Hi

I'm considering purchasing a Mini in the USA and bringing it here.

Does anyone have some experience in that matter? Any comments or suggestion?

A few questions I have in mind:
-What is the duty rate for a car made in UK? 6%
-Does BMW Canada honor the USA warranties?

Thank you

 

6% for non north american manufactured cars and warranty is honored (like bmw) but there will not be any maintenance plan

 

Thanks, that's what I found too.

Does the Mini in USA have a switchable speedometer km/h to mph? I have to check that.

Also, I'd have to made the daytime running lights mod probably.

I found a few agents who can take care of the whole process.

The configuration tool is up on Mini USA, once it's up on Canada too (for the 2008 model) I'll be able to compare apples with apples.

APA has recommended importing agents. I contacted them.

I'll post my progress once I have better info.

 

The importing process is quite simple, and you dont really need a broker.

Take a look at www.riv.ca

 

I'll be curious to know how your research goes, Stefx. I've been wondering about the same possibility.
I agree with Sam11 that the process isn't that complicated, at least for buying used. I think it would be tricky if you wanted a brand new MINI. I doubt you'd find a dealer willing to sell to you without an American address. Is this where the agents come in? Are there companies out there that will buy a new one to your specs and essentially resell it to you?
I've noticed that the R56's don't have the dual "per hours" on like before. I wonder if there was pressure to only display speed one way. Of course there is still the option of the smaller digital display, but that huge mph speedometer would be a bit of an eyesore. Perhaps, just a small price to pay for the $$$ saved.
Have you been thinking new or used?
Have you learned anything about warranty?
I've also been watching for the Canadian '08 configurator...

 

I know RIV have changed a few of their rules and regulations from a few years ago. However, from what i remember is if your Speedometer contains both the MPH & KMPH it is fine. As long as it has the Kmph it is good.

I've just found a Mini in the states, so ill be researching this more. However, I'm quite sure that there are no modifications really needed.

 

When I mentioned pressure to display only one way, I wondered if the Canadian dealers didn't want KPH on the U.S. dial (I'm talking 2nd Generation). Likely it's more about the fact that one could display the alternate unit on the digital display so they didn't need both on the dial.
So, you must be looking at a 1st Gen if it has both MPH and KPH on the speedo dial. What year?
Are the Daytime Running Lights already programmed on, on the MINI you're looking at?
Are you looking at a private purchase or from a dealer?
I've read about Ontario insurance companies requiring some kind of background check on the vehicles coming from the U.S.. I don't think it's that expensive. Not sure what province you're in. They might all have different requirements depending on their insurance rules.

 

Display:
I'm looking for a brand new 2008. In the 2nd gen section I posted a thread and someone showed me that their display is only mph, therefore it would have to be changed if I want to bring it in Canada

Daytime Running Lights:
In the same thread someone in the US confirmed that they can be activated on the on-board computer, so problem solved there

I'm not sure if I'll buy privately and take care of all the process myself, or go through a broker. I have contacted the APA and they suggested two APA-approved import dearlers which specialize in doing that. Once the canadian Mini web site configurator is up, I'll compare the costs Canada vs US, calculate the savings and then contact the broker to see how much of that savings he takes.

Insurance: Yeah I bet each insurance company has varying rules regarding this, that will be another step.

 

I will list the details here, updating this post whenever I get new information

I am considering a Mini Cooper loaded with tons of options (sunroof, AC, hifi, red rooster seats, etc)

Buying the car in Canada:
33 000 Base Cost (see Note 1)
1 980 GST 6%
2 798 Quebec PST 8%
------
37 778 CAD Total

Buying the car in USA:
26 000 Base Cost (see Note 1)
1 560 GST 6%
2 205

 

*edit: mistaken post*

 

I will list the details here, updating this post whenever I get new information

I am considering a Mini Cooper loaded with tons of options (sunroof, AC, hifi, red rooster seats, auto transmission, sport package, etc)

Buying the car in Canada:
30 706 Base Cost (see my config in a post further down the thread)
1 842 GST 6%
2 604 Quebec PST 8%
------
35 152 CAD Total

