Hi I am on the look out for an e36 convertible. I have found a nice 328i but when I did the hpi check it says it was imported from outside the eu. I have spoken to the guy thats selling and he seems to think from the service book it was imported from new from berlin.
I dont mind the fact that its been imported but is it going to cause me any problems in the future, insurance, resale etc.
Cheers, Andrew
Bmw imported from berlin
Moderator: martauto
Berlin, Germany, has been in the EU since the start in 1986 so it's come from somewhere else.
Adverse mileage and history is the biggest killer of resale, I wouldn't think twice about buying a proper import. Bear in mind that it may have a lot to hide though.
Adverse mileage and history is the biggest killer of resale, I wouldn't think twice about buying a proper import. Bear in mind that it may have a lot to hide though.

Also the spec of the car, may need some changes for an MOT depending on where it has been living.
Certain countries make different demands for the legalities.
Certain countries make different demands for the legalities.
Currently slumming it in an E46 Touring
Thanks, When I did the Hpi check it showed that it has been on the same plate since it was first registered in this country. The car has a production date of 10/1997 and it was registered here 03/1998. The car will have a fresh mot so not too worried about that.
My cabs the same, its even had its PDI done in germany.
I just think the person must have ordered it from there and fetched it.
My cars 100% UK spec too. I thought it was rather cool being from the 'father' land!
I just think the person must have ordered it from there and fetched it.
My cars 100% UK spec too. I thought it was rather cool being from the 'father' land!

320i Convertible
Many bmw's have been personal imports from europe,and many ,like the e46 330d touring that I imported where to a much higher spec.(I wish I'd never sold ittomski wrote:Hi I am on the look out for an e36 convertible. I have found a nice 328i but when I did the hpi check it says it was imported from outside the eu. I have spoken to the guy thats selling and he seems to think from the service book it was imported from new from berlin.
I dont mind the fact that its been imported but is it going to cause me any problems in the future, insurance, resale etc.
Cheers, Andrew


If it aint broke don't fix it!
My old coupe came from South Africa, apparently it was purely because the car matched the exact spec of the order, saved on waiting time or something. Never caused a problem, always went straight through MOT's, the only time if threw up a strange one was when it got remapped, had to use a different map or something.
