Potential E28 import from Europe

My grandad owned an '83 BMW E28 since new, and it's been always garaged over in Europe. It's clean and straight, and would make a perfect project car. I can get the car for essentially nothing, and I'm considering whether it's worthwhile importing it to the US.

Being over 25 years old makes it exempt from emissions and FMVSS considerations, correct? Does anyone have experience with importing vehicles, and who can point me to a reputable vehicle importer? Is there anything else I should consider?

Look up Hungary Bill, Karnic, or Mazda805 to ask them. They've all imported stuff here in the past year or so.

Is there something particularly special about it, or do you just want it because it's your granddad's? If not for sentimental value, e28s in good shape can be found for next to nothing on this side of the pond, probably a lot less than it will cost to get a (free) one here from Europe.

You don't need a vehicle importer in the registered importer sense, you need a shipping company that's shipped vehicles before and has a customs broker who knows what they're doing. And yes, getting an '83 into the country should be easy, just keep in mind it'll have to pass smog if there is any emissions testing where you live. It also helps if it's a runner - you don't want to ship a non-runner RoRo.

A good shipper will be able to let you know which pieces of paperwork you'll need. At the very minimum you'll need the equivalent of the title and a bill of sale or similar.

I would only import it either for the sentimental value or if it's a reasonably rare model we didn't get over here.

Oh, and whereabouts in Europe is the car? I may have some slightly more concrete recommendations based on location as I've imported a couple of vehicles from the UK and also have contacts in Germany.

There's a guy on the mye28.com board who lives in the Netherlands who regularly imports BMWs to the US. He has a good reputation and apparently has the shipping process figured out. here's one of his ads: http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=130009

A clean set of Euro spec bumpers alone would sell for $1500 here. I can't see a way that you could go wrong shipping it here.... unless it is one of the tiny displacement cars that we never got. The little 2.0 six is interesting but I doubt it would move a mid size sedan all too swiftly

If I was going to import an old BMW, it'd be an E30 Touring. But I'm weird.

Don't underestimate that 2.0 baby six.

I have one of the 2.3's, and even with nearly 200k on it, we used it as the motor for a 2,400 pound track car. It could catch and pass stock E30s.

Get a "customs house broker" for the paperwork, its worth it to ensure that everything is done right and all of it is done. (that is the name of who/what you want to hire so you have the search term) They will cut down on how long it takes to get it all done and done right. You could DIY, but it helps to have an expert to sail the paperwork through.

You are exempt from FMVSS and from EPA (federal), you will have to refer to local state and county emissions stuff as thats a separate racket.

Heres more information for stuff.
http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/FAQ%20Site/pages/page2.html#Anchor-28852 #8 verifies the 25 year exemption for NHTSA

http://www.epa.gov/otaq/imports/documents/420b11015.pdf Page 17 Section 3.1 explains EPA 21 year rule

CPB considerations http://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/importing-car

If it runs, you can ship it RO-RO and you will have to pay importation taxes (2.5% in this case, see CPB page).

That should have you covered, let me know if you need anything more.

Thanks for the info all. Much appreciated! Is Ro-Ro significantly cheaper than containerising it?

The vehicle is in the Netherlands. There is a good degree of sentimental reason for wanting the car. But it is also very straight and clean. It is one of the tiny displacement models; it's a 518i with the little M10 motor. Not much motorvation there (although these have been made to have power), but I see it as incentive for an engine swap

edwardh80 wrote: My grandad owned an '83 BMW E28 since new, and it's been always garaged over in Europe. It's clean and straight, and would make a perfect project car. I can get the car for essentially nothing, and I'm considering whether it's worthwhile importing it to the US. Being over 25 years old makes it exempt from emissions and FMVSS considerations, correct? Does anyone have experience with importing vehicles, and who can point me to a reputable vehicle importer? Is there anything else I should consider?

Being over 25 years old makes it exempt from emissions

Depends on the state. Be aware of this, for sure, before you pursue an import. However you SHOULD be ok unless you are in California however still be wary if you are in a county with a large city. In Clark County here in Nevada you are exempt but ONLY if you also have a mileage limitation.

Does anyone have experience with importing vehicles, and who can point me to a reputable vehicle importer? Is there anything else I should consider?

If you are on the west coast I would consider importing from Japan. Lots of Europeon cars over there. If you do that I would suggest pacificcoastjdm.com I used them and they are good. Would probably be cheaper than importing the "free" car and then shipping it across the country.

Talk to a customs broker local to the port you are going to use. They probably have recommendations for importers.

I would only import it either for the sentimental value or if it's a reasonably rare model we didn't get over here.

I would keep what this commentator says in mind. Personally with a BMW I would recommend finding a local car and doing a euro conversion. It would be way easier and you can actually see the car yourself. However if you have a "free" car go ahead and do it. Importing is not expensive.

If I was going to import an old BMW, it'd be an E30 Touring. But I'm weird.

Not weird IMO. I would do it for sure. To me importing is to get cars not sold here and this is one of the good ones. I seriously considered this until I saw Alpinas with M30 engine transplants then I lusted after that instead.

kanaric wrote:

Being over 25 years old makes it exempt from emissions

Depends on the state. Be aware of this, for sure, before you pursue an import. However you SHOULD be ok unless you are in California however still be wary if you are in a county with a large city. In Clark County here in Nevada you are exempt but ONLY if you also have a mileage limitation.

Does anyone have experience with importing vehicles, and who can point me to a reputable vehicle importer? Is there anything else I should consider?

