328i converted from German to US spec

petekay · 11-01-2016, 03:29 PM

I'm looking at purchasing a BMW Executive that was converted from German to US spec before it was purchased by my local dealer.
Any reason to avoid these types of cars?

cfm56d7b · 11-01-2016, 05:15 PM

Is this a CPO vehicle?

petekay · 11-01-2016, 05:26 PM

Yes it is.

Sunnyledge · 11-01-2016, 06:18 PM

I had looked at a 2014 320i XDrive with manaul transmission that was converted to US specs, but because of the cost of the conversion the dealer said it could not be made a CPO.

cfm56d7b · 11-01-2016, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petekay

Yes it is.

If the vehicle is a CPO, there are very few concerns if any.

floydarogers · 11-02-2016, 12:39 AM

Conversion is lights, airbags, FRM, and a few other (expensive) items and some programming. Wouldn't think any of that would affect reliability of the rest of the car.

bhawkdrvr · 11-02-2016, 09:49 AM

I wouldn't be too concerned if it is CPO. Even if it weren't CPO, I wouldn't be concerned about the conversion of it was done by a professional. Look up the history of the vehicle and where the work was done. As far as the mechanical side of it, I think it would be as mechanically sound as any other used vehicle on the lot.

Kabrich · 11-02-2016, 10:36 AM

Out of curiosity, when a car is converted from EU to USA, does owner retain EU parts?

petekay · 11-05-2016, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by floydarogers

Conversion is lights, airbags, FRM, and a few other (expensive) items and some programming. Wouldn't think any of that would affect reliability of the rest of the car.

Good to know - thank you.

chippychip · 11-06-2016, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by floydarogers

Conversion is lights, airbags, FRM, and a few other (expensive) items and some programming. Wouldn't think any of that would affect reliability of the rest of the car.

Why are the airbags and frm different?

Kabrich · 11-06-2016, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chippychip

Why are the airbags and frm different?

There are several threads about the airbags.

Iirc, the US DOT requires a dual stage inflator in airbags in USA and only a 1 stage is used in EU.

http://www.firehouse.com/article/105...airbag-systems

floydarogers · 11-06-2016, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chippychip

Why are the airbags and frm different?

Airbags are different, because USA airbags have to restrain UNBELTED driver and passenger - EU assumes belted at all times. FRM is different (or programmed different) because "parking" lights and side marker lights are used differently (might be wrong on that - may be all programming and not physically different.)

11-01-2016, 03:29 PM	#1
petekay Enlisted Member 1 Rep 45 Posts Drives: 2009 328i Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Nashville iTrader: (0)	328i converted from German to US spec I'm looking at purchasing a BMW Executive that was converted from German to US spec before it was purchased by my local dealer. Any reason to avoid these types of cars?
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11-01-2016, 05:15 PM	#2
cfm56d7b Lieutenant General 5886 Rep 10,256 Posts Drives: 2017 440i Gran Coupe & 2015 X5 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (2)	Is this a CPO vehicle?
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11-01-2016, 05:26 PM	#3
petekay Enlisted Member 1 Rep 45 Posts Drives: 2009 328i Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Nashville iTrader: (0)	Yes it is.
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11-01-2016, 06:18 PM	#4
Sunnyledge Enlisted Member 19 Rep 34 Posts Drives: 2013 328i X Drive, 1984 318i Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	I had looked at a 2014 320i XDrive with manaul transmission that was converted to US specs, but because of the cost of the conversion the dealer said it could not be made a CPO.
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11-02-2016, 12:39 AM	#6
floydarogers Curmudgeon and Pedant 690 Rep 3,489 Posts Drives: 2010 335d, 2014 328d Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Bellevue, WA iTrader: (0)	Conversion is lights, airbags, FRM, and a few other (expensive) items and some programming. Wouldn't think any of that would affect reliability of the rest of the car.
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11-02-2016, 09:49 AM	#7
bhawkdrvr Private First Class 50 Rep 105 Posts Drives: 3ThrityFizzl3 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Derrty Souf iTrader: (1)	I wouldn't be too concerned if it is CPO. Even if it weren't CPO, I wouldn't be concerned about the conversion of it was done by a professional. Look up the history of the vehicle and where the work was done. As far as the mechanical side of it, I think it would be as mechanically sound as any other used vehicle on the lot.
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11-02-2016, 10:36 AM	#8
Kabrich Banned 354 Rep 1,986 Posts Drives: '13 AH3 (335IH) 3F93 MSport Join Date: May 2013 Location: Florida iTrader: (6)	Out of curiosity, when a car is converted from EU to USA, does owner retain EU parts?
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