Buying a 2008 E70 in Florida to ship to Italy

[Kev]

Hi guys,

I'm about to move from the UK to Italy so need to sell the X5 and get a LHD car.

I've been waiting for E70 prices to come within my grasp and they have in the UK, but in Europe (Germany, Italy, France) it's a joke how much more expensive they are (not helped by the strong Euro of course).

So I was thinking... I have a brother-in-law in Florida. Wonder how much a 2008 with roughly 50k would cost in the US and then ship/convert it for Europe.

Can anyone suggest a website where I can guage the prices in the US. I guess I'm looking at between 1k-2k for shipping but I'll take that into account.

Thanks in advance, and if anyone has actually done this, any hints on what needs to be done to make the car legal in Italy.

Cheers. Kev.

ps. Looking for a diesel. Are they common in the US, and what size engines were around from 2008 onwards.

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by Kev

Looking for a diesel. Are they common in the US, and what size engines were around from 2008 onwards.

FYI, the U.S. Diesels have an SCR emissions system, which requires the use of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF). I do not believe European BMW Diesels have this yet, although large transport trucks in Europe may be using it already.

As a result, I personally would not import a U.S. Diesel into the U.K./Europe as having an unnecessary system which squirts DEF into the exhaust system, using a special catayst/converter downstream, sounds like a lot of potential trouble, since none of the BMW dealers/mechanics in Europe have any experience with the system. And if you run out of DEF (after a 1,000 mile warning message), the engine will no longer start.

[Jeg Norge]

personally i would get a FIAT