How can I spot an import?

[Fordey]

I'm looking to purchase a nearly new BMW and would like to know if I can identify an Import BMW beyond the stamp in the service book or getting hold of the original invoice. Are there codes, as with Porsche, that indicate the country the car has been specificed/produced for? Also, can offical BMW dealers sell imports?

(Reason for question is I've been bitten badly once before with a Porsche I don't wish to make the same mistake again!!)

>>> Edited by Fordey on Wednesday 19th May 15:52

>>> Edited by Fordey on Wednesday 19th May 15:53

[AC79xxx]

I only know of one BMW dealer who took an import as a P/X.

Generally main dealers will not buy or sell imports.

If you ask the parts dept at a main dealer to check the chassis no they should be able to tell you.

Alternatively Scoobyzoom will be along soon - he should be able to help you out as he works for a dealer.

>> Edited by AC79xxx on Wednesday 19th May 17:09

[sidekick]

...and indeed may have just the car you're looking for (regardless of whether or not you know exactly what you're looking for yet)

[ScoobyZoom]

if its a uk spec import you cant tell...

chassis prefix's start differently but you'd have to be an utter anorak to notice... yes i would before you ask...

dealers will take in and sell imports, legally obliged to tell you they are though...

mail me any reg's or chassis numbers you find i'll tell you...

cheers

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[Fordey]

Thanks for the replies and Adam for the offer of running a check through the system.

Adam, can BMW dealers sell imports under the 'Approved Used cars' programme? In other words, an appproved used car from a main dealer could be a UK supplied or an import. Also, a certain dealer mentioned he can source low mileage cars from 'Bracknell', BMW's HQ I'd guess. These would be BMW's own fleet cars but again could be either UK or imports??

Cheers, Brian.

[gazzab]

Is there nothing on the V5 ?

[Davel]

I thought it was on the V5 too!

[Fordey]

It should be but it may still be an import even if the V5 states 'first registered new in the UK'. Apparently it does not mean it hasn't been registered elsewhere in the world prior to arriving on our shores (i.e. cars purchased by an army chap in Germany then brings it back to this country). DVLA told me Europe can been seen thesedays as one big country and therefore a car may not be viewed as an import.

All pretty confusing really. However, if it's UK spec and priced right then all in all it shouldn't be a problem I guess.

[kenny320]

It should say on the V5. Mine does

[woodytvr]

ScoobyZoom said:

if its a uk spec import you cant tell... chassis prefix's start differently but you'd have to be an utter anorak to notice... yes i would before you ask... dealers will take in and sell imports, legally obliged to tell you they are though... mail me any reg's or chassis numbers you find i'll tell you... cheers ad

Interesting that you say they are legally obliged. I recently (last two months) bought a 330D Sport Touring on a 52 plate from a main dealer.

After I'd signed the deal and got home I started to question the sales guy sanity (I know him quite well as I've had a few ars off him). He had said the main warranty would run out this Sept so he'd have to stick used approved on it as he can't sell it with less than 12 months.

I called him on the Monday to gloat about his mistake and to try and get him to knock £500 off as I didn't need the extra warranty. That's when he told me the car was a UK spec car imported from Belgium.

You wouldn't know the difference as it doesn't say on the V5 and as I said it's full UK spec.

Ont thing however, the price was pretty much what I'd expect from a BMW dealer for a UK car, should it be cheapers as it's an import or will BMW offer me the same value come trade in as they would a UK sourced car? By the time I trade in the equivilant UK car will have no benefit i.e. 3 yrs warranty as rather than 2, as they'll both be onto extended warranty.

[woodytvr]

Another thought, when I trade the car in, if I was to trade in at the same garage and they offered less as it's an import can I say I was never told when I bought it and demand the full amount?

The sales guy has moved on so he won't even be there to argue.

[kenny320]

Thats strange it isn't on the V5. I wonder why that is?

Maybe mine has it marked on it as it lived in its homeland for 3 years before coming over here.

[woodytvr]

This was bought new so I suppose it perhaps wasn't ever registered elsewhere.

[kenny320]

woodytvr said:

This was bought new so I suppose it perhaps wasn't ever registered elsewhere.

Yes that could be it. Mine was bought through a UK based importer but collected from the factory and used by the owner in Germany. I'm not entirely sure whether he registered hereat the time of purchase or just before he sold it to us.

[ScoobyZoom]

Import is only on the log book if the car was used abroad before being registered on the UK.

As long as it is registered here with no miles on it then it WILL NOT SAY on the log book.

Your only clue will be the transmission section and engine number will 9 times out of 10 say data not supplied...

BMW dealers can sell imports under the approved used car scheme providing we abide by BMW's rules.. i.e. it goes through the workshop, has 12 months MOT and 12 months warranty.

It depends on the car if its worth any less. If its something we can not get like X5 Diesels then no. 330d and 320d tourings are again good sellers and subsequently worth no less. Most imports when nearly new are worth less because retail buyers are a) wary and b) know you had a saving so they should pay less.

After a few years, when the car is out of warranty and got 80k on it the import part doesnt make any odds.

As for the dealer not telling you? I don't like to think about the amount of cars I have given people their money back on because the salesman didnt tell them they were an import. If bought from a BMW dealer the invoices HAVE to be stamped with IMPORT and signed by you...

hope this helps you all

>> Edited by ScoobyZoom on Thursday 20th May 17:35

[woodytvr]

I'll check the invoice. I'm happy with the car and the price I paid so it won't be going back, but a bit of usefull ammo come trade in might be handy.

[ascender]

About 5 years ago when imports just began to get popular, BMW generally didn't sell imports and I know of at least 2 dealers who got major slaps on the wrist from BMW GB for selling some. Now they don't care.


-Mike

[shoestring7]

Aren't all BMW's imports?

[325]

i have a grey import, only thing that gives it away is 'pre delivery inspection' stamp took place in holland...... if unsure ask to see evidence of above.
and yes, they are all imports!