[in_d_haus]

So, help me out here. I'm a bit deficit in this area. Since our friends in the great white north get more options than us US people why don't we buy our cars there? Federalization rules? I know when the PT loser was hot on the hit list dealers were recommending people go to Canada because they were not selling as well there.

Anyone know the ins and outs of purchasing a car in Canada and licensing it here in the good 'ol US of A?

 

[Mr. The Edge]

So, help me out here. I'm a bit deficit in this area. Since our friends in the great white north get more options than us US people why don't we buy our cars there? Federalization rules? I know when the PT loser was hot on the hit list dealers were recommending people go to Canada because they were not selling as well there.

Anyone know the ins and outs of purchasing a car in Canada and licensing it here in the good 'ol US of A?

I am fairly certain that you have to sign a document stating that you will not register the car outside Canada for 1 year.

 

[in_d_haus]

Re: Re: Why not Canada?

I am fairly certain that you have to sign a document stating that you will not register the car outside Canada for 1 year.

Really??? Hmmm....

 

[bol]

Re: Re: Why not Canada?

I am fairly certain that you have to sign a document stating that you will not register the car outside Canada for 1 year.

Not I :dunno:

 

[Mr. The Edge]

Re: Re: Re: Why not Canada?

Not I :dunno:

But you're from Canada

 

[The HACK]

Auto dealerships gets SEVERELY punished for selling "gray market" cars across the boarder by manufacturers. There was an article in Automotive News a few weeks ago about some Canadien judge throwing a case out, when Ford applied a very SEVER penalty on a few Canadien dealerships for exporting vehicles into the U.S. (week Canuck dollar plus for some strange reason Canadien dealers buy cars from Ford at a much lower invoice price). Ford refused to pay dealer holdback to those particular dealerships that amounts to something rediculous like $200K or something (I'd have to go dig up that article). Can't remember what the ruling was or who's sue-ing who, but the Canadien Judge ruled in favor of the Canadien dealers if I'm not mistaken.

Some help I am...I think.

 

[JST]

There are a variety of barriers to importing a Canadian car into the US, from federalization requirements (which aren't too onerous, as most models sold there are largely identical to those sold here, with the exception of things like gauge markings) to the policies of the manufacturer (does the warranty transfer, etc.).

At the same time, it is something that is not uncommon, especially in near-border areas like Detroit. There is a well-established process that you need to go through to import your Canadian car to the US, and I've run across a number of web sites that explain the procedure. I don't have time to dig them up now, but if you do a Google search you'll find all the information you need.

 

[Kaz]

Doesn't someone here have a Canadian E39 they imported?

 

[bol]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Why not Canada?

But you're from Canada

It's not like buying a car involves a background check. Say you have family in Canada and use that address as your billing address. "If the cash is there we do not care" is pretty much the truth to automotive sales

 

[aldo]

My $.02 worth....I believe the Canadian cars have to meet stricter safety rules than the US versions so that should not be a problem. When I was having trouble getting BMW NA to help with the "Individual" paint issue, I "built" the same car on the Canadian site. It cost about $2k less after you entered the conversion factor for US$ v Can$. I believe that I read somewhere, possibly on the .org board, that Canadian Dealers are forbidden to sell new cars to US residents, the car has to be at least one year old. There may also be something about BMW NA honoring the Canadian warranty. If your interested, I'd do more research as the savings are there!!!

 

[Guest84]

aldo, the question came up with a "Custom Paint" email 'tween Haus and I..looking for ways to get what WE, the USA residents want for a choice of colors, not what the dictatorship of BMWNA wants us to have.

 

[Mr. The Edge]

aldo, the question came up with a "Custom Paint" email 'tween Haus and I..looking for ways to get what WE, the USA residents want for a choice of colors, not what the dictatorship of BMWNA wants us to have.

Well, a lot of US M3 buyers HAVE been able to special order colors at least, but not nearly the extensive options that the ROW gets.

Sterling Grey
Avus Blue
Steel Blue
Velvet Blue
Techno Violet
Estoril Blue
Electric Red
Orient Blue
Dakar Yellow

 

[JPinTO]

WHat more options? The only E46 thing I'm aware of other than the individual program are:

330CI & CIC has the M-Sport Pkg

Our option package content is different, but sometimes worse than the US. The 330i SP does not come with an M-Aero, it looks the exact same as a 325i.

BMW & MB are supposed to get the customer to sign the non-export agreement, but in reality, it doesn't seem like many do. Now, of course, if you show up at the dealership with your Washington license and ask them to sell you a car, they may not.

- JP

 

[in_d_haus]

Rip wants "lipstick" :lmao:

 

[Mr. The Edge]

I guess I meant paint/leather options (Meaning from the Individual Program, since those special order paints above come with an "Individual" on the door sill rather than "M3")

 

[Clem]

Part of the sales agreement is that you cannot export cars to other countries. Also part of regulation set by BMW Canada on their dealers

The dealership can infact refuse to sell you another car if you do.

A little talk I had with a local salesman showed that this is rarely enforced. Except in repeat instances by the same person.

On example was someone from the US was getting cars from a treaty Native Canadian as they are exempt from sales tax.

This occurred a few times and the dealership summarily refused to sell any more cars to him.

 

[Clem]

WHat more options? The only E46 thing I'm aware of other than the individual program are:

330CI & CIC has the M-Sport Pkg

Our option package content is different, but sometimes worse than the US. The 330i SP does not come with an M-Aero, it looks the exact same as a 325i.

BMW & MB are supposed to get the customer to sign the non-export agreement, but in reality, it doesn't seem like many do. Now, of course, if you show up at the dealership with your Washington license and ask them to sell you a car, they may not.

- JP

JP if you "build a car" on www.bmw.ca and www.bmwusa.com and look at the standard features you will notice that Canadian cars have more standard features at a lower cost.

I.E. xenons on 330 and M3s and sunroofs on M3 coupes. etc.....

 

[in_d_haus]

Hey, my GF has dual citizenship, Canada/USA. If we buy it in her name and use her family address there.... then change it in a year to me......

Ta DA!

 

[JPinTO]

JP if you "build a car" on www.bmw.ca and www.bmwusa.com and look at the standard features you will notice that Canadian cars have more standard features at a lower cost.

I.E. xenons on 330 and M3s and sunroofs on M3 coupes. etc.....

But I'm sure it evns out in the wash.... for instance, I'm sure the US 330's get DSC standard... we have to pay for it. I'd happily pay for my xenons to get the M-Aero pkg for FREE!

 

[JPinTO]

Hey, my GF has dual citizenship, Canada/USA. If we buy it in her name and use her family address there.... then change it in a year to me......

Ta DA!

How are you going to get your taxes back? 7% GST and 7.5% PST.