BMW 1M Coupe import to USA (help needed)

[SebastienDS]

Hi all,

I'm a Belgian citizen but I'll be in Arizona for work for anywhere between 6 months and a few years.

I am looking into buying a BMW 1M in Europe and bringing it with me. I know I can use it for 1year maximum without the need to import it.

Now if I eventually want to permanently import it, how much would it cost?
I'm talking about a German spec car.

And btw what are the approx prices for USA 1M's at the moment? in good shape.

Thanks

[IEDEI]

Originally Posted by SebastienDS

Hi all,

I'm a Belgian citizen but I'll be in Arizona for work for anywhere between 6 months and a few years.

I am looking into buying a BMW 1M in Europe and bringing it with me. I know I can use it for 1year maximum without the need to import it.

Now if I eventually want to permanently import it, how much would it cost?
I'm talking about a German spec car.

And btw what are the approx prices for USA 1M's at the moment? in good shape.

Thanks

you cannot import a euro spec car here unless you are a Belgian diplomat or have government authorization. You may be apply for a waiver to bring it here but you will have to do lots of paperwork through the NHTSA to make that legal....unless someone else has successfully imported a 1M here already (doubtful)

[hlmiii]

Originally Posted by IEDEI

you cannot import a euro spec car here unless you are a Belgian diplomat or have government authorization.

Not correct. You can import a car, but it would be very costly in terms of time and money.

To be legally imported, titled and registered a vehicle must meet two Federal requirements - safety and emissions.
The NHTSA safety requirements for vehicle design and execution must be satisfied. This will involve at the very least a presentation and inspection to the Agency.
The EPA emission requirements for vehicle operation must be met. This will also involve a presentation and inspection to that agency, and will include testing and formal approval.
A Euro/German 1M may likely be able to meet the requirements with a minimum number of modifications, but the entire process will take a good amount of money and a serious commitment of time + effort. There will also be additional expenses for shipping, customs, insurance, title issues, etc.

See - http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...5#post28380435

The bottom line is that it would be far easier and less costly to purchase a US model 1M here and eventually sell it here when you return to Belgium. It would be almost impossible to justify an importation.

If you want more details ... ask.
Good luck.

Originally Posted by SebastienDS

what are the approx prices for USA 1M's at the moment? in good shape.

Mid $40,000 - high $50,000, depending primarily on miles.

[IEDEI]

Originally Posted by hlmiii

Not correct. You can import a car, but it would be very costly in terms of time and money.

To be legally imported, titled and registered a vehicle must meet two Federal requirements - safety and emissions.
The NHTSA safety requirements for vehicle design and execution must be satisfied. This will involve at the very least a presentation and inspection to the Agency.
The EPA emission requirements for vehicle operation must be met. This will also involve a presentation and inspection to that agency, and will include testing and formal approval.
A Euro/German 1M may likely be able to meet the requirements with a minimum number of modifications, but the entire process will take a good amount of money and a serious commitment of time + effort. There will also be additional expenses for shipping, customs, insurance, title issues, etc.

See - http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...5#post28380435

The bottom line is that it would be far easier and less costly to purchase a US model 1M here and eventually sell it here when you return to Belgium. It would be almost impossible to justify an importation.

If you want more details ... ask.
Good luck.

Mid $40,000 - high $50,000, depending primarily on miles.

well that's what i was alluding to in the next sentence that you left out....you have to go through the whole process. not worth the time for a car you can already get here....

[hlmiii]

Well ... I'm making sure the issues are clear for understanding by the OP.

"Waiver" combined with "diplomat' and "government authorization" suggests avoiding the NHTSA/EPA importation process.

When a vehicle is imported nothing is waived - the laws are satisfied.
When a vehicle is allowed into the US for a temporary period because it is owned by a foreign representative, the car does not fall within the importation process - the rules are waived.

[flzrider]

Doug Demuro over on Jalopnik.com has done a great job documenting the process of importing a vehicle into the United States

http://jalopnik.com/here-are-the-fou...uni-1682067632

[hlmiii]

Yep. A good overview.
And here are the bloody details -
http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/

BTW - it actually is as difficult as you think ...

[NorthernDancer]

The 1M importation isn't going to work for you. What you could consider is bringing in the very best E30 you can find. And, if you can afford a 1M you'll be able to find one in the USA.

[Roundown]

Let me know if you need some NA-spec headlights! Happy to swap!

[VO_1M]

Originally Posted by cSurf

Let me know if you need some NA-spec headlights! Happy to swap!

What he said

... good luck with whatever option you choose!

[SebastienDS]

http://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-impor.../importing-car
What about this line.
'Nonresidents may import a vehicle duty-free for personal use up to (1) one year if the vehicle is imported in conjunction with the owner's arrival. Vehicles imported under this provision that do not conform to U.S. safety and emission standards must be exported within one year and may not be sold in the U.S. There is no exemption or extension of the export requirements.