FRANK970

Wow!!! That is very informative. Thanks for the information. I will have to read it more when I have time, but I do appreciate your thoroughness.

KBO

Hi Nedchiu,

I am about to import an 05 545 from California Via (Vancouver). Once imported I will have it railed over to Montreal.

Your post was most useful but I need to drill down to the bits and bolts with regards to the instrument cluster and IHKA heater control. You indicated that you imported an 04 530 and Bessels ony charged you for the DRL.

Did you ask what would be required or simply showed up with the car and got the work done? Here my dealership tells me that I MUST change the cluster and spend the 3K in parts and labour. Initially I spoke to another dealer and they told me that the only thing required was the DRL. I am wondering if this varies from dealer to dealer? Did you discuss the cluster thing with Bessels or simply crossed your fingers? This is am important part of my equation and could use some clarifications.

From the time you cross with LOA what time frame am I looking at until I can get the car on the train for Montreal?

What paperwork is required to get:

Temporary Insurance Binder from ICBC CAD$84.00
Canadian Trip Permit from ICBC CAD$32

As far as you know will I run into any snaggs in getting the work done in BC when the car will be registered in QC?

Finally can you please confirm that the TAX, DUTY are calculated from the sale price and not the book value? I have heard some people tell me that the TAX and DUTY is applied on the book value which could be something like 55K or is this only when you register the car?

THANKS!!!!

nedchiu

kbo

I am not sure about shipping the car to Quebec and registering the car for that provincial. I think? you will need to do a provincial inspection in the home province.

I just factored in an extra $3000 and crossed my fingers. I was lucky. The 04 530 that went through Brian Jessel was not my car so I don't know the particulars. I know Jessel was bringing cars up from the states and selling them in his BMW dealership not too long ago. I am sure he did not do any extra work to those cars. I looked at the instrument clusters and they still had the MPH in Large print and the km/h in small. I think you really have to consider the extra cost and factor it in. I felt I was still saving enough money.

The paperwork was relatively easy to get a ICBC binder insurance, but I am a resident of B.C. I am not sure how it would work shipping cross country. Why don't you ship the car from California to the closest border crossing to you? I think you would probably save money and hassle. Railing a car sounds like it may be tough for your car, and the time to ship my not be as easy. A trucker is dedicated to your car and would probably take better care. I spoke to another person that had shipped a Lexus from Florida to the Blaine border in Washington. It only cost him $1200.

The GST and duty is calculated on the purchased price converted to the Canadian dollar. The exchange rate is on the day of importation. Both are paid at the border. The PST is paid at the time of registration and on the purchased price.

KBO

Thanks Nedchiu,

Any particular trucking company to recommend?

One of the big reasons for passing through in Vancouver is for Jessel's . You are the 2nd person that I read about who did not have the get the cluster and IHKA control replaced at Jessel's. I also read about some success stories from AB. Here, I am 100% sure to have to get it done so its something that I am considering.

The dealer where I am buying the car has offered to order the cluster and IHKA control unit for me and having it installed for 2K. I may just do that but with my luck BMW Canada will say that since it was done by US dealer that the work is not recognised and they have to redo it!

Comments?

nedchiu

Kbo,

I used Cascade Vehicle Shipping 360-834-7898 http://www.cascadevehicleshipping.com/ . Speak to a customer service rep. name Kimberly, Kimberly@cascadevehicleshipping.com. She was exceptional. I had to rush the delivery, ordered the truck on a Monday, pickup on Tuesday in California, at Blaine Washington on Wednesday. All for a cost of $890. If you are not in a rush it should only cost about $700. I had used Uship, a bidding website and had quotes as low as $600. The first trucker that I had ordered, had good communication, but his truck broke down two time reaching the dealership. I had to cancell that order.

I think that if you had to spend $2000 at the dealership in California to change out your cluster and heater core, you might as well do it in Canada, at least you are assured it is done to BMW Canada's wishes. I really think you have to just cross your fingers and hope for the best. When the dust is all settled and you have your new car in your garage, and you saved a bunch of money, the money you spent at BMW Canada would just be a minor irritant.

KBO

Nedchiu,

You're a fine gentlemen and thanks for all your troubles... You have paved the way for me and many others.

I spoke to Bessel's today and they confirmed that I had to get the cluster work done. They suggested to get it done in the US if it was an option. The only thing that absolutely needs to be done in Canada is the DRL. Anyhow you are probably right I should just bite the bullet and get the work done here in MTL! If I can get these guys to through it in I will get it done. Worst case is I get it redone here!

I will most likely plan a business trip in CA to see the car and do the transaction in person.

pinguhk

Welcome to the best e60 forum in the world and have fun too

adidas86

Nice! That is where I am getting my 2008 550i

westcoast550

Welcome ! a new Vancouver member and.......... new V8 club member, it's all good here ! What color are you getting ?
Cheers

flyingpuck

Does anyone else here want to say "God Bless You" when they say Ned's name aloud??