Old BMWs from the USA - which classics are worth bringing and why?

BMW cars have been considered by many to be one of the models for sports car designers for decades. Although it is Europe that we associate more with BMW, old models are often better to buy in the United States. The classics of the German brand combine revolutionary technical solutions for their time with an attractive, timeless appearance. In some cases, you can also count on an additional bonus in the form of exemption from customs duties and VAT. Which models are worth bringing? How to do it? What to look for when buying? You will soon know the answers to these questions.

Old BMW from the USA - models worthy of attention

BMW 2002 - sports icon

We will start with the 2002 model, which forever established the image of the BMW brand. The classic of 1968-1976 combines the body of the 1600 model with a 2.0 engine. The design is appreciated for its simplicity, lightness and excellent driving characteristics. In 1973, BMW hung the bar even higher, showing the 2002 model in a turbocharged version. It was the first turbocharged car in Europe. This model is in great demand among collectors.

In the naturally aspirated version, the 2.0 engine has a power of 100 hp, and in the Turbo version - 170 hp. There was a choice of manual transmissions with 4 or 5 speeds and a 3-speed automatic. In the Turbo variant, the car reached a speed of 100 km/h in about 7 seconds. More than 339,000 copies of the 2002 model were produced, including only 1672 in the Turbo version.

Cars are best looked for in California and Arizona, where there is a dry climate that makes the body effectively repel rust attacks. When buying a car, you should pay attention to its general technical condition. The 2002 model did not have any typical faults for itself.

BMW E9 3.0 CS - elegance and performance

The BMW E9 is a coupe produced from 1968 to 1975, but we will focus on the 3.0 CS variant, which was produced between 1971 and 1975. The car appeared in several variants. The model with the designation CS had carburetors, CSi is the designation of a fuel injection car, and the CSL was a lighter homologation version. The BMW 3.0 CSL with its distinctive wing on the tailgate has won as many as 6 titles in the European Touring Car Championship series.

The BMW 3.0 CS has an engine with the designation M30, and in the carburetor version it generates 180 hp, and in the case of the injection model - 200 hp. The choice was a manual transmission with 4 gears or a 3-speed automatic. The car had similar performance to the BMW 2002 Turbo. 11,000 CS models were produced and only 1265 CSL versions were produced.

In this case, the BMW classic from the USA is not only a car that will please the owner, but also an excellent investment of capital. It is important that the car is in good technical condition and paintwork. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to whether the engine has been serviced regularly and in what condition the particular unit comes from. It is best to choose those with a dry climate.

BMW E24 - a real classic grand tourer

The first BMW 6 Series was produced from 1976 to 1989 and, despite the great popularity, the manufacturer had to wait for the second generation until 2003. The classic BMW E24 combined performance, elegance and comfort. The car shared many structural elements from the BMW 5 Series. The manufacturer wanted to build something more friendly than the E9 and 2002, which was to be appreciated by users who expected not only power but also comfort.

In the USA, models were sold with the designation 630 CSi (176 hp), 633 CSi (from 174 to 181 hp, depending on the vintage), 635 CSi (from 182 to 208 hp) and M6 (256 hp), which was equivalent to the European M635CSi, but had reduced power compared to the variant sold in our continent. A total of 86,216 were produced, including 5855 M635CSi/M6 units. There were also 50 cars in the racing specification.

When buying a BMW E24 from the USA, it is worth paying attention to models with the M30 engine (628 CSi - 635 CSi), since it has a reputation for durability. Pay special attention to the efficiency of electricity. Some copies may have European bumpers, which further increases their value. Cars from USA have larger bumpers due to the federal safety regulations of the time.

BMW E30 M3 - the birth of a legend

In the case of the BMW M3, the old copies only gain in value, because over time the M stamp has been devalued since BMW decided to increase sales of its most powerful models. The BMW M3 E30 was the first M3 in history and is highly sought after by collectors. The car has become one of the icons of motorsport, winning the 24-hour race on the Nürburgring 5 times and the Spa 24 Hours 4 times. There are also special editions of Evolution II and Sport Evolution. The car is based on the body of the E30, which has been expanded and enriched with additional aerodynamic elements.

