Euro spec 1er vs US spec: what's the difference?

[bmwsam]

Originally Posted by m_thompson

Not for 2010 models. The sunroof is now ordered separately or as part of the Premium package.

Only on the 128i, still mandatory on the 135i for 2010 in the US.

[candide24]

Hello guys,
I am digging up this post as I have recently purchased a non-modified 2011 Canadian BMW 135i with DCT.
I live in Canada but I will be back to Europe in three years.
I have done extensive research in this forum and others but I have not totally figured out what needs to be done to be sure the car will be compliant with French regulation.
So far:
headlights and glasses are ok (E9 and R43)
Rear Fog light must be activated (great DIY on the forum)
Tail lights will have to be compliant with EU rules (not checked yet)
Data plate will have to be riveted
VIN is already engraved
I do not see anything else: any suggestions before I ask BMW for a COC?
Thanks for helping!

[10"]

Originally Posted by NickR1

US models have the ugly azz amber turn signals in the headlights while the Euro versions dont

At least on an orange car the amber reflectors look waaaaaaaay better than the euro white ones. The white ones make the headlights look even bigger...

[duder13]

Originally Posted by 10"

At least on an orange car the amber reflectors look waaaaaaaay better than the euro white ones. The white ones make the headlights look even bigger...

Yeah, I actually like the amber deflectors better in all colors. It makes the headlights look smaller and less dated.

[m_thompson]

For convenience, you will want to get the FM radio reprogrammed for the European frequency range.

[candide24]

Originally Posted by m_thompson

For convenience, you will want to get the FM radio reprogrammed for the European frequency range.

Thanks,
Good catch,

[magalhaes]

Originally Posted by candide24

Hello guys,
I am digging up this post as I have recently purchased a non-modified 2011 Canadian BMW 135i with DCT.
I live in Canada but I will be back to Europe in three years.
I have done extensive research in this forum and others but I have not totally figured out what needs to be done to be sure the car will be compliant with French regulation.
So far:
headlights and glasses are ok (E9 and R43)
Rear Fog light must be activated (great DIY on the forum)
Tail lights will have to be compliant with EU rules (not checked yet)
Data plate will have to be riveted
VIN is already engraved
I do not see anything else: any suggestions before I ask BMW for a COC?
Thanks for helping!

I moved to Germany earlier this year and brought my 2011 128i E88 with me, and I'm very happy with that decision (see https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1504285).

I wasn't able to get a CoC from BMW USA (I called them), so I had to bring the car to Tüv and do an extensive inspection which cost about 500€. The only thing I needed to do was adjust the headlight hight levels which they said were a bit off. After that I was able to register the car and get german plates.

They looked at the headlights, all glasses and tires for the european logo (circle with the letter E followed by a number - E1 is Germany, for example). Check that your tires have that symbol - not all tires sold in US have it.

I had already done the DIY for the rear fog lights.

You can drive with US plates in Germany for up to one year, but insurance options while on US plates were scarce and expensive, so I bought only 3 months worth of insurance and got the car registered in that time, then switched to regular insurance from ADAC, which is half of what I paid in the US.

I've read about the FM issue before, but didn't pay much attention to it as I don't listen to FM radio a lot. I'm not sure it tunes to every station, but it works here, and I can tune in to at least some stations and sounds fine.

Let me know if you have questions!

[candide24]

Guten Abend,

Viele Danke!
I will be moving to France that is very conservatice as far as homologation is concerned...
I have been thinking that not much should be done to get the car approved.
Your answer confirms my feelings. To be sure I will be asking BMW France to get the COC that is likely to be partial (fog lights).

[dzid_]

Use this search https://iaspub.epa.gov/otaqpub/pubsearch.jsp to get BMW CoC.
Select Industry All.

Sigh, the import process is already complicated, so I hope this is the right thing.
>2011 135i: