Ordering M2 in Canada and importing to US

BiscottiGelato · 01-14-2016, 02:32 PM

Currently resides in Canada and might be moving to the Bay Area later this year. Does it make sense to order the M2 in Canada and then importing it down states side? It's like a $10k difference given the currency these days. 61k CAD = 42k USD.

How much hassle would it be? Is it mandatory to change the gauge to MPH? I love the clean look of only KPH on the speedometer.

Thanks!

barcelona · 01-14-2016, 05:49 PM

Since you are ordering, consider the dual speedo. You wanted clean look but less headache as mandatory to have mph in US.
This should be Special Order, but they might refuse as worried about exports.
Unlike US speedos are dual.

jc9elfer · 01-14-2016, 06:01 PM

Check for taxes when you go to import to the U.S.
I am American living in Canada, i had to pay taxes on my 328i to import it... you pay current book value times h.s.t. The U.S. may require the same thing.
Also, at the time, BMW did not / would not transfer my warranty to Canada. Fortunately i didn't need it, but i lost my Free oil changes.
Other than that, good idea.

AlpsRider · 01-14-2016, 07:52 PM

A friend of mine bought 2 fully loaded Jeeps in Canada and exported them to Germany. He said that he made a huge profit.

txx3ddq442 · 01-14-2016, 09:11 PM

Shouldn't be a major problem. Years ago, I flew from Louisiana to Buffalo, drove to Toronto, picked up a Nissan Pathfinder and drove it home.

There was some legwork ahead of time but since you live in Canada, you won't have to deal with funding, etc. like I did.

You'll have to pay import duties when you bring it into the States, but you'll get a refund of the Canadian taxes you paid (may be different if you are a citizen of Canada). When you register it, you'll have to pay whatever state fees you have.

You'll also need to get an affidavit that it meets all US safety and emission standards (this may not apply since it's BMW NA - Nissan was Nissan US and Nissan CA). I think you need this at US Customs to import it.

Never had to switch the speedo or tachometer but I'd recommend getting the dual if you can. Having 100K km and trying to explain that it's like 62K miles to a buyer can be a challenge. Also note that it'll make it a bit more difficult to price for resale since the standard equipment, options, etc. may be a bit different. For me, I had a Pathfinder that couldn't be bought in here and it probably hurt the resale in the end.

Best of luck.

ORIGIN M. · 01-14-2016, 10:07 PM

Inquire about a leased car they allow you at some point to drive while doing business in the USA. Then you return to Canada when the lease is up to return the car. Or you will get a bank loan in the US, to pay off BMW Financial.

Considering the suckage of your dollar if I were you I'd wait.

bim2er · 01-14-2016, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BiscottiGelato

Currently resides in Canada and might be moving to the Bay Area later this year. Does it make sense to order the M2 in Canada and then importing it down states side? It's like a $10k difference given the currency these days. 61k CAD = 42k USD.

How much hassle would it be? Is it mandatory to change the gauge to MPH? I love the clean look of only KPH on the speedometer.

Thanks!

My e36 M3 cost a bundle to register in California when I moved from Florida in 1996. Check registration fees for out of state cars on the dmv.ca.gov web site. You are looking for the term nonresident vehicle and there is a calculator for an estimate.

BiscottiGelato · 01-14-2016, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red-sauerkraut

Inquire about a leased car they allow you at some point to drive while doing business in the USA. Then you return to Canada when the lease is up to return the car. Or you will get a bank loan in the US, to pay off BMW Financial.

Considering the suckage of your dollar if I were you I'd wait.

It's more like the CAD suckage that I'm considering to buy now instead of later when even the price on the Canada side goes up.

BiscottiGelato · 01-14-2016, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bim2er

Quote:

Originally Posted by BiscottiGelato

Currently resides in Canada and might be moving to the Bay Area later this year. Does it make sense to order the M2 in Canada and then importing it down states side? It's like a $10k difference given the currency these days. 61k CAD = 42k USD.

How much hassle would it be? Is it mandatory to change the gauge to MPH? I love the clean look of only KPH on the speedometer.

Thanks!

My e36 M3 cost a bundle to register in California when I moved from Florida in 1996. Check registration fees for out of state cars on the dmv.ca.gov web site. You are looking for the term nonresident vehicle and there is a calculator for an estimate.