Buying the car in USA:
23 900 USD Base cost
23 900 CAD Base Cost assuming 1CAD = 1 USD
1 434 GST 6%
2 027 PST 8%
------
27 361 CAD sub-Total

Importing fees for the US car:
222 RIV fee
100 AC excise tax
500 customers broker fees (if I pay someone to do it expect 300-500)
350 Letter from BMW Canada
100 inspection fee
1 458 6.1% duty for non-NAFTA vehicle
------
30 091 CAD sub-total for the US car

Modification fees:
1 100 Speedometer km/h conversion (estimate)
350 Flash on-board computer for daytime running lights and kph display on digital display
0......... 5 mph bumper conversion (apparently not needed, see post further down this thread)

31 541 CAD total for the US car

Savings
35 152 Cost to buy the car in Canada
31 541 Cost of the US car
------
3 612 CAD savings

With 1 CAD = 1.05 USD, savings = 4 984
With 1 CAD = 1.10 USD, savings = 6 231

Things to note:
The 500$ custom broker fee is a choice. You can save that amount and do the paperwork yourself.

Cons/obstacles to be aware of:
Self financingInsurance
Need to figure out the insurance for driving the car from the US dealer to here
Canada Dealer support
The local Mini dealer might make my life difficult in refusing/delaying the conversion of the speedo.
Warranty
BMW Canada honors the warranty on US vehicles. No problem there.
Resale value might be affected.
Mini Canada won't do your free US maintenance plan, but Canadian Minis don't come with a free maintenance plan anyway so you lose nothing there.

One of the best information sites I found is this one:
http://www.importcartocanada.info/

 

Thanks for all the detailed info.. Keep us posted.

 

I've also heard that a car imported from the US will have a lower resale value. Not sure if this is speculation or a fact but something you might want to consider depending on how long you intend to hold onto the car.

 

Thanks for pointing this out. I'll add this to the post

 

If you like I can send you a copy of the Build Sheet for my 2007 MCS that MINI Canada sent me yesterday. In addition to the options that I ordered for the car it lists all the options that MINI adds to Canadian cars. This might help you to identify any differences between US and Canadian models.

 

Hey guys... I am also trying to import a 2007 Mini from the US.

Stefx: Are you sure you need to switch the speedometer to the metric readout, or is the digital readout in kph acceptable for import into Canada? Are you also sure about the 5kph bumper? It's starting to sound like almost $2000 in mods will be required to certify the car in Canada.

I thought I'd also add my two cents here. I've spoken to numerous dealers in Canada and the US about this. From what I've been told, the so-called "cold weather package" is now standard on all 2007 Minis in Canada, but NOT in the US. The Canadian Minis also have standard Xenon headlights, and this is only offered as an option in the US.

The current import regulations also state that you need a "recall clearance letter" directly from the manufacturer. After calling around, the *only* entity in North America willing to write this letter is BMW Canada. To obtain this letter:

1. Pay them $350 for a "vehicle admissibility letter" in order to cross the border into Canada.
2. Within 40 days, you need to produce a recall clearance letter to the RIV. BMW Canada charges an additional $500 for this, and you must bring the car into a dealer so that they can confirm the VIN #.

Now, I also called the RIV, and it sounds like the so-called "vehicle admissibility letter" is pretty much bogus -- the woman that I spoke to said that all you need is registration, title, and invoice to cross the border, and ONLY the recall clearance is needed within 40 days. BMW Canada disagrees, and claims that the vehicle admissibility letter is required to cross the border.... hmmppphh...

 

Thanks, but I'm looking at a 2008... where pricing and options change, so I'll wait for the 2008 configurator to be up on the Canada Mini site.

 

You need a speedometer with kph (metric) in Canada, among other technical requirements
See the requirements from Transport Canada here:
http://www.riv.ca/english/html/mod_i...uirements.html

Since the official Canada Mini pricing and options list is not published yet, this is all unconfirmed speculations from various sources.

This web site below says that the multifunction steering wheel, metallic paint and xenon headlights become optional in Canada in 2008
http://www.zercustoms.com/news/2008-...or-Canada.html

We're all looking forward for Mini Canada to put the 2008 configurator on its web site, this will clear a lot of contradicting '08 pricing speculations.

