Friday.... my Baby comes home. :-)

[Matt P]

We're just waiting on a trim piece (glovebox area) to arrive -- it should come tomorrow.

For the first time in 2004, my M5 Touring will be home.
For the first time in 2004, I will drive it.

I'm getting anxious already. Someone distract me to make the time pass faster (It's passing pretty slow right now since I'm not working).

For the first time since I acquired it, it will have an acceptably working stereo system (the RI messed up the stereo wiring while federalizing it, leaving only 1 speaker working, and I didn't bother to fix it). Everything all new: amp, speakers, wiring, & head unit.

My head unit is a Rio Car/Empeg (see www.riocar.org) AM/FM/MP3 unit with 60 Gigs of MP3 Storage (Overkill? Probably not, We own about 2000 audio CDs and at this moment have 7,744 MP3 files taken from our own personal CDs weighing in at 47GB, All EAC/LAME VBR) And best of all, It has a custom BMW M5T logo when you turn the stereo on! :-) (You can download a .BMP file from your computer into it)

Also, the suspension is like new and the EDC switch will do something meaningful for the first time since I bought it. New EDC Shocks at all the corners, new control arms, bushings and a bunch of other assorted suspension bits.

New brake pads, fixed a couple small oil leaks and other misc things.

And it even gets better; an Inspection I service which for this car includes new plugs and valve adjustments. The engine should be breathing perfectly.

The garage bay for it has acquired "Stuff" in its absence. I will spend tomorrow making "Stuff" disappear.

I will take pictures.

I have waited a long time.

I am a patient man.

<Screams> HURRY UP! </Screams>

Someone pass me a tranqualizer.....

[AllanS]

So you imported it within the last couple years? How much did it all cost, if I may ask?

[G Feller]

Thanks for sharing your anticipation. I believe most of us can taste it.

For the first time in 2004, I will drive it.

For the first time since I acquired it, it will have an acceptably working stereo system. Everything all new: amp, speakers, wiring, & head unit.

Also, the suspension is like new and the EDC switch will do something meaningful for the first time since I bought it. New EDC Shocks at all the corners, new control arms, bushings and a bunch of other assorted suspension bits.

New brake pads, fixed a couple small oil leaks and other misc things.

And Inspection I includes new plugs and valve adjustments. The engine should be breathing perfectly.

<Screams> HURRY UP! </Screams>

Someone pass me a tranqualizer.....

[Stewart E]

matt,

wanted to know cost on stereo and where to get?

Thanks,

Stew

[Matt P]

Just the things directly related to the importing process added up to about $11K, but really it was a good bit more if you count the less directly related things. Shipping was included in the purchase price, which I guess to be around $2500.

Shipping (estimated) $2500
Customs Taxes & Fees $1912 (partially based on purcase price)
Prep work done at german dealer (Inspection 2, new cat, etc) $3230
Actual Federalization Work $8970
Shipping from Port to Texas $1470
Texas Initial Registration & Sales Tax $1900 (mostly based on purchase price)

So, you can see I spent about a total of $20 grand beyond the purchase price (minus shipping) to get it fixed up and over to me. Not to mention it took about 9 1/2 months start to finish.

[Don McAdams]

Awesome Matt... Congrats!! Lets See Pics!!!

[632 Regal]

Cant wait to see pictures! Spend your time getting your camera ready and think of where your gonna get the good shots at! If it's comming off a boat you should get pics of the whole process! I cant wait now!

[AllanS]

Damn, $20k and 9mo later... now that's love