Importing a US spec X5 xdrive 35d to Germany

[AzNMpower32]

Originally Posted by Price

I always thought US emission standards are higher/tougher than EU/Germany, no?

They are for diesels. The European-spec 3.0sd/xDrive35d is a Euro 4, but the BluePerformance system in US-spec vehicles might boost it to the Euro 5. I know that currently, all vehicles sold in the EU must meet the higher Euro 5 standard, part of the reason why BMW switched to the xDrive40d.

[Alpagad]

Thank you guys for all your answers. I appreciate it very much. Here are some findings on my side.
- Shipping an X5 from from the West coast to Germany cost about $1,200.
- It can be imported tax free, if the three following conditions are meant:
+ I have own the car under my name for at least 6 months before relocating to Germany.
+ I have been leaving outside of Germany for at least 1y before relocating.
+ I keep the car for at least 1y in Germany before I sale it.
- It will need some modifications to front & rear lights and pass all the different technical inspections tests to be able to be registered.

For a bit more clarifications, I am relocating for work to Germany with local German work contract. Buying a car here in US before relocating is for me much easier as I have money here in US, I can easily negotiate with the seller in English (I don't really speak German yet ;-) ) and it is quite cheaper here than in Europe even if the EUR/USD was at parity... The draw backs are that the 4y free maintenance program will be lost and the 4y warranty will either be reduced to 2y or even lost. So, the difference of the cost of the car is ~$66K (~€48.5K) in US vs. ~€72K in Germany, import & registration cost €3,500. Total cost for buying in US and importing is ~€52K vs ~€72K if buying in Germany....

Now there maybe more things that I don't know about like around the exhaust emission. Does anyone knows more?

[Alpagad]

Hey Southwold! Do you you know more about German loval EPA? I am too under the impression that the new US diesel with the BluePerformance technology (Urea injection), the exhaust emissions of the US spec X5 35d should be the same or better than the EU version. Is that true??

[Alpagad]

Hey Whizzo, Thank you for the info. May I ask which US spec car did you imported? Thanks

[Alpagad]

Hey Vinergy! Thanks for the info regarding the headlight washers. I was going to get the cold winter package. Now, it is not just a nice to have! Any issue with emission standards?
Btw, is your X5 a diesel or a gasoline? Thanks

[Alpagad]

Hey AzNMpower32! Thank you for your posts and the details info. True, I will also have to have the coding/FW changed. I am little less worry about that as it is probably not needed to get the car registered. I have had the coding of my E36 tuned before here in US (in wanted the climate control temperature reading in ºC instead of ºF). Dinan in Mountain View CA, did for me for free :-)

[vinergy]

Originally Posted by Alpagad

Hey Vinergy! Thanks for the info regarding the headlight washers. I was going to get the cold winter package. Now, it is not just a nice to have! Any issue with emission standards?
Btw, is your X5 a diesel or a gasoline? Thanks

Hi Alpagad - I have a '08 3.0si, no issues with the emissions, just missing headlamp washers. I am now trying to figure out what to do about it so I can sell the car in EU.

I am considering importing a diesel variant this time, also not sure about emissions, maybe someone has done it already and will share the experience.

Also, PM me if you need a contact in Germany for car coding, I used company in Munich, they were great and very reasonably priced.

[Whizzo]

Originally Posted by Alpagad

Hey Whizzo, Thank you for the info. May I ask which US spec car did you imported? Thanks

2009 X35d - Premium Package as the only option.

While it drives beautifully, in much of Europe the X5 feels pretty big squeezing through the smaller villages!

[Alpagad]

Hi Vinergy! Thank you for your reply. I will send you a private message to get the contacts of the shop you used for coding in Munich. Btw, how did you deal with the head/tail lights modifications to get the registration? Did you do it yourself or used a shop?

Also, talking to German friends here in US, they mentioned that the yearly registration may be expensive for this type of car and in case of pick pollution days some cars are not allowed to drive based on their CO2 emission. Do you know anything about these points?

Finally, how is your experience with driving an X5 in Europe? Does it fill much bigger compare to the other car around?

Thank you so much.

[Alpagad]

Hi Whizzo! Thank you for your reply. As you own a X5 35d, i would like to ask you a couple specific questions if you don't mind:
- Do you remember what exactly you had to modify to get it register?
- Did you do it yourself or used a shop?
- How much is the yearly registration on this car?
- Have you heard anything regarding the use of this car on pick pollution day?

Regarding your comment about this car felling a bit big in the small villages. This was also my impression! Do you have any troubles to park it in the towns and bigger cities?
Thank you very much!