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SMT and Euro Spec <E36><M3>

Joseph D.  1) SMT in US  -  I understand BMW might import the M3 with the SMT
if there is sufficient interest.  The price might be around $4500.  At this
time, only BMWNA knows whether or not it will be imported.
2) SMT experience  -  I doubt you will find many people with experience with
the SMT.  Read the car mags.
3) Importation of  97 Euro spec M3  -  Assuming you are a US citizen living
in the US, there is no way you can legally import a euro spec E36 M3.  When I
worked for the government 12 years ago, we had several peformance cars that
were confiscated at their ports of entry by customs and given to us for
testing and evaluation.  Call EPA and ask for a copy of "Automotive Imports
Facts Manual."  Try 202-233-9596.  Although this document covers only the
EPA, not DOT, restrictions, I think you will see, unless you are connected
with a foreign embassy and temporarily stationed in the US, related to Bill
Gates, or several other unlikely exemptions, that it cannot be legally done.

A few other issues while I'm typing:

On the BMWs with no badges subject, as I have not yet seen this answer:
 There were a series of (all black, I believe??) E30 325is's imported into
the US with a sports or M-Technik package and NO 325 is badges.  The ones I
remember were in 1991.  Phil Marx can amplify or correct me on this.

On the overreving issue:  I've done it in a '87 325is (4th to 3rd rather than
5th in a BMW CCA race), bent nearly all the valves, broke a few rocker arms,
etc.  It was MY FAULT and MY STUPIDITY, not the car's and not BMW's.  I can
relate to the issue of excitement, brain fade (purple mist), and stupidity.
 **t happens.  We shouldn't make excuses and sound like little kids.
 Perhaps, as Jim C. states, there are some inherent problems with the E36
cars but let's try and separate the stupidity from the inherent problems.  If
you are driving your car on the track, you have to accept some responsibility
for mechanical problems.  For the 6 months that I've been reading BMW Digest,
there has been an undercurrent from some subscribers that one could interpret
as let's take advantage of BMW dealers, independent BMW repair shops, and
BMW.  Granted, there are problems, but if all of society is headed this way,
the world is in trouble.

How about this:  Does anyone care to comment on the safety issue of E36
coupes when they roll and the front roof collapses to the door sills?  I
might buy that as a BMW liability issue.  I also might buy a roll bar or cage
if I was fortunate enough to own and drive an E36 coupe at the track.

Ken P.
no six cylinder E36 coupe's here