Has anyone imported any 96+ M3s from the states?

[Big T]

Well my 318 is pissing me off and I am planning to buy a 98ish m3 cab from the states, the prices are incredible! As well it is really hard to find a 5spd one here for some reason..

I'm just wondering if anyone has imported an M3 and what mods need to be done..I understand you need a letter from BMW that the nessessary mods have been done, but do you need to do that before you hit the border? I only want to make one trip down there.

Any help?

ps. If anyone knows any good auto-trading sites for us cars hook me up! besides.. autotrader.com of course

[Swerve]

http://www.riv.ca/english/html/how_to_import.html

you'll need to make sure you have DRLs installed, which is just a relay swap.

[ScotcH]

do a search ... there are a bunch of threads on this. I imported a 96 M3 a couple of years ago. No issues, but things have changed (the letters).

[nyt]

try www.cars.com
check the following link it is long but once you are done reading it you will be an expert on cars from US http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/s...d.php?t=307601

[hellrot_M3]

how come people are not allowed to import 95 M3's anymore? is there a problem with them?

[kenmar]

Apparently, the bumper is not up to CDN specs

[hellrot_M3]

well i have a 95 m3, and the structure and driving seems fine, ive drivin OBD1 ans OBDII and they feel the same, actually OBD1 seems stronger and more powerful.

thants just my 2 cents

[ScotcH]

Originally Posted by kenmar

Apparently, the bumper is not up to CDN specs

No, it's just BMW bullshit. The bumper is identical. It's the suspension that is lower by 1/2". The Canadian government takes their admission lists from the manufacturers ... BMW says it not admissible anymore, so the gov adds it to the list.

[kenmar]

So that implies that any US car that is suspension modded cannot really be imported for this reason

[Shock(/\)ave]

Originally Posted by kenmar

So that implies that any US car that is suspension modded cannot really be imported for this reason

If the suspension is adjustable I can't see you having a problem.

[herbalizer]

Call BMW Canada, they'll help you out. I talked to them about bringing in an e46 m3. They told me that there is a bunch of steps:

• you need a letter of admissibility from BMW (aprox $150). you present this at the border when entering Canada with the car
• BMW will have to do a recall check and update ( $500)
• make changes to the car (I.e. running lights) dealer told me that in an e36 this may be a dashboard change (careful here, you may not be allowed to simply hot wire the lights) e46 is just software change.
• take it to Canadian Tire to have it inspected and certified for Canada (YES, Canadian Tire is the only place that is allowed to do this)
• Then you register it. Need to do this within 45 days of bringing it.

Again, talk to BMW Canada, they'll know for sure. I called the dealer to find out costs for setting up running lights for the car. BMW told me some older BMW are really expensive to bring in due to the costs of setting up running lights...

[ScotcH]

Originally Posted by herbalizer

Call BMW Canada, they'll help you out.

Lol ... that's some funny shit right there. Yeah, they'll help you part with your money. With their bullshit fees, which they just made up last year.

You can buy a running lights kit from CT for like $30 and get them to install it for anything older than a 96. 96+ is just a relay change.

[T.Dot_E30]

Originally Posted by herbalizer

[*]take it to Canadian Tire to have it inspected and certified for Canada (YES, Canadian Tire is the only place that is allowed to do this)

Wrong, many other shops can do federalization. My uncle does it.

[ScotcH]

Originally Posted by T.Dot_E30

Wrong, many other shops can do federalization. My uncle does it.

Only where there is no CT in the area, unless this changed VERY recently.

[T.Dot_E30]

Originally Posted by ScotcH

Only where there is no CT in the area, unless this changed VERY recently.

Nope he's been able to do it for atleast 5 years now.