[ric124]

I have family in town who live in Canada and they were telling me that people in the US has been going across the border to purchase cars because of how strong the US dollar is right now. I'm wondering how easy is it to purchase a car in Canada?

When I converted the cost of the M2 at MSRP on BMW.ca to USD it ended up being in the high $40k USD.

This could be a good option for those who really wants a sunroof.

[gthal]

First, I don't believe you can buy a new one out of the country... second, even if you could, good luck finding one as they are sold out into next year at the earliest as far as I can tell.

[gmzanatta]

Americans can't buy brand new BMW's in Canada and Canadians can't buy in the US. This is a BMW (and many other luxury brands) strategy to force everyone to pay the highest possible price for their car.

Even if you could, there is a 6 month waiting period otherwise you end up paying crazy import taxes on the car - after 6 months it's considered used and the import tax lowers to normal level.

And last but not least, it's sold out in Canada until Fall 2017 if you're lucky. My dealer is no longer taking deposits.

[CosmosMpower]

Nope BMW won't let you export. Now if you live in CA you can probably buy it there and then bring it back to the US, not sure if you have to pay the 2.5% duty if you're already the owner.

[Bluenose-2er]

I think your family in Canada are referring to used cars. There are exclusion windows around new cars (I think they vary depending on the origin of the car, but it is pretty much all brands not just luxury cars) but definitely would be a huge hassle to do. Not only the restrictions others have mentioned, but the warranty is not easily transferrable (if at all). My brother brought his relatively new Canadian Honda to the US when he moved there and that (warranty) was the biggest hassle (and he was a resident in Canada when he bought it). Not sure if he ever resolved it.

The price diff would get eaten up in hassle and extra costs in no time - even if it were possible.

[zenmaster]

Why does Canada have such a price discount compared to the US? Looks like all BMWs are 15% less expensive.

[Jackie Chiles]

Prior to importing a Canadian car into the US you'll need to get a letter from the manufacturer/importer certifying that the vehicle meets US safety and emissions standards. The letter will also state what minor updates must be resolved prior to being licensed for road use, such as a speedo that registers in MPH for example.

NOT ALL CANADIAN CARS CAN BE CERTIFIED AS MEETING US STANDARDS.

In the past, a manufacturer would not issue such a letter until the vehicle had been in service for 6 months. I can't tell you BMW's current policy is for sure.

I've imported several motorcycles into the US from Canada, but never a car. But I do know that cars are being imported by private owners all the time. It's not an impossible process.

[ric124]

Originally Posted by zenmaster

Why does Canada have such a price discount compared to the US? Looks like all BMWs are 15% less expensive.

It's less expensive for us in the US now because US is on a upward swing making the dollar more valuable. A few years ago it was basically 1usd to 1cad which would mean cars are more expensive there. We may see this happen again if trump becomes president which my cause the USD to lose value putting it back on or close to the same value of the Canadian dollar.

[gthal]

Originally Posted by zenmaster

Why does Canada have such a price discount compared to the US? Looks like all BMWs are 15% less expensive.

It's not a discount. You can't just do the dollar conversion. I earn CDN dollars and spend CDN dollars. Given the average income in Canada is roughly similar to the US (different but close enough for this discussion), when we buy an M2 for $62,000 CDN we spend a larger portion of our income on it than you do when you buy yours for $52,000 US.

So, if we assume our incomes are generally the same and paid in the currency of our respective country, as I mentioned, you spend a smaller portion of your income than I do on the same car. In reality, we pay MORE for our cars (including the M2) here relative to our income than our US brothers and sisters do.

The US market is one of the cheapest car markets in the world relative to income level... I'm jealous.

[tutankhamon]

I'm not sure if this is even possible for them to do, but I was almost certain that there was a condition somewhere on the bill of sale that the car can't be exported from Canada within x years of new purchase.

[zenmaster]

Originally Posted by ric124

It's less expensive for us in the US now because US is on a upward swing making the dollar more valuable. A few years ago it was basically 1usd to 1cad which would mean cars are more expensive there. We may see this happen again if trump becomes president which my cause the USD to lose value putting it back on or close to the same value of the Canadian dollar.

Apparently, they simply determine the price which a particular market will bear.

[Nick2016M2]

Found this today:

http://www.sascars.com/2016-BMW-M2/U...8/Details.aspx

Says originally purchased in Canada. Imported already?

[gmzanatta]

Originally Posted by Nick2016M2

Found this today:

http://www.sascars.com/2016-BMW-M2/U...8/Details.aspx

Says originally purchased in Canada. Imported already?

Yep. Those taxes must've hurt though, unless he was the original owner and moved state-side.

[Jackie Chiles]

Originally Posted by Nick2016M2

Found this today:

http://www.sascars.com/2016-BMW-M2/U...8/Details.aspx

Says originally purchased in Canada. Imported already?

Nick: I found this too. This dealer has imported other Canadian cars, the last that I came across was a 2012 Audi TT RS just a couple of months ago.

BTW, I'm number 17 on on Towne BMW's M2 list, but I found an available allocation at Westchester BMW that I expect to arrive at PCD in mid-January.

[Nick2016M2]

Originally Posted by Jackie Chiles

BTW, I'm number 17 on on Towne BMW's M2 list, but I found an available allocation at Westchester BMW that I expect to arrive at PCD in mid-January.

Glad you found one sooner! I wonder how many people total are on their list? I was third on the list and I put my name down in Summer '14. DrKev was their first and then the 2nd person dropped out. I feel lucky I got one as early as I did and Dennis Merrick was the best!

[Jackie Chiles]

Originally Posted by Nick2016M2

Glad you found one sooner! I wonder how many people total are on their list? I was third on the list and I put my name down in Summer '14. DrKev was their first and then the 2nd person dropped out. I feel lucky I got one as early as I did and Dennis Merrick was the best!

I was told that as many as 35 were on the list but that many dropped out. The first dealer I called was Towne last Monday 10/3. CA Doug Rosen put me on the M2 list and told me I was #17. Within the hour I called two dealers outside NYC who had a total of 4 open allocations. I was alerted to each of those dealers by fellow Bimmerpost members. The in Orange County wanted $2-3k over MSRP, but Joey Raus at Westchester BMW offered one of his two open allocation at MSRP, which I accepted.

To make a long story short, I had an M2 on order at MSRP within 45 minutes of making my first call to any dealer thanks to the help of Bimmerpost members.

Thank you Bimmerpost and members Greenapple and m2tek!!