US vs. Euro version

[X5audi]

Originally Posted by JCL

You do know that there is no ED for US-built BMW vehicles?

Dear God, I completely forgot! Thanks for reminding me.

Well, I want to get a BMW winter car simply so that I have an excuse to go to the Welt... that's an amazing automotive experience in itself.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by X5audi

The silliest part of the CAD vs. USD exchange is how expensive cars still are there. For example, a decently-equipped (but nowhere near loaded) S450 4Matic SWB will run you the price of an absolutely loaded-to-the-gills S550 4Matic LWB in USD.

Ahh, the advantages of a weak economy... and brands that are willing to lose some money for us.

My 535 would have been 15k cheaper in the US, like for like, but I wouldn't have been able to get the full M-Sport kit, or several options that weren't available in the US. BMW rebate kicked in 5k, dealer went 5k over on the trade value, and I was left with a 5k difference. That seemed fine to me, as privately-imported US vehicles are worth less at trade-in.

Different story with taxes in the EU. It isn't that they are expensive here, it is that they are cheap in the US. As you said, the side-benefits of your current state of the economy.

[AzNMpower32]

Originally Posted by JCL

Different story with taxes in the EU. It isn't that they are expensive here, it is that they are cheap in the US. As you said, the side-benefits of your current state of the economy.

Yup, very true. When optioned up to what we have, an X3 2.5si costs 54,150 euros, and our 325i would cost 48,500 euros in Germany.

[michal12]

Wow Anyone from the US also had to sign a declaration on not intending to export the vehicle?

Originally Posted by JCL

I have heard the same. However, I just bought two new BMWs, in Canada, and both had specific declarations on the sales order, which I had to sign, stating that I would not export the vehicles. The dealers are protecting themselves from the BMW policies that penalize them for selling vehicles to individual exporters. There are a number of Canadians buying vehicles in the US now with our strong dollar, and I am hearing that US dealers are declining to sell new cars and only selling used cars if they know it will be exported. YMMV.

[avonside]

I imported my 05 X to the uk from California 12 months ago and all I had to do was get the headlamps adjusted and rear fog lamps fitted to meet UK spec. the whole cost of shipping and UK legalising was just about $3000 , well worth the effort and BMW does have a 2 year worldwide warranty programme and I have used it in the last 12 months without any complaining from my local dealer who obviously had nothing to do with the origonal supply of the car.I am serriously considering upgrading to a new X but am trying to find a pre-owned fully loaded one to make the saving WELL worth it.

[oredart]

Originally Posted by michal12

Wow Anyone from the US also had to sign a declaration on not intending to export the vehicle?

I signed that when I bought my wife's 328 two months ago.

[michal12]

Avonside, how can one verify this warranty? If you google it nothing comes up. Looks like BMW doesnt anyone want to know about it. Are you permanently based in the UK? Maybe if you are from US and have your car brought to the UK (even for an extended period) they might be treating you better...

Originally Posted by avonside

I imported my 05 X to the uk from California 12 months ago and all I had to do was get the headlamps adjusted and rear fog lamps fitted to meet UK spec. the whole cost of shipping and UK legalising was just about $3000 , well worth the effort and BMW does have a 2 year worldwide warranty programme and I have used it in the last 12 months without any complaining from my local dealer who obviously had nothing to do with the origonal supply of the car.I am serriously considering upgrading to a new X but am trying to find a pre-owned fully loaded one to make the saving WELL worth it.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by michal12

Avonside, how can one verify this warranty? If you google it nothing comes up. Looks like BMW doesnt anyone want to know about it. Are you permanently based in the UK? Maybe if you are from US and have your car brought to the UK (even for an extended period) they might be treating you better...

It really depends on your circumstances. If, like Avonside, you purchased a car in the US (with a US address), used it for some time, and then decided to relocate, then I think BMW will work with you and you have a good chance of getting a local dealer to honour the global 2 year warranty. On the other hand, if you are not a US resident and you try to purchase a new vehicle with the intent of doing a private importation to your home country, then you may have trouble finding a dealer to sell to you (see my previous post for the comments about non-export declarations), and you will be much less likely to get a dealer in your home country to honour the global warranty. They will likely tell you to forget it.

I think it really goes to intent. If you relocate, they will work with you. If you try to avoid paying the price in your home country, they will see little reason to work with you. Given the quantity of electronic devices on the vehicle, and the likelihood of failure, I would not want to have a new vehicle without a warranty, but that is just me. You can buy a private warranty if you are insistent on purchasing a vehicle in another country, but that type of warranty can be expensive, and it is a 3rd party, not BMW.

[x5e70]

If you buy a new car, you might lose the warranty.

BMW has two different type of warranty.

New Cars has been bought in US has no warranty obligation on the local dealer in EU and vice versa.

That make sense then you are going to spend 90K

[avonside]

What I did was when the car arrived in the UK I called BMW UK headquaters and informed them the vehicle was now in the UK and they transfered the VIN over to the UK data base. I believe the 2 year global warranty stands no matter what the circumstances of the purchas or reason that the vehicle was bought in another country. I did loose my nice 5 year all inclusive warranty and service package because no such luxury exists in the UK, (you guys in the states are very lucky with that one ).I was offered the chance to buy a 3rd year from the local dealer for £830 ($1600) but decided against it, time will tell if that was a wise choice !!!!.