Wanted: '05-'06 MINI One/D (diesel)

[Kaycee]

Hello, I'm brand spankin' new here. Looking for an '05-'06 MINI One/D (diesel) to convert to biodiesel. I understand they've never been sold commercially in the U.S., only imported privately, so it's a long shot. Anyone willing to help me w/this quest? Advice? Thnx. KC in the SF Bay Area.

 

[meganuke]

Can't do it unless you want to bring in about 12 of them. 10 to crash, 1 to submit to EPA testing, 1 to keep. Check your DMV site for specific rules that apply in your state.

The short answer is: unless you're rich, it won't happen.

 

[Dunno513]

If you can get it shipped with the engine and body seperated, then it would be considered a kit car and open to pretty much anything you want to do with it. Funny how loopholes apply to expensive things...

 

[dieseldorf]

If you can get it shipped with the engine and body seperated, then it would be considered a kit car and open to pretty much anything you want to do with it.

Dunno about that, Dunno. Ask Whitey how successful he was when he attempted to import a TDI engine earlier this year from Europe

 

[Dunno513]

Dunno about that, Dunno. Ask Whitey how successful he was when he attempted to import a TDI engine earlier this year from Europe

Oh well, so much for my theory

http://epa.gov/otaq/imports/kitcar.htm

 

[dieseldorf]

Oh well, so much for my theory

http://epa.gov/otaq/imports/kitcar.htm

I dunno, Dunno. When I actually read the document I hit all sorts of roadblocks:

All emission-related components and settings must conform in all material respects to those of one previously certified configuration. Therefore, all part numbers for the emission-related components of a fully assembled kit vehicle or complete kit car package must match or be traceable to the numbers specified in the application for certification of a previously certified configuration.

 

[TDISurfer]

I emailed Mini about bringing the ONE D to the states. Their response was they have no plans on bringing it to the states. I think this is pretty short sighted on their part especially with the US interest in the MINIs is quite high, adding a diesel to their US lineup makes so much sense.

 

[tdi_volks]

I've imported stuff before, if the vehicle is the same body style as a US approved model then that model is already up to US standards for safety. there is a weird thing about diesels for 07, so getting an 06 would probably work. even volkswagen was not allowed to import 07 diesels. when you import a vehicle you think there's going to be all these inspectors in white coats checking you into the country but so many cars are imported that the lots are full of thousands of vehciles coming in from England and Europe. the first double decker bus I imported, they let me drive out of the port, right hand drive, having no experience and no proper license or insurance. I was dangerous on the road, thats for sure.

 

[snakemaster]

how about if some one in the UK is going over to the US and wants to bring his diesel mini to run for a year , and in that time it is in the US it gets (wrecked) and and sold for parts , and the person changes the vin no to a gas( US reg mini ) then wham bam a US diesel mini , you can do it that way if you are taking a car in to the UK , loopholes you can reg it to but you have to pay inport duty

 

[FormerOwner]

The enviro-wacko lobby hates diesels, and as a result, the regulations were written to appease these people and their lobbying efforts, in lieu of maintaining political power (You know who you are... Democrats!).

 

[The Derv Doctor]

My sister has got a Mini Cooper Diesel, with the 1.6 HDi Peugeot engine in it. It's a great little car.

 

[Scott_DeWitt]

There's 2 different things to consider, the feds and the states. The federal gov't doesn't do vehicle registrations, so more often than not, if state requirements are satisfied you can have a car registered. EPA and DOT requirements are pretty strict, bascially any engine swap, or any engine modifications, as well as bumper and headlight mods cannot change emissions or saftey of the vehicle, and sometimes the feds require this is proven.

I have seen vehicles imported in pieces then reassembled and titled without going through the federalization process. Is it legal? From a state persepctive it is, however EPA and DOT will tell you otherwise.

The federalization process is VERY expensive, and quite often you will pay the cost of the car to get it done.

So what do you do? The least expensive way to get what you want is to make it yourself, however with the caveat that any engine transplants or swaps also need to meet federal requirements, which puts you in the same boat as importing the damned car you wanted in the first place.

However the reality is that once it's registered it's unlikely the EPA will show up at your door wanting paperwork.