Grey market cars - getting facts

[twistinglane]

I'm talking to US owners about a couple grey market M635 CSI cars. Current owners don't have history on importation. So when see 100k miles on odometer wonder about miles before importation... (Current speedos show both mph and kph like at least some US market 635s and unlike those in Europe where just have kph in pictures I've seen.)

Has anyone had experience trying to get date of importation from official source here or abroad or from BMW. I imagine some grey market cars were imported to US new while others would have been used vehicles. Any way to distinguish the two??

I'm suspecting answer is just "no"... but can't hurt to ask.
Thanks! Paul

 

[sfdon]

Only used cars allowed in not new.
The DOT papers showed the odometer reading.
You could buy a new car but it had to be driven for minimum miles before import.
That said the odometer on a M635 takes less than an hour to remove and install with any
number you want on it.

 

[bavbob]

I learned in my search for an M6 that many M635 cars were brought here to be track cars so may have more "age" than appears.

 

[Dirk]

Keep in mind that in Germany there are no speed limits and M635CSI's were not bought to cruise the boulevards. Every mile driven in Europe counts for 2 ... or 3.

 

[Nicad]

Keep in mind that in Germany there are no speed limits and M635CSI's were not bought to cruise the boulevards. Every mile driven in Europe counts for 2 ... or 3.

In many parts of the US where you find these high end cars they are stuck idling in gridlock, so every mile on Rodeo drive might count for 10.

 

[twistinglane]

Thank you guys. For the info and cautions!