I guess you had to pay full state tax on the vehicle?

rcoccultwar · 01-15-2016, 06:38 AM

Sometimes they should leave people alone. Other times bad people should be given a situation that is unfavorable. Wish could vote in the US

bim2er · 01-15-2016, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BiscottiGelato

I guess you had to pay full state tax on the vehicle?

Not sales tax, but a very high registration fee for cars coming into California.

01-14-2016, 02:32 PM	#1
BiscottiGelato Captain 89 Rep 812 Posts Drives: 09 135i M Sport 6MT Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: GVA iTrader: (2)	Ordering M2 in Canada and importing to US Currently resides in Canada and might be moving to the Bay Area later this year. Does it make sense to order the M2 in Canada and then importing it down states side? It's like a $10k difference given the currency these days. 61k CAD = 42k USD. How much hassle would it be? Is it mandatory to change the gauge to MPH? I love the clean look of only KPH on the speedometer. Thanks! __________________ Ground Control Camber Plates, Ferrodo D2500 w/ E86 MZ4 2 piece rotors, Dunlop Direzza ZII on Apex EC-7s Last edited by BiscottiGelato; 01-14-2016 at 06:03 PM..
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01-14-2016, 05:49 PM	#2
barcelona Major 271 Rep 1,417 Posts Drives: X Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Since you are ordering, consider the dual speedo. You wanted clean look but less headache as mandatory to have mph in US. This should be Special Order, but they might refuse as worried about exports. Unlike US speedos are dual.
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01-14-2016, 06:01 PM	#3
jc9elfer Private First Class 32 Rep 132 Posts Drives: '16 BSM M2, 08 Porsche 911 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Chicago Area iTrader: (0)	Check for taxes when you go to import to the U.S. I am American living in Canada, i had to pay taxes on my 328i to import it... you pay current book value times h.s.t. The U.S. may require the same thing. Also, at the time, BMW did not / would not transfer my warranty to Canada. Fortunately i didn't need it, but i lost my Free oil changes. Other than that, good idea.
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01-14-2016, 07:52 PM	#4
AlpsRider Brigadier General 2865 Rep 3,844 Posts Drives: M2 Competition, LBB, 6MT Join Date: May 2015 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	A friend of mine bought 2 fully loaded Jeeps in Canada and exported them to Germany. He said that he made a huge profit.
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01-14-2016, 09:11 PM	#5
txx3ddq442 New Member 5 Rep 13 Posts Drives: 2007 M Coupe, 2015 X5 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: New Orleans, LA iTrader: (0)	Importation from Canada Shouldn't be a major problem. Years ago, I flew from Louisiana to Buffalo, drove to Toronto, picked up a Nissan Pathfinder and drove it home. There was some legwork ahead of time but since you live in Canada, you won't have to deal with funding, etc. like I did. You'll have to pay import duties when you bring it into the States, but you'll get a refund of the Canadian taxes you paid (may be different if you are a citizen of Canada). When you register it, you'll have to pay whatever state fees you have. You'll also need to get an affidavit that it meets all US safety and emission standards (this may not apply since it's BMW NA - Nissan was Nissan US and Nissan CA). I think you need this at US Customs to import it. Never had to switch the speedo or tachometer but I'd recommend getting the dual if you can. Having 100K km and trying to explain that it's like 62K miles to a buyer can be a challenge. Also note that it'll make it a bit more difficult to price for resale since the standard equipment, options, etc. may be a bit different. For me, I had a Pathfinder that couldn't be bought in here and it probably hurt the resale in the end. Best of luck.
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01-14-2016, 10:07 PM	#6
ORIGIN M. Banned 3161 Rep 9,134 Posts Drives: ///M Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Northern Hemisphere iTrader: (0)	Inquire about a leased car they allow you at some point to drive while doing business in the USA. Then you return to Canada when the lease is up to return the car. Or you will get a bank loan in the US, to pay off BMW Financial. Considering the suckage of your dollar if I were you I'd wait.
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01-15-2016, 06:38 AM	#10
rcoccultwar Private First Class 27 Rep 105 Posts Drives: 2013 Scion FR-S, 8/15 M2 Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Sometimes they should leave people alone. Other times bad people should be given a situation that is unfavorable. Wish could vote in the US
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