Transport Canada will accept a recall clearance letter from an authorized USA OEM dealer. See link below

http://www.riv.ca/english/html/recall_clearance.html

I'm pretty sure anything involing Mini Canada will be a serious pain, as they will offer much resistance as they can, of course. Better get this letter from Mini USA or the Mini dealer.

 

Thanks for the quick reply. I'd encourage others to post their importing experiences here, as there is a lot of contradicting information out there.

Yes, I'm aware of this regulation. From what I understand (from a couple of sources, including a Canadian Mini dealer), the digital readout of the speed behind the steering wheel can be toggled between MPH and Km/h. On the other hand, starting with the 2007 models the "main" speedometer will only show MPH. Does anybody know if the digital readout behind the wheel is enough to satisfy the regulation?

If it isn't enough, the RIV site does say that they will provide the conversion labels as part of the inspection: "Metric speedometer and odometer labels (provided by inspection centre)". That sure beats BMW Canada's suggestion that I spend upwards of $1000 to change the entire instrument panel.

*gasp* so you're saying that a car salesman trying to steal over my business lied to me?!

Yup... already tried that. I'm sorry to say that both the dealerships and the head office in the US seem to be aware of this situation. Everybody I've talked to has flat out refused to put anything in writing, although they're more than happy to tell you there are no recalls on the car verbally. I've even tried posing as an American to get the information... no dice.

I think when I import my car, I'll offer to pay BMW Canada the $500 for the recall clearance. I don't see the point in paying them $350 for an "admissibility letter", unless somebody tells me differently.

 

1000$ for the instrument cluster change? Can't they just change the faceplate?

For example, here's a link to buying a different color faceplate. I assumed only the faceplate needed to be changed

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...egoryID=124156

but then of couse the Canadian Mini dealer will scare us by telling us to change the whole instrument panel. I wonder if we could get faceplates in kph from Europe.

I found this thread for custom faceplates from Europe. I send him a PM and will see what he answers

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=15633

How about the bumpers? did you get a price for changing the bumpers? The one Mini dealer in Canada I called wasn't cooperative at all and wouldn't give me the information.

I'm surprised that a dealer doesn't want to write that the car with VIN# is recall-free at a specific date.

How about the child restraints? Are the US ones acceptable in Canada?

 

Oh boy, some help figuring all this out! I agree, I don't think a broker is necessary, shouldn't be impossible to do on one's own. (And wouldn't it be a fun road trip on the way home???) As a very minor point, I think the $100 AC Excise fee is a saw-off. At least in Alberta, you have to pay $100 for AC from a local dealer also.

What about dealer markups and other charges? I read somewhere that the usual markup for an MCS in Canada is 17% -- is it different in the States?

How much is the maintenance plan worth, if you had to pay for similar servicing?

I don't see why there would be any difference in value between a used US MCS and a Canadian one, if beyond the warranty / maintenance plan period.

The RIV site (http://www.riv.ca/english/html/mod_i...uirements.html) says "8-km/hr bumpers". What does that mean, exactly? And do MINIs possibly have them anyway, since they are manf'd in the EC, which has quite high safety standards for vehicles?

Minnie Mouse

 

Do the Canadian Minis come with a free maintenance plan?

Regarding the bumpers, EU and USA have a 2.5mph bumper requirement. Canada has a 5mph requirement. I doubt that they would spend the extra $$ to put the stricter Canadian bumper on all the world's Minis.

What is a 5mph bumper exactly? It's a spec where the car is certified in a test... it's something like it's driving into something rigid at 5mph (8 kph) and the car must not sustain any permanent deformation.
This standard is 2.5mph in the US and EU.

 

Regarding the maintenance plan, I was told by a Buffalo dealership that it won't be valid in Canada. On the other hand, as long as Mini Canada doesn't "red flag" your car as an import, you can always make the trip to the US dealership to have the work done for free. And like it was mentioned before, the Canadian cars do not come with the maintenance plan at all.

 

Thanks. Therefore losing the American free maintenance plan is a wash, as Canadian Minis don't come with a free maintenance plan anyway.

 

Ahem, according to my MA MINI Canada covers all new MINIs for all factory recommended scheduled services for 3 years or 60,000 Km.