Experience with Jap imports?

[bmwownage 0]

I haven't had experience in owning one so very much a newbie when it comes to this. How are the Jap import bimmers that some of you own doing? I'm looking at cars like the E87, generally lower mileage than NZ new ones, better specs and quite a bit cheaper at the same time! Some imported F20's are looking pretty attractive too. I notice these imported cars takes quite a while to sell compared with NZ new cars.

Of course I'm sure this doesn't apply to BMWs only, all cars are like that. Is there anything in particular to look out when buying a Jap import? Or anything in particular that should be cautioned specifically for BMWs?

Thanks~

[Haitoman 110]

"Jap import" are only words. If you like the look of a car and it runs okay then buy it. It is rare for a truly bad import to get landed these days and it is mainly the non-english aspects of the car (and radio etc.) that puts people off. People forget that all cars are imported into NZ, and it is just where they have done their km's that is the problem.

[Matth5 471]

Jap Import or NZ New, makes no difference when you're getting a used car with no factory warranty.

What matters is the condition of the car, always get reputable a BMW specialist to inspect it.

My 335i is a Jap import, I had been hunting for over 6 months and this one had everything I wanted and more. Only annoyance is the manual and service history is Japanese but you can download English manual online (just download one for one model year above yours, as the ones online are all American, where eg a 2006 BMW is labelled as a 2007 model in the US).

When I looked up the chassis code, mine was still built in a German factory too. Not that it matters, I'm sure you couldn't tell the difference - they'll use the same parts.

My E46 328i is NZ new. Saw no benefit from that.

Edited September 1, 2015 by Matth5

[Allanw 1071]

What they said ^^^^

Each car needs to be looked at for what it is.

Without seeing it, biasing opinion based on where it came from is a waste of time.

I've had leased NZ cars that I'd NEVER want to own afterwards

[bmwownage 0]

Thanks for those comments. Well in terms of specs, it’s safe to say that for the same money, you get more with Jap imports. The main things or risks I thought of was:

- Fake mileage (whereas NZ cars have an official record)

- Radiated cars from Fukushima blow

- Cars that were flooded from the tsunami

- Where the car came from – bringing a car that was used in heavy snow conditions to a place like NZ might be a problem?

- Damaged vehicles rebuilt

- Corrosion from shipping a used piece of metal by sea?

But I guess some of these are just risks that the buyer needs to take regardless. Another point is refraining to buy relatively new models – I learn that in manufacturer recalls, they won’t do it for non-NZ new cars…well I’m sure they would for a hefty price tag.

Edited September 2, 2015 by bmwownage

[Haitoman 110]

Thanks for those comments. Well in terms of specs, it’s safe to say that for the same money, you get more with Jap imports. The main things or risks I thought of was:

- Fake mileage (whereas NZ cars have an official record)

Not very likely these days...

- Radiated cars from Fukushima blow

LOL...nope

- Cars that were flooded from the tsunami

No again...

- Where the car came from – bringing a car that was used in heavy snow conditions to a place like NZ might be a problem?

Hey, it snows in NZ too...and they salt the roads if necessary

- Damaged vehicles rebuilt

Cars crash in NZ too...

- Corrosion from shipping a used piece of metal by sea?

Usually shipped below deck...but hey what about NZ cars near the sea...

But I guess some of these are just risks that the buyer needs to take regardless. Another point is refraining to buy relatively new models – I learn that in manufacturer recalls, they won’t do it for non-NZ new cars…well I’m sure they would for a hefty price tag.

If it is a safety issue BMW NZ will cover the recall...

[Matth5 471]

Of the 3 jape imports I bought all three had rooted suspension- this is NOT picked up by the compliance peoples because the tests are a joke.

Of the 20 jape imports I test drove when a friend was looking all were shifty same as above plus tired engines & gearboxes, crape brakes and rubbish tyres.

My Jap import 335i came with KW V2 coilovers and someone did a full fluid change on the DCT trans shortly before I bought it, engine and gearbox are flawless, brakes are good (let's say I've tested them by having some fun on backroads...).

Tyres are the OEM Bridgestone runflats, they're rubbish yes but BMW puts them on the news ones so...

They're not all the same

[dazz 4]

Hello

I brought a 735i E32 when Jap imports were still unfashionable.

Since then I have had a E36 318is and E36 232i plus a NZ new E36 318i.

The worst of those cars in the NZ new E36. It only became obvious after purchase that the owner/ repairer was slack on maintenance and repairs.

I now have a 325i E90. It is in very good condition with low mileage (18k). It still has the awful factory fitted run-flat tyres. The most annoying problem is that the navigation system only displayed Japanese and the radio only received one FM channel.

I have learned enough about coding to fix those problems and others but that is a steep and long learning curve. There are plenty of companies that want to charge a small fortune to make the coding changes. Fixing the radio is a 5 minute job.

So if you buy a Jap import, make sure you have a plan regarding the Japanese language "features". This could include doing nothing and learning just enough Japanese to operate the car.

[hotwire 352]

Of the 3 jape imports I bought all three had rooted suspension- this is NOT picked up by the compliance peoples because the tests are a joke.

Of the 20 jape imports I test drove when a friend was looking all were shifty same as above plus tired engines & gearboxes, crape brakes and rubbish tyres.

Of the 3 Volvo XC 90's I test drove when looking for a bigger family car the imports had shush gearboxes , tired suspension and underperforming engines and rubbish tyres

Of the 5 X5 imports I drove all were rubbish as above.

