BMW from Japan

[andymn]

Just a quick question, am thinking about getting a BM from the auctions in Japan.
Anyone done this and know what to avoid/ look for??

cheers
Andy

[Gwynleym10]

Why?

[andymn]

cheap.......very cheap
don't mean an e30, looking at newer 5 series maybe................just wondered if anyone had done it.

[sam325is]

what is the site?

[maxfield]

By the time you've paid tax etc I wouldn't of thought there was much difference.

Also doesn't the engine map have to be changed?

Plus you've got to go over to Japan and look for the one you want and not be guaranteed to be what you want.

They're LHD too.

[Gortour]

Should be RHD I thought...?

[maxfield]

Should be RHD I thought...?

No, BMW and Mercedes and maybe some others are LHD for some strange reason, my Dad's 8-series was from Japan and was LHD.

[jamie325isport]

Should be right hand drive my MR2 turbo is import its RHD there in kph. My car is limited to 112mph aswell.

[Steve-E30]

Lhd and Rhd from japan , Depends where you buy from , Mate of mine used to import , Constant damage in transit , Bits missing etc , Be careful , They do auctions for imported cars if you look into it , You dont pay that much more than importing them yourself , I know there is one in southampton and there must be others

[gazm3]

I went to see a e30 m3, from japan, it was imported - scuttle rust was manic.
The engine had been flogged with street racing.
And the fool who owned it covered it in stickers. Why do they do that?.
No service history.

Best skip it in my opinion.

[fuzzy]

dont the japs and the aussies drive on the right side of the road as well? my mate buys jap imports direct from the import auctions at southampton for big savings but you have to be a trader for that. not sure how it would work with european cars though as i would imagine the import tax for the japs to get bmw's into their country in the first place would bump the prices up when selling on.

[E30BeemerLad]

European cars in Japan carry a bit of prestige, especially BMW, Merc etc etc.

There is a mixture of stuff in either LHD or RHD. As mentioned, one of the big problems is damage in transit and bits getting nicked, if you were to watch the folk at the docks and how they load an unload cars and drive them about the dockside you'd understand why.

Possibly would need a remap as they use 100ron fuel out there, should not be as rusty and generally much better maintained due to the "shaken" tests, which is like an uber strict MOT every 3 years, scratches on your paint is a failure! This is all designed to keep their new car sales market healthy as someone with a 3 or 6 yr old car will probably chop it in for a new model rather than spend thousands to get through the test.

You really need someone out there as your eyes & ears, the grading on the auction sheets are generally very reliable though.

You need to do your maths thoroughly and include everything so that you have a proper price to your door, then document and MOT fees etc etc, probably does not work out a hell of a lot cheaper really but you could possibly get a much better standard of car

[staffy]

i used to mechanic in a jap import garage and i def would not buy one i know at least 95% of cars were clocked we had to turn the clocks forward most of the time and most cars where accident damaged and fixed badly although most people got excited by the thoughts of a fast car and never looked properly persxxonly unless i looked at and picked it myself i would never buy one but that is just my own personal opinion

[E30BeemerLad]

the stuff sold at the docks in southampton etc is generally the low grade shite

If you want a high grade car like a 4 or a 4.5 etc then you generally have to buy these at the japanese auctions

[fuzzy]

the stuff sold at the docks in southampton etc is generally the low grade shite

If you want a high grade car like a 4 or a 4.5 etc then you generally have to buy these at the japanese auctions

nissan 350z's and landcruisers etc? ive never seen them come back with low grade sh1te you need to be a trader and put up a £5000 bond at the start of the year to buy from there although i do suppose theres more than a few import companies down there.

[Speedtouch]

Also you have to get the lights (indicators, etc) suitable for UK MOT standard and they generally don't have any rustproofing!

[Andyboy]

Should be RHD I thought...?

No, BMW and Mercedes and maybe some others are LHD for some strange reason, my Dad's 8-series was from Japan and was LHD.

That's because it was probably stolen in Germany. Jap market stuff is RHD.

[ShakeyC]

Most bmw merc euro cars in japan are leftys even thouggh they drive same side like us. wealthy japs wnt lefty euro cars sign of status basic tell everyone they is powerful men, a lefty is differnt so furthre stand out to other businesmen sign of doing well ina internatonal global company, if blacked out means his a yokozuna mafia type gangster

[andymn]

cheers for that guys, very interesting...............what I have seen is most RHD...............they are also graded upto 5 and normally B/B condition isn't bad.

My mate got an RX7 for £1600 + shipping + taxes
He has also just got a Z3 for 2800 + shipping + taxes

So the general consensus is to have eyes and ears over there and trust them in what they do.........anyway if I get the dosh, I think I would give it a go.

BTW, remap for fuel.........is that a case of the garage adding to the software or options within the software.

I would expect street racing to be with the turbos------scooby/evo's..........wouldn't have thought beemers.