I am planning on a trip over there when the tourings get to be 25+. I'm hoping that a few have survived. I'll pick up two along with some other neat stuff (a buddy is tagging along to score a Beemer C1 moped). What I buy will mostly depend on Euro-dollar and shipping container costs. I'm hoping that some Euro-only parts will offset a lot of the cost, but it's not really about money...just about my addiction to cars.
Word. Parts in yards here are DIRT cheap. New parts, however, are STUPID expensive. I actually order my German made parts from the US since the price difference is so great. Cars in general, though, regardless of year, are way expensive. The only way I've found to get cars cheap- and those are the ones that are true beaters- are from American folks involved with DoD or the military and who are leaving (a perfect condition E38 750i sold recently for $7k whereas the same car on the German economy would go for over 10k Euro. Like I said, don't bank on it being a pilgrimage or fire sale from that perspective.
As the hamburglar mentioned, I'm sure there are some cool bits over there close to the track (and as a former A2 16v GTI nut, I'm bummed that I've only seen 1 cool A2 since getting here), but where I am, it is all about new cars. Brand new 911 turbos and AMG wagons are like Civics here.
Cost to ship a car will be a bit over $2k each and it is based on weight and mildly on size (irrelevant to the E30). And you are not allowed to pack it full of additional parts- I even had to remove the tools in the tool kit and floor mats from mine when it shipped. You can get a separate container for it and such, but cost will be twice as much per, as well.
I know I'm totally off-topic here, but I liked Germany a lot (even though I stayed in Frankfurt). Reminded me of Pittsburgh, to be totally honest. I guess that's why my German ancestors emigrated here. The Rhine was a disappointment, as was most of the beer I had, but the liveliness of Germany (& the Netherlands) was refreshing.
It should remind you of PA, and there is a lot to like. Lots of fests, lots of history, ease of access to the remainder of Europe, etc. However, as an outdoorsman like I am, it sucks beyond compare to be in such a hamster cage. I'll watch the History Channel or read a book. I can't tell you how annoyed I've been each time I've ridden to the Alps; 6 hours of Stau for 20 minutes of fun twisties and never did I reach a place that had not been totally invaded by the hand of man and never devoid of cars. So much so that I don't really ride here (I've only put 1k miles on my bike since getting here, almost a year ago, and I typically ride around 20k miles a year on 2 wheels).
And forget about off road- there isn't even a translation in German for it! (I had to explain to my German neighbor the concept a while back.)
The thing I liked best about Germany (other than a few tourist spots) was the attitude. Germans are healthy and hearty people in general. They don't seem quite as clueless as your typical American. They understand that we all live in a small world instead of just a small corner of it.
Now wait a minute, Dave. The ONE thing that makes Germany very cool is the BEER!!!!!! I barely drink since my undergrad days, but since arriving here, generally have a beer a day. It is EVERY bit as good- if not better- than the reputation.
You are spot on with the people, though. However, they are not quite as robust as you might think (they think we are nuts for how much "sport" we do). German bikers absolutely crack me up. They try so hard to look hard core and rough and tumble, yet even the motard guys don't engage in hooliganism. Granted, my riding resume is a bit radical for even the US, but these folks are positively pansies. However, I do like being able to go into any store at 6'7" and buy clothes off the rack (although, they are quite a bit more thin than my Midwestern goony goo goo butt).
The reason they aren't clueless and aware of their surroundings is b/c they have only a tiny amount of space to work with compared to what we have in the States. The mass population of Europe is mind boggling. The efficiency by which man, nature, industry, and farming are all interwoven is equally mind boggling.
Some times things like this make it horribly inconvenient to be here. There is no regard for traffic (staus are the norm) by the farmers or construction (CONSTANT construction). EVERYTHING is closed on Sunday, and most places close in the evening before you get home from work. You are not even aloud to wash your car in your driveway. All things one can learn to live with, but annoying nonetheless.
Bottom line, it's a killer place to visit and I'm excited to get my E30 to the 'Ring, but I'll be much happier when I'm back in the wide open spaces just outside the larger and more convenient major metropolitan areas of the Western US.
Sorry to threadjack hamburglar, but perhaps you can let me know when your next run over there is and we can rock it.
