Canada (Toronto) purchasing help

[nsequitur]

It looks like this regional forum is new, so I'm hoping it's being checked out by local users.

I'm looking to buy a late model 328 convertible, but considering new as well. More specifics? Ok, grey colour with red interior.

I have a residence in Florida in addition to primary home here in Toronto.

US sales of BMW seem to be depressed, while Canadian dealers "say" things are great.

Question 1: Would I be better served buying in the US?

Question 2: Is euro delivery the same great deal in Canada that it is in the US (where they get an 8% discount from the get-go)?

Question 3: If buying in Toronto is a must, what dealer will cut me a break (invoice + pricing, not the rope a dope)?

[Niagara 325i]

If you're planning on titling the car in Canada, buy it in Canada IMO. I bought mine in Georgia when I lived there and had major hurdles to cross to import it when I moved back. BMW does NOT like their cars crossing the border.

[stiffy1]

Check maxbimmer.com/forums for some info - do a search for importing from the US - there are some topics there.

Also, look on BMW.ca as there will be some info about admissability and modifications required to import a car into Canada. Things like daytime running lights have to be installed and some of the German makers have rules about the whole thing. Bumper crash guidlines have been harmonized, so you won't have to worry about that. Also check out RIV.ca - the registrar of imported vehicles for more info and to check admissability. There's some paperwork to be done for submission to RIV in order to get the car legal and registered here. You'll need a recall clearance letter from BMWNA indicating all recalls have been attended to.

Check also here: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=813438 The Canada forum at Bimmerforums has been more active and there's lots of up to date info.


I brought an '02 M-B SL500 into Canada from NY state 18 months ago, and the mods were required to be done at an M-B dealer. At the time the CDN$ was stronger than the US$ so it was well worth it. Now that it's back to $1.26 to buy $1US it may be less attractive. Whichever path you follow, good luck.

[rehostman]

BMW does NOT like their cars crossing the border.

Moer specifically, BMW Canada does not like to see canadians their BMWs in the U.S. The cars are practically identical except for the imperial/metric systems differences.

If you are willing to go through the bureaucracy of Customs Canada you can get great savings buying a used BMW from the U.S.