e46 M3 Touring Conversion - To Europe and Back

[Cubieman]

This type of project has always been a pipe dream for me, congratulations on sourcing the vehicles and have fun.

[puma1824]

Cars delivered to m3projekts 😀. Thanks Ivo for making this delivery successful!

[nickpiper12]

Props on going this route! Looking forward to the end result. My Touring has been swapped for 4 years now and still enjoying it daily.

FYI - You may have some fitment troubles with the Euro A/B/C pillars. I’m not sure if it makes a difference with the Euro Headliner, but something due to our airbags in the US. All of the Euro pillars are thinner. I even tried to order the lower Euro B-pillars and they didn’t fit the chassis. They all have different PN’s.

Post #69. https://www.e46fanatics.com/threads/...oject.1102767/

[puma1824]

Props on going this route! Looking forward to the end result. My Touring has been swapped for 4 years now and still enjoying it daily.

FYI - You may have some fitment troubles with the Euro A/B/C pillars. I’m not sure if it makes a difference with the Euro Headliner, but something due to our airbags in the US. All of the Euro pillars are thinner. I even tried to order the lower Euro B-pillars and they didn’t fit the chassis. They all have different PN’s.

Post #69. https://www.e46fanatics.com/threads/...oject.1102767/

Thanks for the heads up

[Duck360198]

Out of curiosity, from a shipping standpoint, I'm assuming you did a Roll On Roll Off method rather than putting them both in a container(s). Do you mind sharing what that cost was?

A friend of mine who imports cars says pre-COVID, a container would run about $3500. That has since skyrocketed to nearly $20K for a 10' container. Not sure how much truth there is to that, but all I could say was "Holy Shlt!"

[puma1824]

Out of curiosity, from a shipping standpoint, I'm assuming you did a Roll On Roll Off method rather than putting them both in a container(s). Do you mind sharing what that cost was?

A friend of mine who imports cars says pre-COVID, a container would run about $3500. That has since skyrocketed to nearly $20K for a 10' container. Not sure how much truth there is to that, but all I could say was "Holy Shlt!"

Yes I did a RORO shipment. The cost of shipping for 2 cars RORO was around $2k USD. If you've transported across the USA, it's about the same cost as well.

[jet_dogg]

Containers were up to 30k at one point.

My jdm parts guy now charges a container fee for every part 🤠

[Nate047]

Only $2k sounds great, almost like a hookup of some kind, how did you get a price like that given the current circumstances? I'm just curious because I have been considering getting a car in Germany and sending it over here, and if you have any secrets on how to save some scratch that would be awesome to hear...!

[puma1824]

Only $2k sounds great, almost like a hookup of some kind, how did you get a price like that given the current circumstances? I'm just curious because I have been considering getting a car in Germany and sending it over here, and if you have any secrets on how to save some scratch that would be awesome to hear...!

Contact Ivo Christov (e28.nl) on Instagram or Facebook

[puma1824]

Pre-Conversion Pics (at m3Projekts)

[puma1824]

2003 Touring - Pre-mod - Washdown

[Casa de Mesa]

Wow this dude does conversions like this in his garage in a residential neighborhood. Props to that!

[puma1824]

Wow this dude does conversions like this in his garage in a residential neighborhood. Props to that!

Actually the bodywork and interior are done at separate shops. Undercarriage restoration and engine swap done at his home garage.

[Casa de Mesa]

Actually the bodywork and interior are done at separate shops. Undercarriage restoration and engine swap done at his home garage.

Got it. Still. It's awesome!

[lvm3sm46]

Details on the wagon? How much did you pay and how many miles are on it?