What is your favorite BMW they did NOT sell in the United States?

VisualEcho · 08-06-2021, 12:38 PM

The E46 CSL, of course.

But then again, they never even sold the car how I would have wanted it (Imola red over black alcantara, manual gearbox)!

erickonphoenix · 08-06-2021, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fritzer

Used to see them once in a blue moon with Mexico plates in San Diego.

There is one person who owns a legally US titled E87 in Florida. It was grey market imported as "Household Items" in a storage container from Scotland. Talked with him about buying it off him, it's right hand drive. I think there were a few small car blog posts about it. There is a N54 swapped into it now, but it was rear ended pretty badly. Would have needed considerable body work. Lost his number, maybe I could find it but I found it in a very obscure way. Not sure if I would even buy it if I could find it considering the damage.

It would be really hard to drive a gray market car around anymore with all the plate readers. But it would be awesome to try.

Fritzer · 08-06-2021, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erickonphoenix

It would be really hard to drive a gray market car around anymore with all the plate readers. But it would be awesome to try.

Well that's where it is tricky. It is legally titled, plated and insured in the state of Florida, so it is very possible to title transfer it to another state for registration elsewhere. Unless a state's system picked up that it was specifically not eligible for registration - that should be the only issue.

If it has genuine US registration, things like getting pulled over or plate-readers should be a non-issue. Even with it still being grey-market.

speed46 · 08-06-2021, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VisualEcho

The E46 CSL, of course.

But then again, they never even sold the car how I would have wanted it (Imola red over black alcantara, manual gearbox)!

this or the "real" e30 m3

tom @ eas · 08-06-2021, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speed46

this or the "real" e30 m3

or E30 M3 Sport Evo

Fritzer · 08-06-2021, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speed46

this or the "real" e30 m3

Was there a difference in stock E30 M3s between the regions? Or are you talking about the E36?

Transfer · 08-06-2021, 08:16 PM

Even the wife wants a G81.

Wild Blue · 08-07-2021, 06:18 PM

BMW Isetta

Colinv6 · 08-08-2021, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fritzer

Used to see them once in a blue moon with Mexico plates in San Diego.

There is one person who owns a legally US titled E87 in Florida. It was grey market imported as "Household Items" in a storage container from Scotland. Talked with him about buying it off him, it's right hand drive. I think there were a few small car blog posts about it. There is a N54 swapped into it now, but it was rear ended pretty badly. Would have needed considerable body work. Lost his number, maybe I could find it but I found it in a very obscure way. Not sure if I would even buy it if I could find it considering the damage.

I love stories like this! Reminds me of the Ed bolian hunt for the Mexican mclaren F1 on vinwiki.

BimmerMat135 · 08-08-2021, 11:56 AM

Currently: M340xd Touring

In the past pretty much all touring models including the E61 M5. The 1 serie hatchback rwd is on the list. We're missing on good diesel engine as well.

SteveinArizona · 08-08-2021, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taek

Would have bought a 545e if it was available in the states.

+100

Wild Blue · 08-09-2021, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VisualEcho

The E46 CSL, of course.

But then again, they never even sold the car how I would have wanted it (Imola red over black alcantara, manual gearbox)!

I still own that configured car, albeit ZHP not CSL.

F80 Ev · 08-09-2021, 12:53 PM

F81

Fritzer · 08-09-2021, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F80 Ev

F81

I don't think F81 is actually a chassis designation. They made F31 Touring 3-Series which were sold in the US, but they never made a F81 anywhere at all.

Vivek. · 08-09-2021, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stein_325i

I'll also say E30 M3 Convertible and I'm assuming there were some cool Alpina's we didn't get.

I've driven one of these once, when I was 16. Saw it at a meet and started talking to the owner. At the time it was single handedly the coolest car I'd ever seen, incredibly well done s52 build and the car was mint. After a few minutes of gawking he pulled out the keys and asked if I'd like to see how it drives. Wish I had his contact or something to remind him of that night 9 years ago and say thank you again, since on that day that felt cooler than my ~800hp 335is feels today.

ppointer · 08-11-2021, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N8N

I'm right there with you, but I'd rather have a 335**D** xdrive wagon with MT. Did they even make one though? Or were all the D's automatic?

