am prepared to do. I agree that anything more will probably not be worth it but finding the right people to ask is turning out to be difficult. My main reasons for wanting to bring the car back are that I like it, it's paid for, and it gets over 30mpg. Doesn't hurt that the front end styling is different from every other model year either. | | | 05-13-2007, 09:34 PM | #6 | Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: DoWNeY, CALiFORNiA Posts: 141 | If it's righthand drive, than that would be very cool. Good luck! | | | 05-13-2007, 10:33 PM | #7 | Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Richmond Hill, GA Posts: 1,231 | Quote: Originally Posted by jaimito79 If it's righthand drive, than that would be very cool. Good luck! | why do people think that cars are right hand drive in Germany. someone asked me the same question yesterday at the grocery store when I told them I got the car from Germany. | | | 05-13-2007, 11:17 PM | #8 | Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Manassas, VA Posts: 4,129 | For the same reason most Americans can't find Iraq on a map, they're idiots. Quote: Originally Posted by angel318ti why do people think that cars are right hand drive in Germany. | __________________ 1998 (July) 318ti, 5-spd OEM Armrest • Blaupunkt Heidelberg CD50 CD Player/Compact Drive MP3 Player • Diamond Audio 5.25" rear speakers • Navman ICN 530 GPS • BMWALARM.COM (with comfort settings) after market alarm system • Magnecor 8.5mm wires • M-Z3 Shifter/Momo Knob • Burlwood Dashboard • Stromung Exhaust • X-brace • Racing Dynamics Front Strut Bar • Carbonio C.A.I. • 17" Rial Rims • Vader Seats/Heated/Lumbar Support • M-tech Steering Wheel/Front Sway Bar/Front & Rear Bumper • Depos/w 6500K Angel Eyes/6000K HIDs • Clear Corners • M3 Mirrors • UUC Light Weight Flywheel/M5 Clutch/M3 Clutch Slave • E28 3.46 LSD/Mcoupe Cover/E30 Flanges & Halfshafts • UUC S.S. Brake/Clutch Lines • Hartge Roof Spoiler • BavAuto Springs• Bilstein Sport Struts/Shocks • E46 M3 Rear Shock Mounts • SPC Front Camber Kit • Reiger Hatch Spoiler • BavAuto Rear Camber Kit • Dinan Stage II Software • Turner Rear Sway Bar Reinforcements • BMW E46 Auto dimming mirror with Clown Nose alarm • Engine Compartment Light • Heated Wiper Fluid Retrofit • OEM Fire Extinguisher • Da'lan Trailer Hitch • Rear Sun Shade • OEM Fog Light Retrofit • H & R MZ3 Rear Sway Bar/ UUC Adjustable End Links • Cruise Control Retrofit • On Board Computer Retrofit • M3 twistie style side skirts • Carbon Fiber Hood | | | 05-13-2007, 11:21 PM | #9 | Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: çî†ÿ øf åNgëL§, CA Posts: 5,314 | Quote: Originally Posted by L84THSKY For the same reason most Americans can't find Iraq on a map, they're idiots. | Yup +1 | | | 05-13-2007, 11:37 PM | #10 | Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Richmond Hill, GA Posts: 1,231 | Quote: Originally Posted by L84THSKY For the same reason most Americans can't find Iraq on a map, they're idiots. | We are in the same page LOL I think somebody didn't get it. | | | 05-14-2007, 02:33 AM | #11 | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Halethorpe, MD Posts: 1,028 | Anything is possible if you have the money and the patience. I looked into importing an M5 a few years ago and found it to be too rich for my blood. Price was in the neighborhood of $10,000 and it can take 6 months or longer to get the work done. I believe the company doing the conversion has to arrange the shipping. If you're serious about trying it you should read everything on this site. http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/ Also check this site. It's one of the registered importers. http://www.sunshine-car-import.com/ Good luck and keep us posted. | | | 05-14-2007, 02:54 AM | #12 | Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tampa FL Posts: 84 | There is a way to bring a "like" model into the USA. My Baur e30 Euro 323 was brought into the usa when the car was 8 years old. Because the e30 model was already in the USA it were some way/paperwork to get this done. But there may be stricter rules now due to EPA and engine types. Do some searches and the data is out there. There are ways to get letters from the manufacturer to accomplish this. The problem is that BMW will no longer provide the letters. Barry __________________ | | | 05-14-2007, 06:07 AM | #13 | Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: DoWNeY, CALiFORNiA Posts: 141 | Quote: Originally Posted by L84THSKY For the same reason most Americans can't find Iraq on a map, they're idiots. | Hence, the word "IF". No, not all cars are righthand drive in Europe, but you would have to agree that most are. Next time, use a little more finess in your reply. | | | 05-14-2007, 06:24 AM | #14 | Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Richmond Hill, GA Posts: 1,231 | Quote: Originally Posted by jaimito79 Hence, the word "IF". No, not all cars are righthand drive in Europe, but you would have to agree that most are. Next time, use a little more finess in your reply. | Most cars in Europe are right hand drive...................NOT! I can only count two countries in Europe that have the right hand drive. Standard side countries: Germany, Italy, France, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Holland, Poland, so on and so forth. | | | 05-14-2007, 06:54 AM | #15 | Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: DoWNeY, CALiFORNiA Posts: 141 | Quote: Originally Posted by angel318ti Most cars in Europe are right hand drive...................NOT! I can only count two countries in Europe that have the right hand drive. Standard side countries: Germany, Italy, France, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Holland, Poland, so on and so forth. | You know, I went to th UK, Spain, Italy, and France and saw a lot of RH drive cars. I was only there for 10 days. Wether there are more standside to rightside make no difference to me. But like I was stating, if it happen to be RH drive, that would be cool to have in the States. The car could have came from another country, I don't know. Anyhow, thanks for the clarification. | | | | | Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | | Posting Rules | You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts HTML code is Off | | | |