Alpina B10 biturbo in US ? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

MTY · 3rd December 2000, 21:30

A friend owns an Alpina B10 and he has to go to US for a couple of months ( work ). He lives in Spain so in US he had to hire a car. He doesn´t want this, he wants to take the B10 to US. Is it possible ? This car didn´t pass the american anti-pollution test. Would they let him drive this fantastic car in US ?
( All we know this isn´t the real reason. The want people buy an US made petrol sucking bastard truck. European carsare much better than the american cars and if they would let Bmw sold his Euro versions in US, the people would buy then instead of Pontiac, Chevrolet...).
Thanks, MTY.

kris · 4th December 2000, 04:58

yes, your friend can take his car to US and drive it legally there up to 1 year without doing any mods to the car as long as he`s not US citizen. for more info go to http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/gray0006.htm
let us know where in US your friend is going to because we would love to see that beast.
good luck

MTY · 5th December 2000, 11:55

Thanks very much for your usefull information. He is staying in a NJ urbanization. It´s a blue Alpina B10 with the SA-___-T plate. If seeing tell him you are from the M5 messageboard and I´m sure he will give you a lift.

CarlT · 12th December 2000, 20:30

Hi MTK

It not that easy... Yes a foreign citizen can drive a car in the US for 1 year as a turist, ie not have a work visa. If he is a US citizen or has a work visa, then the car has to be imported at a cost of approx. USD $7500-10000.

So he should check this carfully before shipping his car to the US, or it may spend some time in the US Customs parking lot...

Regards
Carl