My mini just came into the port of Baltimore

For those of you that imported, what did you do about emissions laws? Wandering around Berlin and seeing newer classic Minis makes me think devious thoughts about hunting down a nice example from the late 80's or early 90's, and shipping it home when I return. I'm just thrown off because it seems like I'd get screwed trying to register it because of emissions B.S.

I think anything older than 25yrs is fair game in the US, and 15yrs in Canada.

The later fuel injected cars can be a bit more difficult to source parts for here in the states. It cracks me up when a late model Mini with air conditioning, air bags, and fuel injection is sold as a 196x or 197x car. That one looks like a good deal for the price. Enjoy and prepare to get a lot of attention wherever you drive the little beasty.

so why isn't it in your grm profile "garage" already?
the pics aren't working for me and I want to be jealous!

njansenv wrote: I think anything older than 25yrs is fair game in the US, and 15yrs in Canada.

Does that mean 5 more years for a euro E36 M3?

njansenv wrote: I think anything older than 25yrs is fair game in the US, and 15yrs in Canada.

Is it actually 25 years? I thought it was starting at a certain date. Hmm... so '87 or older. That could be doable.

In reply to Salanis:

Provided you don't live in a state with more restrictive laws. I think in CA its different. Otherwise yes, if its older than 25 years its exempt from meeting EPA and DOT requirements. Hemmings S&EC does an annual "class of..." article profiling interesting cars that meet the age limit.

In Canada, they're exempt from DOT (or the equivalent) but not emissions requirements. In Ontario they don't care where the car came from, it still has to pass the same tests as a Canadian-market model.

I don't know if that's the case for the US, we don't have emissions testing in my area. But the NHTSA rules does not cover EPA regs, the EPA (or the appropriate state) would have to exempt cars.

So... importing to CA is going to completely suck then and not be worth the hassle in the meantime, unless I find a broker or someone who really knows the ins and outs of navigating the process. Don't think that's going to work right now with how hectic everything is for me at the moment.

ddavidv wrote: IF the car is as good as it looks in the photos it was well bought. But...I caution those of you excited about the prospect of buying one sight unseen in the UK that it's a very risky thing to do. These cars rust like crazy, and the people over there will "bodge" them together in ways we would never accept.

TBH it depends a little on your point of view, but the repairs still have to pass the annual safety inspection in the UK so they have to confirm to a minimum standard. I've seen some pretty inspired bodges out here already and those cars wouldn't be allowed on the road in the UK...

Regarding the propensity to rust, I agree - Mini never figured out what that "rust proofing" thing was all about so even the late 90s ones could develop holes in critical sections of the bodywork at a fairly rapid pace. Couple that with the councils in the UK using a ton of salt in winter and you get predictably frilly bodywork.

Anyway, don't forget that outside the 50s/60s Minis and especially the original Coopers, Minis are just a cheap used car (albeit one with a cult following) in the UK and they tend to get cheap used car repairs.

I'm not saying you don't have to be careful when buying a car in the UK (you have to be) but I wouldn't say its much more problematic than, say, buying a car on ebay on the other side of the US.

I'm still toying with the idea of buying a 25 y/o Caterfield in the UK and have it shipped over, but then again I have a couple of friends in the motor trade over in the UK who would probably be able to inspect it for me before I took the plunge.

In reply to Salanis:

With CA, I'd probably stick with a pre-smog vehicle as that would make matters a lot easier. The 80s Minis still had carbs and no cats so I'd have my serious doubts about getting any of them smogged in CA.

The newer injected Minis are no fun to work on and, incredibly, are more rust prone than the ones that preceded them. Personally, I think the 'upgraded' interiors, Sportpack arches and 13" wheels and injection detract from the Mini experience, but there are lots of people who spend $10-$15,000 to buy one.