Anyone Import a BMW Diesel?

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nytoy

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Just wondering if anyone has imported a non-VW diesel engine for a swap and gotten it past customs etc. Not looking to do it myself but pay a importer.
 
jimbote

jimbote

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about 8 years ago I imported a 2LT toyota diesel engine from australia ....not really a big hassle but I did have to pay import fees/taxes.... others experiences may be different but I did not find it too bad....
 
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NoJoke

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RyanP will get you anything Euro...I've done plenty of business with him and look forward to more:D
 
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nytoy

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Yeah I just PM'd him about getting a 1/2 cut, it seems way easier to get a japanese engine than one from Germany for some reason. I just want a RWD diesel car dang it! Too bad toyota didn't make one....
 
yatzee

yatzee

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I know there's a guy around here selling a 1997 5 Series Diesel, stick, for $8500. About 200k on the car if I recall. Those cars are not hard to find in Europe - saw piles of them while I was in France a couple months back.

I'm just not sure how hard it would be to get parts - I know with MB, you can just go to any dealer and they have access to the euro parts catalog, so they can order you almost anything (including stuff from Germany)
 
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nytoy

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Oh reeeeeeeeeealy? Were they imported to Canada new? Linky?

I also found out that Lexus (toyota really) made a 2.2 turbodiesel in the IS series sedan, I'm sure importing a 2005+ half cut one of those wouldn't be cheap, but it would cover the 6 speed manual trans and diff ratio's and maybe could swap into the 1st gen IS300 chassis.



yatzee said:
I know there's a guy around here selling a 1997 5 Series Diesel, stick, for $8500. About 200k on the car if I recall. Those cars are not hard to find in Europe - saw piles of them while I was in France a couple months back.

I'm just not sure how hard it would be to get parts - I know with MB, you can just go to any dealer and they have access to the euro parts catalog, so they can order you almost anything (including stuff from Germany)
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yatzee

yatzee

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there were a couple old body 524td's imported in the early 80s, but they're incredibly rare....

The guy looks like he bought it in Europe and brought it over. I imagine that there is money to be made doing that.
 
Scott_DeWitt

Scott_DeWitt

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nytoy said:
Just wondering if anyone has imported a non-VW diesel engine for a swap and gotten it past customs etc. Not looking to do it myself but pay a importer.
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The only way to import an engine legally without a certificate of conformity to US emissions is if the engine is over 15 years old you can import it as an ancient engine.

However if installed into a US spec vehicle the vehicle must meet all emission standards for the year of manufacture of the vehicle (or in a CARB state the latest of the yeat of MFG of the vehicle or the engine).

A few TDI club members have had their engines seized over the years.
 
whiplash willy

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About 5 years ago, I was able to buy a Japanese 2.0 Turbo engine 1/2 cut from a 1998 Nissan.




Look for a local importer of 1/2 cuts, that is probley your best bet. I know the Toyota guys do the same for their diesel swaps.
 
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mcneil

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Not to make it really difficulty, but has anyone ever imported a Euro VW diesel into California and gotten it through CARB/BAR?

I've got my eyes on a 110hp VE but I'm not sure if I can make it work. Been talking with the smog ref and the discussion so far has been inconclusive.
 
Scott_DeWitt

Scott_DeWitt

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mcneil said:
Not to make it really difficulty, but has anyone ever imported a Euro VW diesel into California and gotten it through CARB/BAR?

I've got my eyes on a 110hp VE but I'm not sure if I can make it work. Been talking with the smog ref and the discussion so far has been inconclusive.
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Technically no, the engine must first meet USA emissions.
 
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mcneil

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Scott_DeWitt said:
Technically no, the engine must first meet USA emissions.
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CARB supposedly has an equivalency test to demonstrate that a motor meets or exceeds US standards. I know of one guy who went through the process for a Smart diesel. He said the testing cost him about two grand.

I was looking at the standards, and most Euro III diesels don't seem like they would pass Fed/CA NLEV/CFV standards. The US standard limits NOX to .7 g/mi, and euro III NOX is .8 g/mi (also tested differently).
 
Scott_DeWitt

Scott_DeWitt

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mcneil said:
CARB supposedly has an equivalency test to demonstrate that a motor meets or exceeds US standards. I know of one guy who went through the process for a Smart diesel. He said the testing cost him about two grand.

I was looking at the standards, and most Euro III diesels don't seem like they would pass Fed/CA NLEV/CFV standards. The US standard limits NOX to .7 g/mi, and euro III NOX is .8 g/mi (also tested differently).
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The USA EPA emissions test is not just a sniff test, evaporation emissions, etc are all part of the conformance testing for USA emissions compliance, and yes it's 2-3 grand depending upon the EPA certified shop you take it to.
 
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