Japanese Imported BMW Cars?

[tomsolidgould]

Anyone know about these imported and bc licensed cars?
What are the problems with buying one of these? Are they a scam?
Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Tom

[applecran]

I have one.

One issue with the japanese imported ones is that they may have sat for a while, with low mileage = low useage. Mine had 9K KM in 4 years. That equalled lots of cracked belts/hoses/fuel lines.

Still worth it if you can find a nice low mileage example. You get all sorts of eurobits on these cars usually that would be extra costs to get later from a North American counterpart.

[Weeman83]

I understand that in order to clear Canada Customs, the vehicles have to be clean (its like a disease control thing...). As such, many importers will have invested money into detailing each car, top side and under to make sure they pass customs. So, in short, don't be too excited about these cars appearing ultra clean. If you throw enough money into any normally used North American BMW, it should look just as nice.

[applecran]

Yeah, and they have to pass inspection. Mine came in and was immeditately fitted with new tires, brakes, rad, exhaust. Without those it would not pass inspection and would not be able to be registered or insured.

[320iCar]

one benefit over U.S cars that the Japanese imports have, is everything is already in metric measurements. plus in japan, people take amazing care of their cars, or at least for the ones that are worth importing. and like they said, all the maintinance must be done for it to pass inspection. make sure you get the score it got out of the 5 point system. 5/5 is a brand new car. 4/5 is pretty much the best a drive car can get (althuogh i've seen some amazing used cars that scored around 4.5) and anything above 3/5 is still fine for daily driving.

[M635]

You can take my car for example. It's a Jap import...

-I had to replace every hose, and rubber!
-Do a complete tune-up right away! (Oils, coolant, etc. etc.)
-Some models have paint issues. (My clear is shot, so it's going for a respray in 2 weeks)
-Don't go too hard on the car, its been sitting for many many years. Go slow and easy with it when you get it.

It was funny, the brakes on my car were still brand new haha. I bought new pads, when to remove the "old" ones, they was like 95% left.

Basically that's the major things you need to worry about. Other little things would be bulbs, and stuff like that.

[woods]

I also have a Jap car... It's a good car but to be truthful - unless I was buying a JDM only vehicle like a skyline, I would not do it again. I may have saved a few $$$ - but the risk is just too great. In retrospect, buying higher mileage car that has been driven and taken care of by an enthusaist owner is just a better bet than gambling on a low mileage car that you can't drive before buying... Stick shifts are uber-rare in Japan as well except on cars like the M5 or M3 where an auto was not an option.

Like the others have noted, a fifteen year old car is still fifteen years old no matter now many miles on it. Seals, rubber bits, hoses, door seals and paint decline with age, not mileage.

To pass the provincial out-of-jurisdiction inspection, my car required a new set of tires, daytime running lights, side markers, and an upper brake light... In addition to that, I've pumped at least another $3000+ of maintenance (just parts) into it since.... Given the deal I got on it, this was not unexpected mind you.

[redhatpat]

My brother bought a 92 325is, JDM spec. It came with some nice stuff like glass headlight lenses, side fender markers, that sort of Euro spec thing. It must have been one of the early ones built since it was also left hand drive, very nice. I don't think he would have considered it if it were right hand drive.

Even though it only had 50,000 kms (or was it 30,000?) the door fabric is pulling away in a few spots. e36 quality for you.

[Initial D.oug]

Originally Posted by woods To pass the provincial out-of-jurisdiction inspection, my car required a new set of tires, daytime running lights, side markers, and an upper brake light... In addition to that, I've pumped at least another $3000+ of maintenance (just parts) into it since.... Given the deal I got on it, this was not unexpected mind you.

These rules must vary cause mine passed inspection with none of those items. Mine was imported in from Germany.

[MGuy]

Some provinces are getting tight-assed on Jap imports due to the market for "Fast and Furious" cars with RHD. Some splash hits the BMW market. I had no problem inspection-wise for my two Jap-import BMWs, though one had already been imported into BC. No need for DRLs or 3d brake lights, and there should be no need on a 15yo car as those are Transport Canada requirements, and 15 years old means the TC rules are waived. Technically you can even import cars that were never allowed into Canada in any form, like the Z1 or the 850CSi as long as they're 15 years old or more.

As for my experience, I got one great car, the E28 M5. It had some issues, but none that caused problems with passing Ontario OOP inspection other than brakes, wheels and tires. It was in remarkably good condition, and had records up to the last 15000km of its existance. It is also a rare Euro-spec M5 (one of 588), that has different specs from the US/Canada E28 M5.

The M635CSi was a slightly different prospect. This one I got from a BC seller, who had imported it a year or so before I got it. It needed lots of work - suspension mainly, plus basic maintenance, before it could be put on the road. It still needs some work.

My take, given my experience, is that unless you're getting a model that's rare or never imported, it's not worth the trouble. If it's an E30 Touring, maybe it's worth it. One of the 320i M-Tech jobs? Maybe. An ///M? Definitely (but be very careful that you're getting a good one - the Japanese after market can really mess them up). Alpina? Also worth the price of admission and risk.

[JimB]

Are they pretty well all automatics?

Jim

[woods]

Originally Posted by JimB Are they pretty well all automatics? Jim

Other than M cars, I cannot recall ever seening a stick shift Japanese BMW for sale.

[woods]

Originally Posted by MGuy There should be no need on a 15yo car as those are Transport Canada requirements, and 15 years old means the TC rules are waived

No need to make modifications to import the car but the requirements for various provincial out-of-province inspections vary greatly. BC is very tight-ass these days due to a lot of JDM cars simply being waived through (esp with headlights that were nowhere near compliant to the DOT requirements of the day).

If in BC, it's a good idea to ask the OOP inspector you plan to use what he'll want to see. Lighting issues on BMWs are usually simple. Tires need DOT stamps as does all of the glass.

[BeeJay]

I had a couple JDM Imported BMW's and all I have to say is make sure you get all the maintenance done. My touring right now has 125k's on it and it drives amazing but like what someone said, you gotta make sure you change every rubber because the car has been sitting for awhile and it will start to crack. Overall car is great just gotta do the minor stuff to get it back to shape.

[cameronR]

I bought my car in June and it has been bulletproof. It only had 34,000 km on it when it crossed the ocean. I replaced the water pump and it was a well maintained car otherwise. I would recommend buying these cars, but be prepared to pay for some maintenance. I plan on replacing all the rubber in the cooling system next year. The bushings in the suspension are fine. My brother and I took the car autocrossing in the summer and we put 20 runs on the car between the two of us and nothing failed.

Funny story: another competitor at the autox whose 325is made a crap load of VANOS noise after a hard autox run asked me what brand oil my motor had, as it was purring quietly after my run, and I told him "whatever the mechs in Japan put in it!"

The only downside to the car is that it was left outside for a good spell and the rubber trim has shrunk and needs replacement. The glovebox needed to be reglued and the upholstered door cards needs regluing as well - not terribly complex stuff.