Import and changes necessary.

[Morzine]

Hi,

If i import my 1998 E class to the UK I need certain changes to make it legal. I have xenon headlights and read somewhere that there is a switch to change to RHD mode, does anyone know if this is the case. Also must the speedo read in mph or does the km version still satisfy the law.

I would appreciate any answers from those who may well have done their own import.

Thanks,

M.

 

[c13tay]

a collegue of mine recently imported a BMW Z4 from Japan (he bought it new there whilst working on a secondment)

He encountered a lot of little annoying problems :

his car was fitted with xenon lights but no headlight washers - uk inspectors said to have these lights in the uk, the car must have headlight washers - solution - new bumper & washers (obviously being japanese light direction didnt need adjusting)

He had to change speedo for MPH one

had to remove BMW oe exhaust tailpipe trim - it stuck out 2cm to far for uk law !!!! obviously put them back on after SVA

not sure if he was unlucky and got a jobsworth inspector or whether they are all like that

 

[Myros]

as yours will be a used import

Morzine, no SVA inspection ought to be required. You will need a certificate of conformity from MB UK, which will cost you about £100 or more (it was £80 for mine 4 years ago). You'll need a current TUV, and then you'll need to whack it in for an MOT straight away. You'll need an mph/km speedo. Get on to Mercman and Dronsfields now, and then you can fit it before you go for your MOT. You will need to activate the rh rear fog light, and adjust the headlights so they don't dazzle. I was amazed to be told that beam deflectors and judicious twiddling was satisfactory for LHD lights. ( of course, not satisfactory enough for me, I fitted RHD lights pretty quick)
You will also need side repeaters for the indicators, if not already fitted. germany lagged behind us on that one. Explore the mirror/indicator set-up, as that's probably better than cutting holes in your wing. You will then need all the documentation, german log book, your Zoll plate papers, and off to the local DVLA you go. Be prepared to wait a while. Theoretically your export plates are valid for a month from issue, but that validity ceases as soon as you reach your place of abode in the UK and you shouldn't use the car until it has UK registration. (MOT testing excepted). Despite a 48 hour turnaround on foreign registrations being promised, mine took 6 weeks.
If you are resident in Germany, you might not need export plates. Check with your local town hall/vehicles dept/customs office. If you don't need export plates, you should be okay to drive around on standard german plates until registered.
Unless it has all changed again in the interim.

 

[DITTRICH]

I second what Myros said. All vehicles from late 1996 had EU certificates of conformity. Yours is 1998 .
Les

 

[Morzine]

Hi,

Sent my email off to Dronsfields, will see what comes back.

Thanks for advice so far.

M

 

[Morzine]

Km/h to MPH

Hi Myros and others,

When I change the speedo over to a combined MPH/Km uk style what should be done regarding the mileage display?

Should I convert my current Km reading into miles and set the display to that?

Does using a UK speed automatically record the distances in miles or is there something to be adjusted on the car as it's currently running in Km/h?

My car has side indicators so no problem there, however headlights seem to be an issue. I read previously that the Xenons had a switch that could convert from LHD to RHD however my dealer seemed to think not and new ones would be needed, not cheap if I go for new.

regards,

 

[pascal]

The new model E class (W211) has that switch you mention. I am not sure about the W210. It moves the deflector. As a previous post, washers are required for all zenons in the UK.

 

[Morzine]

Washers I have, I guess i'd better take the back off the lights and see if I can find this switch.

Thanks,

M,

 

[JMOA]

Morzine, no SVA inspection ought to be required. You will need a certificate of conformity from MB UK, which will cost you about £100 or more (it was £80 for mine 4 years ago). You'll need a current TUV, and then you'll need to whack it in for an MOT straight away. You'll need an mph/km speedo. Get on to Mercman and Dronsfields now, and then you can fit it before you go for your MOT. You will need to activate the rh rear fog light, and adjust the headlights so they don't dazzle. I was amazed to be told that beam deflectors and judicious twiddling was satisfactory for LHD lights. ( of course, not satisfactory enough for me, I fitted RHD lights pretty quick)
You will also need side repeaters for the indicators, if not already fitted. germany lagged behind us on that one. Explore the mirror/indicator set-up, as that's probably better than cutting holes in your wing. You will then need all the documentation, german log book, your Zoll plate papers, and off to the local DVLA you go. Be prepared to wait a while. Theoretically your export plates are valid for a month from issue, but that validity ceases as soon as you reach your place of abode in the UK and you shouldn't use the car until it has UK registration. (MOT testing excepted). Despite a 48 hour turnaround on foreign registrations being promised, mine took 6 weeks.
If you are resident in Germany, you might not need export plates. Check with your local town hall/vehicles dept/customs office. If you don't need export plates, you should be okay to drive around on standard german plates until registered.
Unless it has all changed again in the interim.

Myros,

I just imported a brand new LHD C180K Sport Coupe with Xenon lights from Germany.

Do you know how I can switch the rear fog light from the near side to the offside?

Should I find the levers in the headlight housing to change the beam?

Many thanks

 

[television]

You do not need new lamps, I have put up the answer in the other thread. under SLK headlamps

Malcolm

 

[clive williams]

Morzine, no SVA inspection ought to be required. ....................
You will also need side repeaters for the indicators, if not already fitted. germany lagged behind us on that one. ................Unless it has all changed again in the interim.

Myros,
When I imported my 500E some six years ago, I didn't want to upset the classic bodywork so I sent all the paperwork off to the DVLA and claimed the the vehicle was a classic and showed them with photos that the existing front and rear indicators were visble from the side anyway, they accepted this with good grace and I proceeded to register the car.

I also changed the speedo by taking the face off and using yellow Letraset marked out the miles. Most people think that its original in the same way that we have kph marked on our mph speedos. I've therefore retained the authenticity of the original speedo/mileage readings.

Clive

500E
E320CDIT210

 

[sidmon]

Sorry to dig up an old reply but it's very relevant. I have an imported '96 W210 with early xenon headlights. I have had the cover off the back of the offside headlight and I cannot see any switch to change to RHD (I currently have a set of converter cover stickers on the lights brought on a recent trip to Deuschland). Also with regard to the foglights.....what side are English foglights supposed to be....and can I just use both foglight lenses if I got an additional bulbholder.

 

[sidmon]

Anybody????????????

 

[Legoman]

my car has no side repeaters and has only kph on the clock and is fine , has been in the country since 1995 and passed every mot.