My 90-year-old English grandmother has just passed on ( ) and my parents just got to London this morning to arrange the funeral and sort out her estate. Among her earthly belongings is an early 90s Mini. (not the new BMW body style)

My dad has been informed that he'll get next to nothing by selling it, and since it has sentimental value, he wants to explore what it would take to get it here.

I told him that it most likely does not meet US safety and emissions regulations. I mean, the thing still runs on leaded gas.

Anyone have any experience in this area? Hopefully it's not as tough as trying to get a Skyline over here.

It looks just like this one.

Photo deleted by MINIclo, due to extreme violation of site guidelines.

 

Sorry to hear of your grandmother's passing. Bringing a 1989 model year English market car to America is not worth the time and expense. DOT and EPA regulations for vehicles less than 25 years old (exemptions apply when a car gets to be that age) make it economically unfeasable to try to import. If the car is of great sentimental value to you, and it sounds like it may be, try to store it for a decade with a family member in the UK, and attempt to import in 2014. Really. I have imported cars from Europe myself, always 25 years old or older.

 

Believe it or not, that's my Mini 40 in your pic.

 

Not to discount MGCMAN's experience, since he has actually done it and I have not, but isn't there a way to import a car into the US as a "museum' car or something? Basically, saying that you won't drive it (actually, I think you can as long as it's under 2500 miles a year or something). That way, you get to keep it and not lose it.

Another option, although a little "illegal", is to buy an earlier car to get the title and VIN and simply transfer it to your grandmother's car. I've seen several newer Mini's (with airbags, even) that are titled as an early car.

You might want to talk to these guys: http://www.racecar.co.uk/bankgarage/

They import quite a few Mini's into the US and may be able to help you figure out a way to get it over here.

I would hate for you to have to sell it.

-Rob

 

If you get a hold of a knowledgeable importer, they can change the model year of that Mini on the paper work and bring it overhere. Since the 1959-2000 Classic Minis look virtually the same, to customs this 1989 Mini will look exactly like a 1969 edition.

I know lost of people that are driving around in 1990's classic Minis around, so it is doable.

 

>>Not to discount MGCMAN's experience, since he has actually done it and I have not, but isn't there a way to import a car into the US as a "museum' car or something? Basically, saying that you won't drive it (actually, I think you can as long as it's under 2500 miles a year or something). That way, you get to keep it and not lose it.
>>

True, but relatively untested. In 1999 Congress passed a law allowing "colector vehicle" importation, and subjecting the owner to lifelong "check-ups" and a mileage limit of 2,500. However, the reg. is for vehicles out of production that were never imported into the USA, so I think that a Mini would not qualify. Also the regulations are still being proscribed, meaning how the EPA and DOT and CIE decide to implement and enforce the policies is not settled. In other words, very risky and probably not applicable.

 

Old thread, I know--but, what about importing a Euro spec '03-'06 Mini to Canada or Mexico & then driving it across the border?

A. Is that legal?
B. Is there a way to make it legal once it is in the US?
C. What happens at resale?

Thanks.


Z

 

Hey there,

I live in Arizona - and YES, I see cars with Mexico plates here all the time - so driving it thru should be doable. Now getting it registered in your home state??? thats a whole nother ball a wax. I would contact your local MVD ( motor vehicle division ) and see what they require ( emisions, etc... ). If you have the specs on the car you could take down to them and see what would need to be changed - or what waivers you could get.

Also, My MINI came from Spain and I had a heck of a time getting the factory warranty transfered to the USA - make sure you get the right paperwork to the right BMW-MINI office so it is registered with them - if you still have warranty?

If you need it I have all the numbers for BMW-MINI USA / Germany to get the transfer done.

Good luck!!!:impatient


As a side note - there was a VW dealer in Mexico City that was selling old style beatles ( built in Brazil untill just a few years ago ) to people here in Arizona. They were NEW 200? old style beatles - due to emisions here they had to provide paperwork that said the car was a 1966 or older ( he said he could provide paperwork to make the NEW old beatle ANY YEAR I needed!!! - So you would have a 200? old style beatle w/ fuel injected 1600cc engine, airbags, etc... that was registered as a 1966 or older.
It worked - several people have them here and they drive them every day - A "new" classic beatle for about $10K