anybody imported a GS?

[cookiemonster]

Hello,

I'm after a grey GS1150, couple of years old, low'ish mileage. I've been looking on this site, the bmw site, MCN & biketrader and at the dealers but the choice is very very limited.

There are however absolutely loads of them on the German BMW site. The prices arent too different to UK (so I'm not looking for an import as a "cheap" alternative), its just that there is some sembelance of choice.

So, does anyone have experience of importing a Euro bike themselves? The worries are the same as the UK - is the dealer sound? am i buying a dog?

Thanks

Jon

 

[richie]

If as you say the prices are similar. I reckon you'd be better off waiting to find the right one in the UK. That way you won't have to be effing around with the lights. Or the paper work...

Thats my tuppence worth.

 

[Jon]

Jon,
Have you checked out the Graphitan one at SPC? Or is it too expensive for what you want to pay? Nothing to stop you offering them less or selling what you own privately (or both) to get a better deal.

ABS,Heated Grips, Pannier Frames.
Registration 2002 52
Mileage 12750
Price £7,295

HTH



the other Jon

 

[cookiemonster]

thanks for the replies

Yes - i had a good look at the graphite bike in SPC, and came pretty close to getting it. Its actually an import too, with kph speedo and the like. My worry with that bike is that its on a 52 plate for a manufactured Jan 03 bike, which is a bit odd. They reckoned they imported it in October, so it did 8000 miles (12K km) in 8 or 9 months. And then it was stored somewhere for 5 months... The pegs and foot levers are quite chamfered, so the previous owner drove it hard.

Also the rear tyre was very square & bald, now I know that they'll sort that kind of stuff out before you buy it, but the salesmans line (very nice chap) was that it hadnt been through the garage yet. Now - if it hasnt been through their garage, i'm not exactly comforted that I'm buying a top notch bike; on the other hand if it has been through the garage I'd expect some tread on the tyre

So there were a few things that didn't sit right with me, but the next person along will be happy enough I guess. Its reasonably priced, but they're not budging beyond a pannier or two. If it screamed bargain or they were happy to do a deal, then I'd be interested, but it doesn't and they're not. I know that its got a years warranty and BMW/SPC should sort things out if there are problems, but warranties are just insurance - they dont take away the bad stuff, just make dealing with it a bit easier.

I'm thinking of just waiting a few months at least until the 1200GS nonsense has died down - hopefully the secondhand 1150 market will be a bit more fluid, or a reasonably priced 1200GS from Germany might be possible. In the meantime if a good graphite 1150 appears I'll be interested...

Jon (the second)

 

[montydog]

....my two penneth for what its worth.....having just recently bought an impoted GS ADV 02 I have discovered the following.....SLM in London were responsible for importing this bike, and others, due to the official BMW UK alloocation running dry....in order not to offend BMW (and risk loosing franchise) they are only permitted to import "second hand" bikes..in my case this involved a customer in London ordering the bike,SLM finding one avaliable in a German dealership...the bike walked around till 2 miles showed on the clock,therefore becoming "second hand" and shipped over to SLM and onto the customer.
The bike is as should be identical to the European standard is also covered by 2 years BMW warranty and also comes with the original German Log book (to prove its History) as the English one.....as stated condition and service history is what matters imports in this sense are really "pre registered" sales due to the drip feed of products from BMW to keep prices keen....
...there are plenty of sub 20k 2002 GS about and avaliable for well under £6000 if you are prepared to travel nationally try bmw site and auto trader private sales...when you ring a private sale get the reg number and ring the supplying BMW dealership and within reason they will track the bikes history including warranty claims.....I have found dealers only to pleased to help

Good luck and you dont have to pay a fortune

PS.I dare not publish what I paid!

 

[Jon]

PS.I dare not publish what I paid!

PM me then.........

 

[cookiemonster]

yes, i'd be very interested too

I'm keeping my current bike, so I'm a cash buyer, but they still werent interested in talking about a deal. So i'd be interested in knowing how someone else got on.

Maybe the just didnt think i was serious...