Jap import euros?

Anyone had any experience with them or got any thoughts on them?

I'm thinking about a mid 90s E36 320i or similar.

Cost of servicing is not really a problem as my dad's mechanic does it and I only have to pay for parts.

"Purists" think jap-spec BMWs should burn in hell but I'm sure they're not _that_ bad?

They're sweet!

Budget?

http://www.autopoint.co.nz/DesktopDefault.aspx?UsedCarID=829078&TabID=5755&Alias=autopointnz

Unfortunately I've just found out the price is an "auctioneers estimate" and appears to be substantially lower than market value, even compared to the auction company's other cars.

= sucks.


Autopoint really need to sort their shit out - auctioneers estimates and "less trade you pay" prices on their lists!

My personal opinion is that they are actually better than the european ones, when it comes to cars the Japanese are very clever and do very good work.

Top Gear are constantly bagging european build quality which they prove time and time again. They can't speak higher of the Jap build quality.

Heh, but the parts are the expensive part!!

Checked out the tires on a standard M3? $300 minimum.

Checked out any other parts? Go on I know you wanna!

while i know the point you are getting at, using M3 tyres is a bad example, being that it's the uber sports version and is fitted with bling tyres. checked out how much it costs to replace the tyres on an HSV lately?

My old lady has a 98 328i (last of the older shape), its a jap import. Picked it up with 90k on the clock for about $26k a few years ago. Runs mint, never had any problems ever. Good for 200hp

NOOOOOO PFUNK NOOOOOOO !!!!!

Don't become stereotype !!!

The stereo type is early 90s with a playboy bunny on the back window, innit?

I'm not gonna be slamming it on chromies or putting a dinner table on the back or anything I just want a nice RWD car!

I get 19" 235 wide for $250 Nankang NS2's not a special deal either.

I dont reckon the mid 90's beamers look any good at all no matter what you do to them... just my opinion though

i'd put in both a dinner table, and a grill, so my hoes can cook me steak on the move

dont forget a disco ball and a laser!

My family has been getting jap import euro's for years. Never had any real problems with them, and thats for a spectrum of manufacturers over approx 15 years. VW golf, Late 80's 320 Beamer, Audi 80, 93 Beamer 320 (jap option motorsport trim - purple in and out, PIMPIN!) and a 91 260E merc. Merc had a slight gearing prob early on, and needed a fanbelt, but its run for 8 years very solidly.
Service wise, its worth shopping round. There's very little difference in running costs to other cars. The old mans merc was cheaper to service than my civic.
You'll get some features in a jap import that you wouldn't afford in a nz new - the motorsport interior/mags/kits etc. Some standard jap options aren't even featured in the nz news - the 93 beamer had a 5 speed nissan auto box (fun.) for instance.

I'd have little hesitation in taking one. Especially if you have the contacts to import them yourself.

hmm - is there any truth in the stories about the jap cars spending too long in traffic which has adverse effect on engine long term? Cause there are sum wicked deals around.....but..hmmm anyone had one go crap?

Keen on the 99-2001 323 to 330 coupe but they're are still very expensive. Would consider importing one from Singapore or Japan but I've heard bad things about importing cars from Singapore due to the high temperatures they get there (running air con on full all the time).

My boss bought a mercedez Euro Jap import...

got an aweome deal on it was a bling car...

Only trouble was less than 2 months after he bought it he was drivin down the country...

noticed black smoke comin out of the engine...

pulled over emptied the car and went for the fire extinguisher...

Withn 10 minutes the whole car was a fire ball... burnt to the ground.

Yeah needless to say not all of them are like that but enough to make me stay away from them.

damn that story is enough to put me off. My brother in law also had problems with a late model volvo he imported.

have heard the same thing
a guy I know imports, he has an agent up in japan... willsave u a few grand, plus he does all the donkey work for you too... will get his details and post it up

definitely the way to go damien. arrangements can include being faxed a list for what fits your requirements and being asked your limit on each. As long as you can trust their mechanical inspection. there's always going to be horror stories with used cars, nz new or imports.

BMW e36's and e46's are made in germany ..

However the only advise I can give you about buying an import BMW .. is DONT what ever you do get one from Singapore or any other country in the area as the weather plays havoc with the engines and the eletrics ... my old BMW e36 320i (vanos model) had a lot of issues as it was a singapore import ... every mechanic I have tlaked to said the damp weather and constant humidity is pretty hard on them ..

You can pick up a good 330i for around 45-50k from an importer ...

ohh soryy further to this ...

316's, 318's and 323i's are made in South Africa (nothing bad about that) just not made in germany.

The "M sport" versions are a spec made from japan, not to be confused with the M3 of corse ... they did this as the Japs like the M badge .. they primarily come with Mtec I and II body kits.

any other questions .. fire them through and I can most likely awnser them (done a ton of research)

hope that helps

Sweet definitely keen to find out how much it costs.

I paid 45k for my 330i .. imported to my spec saved 20odd k

full leather, all the bits .. Email andrew [at] element78.co.nz hell put you touch with his bro in law (the importer I bought mine from)

Sweet saving nemisis is yours the coupe or sedan and did you get a manual or auto?

sorry and what year?

e46 '01 build 330i

So its a sedan (4door) Tiptronic / auto. Dual Vanos (dual Varible valve timing (kinda like hondas V-tech but not an on off switch increase in power) 3.0ltr inline 6.

The 330ci is the coupe ... all BMW's with the 'c' behind the number = 2door

*go my spelling