Member
Hello,
we will move to the US in January/February 2016 and I have a 1997 E36 M3 Convertible here in Germany. I would love to take that one with me
but I do not have a clue about registration process or importing guidelines to the US. I just know that we can bring our dogs easily into the country.
Is there anybody who can help me with advise or personal experiences importing such an "old" car into the US?
What about motorcycles? I do have a bunch of old BMW airheads. Is that a problem importing them in order to register?
Thanks in advance for all our help...very much appreciated.
Chriss
Member
Sim Simma
Moderator
I don't think you can legally get that car registered in the US at this time. We have a 25 year old rule where cars 25 years and older can be registered no problem. But your car is too new for those rules to apply, and that engine will not pass US emissions, as such the car can not be registered on US roads at this time.
Motorcycles may be different and/or may utilize engines that are legal on US roads and may be easier to import.
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Hobbyflecke
So 95, and 96 e36 m3s should be fair game right about now. ..
Suspension: Bilstein Sports, GC Coilover conversion, IE Subframe Bushings, IE RTABs, M roadster sways, M roadster front control arms, M roadster Front calipers/hubs.
Engine/Driveline: M54B30 intake Manifold, Dinan CAI, ZHP Cams, Headers, Underdrive pulleys, Conforti Software, 3.46 diff.
Member
Your math is really bad.Originally Posted by Luftwaffe1O1
- 98 m3, techno/anthrazit cloth, 124k and officially worthless - 89 m3, alpine/black 143k and officially old - 2000 323it, tiag/grey, 169k and officially boring
Hobbyflecke
Yeah it is lol, don't know why I was thinking that heh.
Suspension: Bilstein Sports, GC Coilover conversion, IE Subframe Bushings, IE RTABs, M roadster sways, M roadster front control arms, M roadster Front calipers/hubs.
Engine/Driveline: M54B30 intake Manifold, Dinan CAI, ZHP Cams, Headers, Underdrive pulleys, Conforti Software, 3.46 diff.
Member
Lol!
We can get them in Canada after 15 years, maybe you were just splitting the difference.
Truthfully though, from a shopping perspective, its not as appealing as one would hope. e36 m3s are often a fair bit more than e46 m3s are over here for the real nice ones.
- 98 m3, techno/anthrazit cloth, 124k and officially worthless - 89 m3, alpine/black 143k and officially old - 2000 323it, tiag/grey, 169k and officially boring
Hobbyflecke
Euro e36 ms are one of those things that are better in paper than in reality. The nightmare or such a rare car in North America is not fun maintenance wise. The us spec e36 is fine imo, or the E46 m3.Lol!
We can get them in Canada after 15 years, maybe you were just splitting the difference.
Truthfully though, from a shopping perspective, its not as appealing as one would hope. e36 m3s are often a fair bit more than e46 m3s are over here for the real nice ones.
Suspension: Bilstein Sports, GC Coilover conversion, IE Subframe Bushings, IE RTABs, M roadster sways, M roadster front control arms, M roadster Front calipers/hubs.
Engine/Driveline: M54B30 intake Manifold, Dinan CAI, ZHP Cams, Headers, Underdrive pulleys, Conforti Software, 3.46 diff.
Member
The others summed it up pretty well. Since the 97 euro M3 has a different engine than the US spec M3, it would be difficult to bring into the US before 2022.
Unfortunately the e36 M3 is really the one car that BMW sold that is vastly different performance wise between the US and European models. The thing that the US spec M3 has going for it, if you choose to sell yours in Europe and purchase one in the US, is it is very similar mechanically to the 328 and 325 and thus very robust mechanically. The S52B32 is much simpler than the S50B32.
Current fleet:
1999 BMW e36 M3
1999 BMW e36 328is with rotary valve engine head
1999 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight
1990 Jeep Comanche Eliminator
1962 Austin Healey Sprite
Member
After driving a euro e36 m3 and my NA spec e36 M3 back to back, I'd say you will be surprised at how narrow the differences are. Is the euro more fun? Yeah, the motor screams. But it really isn't as vast as it may seem. The US e36 m3 is far closer to the Euro m3 than it is to the e36 328i
- 98 m3, techno/anthrazit cloth, 124k and officially worthless - 89 m3, alpine/black 143k and officially old - 2000 323it, tiag/grey, 169k and officially boring
Hobbyflecke
Yeah performance wise it's not as big of a difference as you would imagine for it having 80hp more. Kind of odd i know...
Suspension: Bilstein Sports, GC Coilover conversion, IE Subframe Bushings, IE RTABs, M roadster sways, M roadster front control arms, M roadster Front calipers/hubs.
Engine/Driveline: M54B30 intake Manifold, Dinan CAI, ZHP Cams, Headers, Underdrive pulleys, Conforti Software, 3.46 diff.
Member
Thanks to all for the comments and hints...i decided to sell it here in Germany. I have no time to get into any hassle with an export to the US.
There is a big difference between the US and german specs model. The S50B32 is more powerful and faster on the motorway...mine is doing 270 km an hour..
to be honest this speed does not make any sense in the US...the E46 M3 is not my style..i do not like the back of the car..the E36 is more sophisticated.
besides of that i did all the maintenance on my own, including a complete engine rebuilt...the engine is not very difficult, the only tricky thing is the Vanos.
If you have the tools and operate precisely you will not get into any troubles...engine wise you have a better rpm band which is a big fun driving the car.
Last edited by Grinch; 02-24-2016 at 04:42 AM.
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