Importing Engine and other parts from USA

[louistan3 1]

Hi guys,

Has anyone tried importing a whole engine from USA? Or any other countries?

Is there anything required for this or just customs tax? Can this be done easily?

Any reason why this shouldn't be done and that I should just look locally?

Mainly was just looking at getting an m30 or something else to play with.

Sorry if this has been asked before, I can't seem to find the topic if it was.

[hotwire 352]

Surely an M30 would be a relatively easy find here. I couldn't imagine it viable to ship one in

[sonic_attack 89]

I'm sure you could pick up an m30 locally before even considering looking outside NZ. You could buy a vehicle with an M30 and drive it home for the less than the cost involved in buying an engine offshore and shipping it here..

[E30 325i Rag-Top 2918]

I brought a whole engine and gearbox in from Greece, wasn't too difficult.

A lot depends on the seller, and how prepared they are to organise the shipping from their end. There is a bit of paperwork to be done, and the customs duty to pay when it arrives.

[louistan3 1]

So it doesnt really need to go through compliance or anything like a full car?

I was looking at m30s for like 400 usd.. would it be cheaper than that here?

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[yng_750 247]

Im guessing shipping will be a killer on such a heavy engine.

[E30 325i Rag-Top 2918]

There is still a MAF inspection which costs a few $$s, plus port handling fees, etc but no compliance.

Shipping is not cheap, even if it is combined with other stuff and sent by sea.

Unless it is a hard to find engine, like my S14B20, or expensive like an S54, I would say it would be cheaper to find one in NZ.

[sonic_attack 89]

Put a thread up in want to buy. There's one on Trademe starting at $450. I wouldn't expect to pay much more than that for one anyway $400 - $600 depending.

[Eagle 1528]

I sold a near complete M30 a mth ago for $150.

[louistan3 1]

Wow 150... I wish I bought it! Ok so I guess il look for a cheap local one then!

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[Eagle 1528]

You probably wont see one that cheap most are $400-500

[louistan3 1]

Oh right. Is it cause most people put newer engines into their cars?

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[Driftit 1964]

I picked up a complete M30B35 with 70K on the clock from Brent at BMW world a few months back for a great price.

They are cheap motors. Just watch for one locally.

There was a 535i for sale on this forum for less than $2k complete with WOF and REGO last week.

[E30 325i Rag-Top 2918]

^^ The white one on the shore? I think Brent bought it and is breaking it - listed in the For Sale section.