E 320 CDi import?

[G-a-r-y]

Hello to the forum from a new member.

Going to look at a 51 plate, E320 CDi estate tomorrow at a VW main agent.

They have just rang and told me that I should be made aware of the fact that the car is an import. Apparently a member of our forces bought the car in Germany and brought it home and registered it here.

Is there anything I should check tommorow

 

[tjo]

hi garry, the very car i'm looking for myself, but the problem with all
e class is the bodywork, if its your first merc then sorry to burst your bubble but they are notorious for rust, ther seems to be a million excuses for it
but no cheap remedy, mechanically much stronger, as far as it being an import i dont see it being a big issue nowadays

 

[G-a-r-y]

Rust?
When you say rust do you mean chassis or body? Where should I look.

Do import cars have better or worse spec. The one I'm looking at has keyless entry and anti hijack, what does that mean?

 

[tjo]

hi, not so much chassis but body, all wheel arches, round boot lock, under door seals around the top of all doors, widely discussed very recently, will try to find thread,give me a few mins

 

[tjo]

if you go into bodywork section its titled, Eclass rust, how bad does it get,
191 replies and nearly 20,000 veiwings. worth a look

 

[Retired]

I wouldn't worry about it being an import. I bought my car and imported it to UK, all I had to do was ensure a UK spec car. My local MB dealer often has armed forces imported cars for sale. Local dealer has also said happy to take my car in px at normal uk valuation.

I believe, but am not sure, that MB facilitates the purchase of its cars by UK forces in Germany.

 

[DC_insider]

I believe, but am not sure, that MB facilitates the purchase of its cars by UK forces in Germany.

There is a DCUK run facility to purchase tax-free UK spec cars for UK forces personnel. However, the NAAFI set up another arrangement direct with DCAG in Germany which is often cheaper so is popular with servicemen and women but the cars are not built to UK spec unless specified (i.e. optioned up to UK spec).

If you are concerned about future resale value then check the specification carefully to ensure that the car has everything a UK spec car should have.