US Bimmer

[grahamx]

Since the Canadian Dollar $$$$ is so STRONG... I am thinking of getting an E46 M3 from the states - they are much cheaper there!

Anyone done this, anything I should be aware of? Any problems?

Looks like I will pay GST (6%), PST (8%), and Duty (6%) for a total of 20% on top of the purcahse price.

[5JABIJ8]

How much cheaper is it? Once you buy it will the warranty be valid up here I've heard mix stories where some dealer are not taking cars from US because of warranty reasons. Hopefully some of the more experienced people on this board can shed some light on this.

Good luck

[ddzc]

I was thinking about doing the same thing. Warranties for BMW are valid here in Canada and can be transferred over. I also read that Vehicles manufactured outside Canada, the US or Mexico are assessed a 6.1% duty fee. There are a few bmw models manufactured in the us so you can save a bit of money. An M5 I was looking at was manufactured in Germany so I would be charged the duty tax on it.
The only thing i'm worried about is selling the car if I ever decide to do so. Not sure if people here don't mind the fact that the car was in the states...

[piran21]

Wasn't there a really informative post about importing from the US here not too long ago?

[Old_School]

Some dealers in the US have reportedly been told by BMW NA to not sell to Canadians. Contact a dealer first.

Next, check the Registrar of Imported Vehicles website http://www.riv.ca/ to ensure the model and year you want can be imported.

Confirm with BMW Canada that the warranty will be honoured.

Finally, expect to pay GST, PST and duty (you may have to pay duty even if it is a US built BMW - check with Canada Customs first). There will be a $100 excise tax for A/C.

You will also have to decide whether to drive it or ship it back. If you engage a shipping company they'll handle all of the border stuff for you. If not, you have to have your ducks lined up for both US Customs and Canada. I believe the US side of the border crossing has to have certain export paperwork in their hands 72 hours before you cross.

Make sure you research thoroughly the costs and effort before you try this, as you may find that some of the extra cost is well worth saving yourself the PITA that bringing it back could cause.

[abc12]

with the canadian dollar almost @ par with the US dollar.....

what was the canadian dollar worth before all this equal dollar happened? was it @ like 60 cents, 70 cents......??? since i don't remember when and how much it was..

[Soldo]

If you are buying from a dealer, apperently BMW's and MINI's do honor the warrenty between the US and Canada.

This was the website posted a week or so ago. Hopefully this helps. As far as resale goes, i don't think too many people worry that it's from the states especially since the dollar is so low now. Before US cars were usually associated with flood/accident repaired cars, but on the other hand, cars from Cali for certain models (such as a M3) would be a better sale, cause you know it'd be pretty rust free!

http://www.ottawa-vdubbing.com/forum...d9edaebb7c4bfe

Hope that helps

[stiffy]

Here are a couple of helpful links - one from Ebay and the other from Bimmerforums, the Canadian section. You will pay duty on cars made outside the US, have to get DRL's and insure the speedo registers in km/hr. I'm seriously thinking of buying south of the border when my lease is up - lots of money to be saved right now.

http://pages.ebay.ca/ebaymotors/expl...owtobuyUS.html

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...d.php?t=813438