[shiggy]

not sure if anyone has inquired on here before...but I'm seriously contemplating bringing up an M3 from Seattle.....thoughts...experiences?

[Rome]

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=331318

ask someone from there..

[Asclepius]

I imported my ride from the U.S. 2 yrs ago. Very easy process. In fact even easier now that BMW got sued for imposing rediculous fees related to the import. If you are buying used it gets even easier! Look at this web page and it will answer every question you can possibly think of: http://www.riv.ca/ Good luck and ge ready to enjoy your new ride!

[PBureno]

the exchange rate isn't as good though..

[bulldog_yyc]

you gotta take into account the exchange rate, travel time to go back and fourth, potential of additional depreciation at time of sale due to the fact that its a US car (stupid I know but it is a fact).... if it were down to a few thousand difference and I was paying in cash, id still do it for the "adventure" aspect and for the pleasure of sticking it to the stealerships

[2kaccordocoupe]

Also keep in mind that your re-sale value & potential client base will also drop should you decide to sell it.

Short-term not a good idea. If you plan on keeping it until she dies, good way to go.

[smartys]

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=160460

[cfabluenose]

On the other hand you can get a model that isn't sold in Canada - like the 3 series touring model without AWD. I'm annoyed that BMW Canada assumes that everyone who wants a touring model wants Xi. False.

[M3 vert]

Originally Posted by turkish335

you gotta take into account the exchange rate, travel time to go back and fourth, potential of additional depreciation at time of sale due to the fact that its a US car (stupid I know but it is a fact).... if it were down to a few thousand difference and I was paying in cash, id still do it for the "adventure" aspect and for the pleasure of sticking it to the stealerships

+ 1

Infact if anything you are not going to be covered by any of the maintenance plans (no-charge scheduled maintenance + Service Inclusive), and there have been members with tranny issues (with US M3s) that took weeks to resolve until one of us canadians bailed him out by making a call to BMW Canada!

I think its not worth it!

You should look in Canada for a good deal on a M3.

Good Luck in your search!

[DESI4life10]

Originally Posted by M3 vert

+ 1

Infact if anything you are not going to be covered by any of the maintenance plans (no-charge scheduled maintenance + Service Inclusive), and there have been members with tranny issues (with US M3s) that took weeks to resolve until one of us canadians bailed him out by making a call to BMW Canada!

I think its not worth it!

You should look in Canada for a good deal on a M3.

Good Luck in your search!

If the person had a transmission issue, it should have automatically been covered here in Canada. Although you don't benefit from the free maintenance service here in Canada, you do still get the warranty coverage.
However, the free maintenance service is valid in the USA.

My car is a US car and I always take it to Buffalo for its maintenance service. Another thing that is good is that with the US maintenance plan you get the free brake/rotor replacement.

[M3 vert]

Originally Posted by DESI4life10

If the person had a transmission issue, it should have automatically been covered here in Canada. Although you don't benefit from the free maintenance service here in Canada, you do still get the warranty coverage.
However, the free maintenance service is valid in the USA.

My car is a US car and I always take it to Buffalo for its maintenance service. Another thing that is good is that with the US maintenance plan you get the free brake/rotor replacement.

My M3 has that plan too (IN Canada like I mentioned earlier you have to purchase this and its called Service INclusive, I have it for 5yrs/96,000KM which includes wear and tear items brakes, belts, clutch etc.)

and FYI heres the thread of a local member whos from toronto and his story at a dealer, where the tranny issue was dragged and because he didnt have a Canadian Spec Model, this is what he had to go through. Until one of us made the call to BMW Canada to help him out.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=296449



Honestly, you might have saved up some money up front, but what about when you sell your 3? Unless you plan on keeping it till it dies thats a different story.

But your US vehicle is worth less when you trade/sell it and the initial savings on that vehicle cancel out with the aftersales price. Plus on a Canadian vehicle after you pay the initial $2300, it covers all your wear and tear items mentioned in the latter and a peace of mind for 5yrs/96000KM (MAybe not on a regular 3, but on an M its worth it!!!)
Also, not to mention the time and effort involved in taking the car for service to Buffalo and bringing the vehicle to Canada (unless you purchased it from a local dealer).

IMO its not worthwhile and I would put my time to better use, like mods

[shiggy]

hmmmm....interesting info guys....much appreciated....lease is up soon.....ill post some pics on my final choice....

[Rossland]

I haven't been here for nearly a year, but I can't believe that this red herring is still going. (US spec cars worth less than Canadian ones). If anything, US cars are worth more. They have a better warranty, daytime running lights can be turned of and on by the driver, and the speedometer has both US and metric markings so I know how fast I am going when I am in the US. Both Cdn and US 3-series are made in the same factory in Germany. The main difference is that the Canadian ones are unloaded from the ship in Halifax, while the US ones are unloaded in either Baltimore or Charleston.

I imported my 330xi two years ago when the Cdn$ was 95cents, and the Canadian dealers were doing everything to screw importers. After all was said and done, I saved $11,000 by importing. My car has never been to a Canadian dealer. Why would I, when I get free oil changes and wiper blades in Buffalo. I haven't needed new brakes yet.

Buy your new Bimmer wherever you get the best deal.

[SPACEMANRICK]

Originally Posted by Rossland

I haven't been here for nearly a year, but I can't believe that this red herring is still going. (US spec cars worth less than Canadian ones). If anything, US cars are worth more. They have a better warranty, daytime running lights can be turned of and on by the driver, and the speedometer has both US and metric markings so I know how fast I am going when I am in the US. Both Cdn and US 3-series are made in the same factory in Germany. The main difference is that the Canadian ones are unloaded from the ship in Halifax, while the US ones are unloaded in either Baltimore or Charleston.

