Vancouver Secrets

Vancouver BMW Dealerships – Are You Listening?

One of the great challenges in moving to Vancouver from the US, is having to deal with the stress of importing your vehicles. Not for the fainthearted or the thin of wallet.

Importing a car, even for a returning resident, is no easy task.

Here’s the overview:

2007 BMW 530:

To get it to “Canadian” Standards I was advised by BMW Vancouver that it would cost:

• $5,500 to change dash speedometer to Km
• $1,500 to turn on running lights
• $1,500 to change the automatic climate control (???? – no explanation of what this means or why)
• $6-7,000 Taxes and duty
• $850 for two form letters
• $500 to Canada Border and Inspection fees.
• $1,000  PST
• Total=$17,750

Total Investment=$64,000

I had no other choice than to get rid of the car in the US. The car was $46,000 new in the US  – it’s $76,000 in Vancouver.

After the devious paperwork and compliance BMW charges, it still would have been less than the inflated price of Vancouver BMW, but I couldn’t swallow paying another $18,000 for a car that I already owned. Or know is only worth $46,000.

I had to sell it, Lost $12,000 on the sale.

Gained one unhappy wife who lost her 45th birthday present… thanks to BMW Canada.

2002 BMW X5

• $850 for two BMW form letters
• $1,800 for turning the running lights on
• $500 to Canada Border and Inspection fees.
• Total=$3,150

I paid $38,000 in 2002 for it (new BMW X5 is now over $75,000 in Canada).

But it was worth keeping, as the car is worth double in Canada and I can’t replace it.

So I joined the class action lawsuit. Hoping to get my money back.

I’ve been a BMW owner for over 10 years and have purchased 4 of their cars and the motorbike. That’s 1 every 2 years.

As of this moment, BMW has lost a customer that was worth another $100-200K to them over the next 5 years. An extremely loyal customer that will carry the frustration of having been gouged out of a new car by BMW Canada.

They just don’t get it.

In the US, BMW has done a great job of mainstreaming their cars – simply by pricing in line with Lexus, Acura and the other premium car brands.

My friends and neighbors all have brand loyalty to BMW unlike anything I’ve seen for any other car brand (and I owned 14 Honda cars before switching).

BMW Canada is going down a slippery slope… sacrificing customers for short term profits.

With the move to micro cars, SUV sales dropping off the charts, and the drop in sales for anything that gets less than 30 MPG, they continue to charge over 50% more than real price of the car. It’s incomprehensible now that the Canadian dollar has been at par for over 6 months.

Wost of all, the dealerships in Vancouver defends it by a simple shrug. No trying to explain why they charge $850 for two form letters, or why the selling prices are 50% more.

It’s take it or leave it.

Well BMW Canada, I have no choice but to leave. Been a great 10 years. Hope Acura will take me back.

If you have any thoughts on this rip-off, or have been screwed importing a  BMW like me, drop them a friendly email at admissibility@bmw.ca

I’m sure they’ll get right back to you with a good explanation.

See you in court.

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