Good point. I believe I have seen a couple of MT diesel sedans on Autotrader. I don't follow the x-drive market enough to completely answer your question.

Using a VPN I was able to get into the BMW configurator in Europe not too long ago. It is very interesting how you can option a car for purchase in, say, Italy or Germany. I wouldn't be surprised at the ability to option an x-drive wagon with MT and their largest diesel in a 3-series, but I have not attempted it.

whyzee125 · 08-11-2021, 10:46 AM

Z1 or the e30 Italian m3 for me

M-technik-3 · 08-11-2021, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ppointer

Good point. I believe I have seen a couple of MT diesel sedans on Autotrader. I don't follow the x-drive market enough to completely answer your question.

Using a VPN I was able to get into the BMW configurator in Europe not too long ago. It is very interesting how you can option a car for purchase in, say, Italy or Germany. I wouldn't be surprised at the ability to option an x-drive wagon with MT and their largest diesel in a 3-series, but I have not attempted it.

335D was never equipped with a manual gearbox in N.A.

Sport EVO would be nice but I enjoy my E30 M3 even if I had to add some of the parts to make my own. Still wished I had not sold the other one.

BklynNYBMW · 08-11-2021, 08:59 PM

I wish we could get Alpina B3 here in the US.
__________________________________________________ ____________________________
2017 X6 5.0 MSport, Carbon Black Metallic w/ black leather. All options except vented seats and B/O sound system. AKA the Tumbler
2021 M340i xdrive. Tanzanite Blue with W/Oyster with Red Calipers. All options except Adaptive M suspension, Driver Assistance Professional Package, Cooling and High Performance Tire package. AKA Blue Angel
*Retired 04/30/21: 2018 340i MSport Xdrive sedan. Glacier Silver w/Oyster. All options except active cruise control and window shades. AKA Airstream

shoei · 08-12-2021, 09:28 PM

Fined · 08-14-2021, 09:29 PM

Either M140i or 130i. Both awesome RWD hatchbacks.. and crazily I managed not to buy either one in the end opting for a not so interesting M2 that is available everywhere. The only part that stopped me is that I would have wanted to modify both a good bit and the modifications here in Germany come with some hassle.

POBEP · 08-14-2021, 10:41 PM

E91 335d

One day I'll convert my E91 N52K auto into M57 with 6MT

08-06-2021, 12:38 PM	#23
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08-08-2021, 11:56 AM	#32
BimmerMat135 Major 726 Rep 1,459 Posts Drives: E82M/S213 E450 A/T Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Montréal Canada iTrader: (0)	Currently: M340xd Touring In the past pretty much all touring models including the E61 M5. The 1 serie hatchback rwd is on the list. We're missing on good diesel engine as well.
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08-11-2021, 10:46 AM	#39
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BklynNYBMW Lieutenant 435 Rep 529 Posts Drives: "24 X6M60i / "21 m340i xdrive Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Brooklyn, New York iTrader: (0)	I wish we could get Alpina B3 here in the US. __________________________________________________ ____________________________ 2017 X6 5.0 MSport, Carbon Black Metallic w/ black leather. All options except vented seats and B/O sound system. AKA the Tumbler 2021 M340i xdrive. Tanzanite Blue with W/Oyster with Red Calipers. All options except Adaptive M suspension, Driver Assistance Professional Package, Cooling and High Performance Tire package. AKA Blue Angel *Retired 04/30/21: 2018 340i MSport Xdrive sedan. Glacier Silver w/Oyster. All options except active cruise control and window shades. AKA Airstream
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08-14-2021, 09:29 PM	#43
Fined ghost user 245 Rep 248 Posts Drives: M2 \| 997 GTS Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Düsseldorf iTrader: (0)	Either M140i or 130i. Both awesome RWD hatchbacks.. and crazily I managed not to buy either one in the end opting for a not so interesting M2 that is available everywhere. The only part that stopped me is that I would have wanted to modify both a good bit and the modifications here in Germany come with some hassle.
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