Deeno

I have just fallen in love with the E34 bmws but they are beyond expensive on the US used car market . I would like to venture over to Germany and drag my own 1995 M5 back but the cost of a registered importer is very very high. I made a few calls and the prices seem to range from 11,000-15,000(ouch ) . I would like to know if I can do any of the paperwork /modifications myself or am I at the mercy of the RIs .
I have read the articles on the NHTSA website and it appears that there is no way around the RI. From what I have read, it looks as if I could do some of the paper work but non of the mods and thats where they get you .
Well, if anyone knows of a way to get it done without giving 100% to the RIs , it would be greatly appreciated .
Not that the M5 is not the car of the gods but when you find one used and they want nearly 40,000 for it , thats in range for a 1997-1999 540i sport with the supercharger ..lol.

StormMaster

Deeno,

We see this question pop up a lot.

As you've no doubt learned, there are two primary issues involved in federalization: (a) proving DOT compliance, and (b) gaining EPA clearance.

- Proving DOT compliance. Need a gaudy placard to remind you not to burn leaded fuel? Can't figure out how to convert KPH to MPH? Wish you had some dimmer, unfocused headlights? Longing for an annoying seat belt buzzer? No problem -- this is where DOT conversion can help. Your RI will make these, and other useful changes, to bring your vehicle into full conformity with U.S. law. Technically, all of this could be accomplished while the car was still in Germany, but it wouldn't save you any money in the long run. An RI isn't going to give you a price break if your car is already DOT complaint, and U.S., Customs is still going to block importation of the vehicle, based solely on the VIN. Beyond the work itself, a large number of verifying documents must be filed before the car can pass the DOT hurdle.

- Gaining EPA clearance. This is the real reason why you cannot get around hiring a Registered Importer. Even though virtually identical E34 M5s were imported in by BMWNA, you will be forced to prove to the government that your particular M5 meets stringent emissions standards (never mind the fact that these same standards would likely disqualify half of the cars operating in the U.S. on any given day). Sometimes this process goes relatively smoothly, more often it turns into an expensive, drawn-out affair (keep in mind that if you fail the initial test, each succeeding test will cost you about $1,000), and occasionally a car never passes the EPA testing. This is why folks will quote $14k for what really amounts to a $6,500 conversion. It is just nigh unto impossible to predict what will happen once the cold start test begins.

The bottom line here is that even though the Registered Importer system is a thinly-veiled, government-bred racket, you really have no alternative but to use it, and there are no discounts for frequent flyers.

Chuck

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1993 Euro ///M5 (Daytona Violet)

Steven

Deeno, Don't believe everything you hear. I'm importing my '90 M5 right now. Your better off importing a 3.6, they're easier to get through emissions. Good luck and don't let'm get you down.

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Steven
1990 M5
2003 Land Rover Discovery II SE7

Donati

Is there really no way to "cheat" on all this customs/dot/epa/ and what not stuff?

In Denmark there is a 180% import tax on cars, so people are very creative in trying every possible way to avoid paying this tax, if possible. (and it is possible but not that easy, to avoid the tax legally).
I have done it the easy way, and havent officially imported my car, i have it registrered in Germany, so no import-tax have to be payed, but there is a large downside to this solution:
As we have the import-tax, ofcourse there is a law that prevents people living in denmark from driving cars on other than danish plates, so i cant use my M in Demark. (i only use it for trips outside Denmark).

I dont know any of the American laws on this subject, but there must be a way to avoid all these expencive import issues?
If i was to ship my car to the US, for crusing around the states for a two week hoiliday, there would be no customs/dot/epa etc. problems, right?
I could drive around on my German plates?
(i think there was several european cars participating in the Gumball rally, with europe plates on).

If this is possible, then is there any law preventing me from loaning my car to an american friend, for going to 7-Eleven for a six-pack?? (would it be legal for him/her to drive my car in the states, on german plates?)
If this is legal, what if i was to loan it to him/her for a couple of years?

Or if one is creative enough, there are hundreds of other senarios imaginable

I dont know the US law on this, but there must be a way of getting around officially importing the car, (and also one that is legal )

Having the car legally registrered in Germany, while living and driving in a completely different part of the world is no problem.

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Mvh. Finn Donati
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