I checked the NHTSA and DOT websites, but could not find records of anyone who has actually imported an entire eurospec car. They list a bunch of 3-series, 5-series, etc., but no M3's.

Unless it is a unique/show model (like the Z1), it would have to be federalized for safety and emissions similar to US models for the same year. I don't think that would be a big deal, since european safety standards have been very similar since the late 80's (airbags, crumple zones, safety glass, etc). The exception seems to be if a similar model was not offered in the US. Since a "substantially similar" M3 was never offered for sale in the US in 1993 or 1994 (the first years for the euro E36 M3), might those be more easily imported than a 1995+ model?

Any ideas/leads would be appreciated...

AFAIK, federalization is required for any car unless the *exact same* car was for sale in the US, including model year, e.g. you'd have no problem importing a LHD '94 325i. However, federalization is not as simple as you make it out to be, and can be prohibitively expensive, as usually at least one example of the car in question has to be crash tested to prove safety. Bill Gates, for instance, had to jump through some serious hoops to get the 959 federalized, including calling in political favors.

AFAIK, federalization is required for any car unless the *exact same* car was for sale in the US, including model year, e.g. you'd have no problem importing a LHD '94 325i. However, federalization is not as simple as you make it out to be, and can be prohibitively expensive, as usually at least one example of the car in question has to be crash tested to prove safety. Bill Gates, for instance, had to jump through some serious hoops to get the 959 federalized, including calling in political favors.

Thanks for your response...The only difference in Euro vs. US E36's are the headlights (glass vs. plastic lens, and adjustable vs. fixed), and taillights (integrated rear fog light vs. none). For manufacturing cost reasons, BMW made everything else pretty much the same for all world markets.

If it were as simple as a 325i, I wouldn't even bother to ask the question...I'd just go buy a US-spec 325i. It's the unique nature of the '94 Euro M3 engine that would be the trick in my case.

Re: crash testing. In the case of the 959 that WOULD be prohibitively expensive (and would make grown men cry!). The 959 was imported under the "unique and show" category, so did not require crash testing. Same thing is true for the few BMW Z1's that have been imported...no need to crash test them. However, an E36 chassis is an E36 chassis in the eyes of the feds. Since many an E36 was built and imported in '94, no new crash tests are required.

So...I know a bit about the rules and expenses. I'm just looking for someone else who may have already gone through the process for an E36 Euro M3 that could advise me on "lessons learned".

Anyone?

Ben Liaw had a 95 GT that I heard had to be shipped back to avoid being crushed. There was a red cabrio that sold on Ebay in Miami within the past year- I think a guy at AA has the car now so you might quiz him on if he knows how the owner got it in.

I would say the chance of you getting a legal one into the US is slim to none. The easiest way to get a "Euro spec" one is to buy a 95 M3 and swap the motor.

I would say the chance of you getting a legal one into the US is slim to none. The easiest way to get a "Euro spec" one is to buy a 95 M3 and swap the motor.

there's the problem. legal. vin manipulation of questionable legality is an option.

Obviously the reason for importing the Euro-spec is the motor. It's also the reason why the car would need to be re-crash tested: the NHTSA doesn't consider that 'similar' enough, unless the manufacturer informs them that the cars will perform the same in crash tests, in writing, and a Registered Importer (RI) performs any and all modifications necessary to get the car up to FMVSS as of the time it was manufactured. So you have two problems: BMW is not likely to make any such concession about its crashworthiness in writing, and I am not aware of any RIs which do the FMVSS compliance modifications, as opposed to, say, for JDM Skylines, which can be done, I believe, by Motorex out in California.

The show' clause exemption only came into effect under Clinton in 1999 due to the aforementioned political pressure. Gates, Paul Allen, and Jerry Seinfeld among others were not allowed to drive their cars until this exemption came into effect, and as you note, the M3 does not qualify.

I did a lot of research on this when I was shopping for cars, including putting calls in to the NHTSA, EPA, importers of old Rovers, Motorex, dealers in the UK, etc. Anything is possible, but in the case of the Euro M3, making it possible may mean setting up your own RI or having an existing one take on the project for a large sum of money and then crossing your fingers and hoping the NHTSA bites.

Please do not be so dismissive when asking for help.

Thanks for your response...The only difference in Euro vs. US E36's are the headlights (glass vs. plastic lens, and adjustable vs. fixed), and taillights (integrated rear fog light vs. none). For manufacturing cost reasons, BMW made everything else pretty much the same for all world markets.

If it were as simple as a 325i, I wouldn't even bother to ask the question...I'd just go buy a US-spec 325i. It's the unique nature of the '94 Euro M3 engine that would be the trick in my case.

Re: crash testing. In the case of the 959 that WOULD be prohibitively expensive (and would make grown men cry!). The 959 was imported under the "unique and show" category, so did not require crash testing. Same thing is true for the few BMW Z1's that have been imported...no need to crash test them. However, an E36 chassis is an E36 chassis in the eyes of the feds. Since many an E36 was built and imported in '94, no new crash tests are required.

So...I know a bit about the rules and expenses. I'm just looking for someone else who may have already gone through the process for an E36 Euro M3 that could advise me on "lessons learned".

Anyone?

You really should contact Ben Liaw to see how his attempts at bringing in a 3.0 euro car went. He had a rare and unusual GT International that he tried to get in, and ultimately was not able to.

That is pretty specific and direct, pertinent advice.....

The fact that the M3 doesn't show up on the list of "pre-approved" show and sdisplay cars does not mean it can not be brought in under that classification.

In other words, you would have to write up a specific and complete set of justifications for why you think the 3.0 euro M3 should qualify. People trying to get one of the cars already on the list do not have to do so...all they need is a letter from the manufacture that supports that the VIN they're bringing in, is indeed from a car on that list as described.

Bringing in anything 97 + is going to be very, very difficult as it will be virtually impossible to have pass obd-II if it wasn't designed to do so in the first place.

There is a BMW CR who had bought a 97 Mclaren, brought it here and tried to get it in via show and display.... it qualifies, but, the engine management won't support OBD-II....so, he sent it back to UK, I believe he still has it...and he went and got another one..... second time, a 95 Mclaren. This one could pass emissions laws of 1995....being pre-obd-1.

I'm not an expert, but I've seen some of the paper work... and each couple years, I bring my Z1 in for its emissions testing...

Alex.

Many thanks for the info, guys...I'm not interested in anything illegal...

I will contact Ben to see how his experience went with the GT and on what grounds that was rejected. Sounds like it might just be easier to buy a Z1 before I come home...at least it's on the list...

Kenshiro--No harm intended...your second reply was very helpful....