I have an opportunity to move to Belgium for two years and one of my issues is, do I take my 325? Here are spacific questions:
will replacement parts be the same;
do I need different electrical componints;
is insurance going to be crazy expensive and does anyone know what gas prices are there?

If I was to buy another e36 over there would it be about the same price and what would be the benufits of buying a euro Bimmer?

I'm bumping this hoping that some of our Euro members could shed some light

I can tow it to the Europe regional forum if you want to.

to belgium? hell no! ill lease it from you for two years!! you can use the extra money. especially in europe. you dont need a ride. public trans is all over the place. and why put up with the hassel of importing a left handed 1994 old ass bmw. cmon dude. i promise ill give you a check every month.

and why put up with the hassel of importing a left handed 1994 old ass bmw
Do you think they use RHD cars in Beligum? :confused

Used E36's are going to be hard to find in Europe, if you're interested in buying one. If you do find one chances are it will cost you around 7,000 - 8,000 euros. Less than that, then you get what you pay for.

I have lived in Germany for 3 years (15 years ago) and found that buying a small European run-about was the least expensive way to go. Two months before returning I sold it.

I would discourage you from shipping your American version E36, not because of parts, but mainly because of smog issues and Belgium taxes you'll have to fork out, even for temporary use.

Used E36's are going to be hard to find in Europe, if you're interested in buying one. If you do find one chances are it will cost you around 7,000 - 8,000 euros. Less than that, then you get what you pay for.

I have lived in Germany for 3 years (15 years ago) and found that buying a small European run-about was the least expensive way to go. Two months before returning I sold it.

I would discourage you from shipping your American version E36, not because of parts, but mainly because of smog issues and Belgium taxes you'll have to fork out, even for temporary use.

+1

i got the cash right here. yes, yes, go to belgium! i'll take good care of her i promise!

Do you think they use RHD cars in Beligum? :confused

Pwned

It might be more successful if you towed it to the Euro section, thanks.

Bimmer323 you seem like a trustworthy guyso why don't I just let you take the car for two years, free of charge.

sweet!!:angel

It might be more successful if you towed it to the Euro section, thanks.
Done :)

Is your company going to ship if for free? Also, at near $5 a gallon, gas prices are something to consider. What I would look into is bringing a nice ride back to the US when you return home. When I moved to England for a year, I took my rx7 and it was great fun but I also only paid $1.70 a gallon and the car was shipped for free. Insurance was oddly cheaper than in Oklahoma.

I would say store your car and buy a beater. I also bought a golf gti while I was there. I didn't care if it got dinged up, got over 30 on the highway, and was still fun to drive.

Yep, shipping would be free, but I would not be getting much of a pay increas, the gain would be in the experience.

If someone else will pay shipping both ways, I might consider it.

The homoligation for local registration is not a huge deal. You'll need to substitute EU-certified headlights (which you can get more cheaply from the U.S.), restore the rear fog light(s) (if BMW Canada neutered them) and disconnect the yellow, side marker lights. BMW Technical Services can provide a letter explaining the emission class the car belongs in. I would guess Euro 2. If you were headed to Germany, you would also need to request a letter from the central registration office proving the car has never been registered in Germany -- in order that you can register it for the first time. Perhaps, that's just local fastidiousness. :)

I believe you can declare the car as part of your household effects and not have to pay duty if you have owned it for a while (I think six months to a year) and land it within three years of your arrival.

Parts should not be a problem. The biggest challenge is that your dealer might have to select or go to a different section of the parts system, and order parts from Germany -- as you sometimes have to do in Canada and the U.S.

I know nothing about Belgian insurance but if it is like the German system the insurance on a powerful car (by European standards) could still be quite reasonable if you can prove an insurance history that has been accident free for a number of years.

I hope that helps and that you enjoy your time in Europe!

Johnf you have been helpfull thankyou