IMPORTS

[mw_c32amg]

Looking thro this and other forums I am getting very mixed messages about importing cars from europe. Mine happens to be one of them. I would like to point out that I saved very little on the price of the car but I got it quicker and perhaps a slightly higher spec than I would have had from a UK dealer. My car is full UK specification and the log book states new at first registration with no reference to it being imported. My experience thro a broker was spot on and no problems whatsoever, from paying a small deposit to collection took about 10 days. However I am concerned about the response I will get when or if I have a problem (none yet but only done 1500miles) or need help with extras etc,etc.
My questions are:
How many of you guys have got an imported car?
Any problems with dealers giving the cold shoulder treatment?
Have you sold on an imported car?

I would just like to add that I did test drive one of these cars b4 buying and my import is everything as good as a UK car no diff whatsoever, and I am very very happy with it.
Look forward to ur responses.
TA.

 

[piestore]

Hi

Imports are fine as long as you are sure of the spec, there were several instances of importing the new SL (230) only to find out the import had no command ( standard on UK car ). You say your car is UK spec then there is no difference between the models, the only difference being in warrenty cover and resale value. UK cars have 3 years unlimited mileage, recent imports 2 years (unsure of mileage) but resale value tends to be reduced, although once the Uk car is out of warrenty it makes absolutly no difference.

 

[Aletank]

I noticed in my local dealer, Road Range - Liverpool, On the service desk reception a notice saying somethin like -

IMPORTED CARS - Please let us know if your car is a import BEFORE servicing work is carried out due to the differences in warranties.

If i had a import I'm not sure if i'd be wary or this or not, would they go lookin for work just to penilise you for not buying from a UK dealer ? :twisted:

 

[mw_c32amg]

Thanks for ur replies, keep them comin.
It seems like the warranty is the issue then!!!
I know that I have only got a 2 yr warranty which is pan european and also covered by mobilo life. I figured if its gonna go wrong it will within these 2 yrs although sods law 25 months then breakdown. However I will take out a third yr warranty by a third party company if I still have the car then.
Also "The difference in warranties" bit, maybe that only refers to the 2/3yr thing and not whats covered, I'll look into that, but surley the dealer should be able to tell from the chassis number where the car was from?

 

[Tony]

I think the warranty is the main issue. Dealers will probably try to knock money off when you trade it in also. I think the only way you can tell it's an import (apart from the original invoice) is the stamp in the service voucher book. There's a code for the dealer that did the pre-delivery check. For UK cars this should be a UK dealer. So I think a garage can tell if it's an import without being told.

 

[toady]

www.micronetshowrooms.com www.scidirect.co.uk and www.alliancecarimports.co.uk will save you a packet on new UK dealer prices for most prestige brands so it may be worth a go.

 

[Spike]

Toady,

If you want to retain any credibility then I suggest you modify your signature to reflect your true position.

 

[clegsr]

For info I bought my last C250TD estate via a personal import direct from MB in Boblingen, I saved about 20 - 25% due to exhange rate differences ( it was before the Euro ).

I got a great spec and most of the saving was on the option pricings. I only got 12 months warranty but never had any problems getting servicing and also had many times the Main dealer/MB gave me "goodwill" repairs out of warranty just the same as a "normal" UK purchase. - I kept it 5 years and traded it in via non franchised MB dealer. The dealer did whinge a bit about it being an import - particularly as mine had import on the log-book, but any reduction he gave me was not a match for my inital cost saving. However, I doubt that would be the case for a newer car/ main dealer. - (keeping your servicing main deal stamped is much more important)

-My main reason for doing it at the time was the changes in exchange rate between the DM/£, i.e the DM was getting cheaper and yet MB were trying to put their car prices UP! - they were so taking the P*ss and the dealers were giving me the usual 3% discount crap that I KNEW there was a better deal out there...

 

[mw_c32amg]

Good to hear a positive reply.
As you say, I did save on the options lists and overall this amounts to around 10% on the equivalent UK supplied car inc purchase price as no dealer that I contacted would discount. I have got 2 yrs warranty.
And I got the car within 10 days.
Good to hear about dealers after care/servicing too.
Still enjoying my motor, off to Southport for the weekend see if I can get the mpg into the 20's.

 

[joe bloggs]

Strange message for Roadrange to have on their desk as a dealer can tell very easily from the chassis No. exactly where the car came from. Most service departments don't have a problem with imports (its all valued work) Sales guys get a bit miffed if they see one, and as most dealers are run by promoted sales guys (who knows why??,) this usually affects the service side indirectly. We just don't tell them.
Warranty now is 2 years full stop for an import, DCUK will look at UK cars well after the 3 years are up, and are generally very generous. European Union cars have the 4 year full mobilo / 30 year recovery - rust perforation cover also (but still only 2 years warranty.)subject to dealer service history.

 

[bbnboy]

Bought my A160 via MB dealership in Stuttgart in 1999. I had arranged for the car to have full UK specs (plus options) so that I could compare with UK prices. Picked the car up from MB Customer Center (Bobingen). It was a fantastic experience. Service and friendliness of the people at Stuttgart and at Bobingen were superb. By comparison, most MB dealerships I've visited here are pretty unhelpful and snooty. Even after I had paid the VAT here and taken into account flight and hotel costs, I saved about £4000 (25-30% off UK price).
The car is registered as new in the UK. First service was when holidaying in Ireland. MB Wexford serviced it and absolutely no problems. Next service was MB Crawley; they complained that my car was an import and that the wiper blades were not standard (?) and wouldn't replace them. MB Brighton serviced it next. They knew it was an import as I was considering a trade in for C Class - they were not interested. They replaced the wiper blades - no complaints by them! My wife was considering a 4x4 and I enquired about trading in the AClass at a Nissan dealer. They said it was an import and would not give me the 'full' price.
Last service? Halfords. On the plus side, just before the 3 year warranty was due to expire, MB Brighton replaced some shock absorber parts under warranty.

Will I buy import again? If the saving is likely to be thousands of pounds, yes. But I'd probably arrange to be on holiday somewhere in Europe when the servicing is due!
:lol:

 

[VinRaj]

The are sum differnces with imports that some people dont notice. Cars have different ride heights dependent upon the intended country. UK cars tend to ride the lowest . Also air con systems tend be different. Cars intended for countries, say like South Africa/Saudi Arabia have better systems than uk systems.