Sad day for an aussie E30 M3 fan ...

[M3Enthusiast]

As a new member of the forum, I'd like to introduce myself and say hello - I've been reading up on lots of other E30 M3 forums around the world, and have always found s14.net to be the most informative, friendly and helpful in terms of getting advice and gaining knowledge and expertise from other passionate E30 M3 fans.

Today has been a sad day for me as an M3 fan ... and I'd just like to share this with other aussie readers who may be thinking about importing an E30 M3 down under. I had already struck a deal for a '90 Sport Evo from an owner in New Zealand, had the deposit ready and inspections done (thanks must go to savant), only to be told at the last minute that it is no longer possible to import E30 M3s into Australia that were manufactured after 1/1/89, period.

The only exception would be having owned it overseas for more than 12 months, or to obtain a letter of compliance from BMW Australia (to which they bluntly said no). Despite how much cash you are willing to spend, it seems the only way to import the car would be through divine intervention ...

So I'm still looking for an E30 M3, and it seems Australia is destined only to have 3 Sport Evos (I was told one sold for AUD$125,000!), and will not have anymore imported that were made beyond '88.

Sorry for the long post - just thought if there are aussies out there looking to import, look for '88 or older.

Having been so close to being a Sport Evo owner, naturally I feel absolutely gutted and unhappy. Hopefully I'll have better news next time

[Latvian]

fooook :( Remember how I felt when struggled purchase of my sport evo...

Why it is no longer possible to import E30 M3s into Australia that were manufactured after 1/1/89, period?

[JCGus]

If you don't mind me asking, was it Rowlands black one? its a beautiful car if it was.

What is to stop you owning it for 12months in NZ? its really not that far away, and I am sure someone would happily store it for you for that time (it is a bit long i suppose!)

Huge bugger...first time I have ever thought NZ's policy is not that bad!

Good luck!

[M3Enthusiast]

Australia used to have this 15 year rule, whereby any cars older than 15 years can be imported without need to comply to Australia safety standards (man I wish that was still the case!). Then people started to pour in these outrageously and highly modified LanEVOs, GTRs, Supras that they had to change the rule. You can still import these (even if made after '89), only under "Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicles" provided they are complied by approved automotive workshops.

Problem is, E30 M3 is NOT on that list of approved specialist/enthusiast vehicles, nor will any workshop put their hand up to do compliance. That's because there's not much of a market here for E30 M3s, there just not number volume for them to make it worthwhile, compared to say STis, LanEVOs and GTRs from Japan. I rang around literally begging for a workshop to do it, with no luck ...

The problem with me buying it and leaving it in NZ for 12 months under my name (and I seriously thought about it!) and then bringing it over is that they will actually check EVERY page of my passport to make sure I was physically over there and using the car.

On top of that, to discourage imports and to protect their own car market, to bring that car into Australia would have cost me an extra AUD$15-18k. Looks like the Australian government is really serious about protecting their own car market.

Now that I've learned of this the hard way, I now know so much that I can be an import agent ...

Yes, it's the only Sport Evo in NZ (I believe), and it's staying there. The owner told me he had someone stalking him and waving a big cheque in his face ... someone is definitely sleeping well tonight ...

[Az in Oz]

It certainly is a bummer !!!!! I have been down the same path.

I have contemplated bringing one into the country and not registering it. It can still be used for track outings and can quietly grow in value as the years pass. Without needing to do the RHD conversion it will be worth even more. Ask yourself how much would you want to drive it on the roads anyway? Food for thought.

Cheers

Aaron :chug:

[timsteren]

Hi,
Thanks for the info, alwyas interesting to hear whats happening in the mother land with respect to cars. But it sounds like bad news for you, especially after you have no doubt put in a helluva lot of effort in deciding on getting the car. But it is useful info to pass on for others. You can't find some loop hole like one of the other states having different rules? Maybe you could contact the BMW club of Aus and here if they can advise you, or even try another contact at BMW itself. You may have to resort to buying a non sport evo that is already in Aus. I would suggest that you would have almost as much fun owning such a car. Anyway it seems like I am in luck if I ever decide to return home (as long as they don't change the rules!) as I have been living in Denmark for nearly 10 years and have had my 1986 M3 for the last 2 years.
Cheers mate, Tim.

[OLLIE_NZ]

The car wasn't Rollands one, and it's not the only Sport Evo in New Zealand
I went out with Savant to look at the car, it's in pretty good order with only a few minor cosmetic issues, shame to hear that you can't have it M3Enthusiast.

[///M3 Terr]

Have you considered importing an EvoII (only 501 made between 3/88 and 6/88)? Some say it was a smoother car than the EvoIII and almost as fast.

[M3Enthusiast]

Many thanks for your help too Ollie - much appreciated.

BMW Australia just wasn't interested, they turfed me off to compliance engineers.

It looks like EvoIIs are even harder to come by, but yes that one can be imported. I'll keep looking for any good M3s, not just the limited edition ones.

Eventually I hope to formally join the club here being a proud owner of the best car ever made!

[Sneaky]

A friend of mine has silver e30 M3 for sale in Brisbane. Its a pretty quick car that he brought in from Japan.

PM me if interested.

[OZM3]

A friend of mine has silver e30 M3 for sale in Brisbane. Its a pretty quick car that he brought in from Japan.

PM me if interested.

Actually he has 2 silver ones for sale. 1 RHD and one LHD










and....

[Sneaky]

[QUOTE=OZM3;264951]Actually he has 2 silver ones for sale. 1 RHD and one LHD

[QUOTE]

Your right,he has more cars than I can keep up with.

[M3Enthusiast]

Thanks for the info. I've already contacted him about the show car (nice one too) with the 2.5L engine. Unfortunately he wasn't able to send me a lot of photos besides the ones posted on the forums, and he's in a different city.

I actually got to know someone here in Sydney who owns 12 (yes 12) E30 M3s, and I'm interested in a white one that he has virtually converted into Sport Evo spec and more (160kw at the wheel) - I went and had a look today.

In fact he is selling about 5 of them, and keeping the real gems (Sport Evo, Evo 2, Cabrio etc). I offered to advertise them for him here, and I will post them into the classifieds section shortly. This guy is serious about his cars, there are about 25 E30 M3s in Australia, and he's got 12 of them. He imported all 3 Sport Evos here (before the rule changed) and seems to know the exact whereabouts and specs of those he doesn't own ...

If anyone in Australia or overseas is looking for good E30 M3s, this guy has been collecting since 2000, and each of his cars were spared no expense at restoration. Let me know if anyone is interested.

[OZM3]

There is a lot more than 25 in Australia.........a lot. Send me you email address and I will forward you a heap of his road one for sale....the silver one I posted.

[Ash]

The problem with me buying it and leaving it in NZ for 12 months under my name (and I seriously thought about it!) and then bringing it over is that they will actually check EVERY page of my passport to make sure I was physically over there and using the car.

On top of that, to discourage imports and to protect their own car market, to bring that car into Australia would have cost me an extra AUD$15-18k. Looks like the Australian government is really serious about protecting their own car market.

Why would it cost an additional AUD$15-18k to bring to Australia?

Ash