Exporting Mini to the States?

[Gandolfthegreat]

I've heard that there is a healthy markup to be made if you export your mini to the states? I have even heard of instances where top spec Cooper S's have been selling for £10k above list due to a demand - supply problem. This sounds pretty unrealistic to me but i know there are people like that out there. Do you think there is any substance to these rumours or is it just another one of 'those' stories?

[tip]

To curb cars from being sold to the states from canada, BMW has made customers sign a contract. The contract basically states that you have to have BMWs permission to sell and BMW has first refusal on any potential sale. In other words they have first crack at the sale.
This is to keep cars in the Canadian market.


Charles

[sjbartnik]

I would highly doubt this. Perhaps in the early days when MINIs were being sold in the UK but not in the USA, but now when you can go get a MINI in the U.S. from a dealer, I can't see people buying gray market MINIs.

The cost of federalizing a Euro-spec MINI would be absolutely outrageous and the car cannot be registered & driven on the roads in the U.S. unless it meets U.S. motor vehicle code. A lot of work would have to be carried out, which would be such an expense and a hassle that I can't see anyone choosing that path rather than just ordering one from a dealer.

[tip]

With the American dollar VS the Canadian Dollar you may find that doing any converstions to meet the US spec you will still be ahead, Than If you were to by in the States. Lets not forget that $1.00us=$1.60cnd.
Little if any conversion would be needed to meet the US spec from Canada. I think the only thing you may want to change would be the Speedo face from metric to imperial.

Charles

[sjbartnik]

Yes, from Canada to the states would be pretty easy. Still a hassle with Customs and conversion paperwork but overall it wouldn't be too bad I think. Might have to change out all the lights too if Canada uses Euro-spec lights.

But unless I am reading incorrectly I think the original post was from the UK which would involve a more substantial investment

[tip]

obehave,

Many Americans come to Canada to vacation due to the fact that the American Dollar goes so far. $1000.00US will get you close to $1600.00cnd.
So with that info OBEHAVE how about we see you at the big mini meet in Kingston Ontario in Sept?

Charles

[tip]

Does Canada use Euro spec lights?
What would be the difference with euro-spec lights as opposed to American style?

Charles

[sjbartnik]

Quote:

Originally posted by tip
What would be the difference with euro-spec lights as opposed to American style?

Charles

Lights fitted to street-legal cars in the U.S. are required to have a lens & reflector design in conformance with U.S. motor vehicle code and are also required to have a DOT (U.S. Department of Transportation) stamp on them indicating that they do indeed meet U.S. regulations.

These regulations are often different than the European regulations, most notably in the area of headlight design. But even if a Euro-spec taillight lens is identical to the U.S.-spec, if it doesn't have that DOT stamp, it is illegal in the U.S. and must be replaced with the U.S.-spec version to make the car street-legal in the U.S.

U.S.-spec also calls for side marker lamps and reflectors, so if for example you were importing a Euro-spec MINI you would have to replace the wheel arch trim with U.S.-spec stuff and add the side marker lamps/reflectors.

I don't know if Canada requires side marker lamps or not but Europe doesn't. That's just one example of course, there are many regulated bits of the vehicle that have to be brought up to code before it can be registered in the U.S.

[cooper4us]

Quote:

Originally posted by sjbartnik
Lights fitted to street-legal cars in the U.S. are required to have a lens & reflector design in conformance with U.S. motor vehicle code and are also required to have a DOT (U.S. Department of Transportation) stamp on them indicating that they do indeed meet U.S. regulations.

These regulations are often different than the European regulations, most notably in the area of headlight design. But even if a Euro-spec taillight lens is identical to the U.S.-spec, if it doesn't have that DOT stamp, it is illegal in the U.S. and must be replaced with the U.S.-spec version to make the car street-legal in the U.S.

U.S.-spec also calls for side marker lamps and reflectors, so if for example you were importing a Euro-spec MINI you would have to replace the wheel arch trim with U.S.-spec stuff and add the side marker lamps/reflectors.

I don't know if Canada requires side marker lamps or not but Europe doesn't. That's just one example of course, there are many regulated bits of the vehicle that have to be brought up to code before it can be registered in the U.S.

For what I have seen, the Canada spec cars are virtually identical to the MINI US spec cars. They also have the side marker lights in the wheel arches (Amber up front/Red in the back) and I suspect the lights could be US complaint as well.

MINIs sold in Mexico are much closer to the Euro-specs than the Canada bound cars. For example, the Mexico bound MINIs don't have the side marker lights in the wheel arches, the speedos are calibrated strictly in KM/H, have different emissions equipment and so on.

If you want a Euro spec LHD new MINI, look no further than to Mexico.

[Tom F.]

If you are really curious, check this link. It explains the import procedures for both Canadian and non-Canadian vehicles, in different documents.

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/

Also, while there still is demand for these cars, I think the opportunity is long gone for reseller profits like those made in the first month or two of introduction.

Finally, I don't think there is a windfall to be made buying in Canada and reselling in the US, regardless of the regs. A Canadian dollar may be worth less than the US dollar, but the base price for a MCS in Canada is $29,950 Canadian, or about $19,500 US.