Getting my E39 BMW from USA to India?

Master530i · 26th October 2006, 01:15

I am new to this community - Moderator, please move this thread to the right place, if not already. I currently live in US and want to make move back to my motherland. I would like bring back the car that I drive here.
Right off the back - Do you think it is "stupid" idea to think about moving a US car to India (all left side becomes right side etc, parts, US specs etc) I have only heard folks bringing cars from here to India!!
About the car - I drive the E39 530i (BMW) and has about 80,000 miles on it. You all know about bimmers and hence the reason why I would like to bring a much loved car around the world and that too a much acclaimed E39.
So another question - should this car with these many miles be moved here. I have no idea if I can find mechanics to fix these cars (maybe ...)

Any suggestions/advices etc are welcome. thanks

BMW · 26th October 2006, 08:23

Hi Master530i and welcome to Team BHP!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Master530i

Right off the back - Do you think it is "stupid" idea to think about moving a US car to India (all left side becomes right side etc, parts, US specs etc) I have only heard folks bringing cars from here to India!!

Frankly speaking, I have hardly seen any left hand drives on the roads of Delhi. Don't know about the rest of the cities.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Master530i

I have no idea if I can find mechanics to fix these cars (maybe ...)

This will depend on the city you move in. Incase it is Delhi, Bangalore or Mumbai you will have no problems in getting the car repaired.

These two links might be helpful to you:

http://www.navnitmotors.com/bmw/
http://www.kashyapenterprises.com/KashyapMotors.htm

ghostrider4385 · 26th October 2006, 10:00

Unless you have really high diplomatic connections, it's pretty much impossible to get a LHD into India. Unless you manage to change it to a RHD before you get it here!

I remember seeing a similar thread about this same problem sometime back on the forum.

Use our infamouse search option to find it Master530i!

Godspeed,

Alok

BMW · 26th October 2006, 10:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghostrider4385

Unless you have really high diplomatic conditions, it's pretty much impossible to get a LHD into India.

Talking about diplomatic conditions, the cars owned by US embassy over here are RHD. Though there might be some exceptions.

danlalan · 26th October 2006, 10:45

well i dont think the current law allows a person to drive a LHD car here in mumbai.

If u want to get it down to india you would have to pay taxes around 180% more so i guess it no use paying double unless ofcourse your richie rich...

80000 miles....i guess it time for the baby to retire man....bmw are sold here too dude....so just buy a brand new 5series once your here.

Sahil · 26th October 2006, 12:49

Its not a "stupid" idea ,its an impossible one. You cannot get a LHD like mentioned earlier, not to forget the numerous duty tax etc that u have to pay.
Besides 80,000miles is alot! If you are so incline on having only a "e39" 5 series then i am sure you will be able to find one if you look around, a used one would turn out cheaper than you importing it. The used e39 you buy here would also have lesser miles on it.
But my best advice to you would be to wait 6 months or so for the E60 5 series to be launched locally....if your budget permits,go for it... will be in the 40-50 lakh range i suppose.

jango · 26th October 2006, 16:11

well i have seen lots of LHD in chanakyapuri in delhi, when i visited the embassy......

whatcanthisbe · 26th October 2006, 17:02

you can get it to india but it wont be released from the container depot unless it is registered as an embassy car with some embassy. had an e46 in the us and faced the same issue ... i really miss that car

whatcanthisbe · 26th October 2006, 17:11

also guys he wont have to pay 180% duty, i am assuming he has had the car for over 2 yrs in the US and is doing a transfer of residence and in that case

condor · 26th October 2006, 17:21

subject has been discussed before, with a few links on the procedure if you can get a car into India. Pls do a search, and you should find the relevant threads.

But, like has been said already in this thread - it is difficult [read as almost impossible]. It is a painful process, if at all you can.

aah78 · 26th October 2006, 18:29

Master530i, you can find more information in the following threads:

Importing a car in India
can i import a honda civic from london?
Importing a Pajero to India. Help wanted
Importing A Used Car
What is Homologation?

there are multiple threads existing on the topic of importing an LHD used car from the USA to India. performing a Search will guide you to these links.

you're better off contacting the Indian Customs, WIAA and RTO for further information regarding this. also, contact your local India Consulate.

