[dirtyk]

Given the fact that 335s are still WAY more cost effective and readily available in the USA, I think that's where I'm leaning to pick one up from.

How long does the recall clearance letter take from BMW Canada? One post I read said it can take up to 45 days!? How would that work? Find the car, pay for the car, call BMW Canada to get the clearance letter and wait for 45 days for the letter to arrive, then bring the car back??

The RIV website says that in some cases a printout from an authorized BMW dealer is fine as long as it has the VIN # on it:

http://www.riv.ca/english/html/recall_clearance.html

The entire process sounds a bit intimidating now, bit it's BS that I have to pay 10K more up here for the SAME CAR.

Please help!!

[canucklion]

try search a little, will ya? Do you think your'e the first one to think of importing their BMW from down South? There are plenty of threads here on the process involved, the cost....etc. Use the button. It really works.

[TwinPowerF30]

just browsed the buy/sell and saw a few imported BMWs for sale by LENUX MOTORS. mostly x5s along with a 328i. those x5s were cheap $35xxx.

[aspiring335]

There is a dealer in Vancouver my friend was looking at who brings almost any vehicle up from the US. They charge $2,000 on top of the landed price, which is not a bad deal when you think about the hassle you're avoiding. I'll ask him the name (perhaps it is Lenux?) and let you know.

[gaifaun]

perhaps trend auto group on bridgeport

[TwinPowerF30]

Originally Posted by aspiring335

There is a dealer in Vancouver my friend was looking at who brings almost any vehicle up from the US. They charge $2,000 on top of the landed price, which is not a bad deal when you think about the hassle you're avoiding. I'll ask him the name (perhaps it is Lenux?) and let you know.

could it be http://www.affinityauto.com ?

[Van_bimmer]

they guys at www.affinityauto.com are friends of mine. Good guys. I know they can help you out.
They also have a new showroom being built next to AutoOne/Clutch.

[Saintor]

No matter how you want to put it, it is 3000$ for mods/letters by BMW, and around 2000$ for the 6.1% custom tax. Plus 200$ to RIV and probably another 1000$ for transport.

So cost of US plus 6000$ & delays.

Still cost effective in comparing a 38K$US car to a 52K$CAD. However BMW Canada offer sometime 2-3% financing and resale of a US car can be less although the warranty is recognized.

[Silver Storm]

Originally Posted by Van_bimmer

they guys at www.affinityauto.com are friends of mine. Good guys. I know they can help you out.
They also have a new showroom being built next to AutoOne/Clutch.

I'm thinking about importing a new 335i from the US. Who's the guy at Affinity Auto I should talk to about importing a US spec 335i? Thx

[Rewted]

Don't forget how they now make you swap out the speedometer from imperial to metric, that's another $1500 to tack on.

[Silver Storm]

Thanks tyrewt for the input. I've done a preliminary analysis on how much it costs to buy a Cdn spec vs a US spec. Here are the details:

2008 335i RWD (Cdn Spec)
Base 49,900.00
Metallic Paint 800.00
Sports Package 2,500.00
Premium Package 3,950.00
Navigation Package 2,900.00
6 Speed Auto Step. w/ paddles 1,700.00
Active Steering 1,500.00
A/C Tax ?
Battery Tax ?
Tire Tax ?
Delivery & Handling Fee (est.?) 1,800.00
Total before taxes: 65,050.00

Add: 5% GST 3,252.50
Add: 10 % PST 6,505.00
Est. Total 74,807.50

US Spec
Base 38,900.00
Metallic Paint 475.00
Sports Package 1,700.00
Premium Package 2,550.00
Cold Weather Package 1,000.00
Navigation Package 2,100.00
6 Speed Auto Step tranny 1,275.00
Sports leather steer. wheel w/ paddle 100.00
Active Steering 1,400.00
Delivery, Processing, Handling Fee 775.00
Total 50,275.00

Cdn exchange rate (1.0300) 51,783.25
Add: 5% GST 2,589.16
Add: 10% PST 5,178.33

Total 59,550.74
Add: RIV/modifications/transport 6,100.00
Total Est. Import Cost 65,650.74

Difference (savings) -9,156.76


Does anyone know if I missed out on anything? Anyone agree or disagree with these figures? Any insight much appreciated! Thanks!

