J. K. TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
3500 Sweet Air St.
Baltimore, MD 21211
(410) 366-6332
FAX: (410) 366-7655

Date: January 14, 2000

From: Melissa

Re: Automotive Importation and Conversion

Vehicle Make, Model, and Year: 1993 BMW 525ix
Country of Origin: Germany
Estimate: $6,800 vehicle must be equipped with a driver’s side airbag
You can import your vehicle at anytime however, due to fluctuations in parts prices this estimate is only valid for two months. The estimate is designed to give you an idea of cost of conversion depending on how the car is equipped and its condition upon arrival at our facility. If the car is not equipped correctly or is in poor condition, there could be additional charges. There could also be additional charges if the car is not on the NHTSA eligibility list.

The first step is to call Luanne at Pride International at 410-633-0033 (or fax @ 410-633-0036). She will clear your car through U.S. Customs and have it delivered to us. I would advise you to take the car to the nearest port yourself and ship it to Baltimore via Wallenius Lines or another reputable carrier. Wallenius is in all the major ports around the world. Luanne can give you the number of the offices nearest to you.

After the car arrives at our facility, we will do all of the necessary modifications to bring it into conformity with DOT and EPA regulations. This generally takes an average of 90-120 days. If the car is not equipped correctly or is in poor condition, there could be additional charges including costs for catalytic converter, O2 Sensor, and or a fuel control system.

The modifications for DOT concern the safety aspects of the car. Some of the changes to your car should be the headlights, taillights, side marker light assemblies, high mounted 3rd brake light, bumper reinforcements, door reinforcement beams, a rollover fuel-spill prevention valve, seatbelt warning system, speedometer and certification labels. Additionally, if your car was manufactured on or after September 1, 1989 (1990 model) then it must have drivers side passive restraints (airbags) and if it was manufactured on or after September 1, 1993 (1994 model) then it must have drivers and passengers passive restraints (airbags). These passive restraint systems must be installed at the time of manufacture. If we have to install them here there will be a substantial extra charge and additional time.

The modifications for EPA pertain to the emission control system in the car. If the car was manufactured after October 1, 1996 then it must have OBD2 (On Board Diagnostics 2) installed at the time of manufacture. First, if so equipped, we certify the existing catalytic converter and test its efficiency. Then check the oxygen sensor, change the evaporative canister and purge system, check the fuel control computer, change the filler neck and do a federal emissions test to the car. If the car is not emissions equipped, we replace all non-conforming parts with U.S. parts and there will be substantial extra charges and additional time. The emissions test, conducted by an independent EPA laboratory costs $1500, but this charge is included in the estimate. You will also be charged if the car fails the test so please have a tune up and oil change before the car is shipped. After testing is complete, we file a report with EPA and they clear the car 15 business days later.

We require a 50% deposit when the car gets to us and the balance will be due upon completion of the work, a week before pick-up of the vehicle. This final payment must be in the form of a cashiers check or cash, personal checks will not be accepted for final payment. You will also need to furnish us a copy of your liability insurance for the car along with the deposit. After the conversion, we will put together a licensing package that will help you to get your tags and title in whichever state you choose except California. If the car needs to be certified in California please contact our office for additional information and requirements.

If you have further questions please call. Thank you for your inquiry.