26th October 2006, 01:15	#1
Master530i BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Philly/Delhi Posts: 35 Thanked: 0 Times	Getting my E39 BMW from USA to India? I am new to this community - Moderator, please move this thread to the right place, if not already. I currently live in US and want to make move back to my motherland. I would like bring back the car that I drive here. Right off the back - Do you think it is "stupid" idea to think about moving a US car to India (all left side becomes right side etc, parts, US specs etc) I have only heard folks bringing cars from here to India!! About the car - I drive the E39 530i (BMW) and has about 80,000 miles on it. You all know about bimmers and hence the reason why I would like to bring a much loved car around the world and that too a much acclaimed E39. So another question - should this car with these many miles be moved here. I have no idea if I can find mechanics to fix these cars (maybe ...) Any suggestions/advices etc are welcome. thanks
	() Thanks

26th October 2006, 10:00	#3
ghostrider4385 BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 389 Thanked: 12 Times	Unless you have really high diplomatic connections, it's pretty much impossible to get a LHD into India. Unless you manage to change it to a RHD before you get it here! I remember seeing a similar thread about this same problem sometime back on the forum. Use our infamouse search option to find it Master530i! Godspeed, Alok Last edited by aah78 : 26th October 2006 at 18:17.
	() Thanks

26th October 2006, 10:45	#5
danlalan Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: mumbai,JUHU Posts: 1,636 Thanked: 263 Times View My Garage	well i dont think the current law allows a person to drive a LHD car here in mumbai. If u want to get it down to india you would have to pay taxes around 180% more so i guess it no use paying double unless ofcourse your richie rich... 80000 miles....i guess it time for the baby to retire man....bmw are sold here too dude....so just buy a brand new 5series once your here.
	() Thanks

26th October 2006, 12:49	#6
Sahil Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 6,292 Thanked: 7,607 Times	Its not a "stupid" idea ,its an impossible one. You cannot get a LHD like mentioned earlier, not to forget the numerous duty tax etc that u have to pay. Besides 80,000miles is alot! If you are so incline on having only a "e39" 5 series then i am sure you will be able to find one if you look around, a used one would turn out cheaper than you importing it. The used e39 you buy here would also have lesser miles on it. But my best advice to you would be to wait 6 months or so for the E60 5 series to be launched locally....if your budget permits,go for it... will be in the 40-50 lakh range i suppose.
	() Thanks

26th October 2006, 16:11	#7
jango BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: New York & kotayam Posts: 800 Thanked: 23 Times View My Garage	well i have seen lots of LHD in chanakyapuri in delhi, when i visited the embassy......
	() Thanks

26th October 2006, 17:02	#8
whatcanthisbe BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: http://www.wandering-online.com Posts: 499 Thanked: 6 Times	you can get it to india but it wont be released from the container depot unless it is registered as an embassy car with some embassy. had an e46 in the us and faced the same issue ... i really miss that car
	() Thanks

26th October 2006, 17:11	#9
whatcanthisbe BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: http://www.wandering-online.com Posts: 499 Thanked: 6 Times	also guys he wont have to pay 180% duty, i am assuming he has had the car for over 2 yrs in the US and is doing a transfer of residence and in that case
	() Thanks

26th October 2006, 17:21	#10
condor Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Speed-brkr City Posts: 15,864 Thanked: 16,014 Times View My Garage	subject has been discussed before, with a few links on the procedure if you can get a car into India. Pls do a search, and you should find the relevant threads. But, like has been said already in this thread - it is difficult [read as almost impossible]. It is a painful process, if at all you can.
	() Thanks

26th October 2006, 18:29	#11
aah78 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: NYC / BOM Posts: 4,662 Thanked: 3,257 Times View My Garage	Master530i, you can find more information in the following threads: Importing a car in India can i import a honda civic from london? Importing a Pajero to India. Help wanted Importing A Used Car What is Homologation? there are multiple threads existing on the topic of importing an LHD used car from the USA to India. performing a Search will guide you to these links. you're better off contacting the Indian Customs, WIAA and RTO for further information regarding this. also, contact your local India Consulate.
	() Thanks