German to US Conversion

[MJMaruna]

I'm from the US currently living in the UK and just purchased a German Spec. 1991 850i If I want to take it back to the US when I return what needs to be done to the car. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[SwissM8]

Originally Posted by MJMaruna

I'm from the US currently living in the UK and just purchased a German Spec. 1991 850i If I want to take it back to the US when I return what needs to be done to the car. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Shipping, customs fees, port fees, emission, (possibly)cats, (possibly)MID, .... the list goes on... on and on to the tune of about 10-12k

IMO, really not worth it for a standard '91 850i. Late CSi is a better option as very rare in the US (only 250 odd) or Alpina.

My advice would be, either:
*Sell the 850i when you leave the UK and buy another (or Ci) in the US
*Buy a CSi and ship that back (use the 850i as a daily runner and sell it when you leave).

[ThatRoundHeadedKid]

I really want an 850Csi. I think it's the most perfect BMW ever built, regardless of the weight distribution problem everybody talks about. The car is so unique, especially with the European 4 wheel dynamic suspension. I have only a year to go before i drive. CANT WAIT< AND WANNT AN 850CSI!

[SwissM8]

Actually, the Euro CSi was never fitted with any active suspension aids. Electronic Damping Control (EDC) was fitted to other models but not standard on the Euro CSi.

What it does have is Automatic Stability Control and Traction (ASC+T). It works so well that when you turn it off (via a switch) the CSi turns into even more of a wild beast - a lot of fun, in the right hands.

The Euro CSi also has Rear Wheel Active Kinematics (AHK) - or active rear wheel steering. Not standard on the US CSi. This, along with very low suspension and massive tyres improves handling, especially quick direction changes, like high speed lane changes.

I love my CSi. It is a remarkable car and IMO, possibly the best car BMW have ever made. After owning all sorts of sports cars and grand tourers the CSi poise and subtle aggressive styling (///M bodykit) still gives me goosebumps - and attracts stares and comments from not only older people but youngsters as well.

If you can get a Euro verion, you won't be disappointed.

[ThatRoundHeadedKid]

i meant the AHK....

[ec437]

Originally Posted by SwissM8

Shipping, customs fees, port fees, emission, (possibly)cats, (possibly)MID, .... the list goes on... on and on to the tune of about 10-12k

IMO, really not worth it for a standard '91 850i. Late CSi is a better option as very rare in the US (only 250 odd) or Alpina.

My advice would be, either:
*Sell the 850i when you leave the UK and buy another (or Ci) in the US
*Buy a CSi and ship that back (use the 850i as a daily runner and sell it when you leave).

are the csi's really all that rare? I see them all the time.

[SwissM8]

Originally Posted by ec437

are the csi's really all that rare? I see them all the time.

...depends where you live... Most were obviously snapped up by the Germans so not uncommon to see them on the autobahn. So if you live in Germany, I would understand your comment. Anywhere else... :-)

Only around 250 were shipped to the US. (Euro and US versions are quite different - Euro being the better car).

In total, over a period of 4 years, there were only 1510 850CSi made - that's an average of 377 per year - so I would say that they are pretty rare. Of the 1510, 50 were never sold and I persoanlly know of 4 that have been scrapped due to high speed collisions.

Also, you have to remember - this is one of the most expensive production BMW's ever made (over USD100,000). Not many could afford one so why make thousands?

Mine is the only one I have ever seen on Swiss roads. Actually, a guy in an M3 stopped to talk to me in a garage... he thought my CSi was a new BMW prototype ;-)

[ThatRoundHeadedKid]

Originally Posted by SwissM8

...depends where you live... Most were obviously snapped up by the Germans so not uncommon to see them on the autobahn. So if you live in Germany, I would understand your comment. Anywhere else... :-)

Only around 250 were shipped to the US. (Euro and US versions are quite different - Euro being the better car).

In total, over a period of 4 years, there were only 1510 850CSi made - that's an average of 377 per year - so I would say that they are pretty rare. Of the 1510, 50 were never sold and I persoanlly know of 4 that have been scrapped due to high speed collisions.

Also, you have to remember - this is one of the most expensive production BMW's ever made (over USD100,000). Not many could afford one so why make thousands?

Mine is the only one I have ever seen on Swiss roads. Actually, a guy in an M3 stopped to talk to me in a garage... he thought my CSi was a new BMW prototype ;-)

would you sell your 850CSi within the next 2-4 years? I may be interested in paying for importing it here into the US

[SwissM8]

My CSi is quite a special one because it was number 1 in Europe and was part of the BMW 'Individual Program' so has special paint and interior. I don't plan on selling it... in fact, I plan to get another one.

If you want to import one into the US, check out autoscout.de - possibly the best place in Europe to get a good CSi. Also, do your research re. conversion and shipping etc. Also think about maintenance, road taxes and insurance. Compared to other cars that cost this much new, it is quite 'cheap' to maintain and run. I budget USD2,000 per year.
The ///M origin S70 engine is very solid (the S70/2 was later used in the McLaren F1) and good for 1/4 million miles if serviced regularly.
Other things can cost so check them out as part of a pre-purchase inspection:
Get a bad CSi and the repair cost will rise beyond your imagination.

Good luck in your search :-)

[ThatRoundHeadedKid]

can I see it? Pics?

[V12S70]

You speak of the NA and Euro Version CSi as being very different. To my knowledge the main differences are Euro mirrors, larger brakes, and the (AHK) four wheel steering.

The NA verison has more M branding on the vehicle as far as Motorsport door handles and wood trim packages.

Does not seem very different to me. An associate of mine actually has had both EURO and NA version, has race both versions on tracks, and said there is no appreciable performance difference in the two and actually said he was unable to notice the difference of the four wheel steering.

[SwissM8]

Originally Posted by V12S70

You speak of the NA and Euro Version CSi as being very different. To my knowledge the main differences are Euro mirrors, larger brakes, and the (AHK) four wheel steering.

The NA verison has more M branding on the vehicle as far as Motorsport door handles and wood trim packages.

Does not seem very different to me. An associate of mine actually has had both EURO and NA version, has race both versions on tracks, and said there is no appreciable performance difference in the two and actually said he was unable to notice the difference of the four wheel steering.

There are other difference but as you say, most are cosmetic.

As for track racing... try a CSi on the Nurburgring with and without AHK - the difference in cornering speeds are quite apparent (I shaved more than a minute off my lap-times with AHK enabled) ;-)