If you are on the west coast I would consider importing from Japan. Lots of Europeon cars over there. If you do that I would suggest pacificcoastjdm.com I used them and they are good. Talk to a customs broker local to the port you are going to use. They probably have recommendations for importers.

I would only import it either for the sentimental value or if it's a reasonably rare model we didn't get over here.

I would keep what this commentator says in mind. Personally with a BMW I would recommend finding a local car and doing a euro conversion. It would be way easier and you can actually see the car yourself.

Should have mentioned: We will be living in FL so it's not too far from Rotterdam to anywhere in the east coast. Seems to be loads of GRM folk living down there, and I haven't heard that FL is too draconian like that. I've seen the car and ridden in it a bunch of times, the interior is practically perfect and the body is great. Unfortunately, I don't have any good pics of it that I can find right now, otherwise I'd share.

edwardh80 wrote:

kanaric wrote:

Being over 25 years old makes it exempt from emissions

Depends on the state. Be aware of this, for sure, before you pursue an import. However you SHOULD be ok unless you are in California however still be wary if you are in a county with a large city. In Clark County here in Nevada you are exempt but ONLY if you also have a mileage limitation.

Does anyone have experience with importing vehicles, and who can point me to a reputable vehicle importer? Is there anything else I should consider?

If you are on the west coast I would consider importing from Japan. Lots of Europeon cars over there. If you do that I would suggest pacificcoastjdm.com I used them and they are good. Talk to a customs broker local to the port you are going to use. They probably have recommendations for importers.

I would only import it either for the sentimental value or if it's a reasonably rare model we didn't get over here.

I would keep what this commentator says in mind. Personally with a BMW I would recommend finding a local car and doing a euro conversion. It would be way easier and you can actually see the car yourself.

Should have mentioned: We will be living in FL so it's not too far from Rotterdam to anywhere in the east coast. Seems to be loads of GRM folk living down there, and I haven't heard that FL is too draconian like that. I've seen the car and ridden in it a bunch of times, the interior is practically perfect and the body is great. Unfortunately, I don't have any good pics of it that I can find right now, otherwise I'd share.

Sounds like a good deal then. If it's in rotterdam and you are in florida acquring the car is for sure going to be less than $2000 (maybe not for sure, lol) I paid for my skyline from Japan to LA to give you an idea on what the costs could be like.

Customs broker will take care of all forms requried. They only cost me like $150. The taxes are rather negligible compared to the total cost, I don't recall what they were.

The pain in the ass is when you go to the DMV. They had no clue what to do with what I brought them. Luckily your car was sold in the US so insurance and such might be easier.

edwardh80 wrote: Thanks for the info all. Much appreciated! Is Ro-Ro significantly cheaper than containerising it?

Yes, IIRC it's about 1/3-1/2 the price of a container. The other problem with sending it over in a container is that you have to have access to a loading dock or somehow have to get the car out of the container at port with the container sitting on the ground. If it ends up on a truck you have to get access to a loading dock or jump the car out .

edwardh80 wrote: The vehicle is in the Netherlands. There is a good degree of sentimental reason for wanting the car. But it is also very straight and clean. It is one of the tiny displacement models; it's a 518i with the little M10 motor. Not much motorvation there (although these have been made to have power), but I see it as incentive for an engine swap

You're close to Rotterdam so it should be pretty easy to find a way to get it to the East Coast. I don't have any contacts over there but given how much freight moves through Rotterdam (and how many cars) it should be one of the easier shipments.

Thread dig. We're starting to get settled in FL and I need to get a second vehicle. Here's some pics of the vehicle mentioned previously for those interested.

Does anyone have any RO/RO vehicle shipping and importing companies they can recommend? It's like pulling teeth trying to get a response from the ones I've tried contacting so far. A web search seems to show plenty who export vehicle from the US, but not so many who import them.

Huh, a 518! Carburated 1.8 four cylinder, 100hp in a 3100lb car...very cool, but that's gonna be a lot of fun on modern expressways!

SlickDizzy wrote: Huh, a 518! Carburated 1.8 four cylinder, 100hp in a 3100lb car...very cool, but that's gonna be a lot of fun on modern expressways!

Yeah, stay off the freeway and you'll be fine.

Dog forbid it shows up ant doesn't run, you can part that and double your shipping expenses. Looks like a great candidate for a swap.

Any chance you can have some rare/desirable euro parts shipped over in the trunk? Euro M5 engine maybe? A full car costs the same as an empty car right?

Seriously I bet there are plenty of non-BMW parts that are pennies there and unobtainium here that you could stash in the car to sweeten the deal.

An m10 is ripe for a turbo

In reply to oldtin:

The blocks are, at least. Pretty much everything else has to go

the bottom end is pretty stout - everything else - you're right

The only problem I see in bringing it over (especially to Fl) is the lack of AC.

Slippery wrote: The only problem I see in bringing it over (especially to Fl) is the lack of AC.

I was going to say the same thing. There was an aftermarket A/C kit for the e28 from http://diavia.it/eng_kits.php but I don't know if they still sell it - after all, they are over 25 years old. Also, my M535i has that Diavia kit and it's barely adequate in Minnesota, I suspect it would have a hard time keepin up in Florida.

SlickDizzy wrote: Huh, a 518! Carburated 1.8 four cylinder, 100hp in a 3100lb car...very cool, but that's gonna be a lot of fun on modern expressways!

I've done that before, while it wouldn't win any drag races, it'd do just fine down an interstate. I don't understand why it seems to be a common theme here of "Just don't take it down an interstate" like it would somehow be dangerous.....I'd bet it's safer than any miata around semis.

Yeah, bring that car over here.