[Zender]

Not sure if this is the place to post this so move the thread if it is not. I am currently looking to purchase a 325/330/328 from the US depending on what I can find. I have already sold my car and am actively looking but the rules have changed... I contacted RIV to gather some information. It did turn out very well... I contacted a news agency in my area and they are interviewing me tomorrow since this is a HOT topic in my area. Anyways here is what I sent to them:

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Here is a thread I sent to RIV (Registry of Imported Vehicles) regarding the changes BMW made to literally cause a BMW imposed tax on any BMWs (old they won't sell us new ones) being imported. Before Nov. 26 any BMW from 1992 - 2007 was admissible into Canada as any other car would be with a simple process to follow. As of Nov. 26 we now have to 'ask' BMW if we are allowed to import a BMW and pay them to give us a letter saying so and being forces to have them inspect it afterwards and install daytime running lights even though there is no requirement deom other vehicles manufactures to do so.

Anyways here is a thread of the conversation with a person at RIV and you can judge if there is a story here or not:

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My inital email:

From: Martins, Kelsey
Sent: Monday, December 03, 2007 11:31 AM
To: RIV Info
Subject: Importing a BMW

Hi I was planning on importing a BMW and had checked everything out on your site and had roughly everything good to go with a deal in the US on a 2006 330i.

Now all of a suddenly NO BMWs are admissable without some Canadian dealership approvals etc??? How can this be? How does a Canadian division have anything to do with whether or not a car is admissible especially when it was admissible prior to Nov. 27? Are the dealships now dictating law? It is a 100% cash grab for them and I can't understand any reason why the government would need their approvals for anything.

What if I had already purchased my car and deliver wasn't until this week? The rules should be able to be changed on the fly like that. I can understand 2008 but not on cars that have already been admissible with no issues.

It sounds to me like BMW has good lobbiest.

Can you please fill me in on my options?

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Their reply which is cut and past off their website and doesn't address anything in my email:

From: Lima, Christina [mailto:CLima@riv.ca]
Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2007 7:36 AM
To: Martins, Kelsey
Subject: RE: Importing a BMW

If you wish to import any BMW into Canada then, please contact an authorized Canadian BMW or MINI Retailer to request a letter of admissibility and for information regarding the exact nature and costs of modifications required. The modifications vary by model and may be expensive. ALL modifications MUST be performed by an authorized Canadian BMW or MINI Retailer and must be completed before a recall clearance letter can be issued by BMW Group Canada. Prior to reviewing your request for a letter of admissibility, the following information must be provided:

- Model
- Model year
- 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

An official letter of admissibility from BMW Group Canada must be presented to a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer at time of importation. In addition, the official recall clearance letter obtained from BMW Group

Canada once the required retrofits have been completed and documented by an authorized Canadian BMW or Mini Retailer must be presented to the Registrar of Imported Vehicles in order to properly register a vehicle.


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My reply next:

From: Martins, Kelsey
Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2007 11:13 AM
To: Lima, Christina
Subject: RE: Importing a BMW

Hi,

Thanks for cutting and pasting the text from the import PDF but I knew that already. My problem is I started the process before that was the text so how can the rules change mid process? Do you realize how much BMW is charging for these letters? Many are not even providing them. Shouldn't they be free?

So like I said, if I had done my due diligence and then arrived at the border Nov. 26 (after the amendment) what would be recourse be? All of a sudden I am on the hook for extra cash and not able to go back on the deal because that part is done US side. It's not like there was notice of the change given. I think there is perfect grounds for a lawsuit.

Who decides when the changes should be made? How was the amendment decided and how come no notice was given prior to the change so that people could at least have a chance to modify their plans in prepartation? These are the questions I am looking to be answered.

Thanks.

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This message was then just deleted and not read as we can see from my email read receipt:

Your message

To: CLima@riv.ca
Subject:

was deleted without being read on 12/4/2007 8:49 AM.

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I then contact them again attaching the read reciept:

From: Martins, Kelsey
Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2007 11:59 AM
To: Lima, Christina
Subject: FW: Importing a BMW

Hi Christina,

So are you deleting my emails now?

If there is something wrong with my line of questioning, can you please at least point me in the right direction as to where I can follow up?

