If US members want diesel F10s or F11s

Rich535d · 04-11-2010, 03:48 PM

Why can't you import them from Germany?
I'm sure it isn't that simple, but at least the steering wheel is on the correct side (unlike here in the UK)...

I am aware that there are regional differences, but we can import US cars into the UK with only minor changes to the lights etc.

ibimmer954 · 04-11-2010, 03:59 PM

At least you'd be importing a car that BMW already supports in the U.K. In the case of the 535d, BMW isn't importing those into the U.S. yet. So it wouldn't surprise me if BMW NA wouldn't honor the warranty. And I don't know what kind of regulatory approval is needed for the car. But I'm guessing BMW doesn't have that approval yet either. So that could be an issue. The only BMW diesels currently imported into the U.S. are the 335d and the X5d.

MikeTerp · 04-11-2010, 08:31 PM

It has to do with meeting U.S. regulatory specifications. While EU and U.S. standards are quite similar (emissions, lighting, etc) they are not the same. Someone importing an EU spec car to the U.S. could not register/license it without making changes to meet U.S. law. Changing out a few lights is one thing, but it usually involves various safety and emissions gear which is not so simple (or inexpensive). We need to have BMW build the cars to U.S. specs - they won't do that unless they think they will sell enough to make the investment worthwhile.

rocco90 · 04-12-2010, 08:19 AM

BMW already sells the 353d and X5 35d both diesel cars. So they have regulatory approved diesel engine for the US market. I've read somewhere (can't remember the source now) that most of the recent x5 sales are actually with diesel engine. So BMW has a US-modified diesel engine that can plug to the F10. The question is why not doing it? I haven't seen answers from BMW officials but I bet it might be because big gasoline engines are more profitable from sales prospective for the company. That's why they currently offer only 550i and 535i for the new F10, (528i will be introduced later on). Mercedes seem to be doing the same with their new E class - E350 and E550, no CDI version even since they had Diesel engine in the previous version of the E-Class.
Importing a new car from EU could be very expensive especially after the conversation rate from Euro do $ you may end up with very expensive car

ibimmer954 · 04-12-2010, 10:07 AM

That's a good point. To the O.P.: The price is probably the main reason. I can buy a 535i in the U.S. for $65-70K (with some options). Importing using EU prices would probably push the cost close to $100K. Needless to say, there's no reason to pay that much just to get diesel even if the car met U.S. regulations (which it probably wouldn't). The opinion on the street seems to be saying the 535d will show up next year in the U.S., so you might as well wait.

rocco90 · 04-12-2010, 10:55 AM

Do you know if 535d will show at the beginning of 2011 or later on? I haven't seen anything official yet.

ibimmer954 · 04-12-2010, 11:53 AM

All I've seen in car magazines and some websites imply the 535d will be here "about a year later." But those are all in "rumor" sections. I haven't heard anything definite.

04-11-2010, 03:48 PM	#1
Rich535d Private 17 Rep 62 Posts Drives: 525d F10 auto Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Leicester, UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 525d SE [0.00]	If US members want diesel F10s or F11s Why can't you import them from Germany? I'm sure it isn't that simple, but at least the steering wheel is on the correct side (unlike here in the UK)... I am aware that there are regional differences, but we can import US cars into the UK with only minor changes to the lights etc. __________________ Current: F10 525d Sport Automatic in Space Grey with Black Dakota leather interior Previous: 535d Sport (2005), Mystic Blue, Grey Dakota Leather, Xenons, Bluetooth phone, professional navigation, folding rear seats
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04-11-2010, 03:59 PM	#2
ibimmer954 Major 138 Rep 1,424 Posts Drives: '23 i4 M50, '15 M3, '18 911 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: San Diego, California, USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW M3 [9.75] 2023 BMW i4 M50 [0.00] 2018 Porsche 911 C4S [0.00] 2019 BMW X4 M40i [0.00]	At least you'd be importing a car that BMW already supports in the U.K. In the case of the 535d, BMW isn't importing those into the U.S. yet. So it wouldn't surprise me if BMW NA wouldn't honor the warranty. And I don't know what kind of regulatory approval is needed for the car. But I'm guessing BMW doesn't have that approval yet either. So that could be an issue. The only BMW diesels currently imported into the U.S. are the 335d and the X5d.
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04-11-2010, 08:31 PM	#3
MikeTerp Second Lieutenant 29 Rep 285 Posts Drives: 2016 F30/340 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	It has to do with meeting U.S. regulatory specifications. While EU and U.S. standards are quite similar (emissions, lighting, etc) they are not the same. Someone importing an EU spec car to the U.S. could not register/license it without making changes to meet U.S. law. Changing out a few lights is one thing, but it usually involves various safety and emissions gear which is not so simple (or inexpensive). We need to have BMW build the cars to U.S. specs - they won't do that unless they think they will sell enough to make the investment worthwhile.
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04-12-2010, 08:19 AM	#4
rocco90 Enlisted Member 5 Rep 40 Posts Drives: Airbus Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	BMW already sells the 353d and X5 35d both diesel cars. So they have regulatory approved diesel engine for the US market. I've read somewhere (can't remember the source now) that most of the recent x5 sales are actually with diesel engine. So BMW has a US-modified diesel engine that can plug to the F10. The question is why not doing it? I haven't seen answers from BMW officials but I bet it might be because big gasoline engines are more profitable from sales prospective for the company. That's why they currently offer only 550i and 535i for the new F10, (528i will be introduced later on). Mercedes seem to be doing the same with their new E class - E350 and E550, no CDI version even since they had Diesel engine in the previous version of the E-Class. Importing a new car from EU could be very expensive especially after the conversation rate from Euro do $ you may end up with very expensive car
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04-12-2010, 10:07 AM	#5
ibimmer954 Major 138 Rep 1,424 Posts Drives: '23 i4 M50, '15 M3, '18 911 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: San Diego, California, USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW M3 [9.75] 2023 BMW i4 M50 [0.00] 2018 Porsche 911 C4S [0.00] 2019 BMW X4 M40i [0.00]	That's a good point. To the O.P.: The price is probably the main reason. I can buy a 535i in the U.S. for $65-70K (with some options). Importing using EU prices would probably push the cost close to $100K. Needless to say, there's no reason to pay that much just to get diesel even if the car met U.S. regulations (which it probably wouldn't). The opinion on the street seems to be saying the 535d will show up next year in the U.S., so you might as well wait.
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04-12-2010, 10:55 AM	#6
rocco90 Enlisted Member 5 Rep 40 Posts Drives: Airbus Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Do you know if 535d will show at the beginning of 2011 or later on? I haven't seen anything official yet.
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04-12-2010, 11:53 AM	#7
ibimmer954 Major 138 Rep 1,424 Posts Drives: '23 i4 M50, '15 M3, '18 911 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: San Diego, California, USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW M3 [9.75] 2023 BMW i4 M50 [0.00] 2018 Porsche 911 C4S [0.00] 2019 BMW X4 M40i [0.00]	All I've seen in car magazines and some websites imply the 535d will be here "about a year later." But those are all in "rumor" sections. I haven't heard anything definite.
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