BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)
 





 

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      12-31-2008, 05:19 PM   #23
Nixon
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Quote:
Originally Posted by former View Post
It's like trying to fight city hall...

You could definitely get it in the country though. A Mexican citizen with the correct papers can drive their car across the border - I see the plates every so often... It's certainly possible while they were here that they might "accidentally" sell it to someone. :wink:

The trick still would be to get it licensed in any state. My neighbor went through this once with a grey market cycle he wanted to buy. Somehow a fellow got it into the country and licensed because they screwed up on the description on the title or something. However, it was almost a certainly that upon transfer of that title to someone else that error would be noticed and the cycle would be non-licensible at the least or destroyed/deported at the worst.
I can think of some even worse problems.

1) Getting in a car wreck with the Black Market car. (It's not even "Grey Market" car, which is what the term is for non-North American market vehicles being LEGALLY imported into the US). When your insurance company finds out it is a Black Market car, they will void your policy and leave you paying all the damages yourself.

2) Selling the car for 20K to somebody, and 10 years later having to repay the entire purchase price, plus statutory 8% interest ($29,000 dollars) to the car buyer, because the falsified title is "discovered" 10 years later.

3) Getting caught by the Feds and not only losing the car, but also paying impound fees, paying to have the car exported or dismantled, AND having to pay the current maximum fine of $32,500. Even if you manage to get the car licensed by any given state, the Feds can come in and take the car regardless of whether your State allowed you to license it or not.

"The statutory maximum penalty for illegally importing an engine or vehicle is currently $32,500 per engine."
http://www.inece.org/conference/8/pr...ck&Kushner.pdf
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      12-31-2008, 05:39 PM   #24
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I'm with you on wanting the hatch but don't have the patience or means to make it happen. You could always wait for the x1 as it is like a slightly taller hatch! I will be buying one for the wifey as soon as they are available. Good luck on your quest!
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      12-31-2008, 05:52 PM   #25
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lester View Post
Nixon, does this mean I am not on the hook for a pair of floor mats?
I think you are pretty safe.

Unless somebody decides to drop millions and milions of dollars to prove you wrong and get those floor mats from you.
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      01-01-2009, 03:34 AM   #26
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When it comes to crash tests, these results should be suffcient for any country's requirements:
http://www.euroncap.com/tests/bmw_1_..._2004/202.aspx

(Sure, it is not so kind to pedestrians - but then again, which of the countless SUVs, pickups, and other oversized vehicles on the US roads are?)

However, that kind of federal flexibility would be way too much to ask for, I'm afraid...
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      01-01-2009, 10:25 AM   #27
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I still like my idea of a wrecked 128i being used as a platform to create a hatchback. You would have a legal VIN number, engine, drivetrain and chassis and as many parts as can be re-used for the project.

Importing body panels, lights, interior, and electrical components for a non approved car is not illegal. In fact, you could bring the whole car over here one part at a time from Germany (except the ECU). However - you would not be able to register it because it wouldn't have a VIN Number. And as long as it doesn't have a VIN number - it is not a car, just a sculpture.

The 128i is slightly longer, but a good custom shop could make everything work. If you could get a wrecked 130 hatchback in Mexico or Europe you could pay someone to strip it and send as many parts as possible to your custom shop in the USA.

You would end up with a legal, registered 128i, but it would look like a 130 Hatchback. Think of the fun you could have driving slowly past BMW dealers on Sunday afternoons.

The only downfall is this project car could cost a lot of money, but then this whole post from the beginning has been about fantasy, not reality.

And - by the way, the first person to do this will also get pair of front AND REAR floor mats donated by me!
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      01-01-2009, 11:22 AM   #28
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Good idea Lester, but why does it have to be a 128i? If it's fantasy anyway, go for the 135i.

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      01-01-2009, 12:12 PM   #29
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The 128 and 130 share the same engine. I am a purist. But your idea has merit as well, create a 135i hatchback. Why not? That would really turn the heads as you drive by the BMW dealer on a Sunday afternoon.
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      01-22-2009, 11:56 PM   #30
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was it grey? Up until recently I saw a grey 130i 5 door almost every morning and some evenings- BMWs product test loop, or one of them, is in LA and for the past couple years accompanying the new 3s, the new M3, the new Z, the new 7s, the new X5, and the new 1s was a 130i 5 door in one of the greys and not covered in black moldings like the others- I think space grey, but I am not sure- anyway it's pretty cool to see their new products all the time, even if they are covered up

Except last saturday morning, parked along the curb at the cliffs was a monaco (or similar blue) on light beige interior new Z4, not covered up, but had No badgings whatsoever, hood, trunk, not even the steering wheel- I got a great look at it because the top was down and I walked around it- sorry no camera with me- it had a DST or distributor/manufacturer plate on it- it looked very good
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      04-12-2009, 08:03 PM   #31
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I see them pretty regularly (and E46/5s, that's a funny-looking car!) here in Washington DC with diplomatic plates. I wonder if a diplomat (or more likely, diplomat's kid) brings it in can they then resell it?
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      04-13-2009, 05:16 AM   #32
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Garage List
Hi!

ask this guy http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=205998 . It should be the same !?

Greetings

Marco
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      04-14-2009, 10:52 PM   #33
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I've seen a 130i 5 door at the Bellevue, WA BMW dealer, pulling through in the service area. The car had Mexican temporary (paper) "plates". I chatted up the owner briefly, and got that the car was "going back to Mexico".

It's a shame really. I really wouldn't mind repeating my ED experience, except with a used hatch in Munich (sister lives there) for use back here by my wife.
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      06-11-2009, 09:08 AM   #34
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Here is an example of a 120i Hatch from Mexico being seized by the US Treasury - it's for sale in Houston TX on eBay - but only for export.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2008-...ayphotohosting

2008 BMW 120i (3 Door) - Sunroof - Leather - V Spoke Wheels - Like New!! Only 8K Km (5482 Miles)!!

Please Note: This unit was purchased at a Treasury Seizure Sale, Very clean, for International/Export sales only. This means you MUST Export this vehicle to be able to Purchase.
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      09-17-2009, 12:39 PM   #35
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doesnt that car remind you of the 318ti that bmw made
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      09-17-2009, 09:32 PM   #36
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Yes - it is the closest thing to it since then.
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