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I then recieved a reply with, as usual, no help at all:

From: Lima, Christina [mailto:CLima@riv.ca]
Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2007 9:33 AM
To: Martins, Kelsey
Subject: RE: Importing a BMW

Contact BMW

Christina Lima
Team Lead, Registrar of Imported Vehicles

405 The West Mall, Suite 400
Toronto, ON M9C 5K7
Fax: 416-626-0366
1-888-848-8240
mailto:clima@riv.ca

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My reply:
From: Martins, Kelsey
Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2007 12:41 PM
To: Lima, Christina
Subject: RE: Importing a BMW

Contact BMW for what??? I am not asking about BMW specific questions.

I will reiterate... nothing is BMW specific. There are questions for RIV. If not, what agency (not dealership) do I contact.

1. Who is in charge of dictating policy for imported vehicles if the standard can change day to day?
2. Who makes the final call?
3. How come no notice was given prior to a change so that people could at least have a chance to modify their plans in prepartation?
4. What is stopping BMW (or any manufacturer) from asking for $10,000 for any paperwork.

If you don't know the answers just say so, but saying "Contact BMW" for general importing questions for any car doesn't make any sense.

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Another 'useful' reply:
From: Lima, Christina [mailto:CLima@riv.ca]
Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2007 10:09 AM
To: Martins, Kelsey
Subject: RE: Importing a BMW

Kelsey,

For your information, the List of Vehicles Admissible from the United States is compiled from information supplied by the manufacturer (BMW).

If a manufacturer supplies information indicating that the vehicle cannot be modified to meet basic motor vehicle safety standards such as bumpers (CMVSS 215), seat belt anchorages (CMVSS 210), or child tether anchorage (CMVSS 210.1), then the vehicle is deemed inadmissible.

Moreover, if a manufacturer fails to supply any compliance or modification information at all on a particular make or model; the vehicle is also deemed inadmissible.

This information is under the control of the manufacturer, and therefore must be obtained directly from them.

Christina Lima
Team Lead, Registrar of Imported Vehicles

405 The West Mall, Suite 400
Toronto, ON M9C 5K7
Fax: 416-626-0366
1-888-848-8240
mailto:clima@riv.ca

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My reply again:

From: Martins, Kelsey
Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2007 1:23 PM
To: Lima, Christina
Subject: RE: Importing a BMW

Exactly my point.

All BMWs were admissable up to Nov. 26. Now the manufacturer has said NO so they can charge for it. If the models WERE admissible for the last 10+ years, what has changed??? Those cars are exactly the same.

I don't understand how you can't see the point I am trying to make or the conflict of interest with BMW or any manufacturing dictating the rules. I can understand them saying any 2008's need to follow some policy since they have NEVER been able to be imported. But to go back and then say that certain cars can't be because they are losing to much money on them because of LEASE residuals is just ridiculous.

So who is accountable? Complaining to the manufacturer will get me know where because they want the policy to protect profits. Who can I talk to? Transport Canada? Who is RIV accountable to?

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From: Lima, Christina [mailto:CLima@riv.ca]
Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2007 10:35 AM
To: Martins, Kelsey
Subject: RE: Importing a BMW

Kelsey,

BMW, Transport Canada and the RIV have all agreed that if you can prove that you purchased a BMW BEFORE November 26th, BMW will issue a letter of admissibility free of charge.

You can contact BMW at BMWs Customer Relation department at 905-683-1200 for a letter.

Regards

Christina Lima
Team Lead, Registrar of Imported Vehicles

405 The West Mall, Suite 400
Toronto, ON M9C 5K7
Fax: 416-626-0366
1-888-848-8240
mailto:clima@riv.ca

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So I replied:

From: Martins, Kelsey
Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2007 1:40 PM
To: Lima, Christina
Subject: RE: Importing a BMW

Ok so if I bought on Nov. 26th though suddenly the car is now considered a different car and I have to pay the BMW issued tax of around $1000 even though 1 day prior there would have been no cost.

I think my point is clear as can be and shows the conflict of interest that is clearly occuring here.

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And I received the expected response:

Your message

To: CLima@riv.ca
Subject:

was deleted without being read on 12/4/2007 10:45 AM.

[davewolfs]

Sounds like total socialist bullshit to me. I guess BMW started crying to the goverment about their recent loss in sales. Amazing how the government always has to get involved. Sorry to hear about your troubles.