As mentioned - there is a lot of rubbish out there, if you low standards & expectations its a bonanza otherwise get professional help

P.S Jape is damn auto correct for you

That is certainly NOT the case with all Jap imports (meaning BMW here) To tar them all with the same brush is rediculous.

Not everyone wants a manual"

Not all have "rooted" suspension

Not all have "rubbish" tyres

Not all have "rubbish" brakes

Not all have "tired" engines

The Jap market cars generally are better specced "more boxes ticked - Nav etc. Not so much now with near new cars as in the last few years the NZ spec cars have been higher than in years gone by where they used to generally be "poverty" spec

Yes there will be cases of substandard cars out there, equally plenty of good examples with great bang for buck.

Some Japs do service their cars, Equally, many kiwis don't, so the "NZ new" thing doesn't hold water. As mentioned - it is buyer beware, with any car.

I bought our E39 in from Japan back in mid 2004. 24km, 4.5yrs old, documented service history, original 1/2 worn Michelin's, all 4 keys, and not a stone chip in sight!

Came from Osaka, could have eaten your lunch from the underneath.

Car has now done nearly 160km & has been virtually floorless in that time. Has had front rotors, front sway bar links, recently water pump & rear upper control links & a couple of slushy breather hoses . Has been serviced as it should. Even the Jap "slush box" is still fine.

Yes the shocks are now getting a little passed their best (to be expected now)

Apart from the usual BMW weaknesses - plastic cup holders/ seat bolsters etc, it has been a brilliant car so far.

Sooo buy any car on its merits, after having it checked by someone in the know...

[jom 98]

The most successful buys that I've had have beem imports - but I do go for the best available (and pay for it). I've now had my E36 328 coupe for 10 years - and the biggest problems were what was done by the importers for compliance - e.g. Indian (GAR) brake pads and discs. You know it's a problem when the ABS won't work and there is more metal on the wheels than brake dust...

Other than that, rear wheel bearings (because of staggered wheels?) and then standard E36 replacement items.

Get it checked before you buy it, if they say " We've never seen one this good" then go for it.

Added to that the imports generally have no paint faults (concrete roads in Japan)

Like everybody said, it's down to condition. Now there is a 3 month warranty on every car from a dealer you don't have to take it for a 100km blast to check the head gasket!

[KwS 2421]

I concur with most, and disagree with Ron (again, surprise surprise).

Ive had a few Jap imports, and a couple NZ New. My M3 was NZ New, but because of the type of car it was it was well looked after but was really basic in terms of options. On the flip side my first E36, E46 and E39 were all Jap imports.

The E36 was low km, but felt worn out and the jatco box shat its self. Otherwise it was spotless inside and out.

The E46 was moderate km, felt tight, drove well and was also tidy inside and out. Only issues i had was a perished intake pipe which wouldve happen to any car.

The E39 was high KM, felt and drove nice and tight, spotless inside and out. Nice strong engine and trans.

Ive also owned heaps of "jappas" that were imports without any issue. NZ New ex fleet cars are probably the worst of the bunch, "full service history" means its had oil changes and nothing else because it costs money, bare basic options, and likely a hard life.

Dont overlook a car because its an import, overlook it because its condition or history.

[Allanw 1071]

NZ New ex fleet cars are probably the worst of the bunch, "full service history" means its had oil changes and nothing else because it costs money, bare basic options, and likely a hard life.

Yep - my leased cars had oil changes - nothing else as per schedule. They even put a clutch plate back in when doing a trans repair out of warranty (synchro repair), and tech told me it had about 10K of life left (getting close to end of lease!), it lasted 12K and they had to replace it before my lease expired, at 3 years and 160kms. The were betting they could sell it to some poor sucker, before having to spend a couple of hundred on a clutch.

Hell - the last two had more windscreens than either spark plug changes and air filters COMBINED!

Another time the rear brake linings had 0.5mm left, and they told the dealer to leave them in until I complained of noise!

The ex-lease cars sold as "well serviced" are a complete crock!

[KwS 2421]

If you do your homework and are prepared to tough it out you willl get a good car otherwise you will most likely end up with an average , underserviced car in poor condition sitting on baked OE tyres that are close to their use by date.

Sorry, are you talking about imports or NZ New?

[MD13 492]

You can buy rubbish from anywhere. Only thing I'd say about Jap imports is price up the radio/gps etc conversion - the cost might make your eyes water!

[Allanw 1071]

sitting on baked OE tyres

like the spare tyre (German Metzeler 5-60 15) on my '72 Beetle, with a 172 DOT code??? Still got knoblies on it

I think it's harder than the rim is!

Today may be the first time that rim/tyre has been on a tyre machine since 1972. Is that too old?

[bmwownage 0]

Left this topic for a while. On the radio issue, aren't all newer cars equipped with a system which you can change your region for? It looks to be an easy job on Youtube? People are even able to do NZ nav by installing NZ maps themselves ...

Also what's with the extreme low mileage of these things? I mean there are 2009 vehicles with like 20,000km, there are 2012 vehicles that has done like 15,000 kms...

[WYZEUP 283]

Just look at fluids etc..... as the one problem is they dont seem to service their vehicles very well. climate, stop start traffic all have impacts on the vehicle, but if your purchasing from a dealer just get a warranty. pay the money and do a VIR on the vehicle to check if its been re-registered.