I have imported 3 BMW and 1 Lexus from USA in the last year and I can say that it totally makes sense to do that. With the exchange rate and other factors it turns out to be much less expensive.

I move to the US soon where I plan to buy the new X5 and bring it back to Denmark. However the Danish dealer just told me, that it was two completely different cars. Much more than just the lights. It was even two different code numbers. Can anyone shed som light on this?

They supposedly imported the former model X5 from the US, and they had two Munich based BMW engineers working on the car fro a week to be able to have it conform to all EU regulatives and standards...

Seems that the US version (08) can order with auto-tailgate (US/may be Canada only) whereas the Euro version (08) can order with soft-close doors (Euro only).

Just call the customs in your country and you find out all the rules. Rules vary greatly from country to country and from manufacturer to manufacturer. Don't even listen what dealers are telling to you. For example, you can bring any BMW and Mercedes made in Europe to USA without any problem, their VINS are automatically appear in US databases. But this is NOT the case with any Japanese vehicle, you need to bring those into conformance with US laws.

Im in the UK and my order is currently in build with the auto-tailgate option so you can get this in Europe as well as the soft-close doors

I thought Euro cars had a different spec lighting for the xenons.

cars that when bought under the basis of being exported, arent they exempt of taxes ?? in the US

It may well be that the US car has things like a different suspension set up too. When UK journalists first reviewed the X5 it was in the US as the car was realeased their first, they all made a point of saying the car was US spec and expected the UK cars to handle differently. European versions tend to put more emphasis than handling whereas US spec cars tend to have a softer ride.

Marty, I think Stef meant something else: he stated that if you have owned the car in the US for 6 months, you can import it to Poland without paying polish VAT.
Anyway, keep us posted how it goes. I am thinking of doing exactly the same as you.:thumbup:
By the way, what about warranty? I think Euro dealers will screw you as they will probably not honor the warranty on your car...

Cars are similar, there is only different method to make options and VIN numbers in US cars starts with number. There is many X5 E70 in Europa, it is possible to order without reflectors and change ODO (no miles, only km), it costs aprox. EUR 700. Extra you have to pay 10% from invoice (TAX for car what is built outside EU) + shipping (aprox. EUR 1500) + VAT from invoice + EU sertification (it costs EUR 2000-EUR3500). Usualy in invoice for TAX is price without options (USD 54 000 for 4,8). Fully load 4,8i from US is aprox. EUR 12 000-15 000 cheaper than identical car from dealer in Germany. It is almost 20k $....