Help needed re: ICI/RI in U.S. & ship M5 to U.S. from Germany

Grant · 20th July 2002, 18:33

I need some urgent assistance from folks who can recommend:

1. a good shipping company to assist me in transporting an M5 from Munich Germany to the U.S.

2. Recommend a good ICI / RI who knows what it takes to 'federalize' a 1995 M5 so it passes EPA & DOT requirements.

I have contacted several of the certified ICI / RI's in the U.S., including the ones in California, Florida and have a message into the one in Texas, but I'm looking for a recomendation from someone with the forementioned experience.

Please contact me privately, or via this post as soon as soon as possible.

Grant Nelson
Olympia, Wa
t. 360-870-2917
e. grant@nelsons.net

StormMaster · 21st July 2002, 16:04

Grant,

I'm in much the same circumstance as you, as I own a Euro spec M5 which I intend to bring back stateside. It's fairly obvious that the M5 is not your garden-variety conversion, and the horror stories of botched conversions abound. Even if successful, you can expect to pay roughly twice as much as it would cost to convert one of the M5's more docile cousins (i.e. a standard E34 5 series). This makes it doubly important to select someone who has M car experience.

I've really done my homework in this area, and know of only two firms with a history of success with this particular car. My first choice would definitely be to talk with Will Zaraska at Willz Leasing Corp. (www.willz.ca), but you'll need to be quick, as Will is getting ready to spent a week or two in Germany at the Nuerburgring. Will works through a prominent U.S. RI on the east coast, and specializes in the 3.8 E34 M5.

I've also heard of at least one M5 having cleared the process via Eagle Imex (www.eagleimex.com), but know little else about them.

Chuck

Grant · 21st July 2002, 17:33

Thanks for the prompt reply,

It appears we've been talking to some of the same people. I spoke to Will 2 days ago so I'm aware of his upcoming trip, years of experience, and the experience of the RI he uses in MD to federalize the M5, etc...

I have also spoken with a true gentlemen from the East Coast, who spent 3 hours (!) with me on the phone last night giving me so much information about the M5 and likely challenges of the importation / federalization process my head is still swimming...

I'm new to this post and I don't want to start throwing names around regarding conversations I've had to date regarding my original post until I check with people first, especially given that what I've asked for is personal recomendations regarding specific ICI / RI's and shipping companies, etc...

So, I will send you a personal email and invite you to explore the possibility of working together on this 'project' and then share the appropriate information back to the messageboard for the benefit of everyone. That, afterall, is what messageboards are all about.

-Grant

Steven · 21st July 2002, 21:14

Grant,
I'm going through the same process. I bought a 3.6 because the emissions are easier. I chose an importer in Florida where I'm moving to. Good luck with that 3.8, I hear they can be tough to get through the EPA circus. RI's usually have an ICI that they use so you'll only have to pay transportation to and from the test lab, that can be very costly. Lots of luck