E89 V5C details

[temuryusuf]

Something of an unusual request. I'm registering a Japanese self-imported E89 and wanted to fill in the DVLA form correctly - could somebody send me a (redacted obv) picture of their V5C where it mentions the variant, version, model and body type? Just those parts will do. Mine is an M Sport Highline so one of the same would be ideal. Don't want the car to end up with generic reg details as I'm a stickler for these things.

Obligatory photo for the curious. 23i auto, 40,000 miles, full BMW history from new.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Mr Tidy]

Congratulations on your Z4 purchase - it looks great in red.

Hopefully another E89 owner will be able to help you out with the details you are looking for.

 

[ARCS]

Something of an unusual request. I'm registering a Japanese self-imported E89 and wanted to fill in the DVLA form correctly - could somebody send me a (redacted obv) picture of their V5C where it mentions the variant, version, model and body type? Just those parts will do. Mine is an M Sport Highline so one of the same would be ideal. Don't want the car to end up with generic reg details as I'm a stickler for these things.

Obligatory photo for the curious. 40,000 miles, full BMW history from new.

Thanks in

Varient: LM32

Version: EURO5 5B

Model: Z4 SDRIVE23I (either auto or manual, whatever you've got)

Body type: CONVERTIBLE

 

[B21]

Something of an unusual request. I'm registering a Japanese self-imported E89 and wanted to fill in the DVLA form correctly - could somebody send me a (redacted obv) picture of their V5C where it mentions the variant, version, model and body type? Just those parts will do. Mine is an M Sport Highline so one of the same would be ideal. Don't want the car to end up with generic reg details as I'm a stickler for these things.

Obligatory photo for the curious. 40,000 miles, full BMW history from new.

Thanks in advance!

which exact model is it you've imported..otherwise the model code will be wrong.. 23i or 30i

 

[ARCS]

which exact model is it you've imported..otherwise the model code will be wrong.. 23i or 30i

It's got the 23i badge on the wing

 

[B21]

LM32 is the uk model code ..

 

[temuryusuf]

which exact model is it you've imported..otherwise the model code will be wrong.. 23i or 30i

As ARCS mentioned, 23i automatic.

Varient: LM32

Version: EURO5 5B

Model: Z4 SDRIVE23I (either auto or manual, whatever you've got)

Body type: CONVERTIBLE

Thanks, is yours M Sport and/or Highline? Are either of those mentioned on the V5?

 

[temuryusuf]

Bump, would ideally like the exact details off an automatic 23i.

 

[ARCS]

As ARCS mentioned, 23i automatic.

Thanks, is yours M Sport and/or Highline? Are either of those mentioned on the V5?

Those aren't mentioned.

 

[B21]

The correct model code for a Japanese spec 23i is LM25….

Japanese registration documents it appears with the emissions prefix as ABA-LM25

 

[B21]

UK reg docs show

sDrive23i M Sport Highline Edition

sDrive23i Highline Edition

 

[temuryusuf]

UK reg docs show

sDrive23i M Sport Highline Edition

sDrive23i Highline Edition

Could you swing me a picture of the M Sport Highline V5 if at all possible? Would be very grateful.

 

[B21]

Could you swing me a picture of the M Sport Highline V5 if at all possible? Would be very grateful.

I don’t have any but if you search the dvla database you’ll see these entries for certain Z4 E89s

 

[peeblezZ4]

Here you go.

 

[temuryusuf]

Here you go.

View attachment 297887View attachment 297888

You're a legend mate. Thank you.

 

[B21]

The 23i was a UK/European market variant (2009–2011), and JDM E89s were built on the same Regensburg line to essentially ECE spec. That means BMW can issue a European Certificate of Conformity against your VIN — unlike a JDM-only Toyota or Nissan where no such document exists. That one piece of paper does most of the work.

Emissions standard: early 2009 cars may be Euro 4, later builds Euro 5. Either way it clears the ULEZ threshold (Euro 4 petrol) comfortably. One catch — TfL’s database won’t automatically recognise a fresh import, so send them the CoC to get the car flagged as compliant. Don’t just assume the number plate checker will show it.

Road tax is where it gets interesting. The car keeps its Japanese first-registration date, so it falls under the old pre-2017 CO2-banded system. Declare the CoC CO2 figure (around 199 g/km for the manual) and you’re in Band J — currently a bit more per year than the default. Because if you don’t evidence CO2, DVLA drops it into the PLG engine-size class instead, which is currently cheaper. So oddly, the CoC costs you money on tax but buys you ULEZ recognition. If you never go near London, PLG is the cheaper route; if you do, get the CoC on record. Check current rates on gov.uk as they move annually.

Being over 10 years old it only needs an MOT, not an IVA — plus NOVA within 14 days of landing, then V55/5 to DVLA.

 

[temuryusuf]

The 23i was a UK/European market variant (2009–2011), and JDM E89s were built on the same Regensburg line to essentially ECE spec. That means BMW can issue a European Certificate of Conformity against your VIN — unlike a JDM-only Toyota or Nissan where no such document exists. That one piece of paper does most of the work.

Emissions standard: early 2009 cars may be Euro 4, later builds Euro 5. Either way it clears the ULEZ threshold (Euro 4 petrol) comfortably. One catch — TfL’s database won’t automatically recognise a fresh import, so send them the CoC to get the car flagged as compliant. Don’t just assume the number plate checker will show it.

Road tax is where it gets interesting. The car keeps its Japanese first-registration date, so it falls under the old pre-2017 CO2-banded system. Declare the CoC CO2 figure (around 199 g/km for the manual) and you’re in Band J — currently a bit more per year than the default. Because if you don’t evidence CO2, DVLA drops it into the PLG engine-size class instead, which is currently cheaper. So oddly, the CoC costs you money on tax but buys you ULEZ recognition. If you never go near London, PLG is the cheaper route; if you do, get the CoC on record. Check current rates on gov.uk as they move annually.

Being over 10 years old it only needs an MOT, not an IVA — plus NOVA within 14 days of landing, then V55/5 to DVLA.

Thank you for this. I've imported this Z4 and an F55 Cooper S from Japan, and BMW refused to issue a CoC for the Mini as it wasn't an EUDM car (they explicitly state this) even though I understand it's built to the exact specifications as a UK/EU car.

With the Z4, I'm inclined to keep the PLG classification as road tax is currently cheaper as you mentioned. Will it not flag as ULEZ compliant automatically due to being petrol + 2011 first registration?

Eurocert is able to provide an ICOC for the Mini but have made it abundantly clear the DVLA would most likely reject emissions data from that certificate for the purposes of registration. I'd really like to register that on the £200ish bracket instead of defaulting to PLG.

Cars have passed MOT with flying colours - I'm just stuck on the registration bit.