Experience buying used E39 M5 from Europe? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

lochness · 1st August 2002, 04:57

Does anyone have experience buying a used US Spec E39 M5 from Europe (i.e. Germany, Spain, etc.)? I've located a handful of them all w/ less than 10k and all very good prices (relative to the States) including shipping and US customs.

I'm somewhat leary (i.e. stolen, damaged, etc.) as the prices seem too good to be true and don't know what I'd have to do once getting the car to the States...any advice? One guy gave me the Serial # (i.e. VIN) so I was planning to check w/ BMW NA / local dealer to see if they'll warrant / service the car...its not in their database but they said they'd check something else and call me back. Anything else I can check? Advice?

KirklandM5 · 1st August 2002, 07:10

Too much trouble!

Check for the DOT/EPA stickers under the hood. If does not have them you'll big headaches!

Look at the Dash, the US dash is different to meet US crash standards. the list goes....on.

Warranty? In Europe the warranty is shorter!

If you want to import. Try Canada, the cars are the same..Canadian M5s have EPA/DOT approval and the Canadian warranty will transfer to the US!