The first generation M3 was produced between 1986 and 1991. The version for the US market had a 2.3 engine with 192 hp. The transmission is a 5-speed manual, tuned differently than in European versions, with a shortened last gear. It is worth knowing that none of the models with the designation Evolution was officially sold in the USA, which does not mean that they cannot be found there due to private import.

During the entire production period, 17,970 units of the BMW M3 E30 were produced, but only 5,300 units made it to the USA. Car prices are comparable to European ones. When buying, you should pay attention to the wheel arches, sills and the floor in the area of the rear axle. It is worth making sure that the timing gear has been serviced regularly, as any repairs can be expensive.

BMW E28 M5 - the power of luxury

The BMW M5 is the first sports sedan in the history of the German brand. This model is unique in that the engine mounted in it came from the M1 model. The M88/3 engine was also fitted to the BMW M6. In the American version, the car had 256 hp, since federal regulations required the use of a catalyst. An interesting story is connected here with the United States, because the production exceeded the original assumptions, the American owners brought the process to the manufacturer. In 1993, a settlement was made under which each received a voucher of $4,000.

The car was produced in sedan and station wagon (Touring) versions. In the case of the BMW M5, old copies are highly valued by collectors due to their rarity. Only 2241 units were produced in the sedan body and only 891 in the station wagon body. Sales in the US amounted to 1340 units and this was a result better than the European one, where the car found 775 buyers.

When buying, special attention should be paid to the general condition of the suspension and the service history of the engine. The weak point may be the fuel system. Although dry specimens will be free of corrosion problems, the leather upholstery may be in poor condition.

BMW Z3 - a timeless roadster

The BMW Z3 is a worthily aging roadster that continues to catch the eye wherever it goes. Although the car is quite popular in the secondary market, well-groomed copies with a documented history have long gone in price. An interesting fact is that the car was produced in the USA and this is the first BMW model to be produced outside Germany. Particular attention should be paid to the versions of the M3 Roadster and M3 Coupe, which have an engine from the BMW M3 E36. The car was produced from 1996 to 2002.

The BMW Z3 had a wide range of engines. The standard versions had units from 1.8 with 118 hp to 3.0 with 231 hp. The Z3M version in the American specification had 243 hp in 1997-2000 and 320 hp in 2001-2002. Coupe models, although considered less beautiful, are more popular among collectors due to their rarity.

During the entire production period, 297,088 Z3 models were produced, including only 17,815 in the coupe body. When buying a roadster, special attention should be paid to the condition of the roof and its sealing. A common problem is excessive wear of the rear suspension, and especially the rocker arms.

Why bring a classic BMW from the USA?

The United States is not only a good address if you are looking for a car for everyday driving, but also a paradise for lovers of the classics. These, for the most part, can be purchased in excellent condition. Also, remember that when buying a vintage car, the vehicle is exempt from customs and excise duties, and VAT is only 8%. The condition is that the car must be older than 30 years and be in its original condition.

How to bring a vintage BMW from the USA?

If you want to buy an antique BMW from USA, you can go on the search yourself or entrust this task to specialists. Although Importing a car from the USA is not difficult, it is always worth using the services of an experienced partner, and such belongs the company Bryki from America. Get in touch, make an appointment, tell about your expectations, determine the budget, and the specialists will take care of the rest.

If you prefer to act independently, then first of all, be sure to carefully check the condition of the car and its history. Large auction houses provide an opportunity to verify the condition of the car by third-party specialists. It is a paid service, but it will give you peace of mind. You can check the vehicle history, for example, in CARFAX. However, it should be borne in mind that for vintage cars it may be incomplete.

summary

The United States is a huge market where everyone can find the right car for themselves. Americans care a lot about vintage cars, and they also have a large spare parts market, so you can bring not only the vehicle itself, but also the parts needed to restore it if you decide on an incomplete copy.

Almost all classic BMW models were available on the US market, although there may be differences, for example, in the design of the bumpers or the power of the engines, due to federal safety regulations and exhaust emission standards.

An old BMW from the USA will not only be a great companion for weekend rides, but can also become an excellent investment of capital.