<![CDATA[Import euro E36]]>Specifically, are there any issues you know of regarding the importing of an e36 Touring into the USA?

I cant seem to find the reasoning of BMW behind not importing it to begin with, and I cant imagine it has anything to do with the crash test ratings or ability to meet smog requirements.

I'm seriously honestly very interested in making this happen. The options would be either to find one up in Canadia and drive/trailer it back home, or find one in the UK and have it shipped back here. Some Googling has told me to expect shipping to be anywhere from $5k in a container, to as low as $1k for a roll-on-roll-off type deal which is very common.

I've tried searching BFC, Bimmerfest, etc.. but I got a combined 20,800 threads about intakes, exhausts, and turbo kits instead..

And just some porn, and a great website to browse:

http://www.cars4sale.pro/detail/uk/BrrTpTTUroAUrnrBroA/1999-BMW-E36-328i-SE-Touring-Metallic-Black-with-17-Genuine

e36t2.jpg

ultimate-klasse-bastien-s-e36-323i-touri

46450629575a787e008fb.jpg

originBMW-e36-touring-8.jpg

di-e36touring-d3367388e72a4ee2214309bbe

]]>https://wibimmers.com/topic/3055/import-euro-e36RSS for NodeWed, 16 Sep 2026 04:03:57 GMTTue, 26 Aug 2014 15:19:28 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Import euro E36 on Mon, 08 Sep 2014 17:25:07 GMT]]>Neat interview with a U.S. enthusiast who owns a euro spec e36 m3: http://chrisparente.com/2014/09/02/bmw-enthusiast-interview-paul-valliere-part-one/ 

He goes on to talk about his e30 m3 and e34 m5. 

Ya, he's a bastard.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/47386https://wibimmers.com/post/47386Mon, 08 Sep 2014 17:25:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Import euro E36 on Tue, 02 Sep 2014 02:29:49 GMT]]>

CYoung said:

Just curious if you got any answers on this Ryan.

I only sent out two emails with no response yet, once I get internet back up in my new apartment I'll probably email everyone on the list lol

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/47190https://wibimmers.com/post/47190Tue, 02 Sep 2014 02:29:49 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Import euro E36 on Tue, 02 Sep 2014 01:47:01 GMT]]>Just curious if you got any answers on this Ryan.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/47188https://wibimmers.com/post/47188Tue, 02 Sep 2014 01:47:01 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Import euro E36 on Wed, 27 Aug 2014 02:00:26 GMT]]>Ok that would explain it, I could've sworn his was legit.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/46974https://wibimmers.com/post/46974Wed, 27 Aug 2014 02:00:26 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Import euro E36 on Wed, 27 Aug 2014 00:30:24 GMT]]>There were something like 40 euro spec m3's brought in to canada in 94ish while bmw worked on the north american model. They were special edition numbered m3's that had a ridiculously high retail at the time. Canada didnt get another m3 until 97 and it was the North American model.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/46969https://wibimmers.com/post/46969Wed, 27 Aug 2014 00:30:24 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Import euro E36 on Tue, 26 Aug 2014 23:29:17 GMT]]>He could have imported it. They are allowed to import cars that are 15 years or older.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/46967https://wibimmers.com/post/46967Tue, 26 Aug 2014 23:29:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Import euro E36 on Tue, 26 Aug 2014 23:13:21 GMT]]>

Earl said:

I don't think they did

CYoung said:

Canada's transportation bureau literally copies and pastes most of our laws/rules/regulations hence why they get the same cars as us.

What the heck.. There's a Canadian guy on bimmerfest with a euro spec m3, guess it was swapped :(

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/46965https://wibimmers.com/post/46965Tue, 26 Aug 2014 23:13:21 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Import euro E36 on Tue, 26 Aug 2014 22:46:12 GMT]]>Canada's transportation bureau literally copies and pastes most of our laws/rules/regulations hence why they get the same cars as us.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/46964https://wibimmers.com/post/46964Tue, 26 Aug 2014 22:46:12 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Import euro E36 on Tue, 26 Aug 2014 22:24:59 GMT]]>I don't think they did

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/46963https://wibimmers.com/post/46963Tue, 26 Aug 2014 22:24:59 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Import euro E36 on Tue, 26 Aug 2014 22:21:12 GMT]]>Chris, Canada got the Euro spec m3 didn't they?

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/46962https://wibimmers.com/post/46962Tue, 26 Aug 2014 22:21:12 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Import euro E36 on Tue, 26 Aug 2014 22:19:57 GMT]]>

wasnt m3 said:

Not old enough to import.

Sort of like chris mentioned below, I was under the impression if you could find one with the same motor that we got, that it wouldnt be difficult to get one over here?

