Anyone ever import a LHD MB?

[matei72]

Hi all,

Anyone here ever import a LHD Mercedes? If so... how easy/difficult was it?

My wife's LHD car is insured back in the old country up until August, but rather than drive all the way back and have it re-insured, we're thinking about going through the process to register and ensure it here.

 

[television]

The lights will have to be changed to RHD, the speedo must read in MPH, the indicators must be the correct colour.

Other than the above you just fill in the forms and it goes to be checked for approval

 

[JEZ.S320L]

The lights will have to be changed to RHD, the speedo must read in MPH, the indicators must be the correct colour.

Other than the above you just fill in the forms and it goes to be checked for approval

p.s. Don't forget the rear fog - needs to be swapped over, or changed to twin fogs.

 

[matei72]

Thanks... that jibes with pretty much what I've heard so far as well. I've set the lcd screen to display the speed in miles - would that be acceptable I wonder?

The other stuff I'll leave the pros to do - I'll not be changing the fog light or headlamps over myself.

 

[television]

It is said that this should be OK,but better to ask the people concerned, it will be clear on the forms.

What is the car

 

[Rappey69]

My old golf was lhd, personaly imported. Put beam deflectors(masking tape) on headlights to give correct beam pattern, changed rear light to move fog light and had to fit side indicator repeater lights as golf did not have them (debatable whether they are now needed- eu legislation)
speedo had km on it for 6 years and never failed mot, neither did the sticky tape on the headlights...
the only down side is that you get hammered on insurance, not for being a lhd car but for being a grey import. It cost me double to insure every year...

 

[Alex M Grieve]

My old golf was lhd, personaly imported. Put beam deflectors(masking tape) on headlights to give correct beam pattern, changed rear light to move fog light and had to fit side indicator repeater lights as golf did not have them (debatable whether they are now needed- eu legislation)
speedo had km on it for 6 years and never failed mot, neither did the sticky tape on the headlights...
the only down side is that you get hammered on insurance, not for being a lhd car but for being a grey import. It cost me double to insure every year...

Going the other way might be more demanding then.

I took a Peugeot 205 to the Netherlands for 2 years. Within a set period (3 months?) I had to present it at one of their squeaky clean government test centres for a sort of super MOT. They then issued Dutch plates and tax disc. The only change required was LHD headlamp units - they did not accept deflectors or tape. (I kept the RHD lamps and put them back on when I got to the UK. Finally sold the LHD units to a friend who was taking her 205 to the Netherlands, so got my money back - net cost nil).

Other than that, as european manufactured cars are E marked, should be no problem.

Importing from Cyprus, before it was in the EU was much more difficult as cars marketed there (especially Japanese) were not E Marked. It was so difficult that no one bothered, just sold there and bought here, in spite of the excellent low prices we could buy for in Cyprus.

 

[television]

I am surprised that a car got through with tape on the headlamps, and more surprised that they passed the MOT.

I will check the MOT regulations in the morning

 

[JEZ.S320L]

I am surprised that a car got through with tape on the headlamps, and more surprised that they passed the MOT.

I will check the MOT regulations in the morning

I delayed changing to RH dip headlamps until after the MOT a few weeks ago. The local MOT station said that they would NOT pass a car with 'beam benders' on.

 

[television]

Thanks Jez,, then this is an EU directive

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Thanks Jez,, then this is an EU directive

Malcolm, I was referring to the S-Class, which I'm driving down to Spain this weekend. The MOT was done here in the UK.

Same goes for Spain too. No car will pass the ITV (Super-MOT) unless they have RH dip headlamps etc etc. The ML is now on Spanish plates - as will the S-Class be in the next few weeks

 

[Myros]

brought the 202 over 8 years ago

MOT-man said deflectors and re-aiming would do, but failed it on no repeaters in the wings. I put rhd lights on anyway, and had the RHS fog activated over there, as I'm fussy like that. Speedo is fine in kms, they just record the km-age on the MOT. Insurance loading was about 10%, but I don't even think they bother me with that now. I did need to do certificate of conformity and Z-Plates and all that, but apart from the cert, the dealer did all the paperwork for me. Not bad for a second-hand sale to a foreigner. And they threw in a free lunch in the restaurant in the dealership and a 12 month guarantee as well.
The biggest aggro I had was the dvla here who took 6 weeks to deal with it. I had to call the top man at the local office and say that I needed a chit from him as he was keeping me off the road and risking my job, and not fulfilling his 48hr turnaround target as pinned up on the wall. he said I could drive it around on the z plates and if stopped, refer the police to him. service of a sorts I supose. You wouldn't get that now I bet.

 

[television]

Malcolm, I was referring to the S-Class, which I'm driving down to Spain this weekend. The MOT was done here in the UK.

Same goes for Spain too. No car will pass the ITV (Super-MOT) unless they have RH dip headlamps etc etc. The ML is now on Spanish plates - as will the S-Class be in the next few weeks

OK that fits as I have sourced headlamps for SL's before now for LHD for Spanish imports

 

[peterdowdall]

right hand headlights

Hi all,
I have a set of right hand drive head lights for a 1994 SL320.
all in good condition but the drivers side requires a new lens.
All offers considered.
Please contact Peter Dowdall.
peter.dowdall1@orange.fr
Tel: 0033 55 351 20 58.
Regards
Peter

 

[matei72]

p.s. Don't forget the rear fog - needs to be swapped over, or changed to twin fogs.

Resurrecting an old thread... just how difficult would it be to change the rear fog - it is just putting in a new cover/lens unit?

Same on the front headlamps... would a RHD set be sufficient, or is there something else that needs done?