BMW 435 from the USA at the Price of an Apartment: A Real Import Story
Introduction:
Today we have a special feature where we’ll tell you about the import of a BMW 435 from the USA. This isn’t just another “crashed car” story but the real experience of the owner, Yevhen, who faced unexpected expenses and nuances with customs clearance, repairs, and paperwork.
How It All Started:
Yevhen had long dreamed of owning a BMW coupe, but didn’t want an old model. He immediately ruled out sedans because, in his opinion, they weren't "for real men." He started researching the market and realized that most of the interesting cars were imported from America. Eventually, he settled on a 4-series coupe and began looking for a suitable lot at auctions.
Car Selection and Bidding:
The company he worked with was searching for a car with less than 100,000 km, black interior, and a good trim level. However, there weren’t many suitable options. In the end, Yevhen decided to monitor the websites himself and came across a BMW 435i with 60,000 miles, which had front-end damage. Despite this, the car met his requirements: gray body color, black interior, and ceiling.
A serious bidding war started at the auction. Initially, Yevhen hoped to stay within $10,000–11,000, but the final price ended up being $12,300. With auction fees, shipping to the port, delivery to Ukraine, customs clearance, and other expenses, the car in Kyiv cost him $21,600.
Repairs and Additional Expenses:
Yevhen estimated that the repair would cost around $5,000–6,000, but the actual numbers turned out to be higher:
- Hood – $714
- Bumper – $570
- Headlight – $857
- Ignition module – $178
- Wheels (2 pcs) – $1,140
- Radiators – $303
- Other parts – $3,200
- Labor for repairs – $2,700
- Painting and restoration – $3,886
- Air conditioner compressor replacement – $210
After all the repairs and assembly, the total cost of the car was $28,500. However, the expenses didn’t end there. The day after receiving the car, Yevhen noticed an oil puddle under the car. It turned out that the impact had damaged the alternator belt, causing an oil leak. Additional repairs increased the total project cost.
Trim Level:
M package, LED optics, parking sensors, 360-degree cameras, sport seats, M steering wheel with paddles (without heating), NBT, sunroof, head-up display, sport suspension, seat heating, comfort access, M brakes, blind spot monitoring, lane and obstacle control, head-up display, parking assistant, black ceiling.
Conclusion:
The initial estimate of $20,000–22,000 was too low. The final cost ended up being around $36,000. However, Yevhen doesn’t regret his choice. Now he has a BMW 435 with great trim, even if it cost as much as an apartment in Kyiv. His story is a vivid example of how important it is to consider all the nuances when importing cars from the USA and to be ready for additional expenses.
Key Takeaways:
1. Bidding can significantly increase the final price of the car.
2. BMW repairs are expensive, even when budgeting for a “cheap” option.
3. Hidden damages and potential issues after assembly must be considered.
4. Buying a crashed car is always risky and requires extra costs.
If you plan to import a car from the USA, make sure to account for all factors to avoid a situation where a “crashed car” ends up costing as much as a new one!
For more details, check out our YouTube video: https://youtu.be/5Givb1eaxrw?si=eMOwUo1mzEEPwep1
Looking for a BMW in Ukraine? Interested in importing a BMW from the USA? Write to us on Telegram!
- BMW Selection: https://t.me/autopodbor_garage_racer
- Importing BMW from the USA: https://t.me/prigon_bmw_usa_garage_racer

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