How The Hell Did This BMW 1 Series Get Past US Border Control?
Someone, somewhere, has apparently managed to get around the USA’s notoriously stupid import laws and register a British BMW 1 Series in Florida.
The details of how it actually got past customs are a bit sketchy, but Jalopnik has picked up on media coverage of this 2007 116i as the current owner is trying to sell. The low-output normally-aspirated four-pot under the bonnet is nothing special and the car wouldn’t get a second glance in the UK, but it’s a complete one-off in the US. If it’s legal.
It’s not old enough to qualify for import under America’s draconian import regs, but the original owner allegedly had the right-hand-drive fish-outta-water shipped over in one piece from Scotland before, almost straight away, selling it to someone in Florida who went through the motions of obtaining a ‘bonded title’ and then ultimately a ‘clean title’, which the seller claims makes it completely legit and road-legal. It still has the British V5C certificate, too.
Naturally it hasn’t escaped being lowered and fitted with wheels from a 135i. There looks to be plenty of wear and tear, too, but with bidding having reached just over $4,500, it could be a bargain for someone looking for a one-off project.
With a pretty basic spec and 78,000 miles on the clock, it has been used as a daily by the seller, but judging by some of his comments he’s having a bit of trouble getting rid of it. If he’s “posted this car for sale many places before, without any issues,” we can only assume that his main issue is that no one actually wants it.
Plenty of commenters on the original ad would like to see it crushed, despite it being insured and registered with the Florida authorities. There have even been threats of bringing the law down on the seller.
Is it too big a risk or a temptingly unique way into rear-drive, manual gearbox giggles? Let us know what you think.
Comments
Why bringing it from europe? He could just bought one in Mexico and drive it to the border. Or an Audi A1 or a Seat. Well any euro-treats they don’t get in the US actually.
Sounds like a Scottish ex-pat might have brought it over when they moved. Why else would you bring a RHD one?
Probably because it was using its blinker so the border patrol mistakes it for something else
Now what is so cool about this thing?
Its not that good. One of the most common cars in Finland, not that powerful….. and its made for hobbits! There is no room to sit in the front.
There are ways around it, like importing parts (or it in pieces) and assembling it yourself. I think the easiest way is to have the engine removed and ship it separately, then put it back in when it gets here.
I saw a UK Ford Focus RS (the awesome, aggressive, 2 door ones) sell at Mohegan Sun (Barrett Jackson), and it was somehow legal, registered, insured, etc. and that was the workaround if I’m not mistaken.
For all of you who dont know why couldnt be imported, read this http://jalopnik.com/here-are-the-four-legal-ways-to-import-a-car-to-the-uni-1682067632
In the U.S, you can modify your car to be pretty much undriveable, but you cannot import a perfectly safe and normal car, or people will get mad.
Perfect logic.
You can import it as long as you get it to meet U.S. Spec, it’s just a little harder when there isn’t a U.S. Version to swap parts with. But if you can get parts (windshield for example) you can usually import it.
I’m just asking, but what if an American imports a car in that is less than 25 years old but they don’t intend on driving it on public roads?
Using it as a project/race car?
You crush it, i crush you. Simple really… ;)
‘MURICA?
No
‘GERMANY
Absolutely no car deserves the crusher, especially an innocent 116i. Let the damn thing live peacefully in Florida
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