European E39 or E46 Diesels in the USA? any info ?!

Hi,

I wanted to know a few things and perhaps keep this thread as an informational one for anyone thinking along these lines.

There's lots of US Military service personnel in various bases in various European countries. Those guys do enjoy various concessions in terms of bring things from the US and taking things back. Some of those items then do include cars and vehicles. As those guys do get special rates and other concessions, quite a bit won't apply to non military enthusiasts - i.e I think they get free shipping for their personal possesions and I think (for the UK) no need to re-register their cars in the country and can keep their US numberplates etc (not 100% sure on this)

However, I know there's a couple of E39 Diesels in the US, so wondering on any specific things that need to be considered if anyone wanted to import one into the US. More than likely, it'd be a left hand drive example (right hand drive needs to be over 25 years old to be allowed on public US roads). Does anyone know about if there's any difference in the Diesel fuel itself? I think there's a rating system and I 'think' some sort of calorific scale or was it 'cetalene' rating? - I'm really sorry to be vague, I'm going from memory here - so if someone could tell me, I'll re-edit this post later!

Another aspect that's related - I have my E39 Touring 3.0 Diesel as some of you may know/recall - if I was to bring my car temporarily to the USA, could I just fill up with the Diesel offered at fuel stations? or, would I need to retrofit some temporary Urea system as mentioned and discussed about the USA spec diesels there ? - The time frame I'm thinking is perhaps 2-4 weeks, and then I'd ship the car out of the US.

Would it be possible to ship a Diesel engine in as parts for instance? and other required items as parts - drivetrain etc and then perhaps re-build into an USA cars E39 shell?

Apologies for the multi angle elements to the thread!

Cheers, Dennis!

Originally Posted by DennisCooper!

However, I know there's a couple of E39 Diesels in the US, so wondering on any specific things that need to be considered if anyone wanted to import one into the US. More than likely, it'd be a left hand drive example (right hand drive needs to be over 25 years old to be allowed on public US roads). Does anyone know about if there's any difference in the Diesel fuel itself? I think there's a rating system and I 'think' some sort of calorific scale or was it 'cetalene' rating? - I'm really sorry to be vague, I'm going from memory here - so if someone could tell me, I'll re-edit this post later!

Another aspect that's related - I have my E39 Touring 3.0 Diesel as some of you may know/recall - if I was to bring my car temporarily to the USA, could I just fill up with the Diesel offered at fuel stations? or, would I need to retrofit some temporary Urea system as mentioned and discussed about the USA spec diesels there ? - The time frame I'm thinking is perhaps 2-4 weeks, and then I'd ship the car out of the US.

There's a lot of info on the Customs website: https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...icle/related/1

A foreign vehicle will run pretty well on US ultra-low-sulpher diesel - might be a little down on power since our required cetane level is not quite as high as Europe.

Basically, it would be very hard to bring your E39 into the US permanently. Not really worth the money you'd have to spend. And the engine/emissions isn't the whole story: there are the lights, side markers, and a whole host of other vehicle systems that would need to be fiddled with.

Originally Posted by floydarogers

There's a lot of info on the Customs website: https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...icle/related/1

A foreign vehicle will run pretty well on US ultra-low-sulpher diesel - might be a little down on power since our required cetane level is not quite as high as Europe.

Basically, it would be very hard to bring your E39 into the US permanently. Not really worth the money you'd have to spend. And the engine/emissions isn't the whole story: there are the lights, side markers, and a whole host of other vehicle systems that would need to be fiddled with.

I explored bringing a couple Euro spec cars back to the US when I was stationed in Germany in the early '80s. Even back then it was prohibitively expensive unless the car was a particularly valuable model. The cost of getting it EPA and DOT certified in some cases was more than the value of the car. Hopefully BMW, Audi and Daimler will realize there is a market for diesels in the US. I would be a 5 series in a heartbeat or an A6 Diesel.

Hi

Thanks for that link ! from that, over on the NHTSA site it links to, I've read the 'Temporary Importations' document. As I'm a non US citizen, I can import a car without having to meet FMVSS for a maximum period of one year. Here's the link to that document
http://www.nhtsa.gov/CARS/RULES/IMPO...fo03022010.pdf

I'll of course do some more research, but that's looking perfect for me so far!

I'm currently hoping the Diesel fuel in the US can be used in my car with no ECU changes etc - with more research I can get a more definitive answer

Cheers, Dennis!

Originally Posted by rmorin49

I explored bringing a couple Euro spec cars back to the US when I was stationed in Germany in the early '80s. Even back then it was prohibitively expensive unless the car was a particularly valuable model. The cost of getting it EPA and DOT certified in some cases was more than the value of the car. Hopefully BMW, Audi and Daimler will realize there is a market for diesels in the US. I would be a 5 series in a heartbeat or an A6 Diesel.

My old green 928 was a grey market car we brought over in the mid 80s. Actually the Porsche dealer brought it over and had it converted for us, was a new car though. I forget all the costs but it was cheaper than buying a US spec car and had the added benefit of having the better non US motor. It had to get new glass, headlights, side marker lights, emissions, disabled headlight adjusters and no telling what else I am forgetting. Not long after that we switched it back to the non US exhaust and to the non US headlights.