BMW 116i in the USA

"J. David Buerk" (acousticaperture) 07/02/2016 at 23:15 • Filed to: None

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So if you follow me, you know I typically only post pro (car) photography which I typically shoot for fun on my off-time. Today I’m giving you something a little different, because I spotted it while out for dinner with a friend (and fellow Oppo, Bengal55) before he departed on a road trip to Florida. iPhone shots - real cameras were at home ;-)

Right in the middle of a freaking Texas Roadhouse parking lot, a BMW 116i, fitted with a 6 speed manual! As far as I know, they never sold these in the States. I live in the suburbs of Washington, DC, and photograph for the nearest international airport, so it’s not uncommon to see cars from overseas around here... however, they usually have Diplo plates. This one, does not. You can see the holes for a European license plate on the bumpers - they looked used.

So, how can this car be here if not registered diplomatically? Or did I miss this model being briefly available for sale here?

dogisbadob > J. David Buerk 07/02/2016 at 23:18

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That is an awesome car! Fuck BMW for not selling the 1-series hatchback over here :(

I really want a 120d 4-door hatch

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > J. David Buerk 07/02/2016 at 23:21

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Well I’ve seen a Fiat Uno and a Toyota Hiace in Birmingham of all places. Both with Mexican plates.

J. David Buerk > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 07/02/2016 at 23:27

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But this has Virginia tags and inspection. Was the 116i safety tested / approved for sale in the US, but BMW just never did it, meaning you could legally import one?

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > J. David Buerk 07/02/2016 at 23:31

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No clue. I don’t see them doing that and not advertising it

Old Red Wagon > J. David Buerk 07/02/2016 at 23:38

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I drove a 120i hatch in Europe on a road trip to Austria. I hit 146 miles per hour in it on the Autobahn. Very fun car to drive.

Spasoje > J. David Buerk 07/02/2016 at 23:47

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It definitely wasn’t briefly available here. If it’s legal, my best guess is it was a diplomat’s car, which he later sold.

Otherwise, someone probably fibbed some numbers on the registration papers...

Stef Schrader > J. David Buerk 07/03/2016 at 01:13

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I love these so much. Such neat little cars.

Spridget > J. David Buerk 07/03/2016 at 01:18

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I saw a new (7th?) gen VW Van in a Popeyes parking lot in the middle of bumfuck- nowhere North Carolina. People have a way of bending the rules.

Leon711 > dogisbadob 07/03/2016 at 03:34

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I had its successor for a week, my first post on Oppo too

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/2014-bmw-120d-…

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > Old Red Wagon 07/03/2016 at 12:30

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I rented a 116i hatch and could only get it to 130. Next time I’ll rent something with a V12...

E90M3 > J. David Buerk 12/04/2016 at 11:38

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Damn those style 313s look good on that car, too bad we never got the hatch here.

GaborXC > J. David Buerk 12/12/2017 at 15:06

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I have seen one in La Jolla just the same color. As a former 318Ti owner, I have an eye for these. Having seen them up close in London and Germany, i know that it wasn’t my imagination.