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04-27-2013, 06:40 PM
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#1 | | I Will not Admit my Addiction to RS
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| Importing a BMW from USA
Found a 09 135i in the states for a good price. I've been trying to research on the importation process and I hear that you have to change the instrument cluster at a BMW dealership on these cars from MPH to KPH is this true? making it not worth the hassle
Kind of conflicting because I have a ex-US x5 with MPH still as the main cluster
Last edited by pb.kidz; 04-27-2013 at 06:48 PM.
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04-27-2013, 06:44 PM
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#2 | | WUB WUB WUB WUB WUB
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04-27-2013, 07:02 PM
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#3 | | RS Veteran
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I've been through the importation process of bringing a US BMW into Canada however, it was for an older BMW (E36 M3.)
My gauge cluster already has MPH and KPH. I can't speak for the 1 series as I've never been in one but if it's electronic, I'm willing to bet that you'll have to pay the dealership to flash the software etc. to make it compliant. You'll have to bring the car to a dealership anyway in order to obtain the recall letter so you don't have much choice.
I suggest you contact a local BMW dealership to get a better idea of what it can possibly cost you.
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Originally Posted by BIC_BAWS  I literally do not plan on buying another vehicle in my lifetime, assuming it doesn't get written off. | | |
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04-27-2013, 07:07 PM
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#4 | | First to fail !SG evar! Now i have yellow fever...
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You don't have to change if km/h is also listed. My 330 is from California and still has the mph as the primary reading
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04-27-2013, 07:14 PM
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#5 | | I Will not Admit my Addiction to RS
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Yeah the 135i US has KPH readings under the MPH
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04-27-2013, 08:13 PM
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#6 | | WUB WUB WUB WUB WUB
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Then you don't have to change it
Keep in mind you have to do a federal inspection so if the car has no DRL, has tints, no front plate bracket, etc. then you have to make it compliant to pass inspection.
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04-27-2013, 08:32 PM
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#7 | | RS Veteran
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^
+1
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Originally Posted by BIC_BAWS I literally do not plan on buying another vehicle in my lifetime, assuming it doesn't get written off. | | |
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04-27-2013, 08:51 PM
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#8 | | Everyone wants a piece of R S...
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The 135i already has DRLs on it
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04-30-2013, 09:11 PM
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#9 | | Diagonally parked in a parallel universe
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I did a 135 salvage vehicle out of the US and yes, had to change the cluster. At the end of the day it was a hassle. Wouldn't do it again.
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05-01-2013, 07:12 PM
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#10 | | I Will not Admit my Addiction to RS
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Originally Posted by shantz I did a 135 salvage vehicle out of the US and yes, had to change the cluster. At the end of the day it was a hassle. Wouldn't do it again. | Did it have the dual MPH/KM cluster?
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05-01-2013, 09:36 PM
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#11 | | Proud to be called a RS Regular!
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The 135i got both mph and kmh on the cluster, so there was no need at all to change the cluster. Must have been ripped off by the bmw dealer, since they will tell u that u need a cdn spec cluster, climate control unit and programming. Its all bullshit.
I imported my M5 from California 2 years ago and it was a walk in the park. Once its in Canada, I got the federal and provincial inspection done the next day. Walk over to the insurance agent and out I go with my plates and papers.
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05-02-2013, 10:20 AM
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#12 | | Willing to sell body for a few minutes on RS
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Originally Posted by shantz I did a 135 salvage vehicle out of the US and yes, had to change the cluster. At the end of the day it was a hassle. Wouldn't do it again. | Quote:
Originally Posted by E60_M5 The 135i got both mph and kmh on the cluster, so there was no need at all to change the cluster. Must have been ripped off by the bmw dealer, since they will tell u that u need a cdn spec cluster, climate control unit and programming. Its all bullshit. | So do you have to change the cluster or not?
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05-02-2013, 10:30 AM
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#13 | | nuggets mod
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I brought my M5 in and did NOT have to change the cluster (it has both kmph and mph on it)
However, it depends on the car, and possibly the dealership. The existence of KMPH on the dial alone is not enough to tell you.
Call the dealer and ask about your specific car.
Right now, i would say that shantz's opinion has the most credibility in this thread.
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05-02-2013, 11:34 AM
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#14 | | RS Veteran
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^
Ditto.
Sometimes, BMW Canada (or the dealership) can really give you the run around because in the end, they are the ones who give up the recall letter. You have to play by their rules.
If you are determined enough to bring in this 1 series, best thing you can possibly do now is to build a good, solid working relationship with your BMW dealership of choice and to get the details you need and make sure they will help/guide you along the process.
__________________ Quote:
Originally Posted by BIC_BAWS I literally do not plan on buying another vehicle in my lifetime, assuming it doesn't get written off. | | |
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05-02-2013, 11:38 AM
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#15 | | The Brown Reason
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^OT but
bcrdukes your posts are always so informational  Glad to have you around, pal! 