[SSM46mt]

Originally Posted by Silver Storm

Thanks tyrewt for the input. I've done a preliminary analysis on how much it costs to buy a Cdn spec vs a US spec. Here are the details:

2008 335i RWD (Cdn Spec)
Base 49,900.00
Metallic Paint 800.00
Sports Package 2,500.00
Premium Package 3,950.00
Navigation Package 2,900.00
6 Speed Auto Step. w/ paddles 1,700.00
Active Steering 1,500.00
A/C Tax ?
Battery Tax ?
Tire Tax ?
Delivery & Handling Fee (est.?) 1,800.00
Total before taxes: 65,050.00

Add: 5% GST 3,252.50
Add: 10 % PST 6,505.00
Est. Total 74,807.50

US Spec
Base 38,900.00
Metallic Paint 475.00
Sports Package 1,700.00
Premium Package 2,550.00
Cold Weather Package 1,000.00
Navigation Package 2,100.00
6 Speed Auto Step tranny 1,275.00
Sports leather steer. wheel w/ paddle 100.00
Active Steering 1,400.00
Delivery, Processing, Handling Fee 775.00
Total 50,275.00

Cdn exchange rate (1.0300) 51,783.25
Add: 5% GST 2,589.16
Add: 10% PST 5,178.33

Total 59,550.74
Add: RIV/modifications/transport 6,100.00
Total Est. Import Cost 65,650.74

Difference (savings) -9,156.76


Does anyone know if I missed out on anything? Anyone agree or disagree with these figures? Any insight much appreciated! Thanks!

You should apply $4k cash back from BMW Canada plus another 6% in negotiation discount that you won't get from the US that's another $4k
plus the tax on that $8k will be $1.2k

I assume your $6100 includes 6.1% duties

Count on a couple of thousand dollar in lower resale value as well

Hope this helps

[Silver Storm]

Originally Posted by Freddy's 335xi

You should apply $4k cash back from BMW Canada plus another 6% in negotiation discount that you won't get from the US that's another $4k
plus the tax on that $8k will be $1.2k

I assume your $6100 includes 6.1% duties

Count on a couple of thousand dollar in lower resale value as well

Hope this helps

Freddy:

Thx for your input. Is there a time limit with the $4K cash back from BMW Canada? And if BMW Canada is providing $4K cash back, are you sure you can get an additional 6% negotiation discount? That's a total of $8K reduction in the price of the Cdn spec 335i, which would mean I would be better off buying here in Canada instead of importing (I'm not going to quibble over a thousand dollars or less). BTW, what is the Canadian dealer invoice for 335i? It would help me to know how much negotiating room I have to begin with....thx!

[SSM46mt]

Originally Posted by Silver Storm

Freddy:

Thx for your input. Is there a time limit with the $4K cash back from BMW Canada? And if BMW Canada is providing $4K cash back, are you sure you can get an additional 6% negotiation discount? That's a total of $8K reduction in the price of the Cdn spec 335i, which would mean I would be better off buying here in Canada instead of importing (I'm not going to quibble over a thousand dollars or less). BTW, what is the Canadian dealer invoice for 335i? It would help me to know how much negotiating room I have to begin with....thx!

Check BMW Canada web site for "Spring Sales Drive". Cash back applies to cash deals only - not leasing - but that's what you're doing anyway when you import.

Many Canadian members here got 5% to 6% in discounts recently. Good Luck

[Dipdidi]

A fully loaded (every single package) e90 335xi with the M-Kit (front/back bumper, side skirts, m3 spoiler and 18" mags + RFT tires) = $75,000 CND after all taxes and fees

The hassle of bringing a car from the US sounds very rewarding.. These CND prices are fucking ridiculous.

[crazycanuck]

I'm a Canadian working for the gov in Colorado for the past three years and I'm moving back to Canada in a few weeks. I bought my new 328i in Feb 07 from a dealer in Denver and saved an additional $2000 off the US MSRP with the diplomatic deal. At the time I'd looked at buying a Mercedes, however they were already charging people for changing instrument clusters etc. The main reason I bought the BMW, (besides the fact that it was an awesome car), is that I was told by BMW that the service & warrenty at the time was considered North American and there would be no issues when I got home. As well, the running lights were programmable and the spedometer was in mph and kmph. Since the car already came equipped with child seat anchors I thought I was gold.

I found out yesterday that as of November of last year everything changed. All of the numbers that I've seen are accurate and I was quoted $1725 + tax for changing the cluster by Victoria BMW on Van Isl. I'll be looking at about $3000 on top of what I was already prepared to pay when I crossed the boarder.

Initially I was quite pissed, however I've calmed down and crunched some numbers and I don't feel so bad. I paid about $34,000 for my car, out the door, and saw a similar, but lesser equipped model in the Victoria airport witha list of $42K+ CAN before tax. Thanks to my accountant wife, we re-financed the car last year in Canada when she returned to start a job. At the time the Canadian doller was higher than the US, and we saved an additional $1100 on the exchange. My plan is to pay for the extortion, which is what it ammounts to, and take a drive to seattle to get my scheduled maintenance done while my wife and I take a mini vacation with the money we would be paying a Canadian service center.

What bothers me the most is that instead of lowering their prices to compete with the US market, BMW has decided to take the route of Mercedes and screw anyone that crosses the border to shop. I still love my car, but I'm very dissapointed with BMW. Thanks for hearing me out.