I imported my 330xi two years ago when the Cdn$ was 95cents, and the Canadian dealers were doing everything to screw importers. After all was said and done, I saved $11,000 by importing. My car has never been to a Canadian dealer. Why would I, when I get free oil changes and wiper blades in Buffalo. I haven't needed new brakes yet.

Buy your new Bimmer wherever you get the best deal.

When you say you saved $11,000 by importing is that a $11,000 savings from the Canadian MSRP with the exact same options? There are healthy discounts available from Canadian retailers....when I bought my 2008 335xi in Vancouver I got $7,500 off of MSRP from the dealer in Canada and others got more off. From what I understand the US MSRP's have also gone up in the US so I am doubtful of a huge savings in the US.

In your eyes "US cars are worth more" but that is not the case of the actual real resale market in Canada. I don't know about Ontario, but the last thing I want to do in Vancouver is drive across the border to get my car serviced.....

[Rossland]

Originally Posted by SPACEMANRICK

When you say you saved $11,000 by importing is that a $11,000 savings from the Canadian MSRP with the exact same options? There are healthy discounts available from Canadian retailers....when I bought my 2008 335xi in Vancouver I got $7,500 off of MSRP from the dealer in Canada and others got more off. From what I understand the US MSRP's have also gone up in the US so I am doubtful of a huge savings in the US.

In your eyes "US cars are worth more" but that is not the case of the actual real resale market in Canada. I don't know about Ontario, but the last thing I want to do in Vancouver is drive across the border to get my car serviced.....

That was the on a car with the same options comparing the best deal I could get at my local Canadian dealer versus the best deal in Buffalo. MSRP doesn't mean much. It's the bottom line that counts. The $11,000 saving is after paying all import fees and taxes.
As for going across the border for service, in two years I have been back to the dealer three times, and each time I was driving through Buffalo anyway. I probably would not have made a special trip when I only needed new wiper blades, but an oil change is worth the trip.

What I am saying is that two years later, I know I made the right decision to import. I got a great car at a great price.

[SPACEMANRICK]

Originally Posted by Rossland

That was the on a car with the same options comparing the best deal I could get at my local Canadian dealer versus the best deal in Buffalo. MSRP doesn't mean much. It's the bottom line that counts. The $11,000 saving is after paying all import fees and taxes.
As for going across the border for service, in two years I have been back to the dealer three times, and each time I was driving through Buffalo anyway. I probably would not have made a special trip when I only needed new wiper blades, but an oil change is worth the trip.

What I am saying is that two years later, I know I made the right decision to import. I got a great car at a great price.

$11,000 was a big difference Rossland....enjoy your ride and the savings

[M3 vert]

Originally Posted by SPACEMANRICK

$11,000 was a big difference Rossland....enjoy your ride and the savings

+ 1 Just let us know when its time to trade-in and dont be surprised if you are losing $11,000 on the trade-in value

[SPACEMANRICK]

The longer he keeps his car the less difference it will make on the sale of a US car in Canada. What is the current black book wholesale on a 2006 330xi????....$25,000 or maybe somewhere close to that. I doubt his US 330xi is wholesale worth less than $14,000 probably more like somewhere in the low 20's. As I said the value of a US car will be less but the difference will decrease as the car ages and the value of the car decreases.

He is happy with his car and the price he paid....good for him

[Dubbedoutbimmer]

Originally Posted by turkish335

you gotta take into account the exchange rate, travel time to go back and fourth, potential of additional depreciation at time of sale due to the fact that its a US car (stupid I know but it is a fact).... if it were down to a few thousand difference and I was paying in cash, id still do it for the "adventure" aspect and for the pleasure of sticking it to the stealerships

A US dealer can NOT knowingly sell you a NEW BMW that you want to ship out of the US. BMW Fines the dealer and gets pissed I know had a russian guy buy two loaded X5's from me and ship them to his brother in russia.....not a good time

[trickydisco]

Originally Posted by M3 vert

+ 1 Just let us know when its time to trade-in and dont be surprised if you are losing $11,000 on the trade-in value

Um...okay that's not correct but whatever.

As a separate item, for people who keep their cars for a long time,
the value of this US-car vs CDN-car resale differential approaches nil.

We're talking about separate populations here...people who flip thru
cars and people who keep them for longer durations.

I saved nearly $15,000....actually, probably a bit more.

[Dubbedoutbimmer]

Originally Posted by trickydisco

Um...okay that's not correct but whatever.

As a separate item, for people who keep their cars for a long time,
the value of this US-car vs CDN-car resale differential approaches nil.

We're talking about separate populations here...people who flip thru
cars and people who keep them for longer durations.

I saved nearly $15,000....actually, probably a bit more.

Well in the States Cnd cars dont pull nearly as much for trade I know worked for BMW....

all this buying over the border is like buy pirated DVD's there are trade agreements between BMW and each country...it is clearly expressed as not to be done with the sole intent of shipping a new bmw out of the country...now that being said the price im sure is attractive... but becareful BMW has a list of people that Frauded a dealer into selling a non resident a New car to ship out of the country.

I personally dont care what any one does but know you are breaking rules and being dishonest

[trickydisco]

Originally Posted by Dubbedoutbimmer

I personally dont care what any one does but know you are breaking rules and being dishonest

I'm neither breaking any rules, nor being dishonest. I bought my car used.
But if I wanted to buy new, and could do it for a US car, I still would b/c
BMW Canada can suck my dick.
In any case, your pirated DVD's analogy is grossly flawed.