CYoung said:

Canada got everything we got with the exception of some options/interiors as their cars are "north american" spec. That's why my brother's car was able to be imported 12 years ago since its identical to US cars besides the metric gauges and headlight washers.It is possible to import car's before the 25 year ban, it is just extremely time consuming and expensive to do so. If the engine wasn't offered here in the US or has different emissions that is what kills the deal. Below is a list of the companies you should contact, I would start with businesses on both the EPA and NHTSA lists as they would seem the most qualified. NHTSA Active Registered Importers (RI)EPA Independant Commercial Importers (ICI)

Thanks, I'll check out those links when I get to a desktop!

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/46961https://wibimmers.com/post/46961Tue, 26 Aug 2014 22:19:57 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Import euro E36 on Tue, 26 Aug 2014 21:30:56 GMT]]>Someone should get the hookup with a mail delivery person and Import them for pennies :) 

I want one so bad... But I would also be keen to import an AWD 6 speed TDI golf.... 

I have heard of many people importing(taxes and shipping) for less than 2k. And those cars go for nothing over there as well. Especially considering Wisconsin rust.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/46954https://wibimmers.com/post/46954Tue, 26 Aug 2014 21:30:56 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Import euro E36 on Tue, 26 Aug 2014 20:16:18 GMT]]>

patsbimmer1 said:

What about bringing a shell in and putting an m50/m52 in it then register it as a kit car.  There were some manufacturers that did this to make it easier to bring vehicles in such as Noble with the M400 and Detomaso with the Pantera.

I forgot to mention that as a work around.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/46951https://wibimmers.com/post/46951Tue, 26 Aug 2014 20:16:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Import euro E36 on Tue, 26 Aug 2014 20:01:54 GMT]]>What about bringing a shell in and putting an m50/m52 in it then register it as a kit car.  There were some manufacturers that did this to make it easier to bring vehicles in such as Noble with the M400 and Detomaso with the Pantera.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/46949https://wibimmers.com/post/46949Tue, 26 Aug 2014 20:01:54 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Import euro E36 on Tue, 26 Aug 2014 19:55:27 GMT]]>Canada got everything we got with the exception of some options/interiors as their cars are "north american" spec. That's why my brother's car was able to be imported 12 years ago since its identical to US cars besides the metric gauges and headlight washers.

It is possible to import car's before the 25 year ban, it is just extremely time consuming and expensive to do so. If the engine wasn't offered here in the US or has different emissions that is what kills the deal. Below is a list of the companies you should contact, I would start with businesses on both the EPA and NHTSA lists as they would seem the most qualified. 

NHTSA Active Registered Importers (RI)

EPA Independant Commercial Importers (ICI)

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/46948https://wibimmers.com/post/46948Tue, 26 Aug 2014 19:55:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Import euro E36 on Tue, 26 Aug 2014 17:36:42 GMT]]>That is what I am waiting on. That petition to change it from 25 years to 15 years seems to have fallen through too. It was going strong but definitely fell off after the first two weeks=/

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/46944https://wibimmers.com/post/46944Tue, 26 Aug 2014 17:36:42 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Import euro E36 on Tue, 26 Aug 2014 17:28:16 GMT]]>Not old enough to import.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/46943https://wibimmers.com/post/46943Tue, 26 Aug 2014 17:28:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Import euro E36 on Tue, 26 Aug 2014 16:26:46 GMT]]>^Insanely valid argument=)

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/46941https://wibimmers.com/post/46941Tue, 26 Aug 2014 16:26:46 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Import euro E36 on Tue, 26 Aug 2014 16:04:18 GMT]]>Tis my goal to find one and get it here.

Honestly, I was thinking of picking up something along the lines of an e60 M5 next year, but then got to thinking.,...

You could get a touring, install coilovers, replace every suspension component, //M bumpers, nice wheels, upgrade brakes, and turbo it for less than the M5, and it would still be more reliable :)

Plus, it wouldn't look like dog poop!

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/46940https://wibimmers.com/post/46940Tue, 26 Aug 2014 16:04:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Import euro E36 on Tue, 26 Aug 2014 15:49:20 GMT]]>Cars with over 100,000 miles are throw away cars in Germany. You can get tourings, the cleanest e30's, and any sort of other BMW for pennies. It makes you sad to look at the listings. If a head gasket goes out, or anything along that line, they part them out or throw them in the junkyard, regardless of how mint they are=/

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/46939https://wibimmers.com/post/46939Tue, 26 Aug 2014 15:49:20 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Import euro E36 on Tue, 26 Aug 2014 15:39:14 GMT]]>Well shoot, I thought for sure Canada had them too.. In any case, they're pretty cheap over in the UK, and it seems like finding a clean car and getting it over here could very easily be done for right around $3500-4000 after taxes and shipping insurance.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/46938https://wibimmers.com/post/46938Tue, 26 Aug 2014 15:39:14 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Import euro E36 on Tue, 26 Aug 2014 15:30:06 GMT]]>I want one for a daily. Canada never got them=/

I am not sure why BMW felt they would not sell here. It is the same case with the e30 tourings. In a few years when they are allowed to be imported, I will be looking into it for sure

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/46936https://wibimmers.com/post/46936Tue, 26 Aug 2014 15:30:06 GMT