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Originally Posted by bcrdukes fuck this shit, i'm out | | |
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05-02-2013, 12:54 PM
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#16 | | Captain Happy Bubble is my Homeboy
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Imported 135i last Dec. Used the Warranty inquiry print out as recalled letter
then switched on DRL and got inspection done all done on the same day that it was brought over. Nothing else was necessary.
E60_M5 - Did you get the latest recall done up here or in the States?
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05-02-2013, 01:37 PM
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#17 | | Proud to be called a RS Regular!
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Originally Posted by freakshow I brought my M5 in and did NOT have to change the cluster (it has both kmph and mph on it)
However, it depends on the car, and possibly the dealership. The existence of KMPH on the dial alone is not enough to tell you.
Call the dealer and ask about your specific car.
Right now, i would say that shantz's opinion has the most credibility in this thread. | BMW Canada is a rip off, they will only give u a recall letter if u pay for a new cluster, climate control unit and coding. Its all a cash grab and none of that needed to be done. There are ways around it. Quote:
Originally Posted by Vulgate Imported 135i last Dec. Used the Warranty inquiry print out as recalled letter
then switched on DRL and got inspection done all done on the same day that it was brought over. Nothing else was necessary.
E60_M5 - Did you get the latest recall done up here or in the States? | Dealer is full of shit and told me 1200 for cluster, 400 for climate control, and another few hundred for coding and the letter. They are full of it and none of that is needed to be done. If the cluster or even if there is a digital readout with "KMH" readout. THERE IS NO NEED AT ALL TO CHANGE THE FREAKING CLUSTER. Ignore the dealer up here, there are other ways to get the recall clearance like as mentioned. Warranty inquiry printout.
I got my recall done at autowest and I even got all 4 of my cats replaced under the 7 years emission warranty at BJ which cost over $12000.
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05-02-2013, 01:55 PM
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#18 | | Captain Happy Bubble is my Homeboy
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E60_M5 - Great info! Thanks.
Sorry, one more question. I take it that warranty work is accepted up here for you based on " I even got all 4 of my cats replaced under the 7 years emission warranty at BJ"? I need some warranty work done and don't want to drive down to Seattle if I don't have to. Based on your experiences, is autowest or BJ better for warranty work?
Btw, there is a 1er meet coming in late May Quote:
Originally Posted by E60_M5 BMW Canada is a rip off, they will only give u a recall letter if u pay for a new cluster, climate control unit and coding. Its all a cash grab and none of that needed to be done. There are ways around it.
Dealer is full of shit and told me 1200 for cluster, 400 for climate control, and another few hundred for coding and the letter. They are full of it and none of that is needed to be done. If the cluster or even if there is a digital readout with "KMH" readout. THERE IS NO NEED AT ALL TO CHANGE THE FREAKING CLUSTER. Ignore the dealer up here, there are other ways to get the recall clearance like as mentioned. Warranty inquiry printout.
I got my recall done at autowest and I even got all 4 of my cats replaced under the 7 years emission warranty at BJ which cost over $12000. | | |
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05-02-2013, 01:58 PM
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#19 | | Proud to be called a RS Regular!
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Originally Posted by Vulgate E60_M5 - Great info! Thanks.
Sorry, one more question. I take it that warranty work is accepted up here for you based on " I even got all 4 of my cats replaced under the 7 years emission warranty at BJ"? I need some warranty work done and don't want to drive down to Seattle if I don't have to. Based on your experiences, is autowest or BJ better for warranty work?
Btw, there is a 1er meet coming in late May | Yes warranty work can be done here in Canada. But, the free maintanence and any CPO coverage from the US is not valid in Canada.
Call up BMW Store and get booked in with Richard. He is a friend of mine and a service advisor there.
If u got any more questions, just pm me. I am here to answer questions.
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05-02-2013, 02:16 PM
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#20 | | RS Veteran
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Originally Posted by E60_M5 BMW Canada is a rip off, they will only give u a recall letter if u pay for a new cluster, climate control unit and coding. Its all a cash grab and none of that needed to be done. There are ways around it.
Dealer is full of shit and told me 1200 for cluster, 400 for climate control, and another few hundred for coding and the letter. They are full of it and none of that is needed to be done. If the cluster or even if there is a digital readout with "KMH" readout. THERE IS NO NEED AT ALL TO CHANGE THE FREAKING CLUSTER. Ignore the dealer up here, there are other ways to get the recall clearance like as mentioned. Warranty inquiry printout.
I got my recall done at autowest and I even got all 4 of my cats replaced under the 7 years emission warranty at BJ which cost over $12000. | Wow, that's pretty lame. I'm glad I didn't get hosed for bringing in my M3. My gauge cluster has both MPH and KPH but my climate control cluster is in imperial.
__________________ Quote:
Originally Posted by BIC_BAWS I literally do not plan on buying another vehicle in my lifetime, assuming it doesn't get written off. | | |
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