Can you pick up/swap different wheels in Germany while doing ED?

[coldintake]

Anyway in getting Euro-Spec wheels while there?

[JSpira]

You can buy any wheels you want in Germany. They will be expensive however to ship and you will probably have to pay customs duty on them when they arrive.

[coldintake]

Well of course that's the default option. Let me rephrase my question...

Can you swap/trade your stock wheels at the dealer in Germany for other wheels? As in, leave your stock wheels behind? Has anyone done anything like this?

[gesoffen]

I can't recall it being done by any 'festers but nothing is impossible. If you have any hope in doing it, I'd research and contact prospective BMW dealers or wheel/tire dealers ahead of time to negotiate. Based on pure speculation, I'd say you'd have a better chance at a wheel/tire retailer (or perhaps even private party trades) but little chance of making it work in general.

[mullman]

With enough money and patience I think anything is possible.

EXCEPT getting the ED delivery center to not put holes in your front bumper :rofl:

[JSpira]

Well of course that's the default option. Let me rephrase my question...

Can you swap/trade your stock wheels at the dealer in Germany for other wheels? As in, leave your stock wheels behind? Has anyone done anything like this?
You're not going to be at a dealer when your car is delivered and once you drive off from delivery the wheels/tires won't be new.

In addition, the car has to be stock without any modifications to be imported.

[Raz5219]

I would suggest buying the wheels that you want stateside. Just call around to local BMW dealerships to shop for the best price. I've seen people buy a set of the style 230 19" wheels for the 335 coupe (Big 5 stars with a twist) for $1,500. Pretty good deal if you ask me. Then you can just sell your OEM's to another forum member.

[woody underwood]

With enough money and patience I think anything is possible.

EXCEPT getting the ED delivery center to not put holes in your front bumper :rofl: The German TUV will blow all kinds of holes in that first statement lol.

[johnf]

Why? It's an export car and doesn't meet their regulations as built.

[woody underwood]

Why? It's an export car and doesn't meet their regulations as built.
I was referring to the statement about "time and money"...I know what my German friends have gone through with the TUV trying to modify their cars. And it was my understanding that BMWs built for export to the US meet German standards?

[johnf]

U.S. ED cars have a number of sins of omission and commision that would make them fail a TU"V technical inspection and become illegal to drive on public roads. You might get a sloppy inspector and not have to fix all of them. Off the top of my head:
neutered rear fog lights
reflectors in the corner lamp assemblies
no headlight washers on most Xenon-equipped cars
no headlight range control on non-Xenon cars
front turn signals that glow when they are not signalling
yellow rather than white front parking lights
red, rear turn signals on some cars (eeek)
remote controls that operate in a non-approved frequency band(?).
I am not entirely sure about the last one and would want to check it.

[coldintake]

I would suggest buying the wheels that you want stateside. Just call around to local BMW dealerships to shop for the best price. I've seen people buy a set of the style 230 19" wheels for the 335 coupe (Big 5 stars with a twist) for $1,500. Pretty good deal if you ask me. Then you can just sell your OEM's to another forum member.

The wheels I want aren't avalible here(the new M sport rims on the 335i coupe). Can any dealer chime in and confirm if I can "upgrade' to different wheels and pick up my car in Munich?

[johnf]

My dealer and I were quite careful when we did my ED some years ago -- it was our first -- and we double-checked everything. The wheels were one of the few things (actually, it was the only thing I was considering) we were specifically warned not to change (or get changed) while the car was in Europe. I am not sure what the problem was or if it still persists.

Your dealer could try to special order the wheels, which would be the sure, favored and approved way to get them on the car, but I don't think NA allows special ordering on ED cars. A special order would also be the clear, favored and approved way to get an answer to your question. :)

[JSpira]

John is 100% correct, there is no special ordering permitted, esp. for European Delivery cars.