[PushingTin]

I'm trying I'm trying lol.... Should be here Monday night... Then there's the 'getting it on the road' ... Shouldn't take long

[dubr]

Excellent write up! Very useful!!! Thanks a lot!!!

[Rossland]

Originally Posted by dpwr

m5's are 20g's cheaper :> anyone know zip codes in states (to look up on trader.com) which are close to the border ?

Try 14216 (Buffalo)

[MaxL]

Just finished paperwork on my second import. This time I took and easy way (transportation + broker) instead of driving and doing customs myself as the last time. Will do a write up on getting a car in the US. In short - much easier than most people think.

[fxie]

Excellent write-up OP! Many thanks!

Originally Posted by MaxL

Just finished paperwork on my second import. This time I took and easy way (transportation + broker) instead of driving and doing customs myself as the last time. Will do a write up on getting a car in the US. In short - much easier than most people think.

MaxL, looking forward to hearing about your experience as well.

I am looking to import an e92 from California soon, so this will definitely be helpful for me

[tcc230]

So essentially nothing has to be changed...I am thinking of getting an 353i 08...running daylights is an easy fix (i have to do or canadian tire)...Is this correct? french labels etc...

what is the cost of having to change things if any?

thanks in advance...

[PushingTin]

Well, I brought my car over the border last Monday, finally plated and on the road yesterday.... It's not as difficult as brokers would have you believe!!! I'll do a write up soon..... In the meantime I'm going to go and have some fun in my new 'cheap' car

PT

[Saintor]

Interesting info if I want to get an used F10 535i next year.

Here = 64000$C
USA = 50475$US

Many paid for the instruments cluster change for E9X. It was not about Metric/Imp units, but integrated DRL; Canadian cars wiring is different so you can't turn off DRL. I guess that it is no longer the case.

[CHAUCH]

Hey pushing can you pm me, I have a few questions about importing a 08-09 335i. Forum wont let me pm yet.

appreciate it dude, sick car btw!

[Yimsum]

quick question .... for those who dont have 30k+ in hand ... are there any financing option avaliable for canadian buyers purchasing a car from the states?

[BavFan_08]

Originally Posted by Yimsum

quick question .... for those who dont have 30k+ in hand ... are there any financing option avaliable for canadian buyers purchasing a car from the states?

you can maybe get a bank to re-finance your mortgage...or maybe they'll give you a bank loan....all depends on your credit rating and relationship with the bank....

[biego]

Are the regulations the same for a new car import? If not, how much use qualifies as used?

[BavFan_08]

Originally Posted by biego

Are the regulations the same for a new car import? If not, how much use qualifies as used?

The process is the same. Whether new or used. The trick is if the dealer will sell you a new car.....also, the car is only used once it has officially been purchased or leased by someone else...so until the manufacturer officially sells or leases the car to someone else, the car is "new"

[BavFan_08]

If you import a car, and your car does not have iDrive, does BMW Canada have to be the one to turn the DRLs on?

or can you get that done anywhere with out voiding warranty?

Thanks.

[jigga]

Originally Posted by Yimsum

quick question .... for those who dont have 30k+ in hand ... are there any financing option avaliable for canadian buyers purchasing a car from the states?

i just got a line of credit from my bank. like the other guy said, it all depends on your credit rating.

obviously, US dealers are not going to finance you, so when you buy, you need to pay them in full.

[jigga]

Originally Posted by biego

Are the regulations the same for a new car import? If not, how much use qualifies as used?

AFAIK, you can't purchase a brand new car in the US. The dealers are not allowed to sell it to you. I've heard stories of people going down to the more southern states to get it done, but still, BMWNA has strict regulations about it.

[jigga]

Originally Posted by BavFan_08

If you import a car, and your car does not have iDrive, does BMW Canada have to be the one to turn the DRLs on?

or can you get that done anywhere with out voiding warranty?

Thanks.

I'm pretty sure you can turn on the DRLs with the stalk. Do a search on the forums and you should find out how. The manual will probably tell you also.

[BavFan_08]

Originally Posted by jigga

AFAIK, you can't purchase a brand new car in the US. The dealers are not allowed to sell it to you. I've heard stories of people going down to the more southern states to get it done, but still, BMWNA has strict regulations about it.

+1 I actually have relatives who live in the south (Baton Rouge, Louisiana.) I called a dealership in the area about buying a new car. The sales guy, in his southern accent said "hell yah I'll sell you a car. I'll sell a car to anyone who wants to buy one"

Then a day later, he retracted and said he would lose his job if he sold to a Canadian.....

[BavFan_08]

Originally Posted by jigga

I'm pretty sure you can turn on the DRLs with the stalk. Do a search on the forums and you should find out how. The manual will probably tell you also.

Cool...

[ostrich]

This is a great write-up, thanks!

I contacted BMW Canada about the warranty, as I may be relocating to Canada and I want to know about the warranty situation if I bring up a BMW. They claim that the warranty will be void if I don't go through the BMW Canada dealers to have the instrument cluster and DRL changed out! Altogether that would cost CDN $2,500!!! Isn't that ridiculous?!

http://www.bmw.ca/ca/en/general/import/content.html

The BMW Canada webpage above actually did not specifically say that the warranty will be void but then the e-mail response I got from BMW Canada stated that:

1. The New Car Limited Warranty of 4 years, 80 000kms is honoured in Canada as long as you follow the BMW Import Process which can be found at www.BMW.ca/import .

2. The modifications for your vehicle can be obtained through one of our BMW Retailers in Canada if you speak to the Service Department

3. You will need a Recall Clearance Letter which can also be obtained through one of our BMW Retailers in Canada.

[tyrewt]

Originally Posted by ostrich

This is a great write-up, thanks!

I contacted BMW Canada about the warranty, as I may be relocating to Canada and I want to know about the warranty situation if I bring up a BMW. They claim that the warranty will be void if I don't go through the BMW Canada dealers to have the instrument cluster and DRL changed out! Altogether that would cost CDN $2,500!!! Isn't that ridiculous?!

Perhaps you misunderstood them. Warranty IS covered anywhere in North America, maintenance IS NOT. The instrument cluster on a US car does NOT need to be swapped anymore as it has both metric and imperial display.

Please go back and read the thread.

[tyrewt]

Originally Posted by biego

Are the regulations the same for a new car import? If not, how much use qualifies as used?

A BMW deal in the USA cannot sell you a NEW car, it must be used, meaning, registered to somebody else in the past. There is a period of six months that the car must be registered for too, otherwise the DMV will give you a hard time I think.