Anyone ever import and federalize a German spec Bimmer to US?

b33g33 · 01-22-2012, 07:22 AM

My fiancee owns an E39 530i that she loves. The problem is the car is in Mainz, Germany.

We are toying with the idea of importing the car and getting it federalized and were wondering if anyone has done it?

If so, what total cost would we be looking at? Since there is some sentimentality involved in the decision-making on our side I'm also asking for rational voices to weigh in here.

The car is in perfect condition and has been owned by her family since new.

TIA

carchrism5 · 01-22-2012, 09:40 AM

Honestly it is not even close to being worth it. The costs involved to do so would not be cheap. You can very easily buy a US spec 530i for under $10,000.

Dackelone · 01-22-2012, 10:01 AM

b33g33 - are you in the military? IF so... go to your US customs office on base... they have a list of cars that can be imported to the USA (German specs) with little modifcations. Especially if the car is over 25 years old. But your fiancee's e39 is not that old.

I knew of a guy who imported his German spec 850i a few years back. I did not believe him at first that customs has a "list" of rare BMW models that can be imported with little to no modifications.

///M1 · 01-22-2012, 12:55 PM

Check this list for your specific case. I know of a few people that tried federalizing the F10 M5 Wagon and current RS 6 Avant, but too new and likely not gonna happen ever.

https://www.federalregister.gov/arti...or-importation

01-22-2012, 07:22 AM	#1
b33g33 Give '///M' Hell! 125 Rep 1,325 Posts Drives: Einser Rex Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	Anyone ever import and federalize a German spec Bimmer to US? My fiancee owns an E39 530i that she loves. The problem is the car is in Mainz, Germany. We are toying with the idea of importing the car and getting it federalized and were wondering if anyone has done it? If so, what total cost would we be looking at? Since there is some sentimentality involved in the decision-making on our side I'm also asking for rational voices to weigh in here. The car is in perfect condition and has been owned by her family since new. TIA __________________ The 1 series M is the most badass, coolest, sickest BMW to debut since the 1988 M3. The E30 M3 finally has a successor. Please welcome the stupidly fast, wickedly tempered, awkwardly named, possibly perfect little son of a benchmark - Automobile Magazine, August 2011
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01-22-2012, 09:40 AM	#2
carchrism5 Lieutenant Colonel 336 Rep 1,589 Posts Drives: M2, X3 M40i, 911 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NC iTrader: (3)	Honestly it is not even close to being worth it. The costs involved to do so would not be cheap. You can very easily buy a US spec 530i for under $10,000.
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01-22-2012, 10:01 AM	#3
Dackelone European Editor 10539 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	b33g33 - are you in the military? IF so... go to your US customs office on base... they have a list of cars that can be imported to the USA (German specs) with little modifcations. Especially if the car is over 25 years old. But your fiancee's e39 is not that old. I knew of a guy who imported his German spec 850i a few years back. I did not believe him at first that customs has a "list" of rare BMW models that can be imported with little to no modifications.
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01-22-2012, 12:55 PM	#4
///M1 Brigadier General 275 Rep 3,164 Posts Drives: Many Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: North of 7K RPM iTrader: (1) Garage List 2020 BMW M2 CS [0.00] 1994 Audi RS2 Avant [0.00] 2021 Audi RS6 Avant [0.00] 1988 BMW E30 M3 [0.00] 2011 BMW 1///M [0.00] 2017 BMW F80 M3 30 ... [0.00] 2018 Porsche 991.2 GT3 [0.00] 2015 Porsche Macan ... [0.00] 1998 Porsche 993 C4S [0.00] 1994 Lancia Delta I ... [0.00] 2008 Audi RS4 [0.00]	Check this list for your specific case. I know of a few people that tried federalizing the F10 M5 Wagon and current RS 6 Avant, but too new and likely not gonna happen ever. https://www.federalregister.gov/arti...or-importation __________________ *2011 BMW E82 1///M: AW, all options; Renntech, Akrapovic, Forge, P3, RevoZ CF bits, many mods 1988 BMW E30 M3: Hennarot, S14, stock 2018 Porsche 991.2 GT3: PtS, CXX, LWBS, PCCB 1998 Porsche 993 C4S: Zenith Blue, last aircooled widebody, Bilstein PSS10, Fister II + Fabspeed exhaust 2008 Audi B7 RS 4*: Sprint Blue, Audi Exclusive Euro Bucket Interior, Premium+Titanium, many mods
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