W124 Japan Import

robertdgcripps

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Feb 21, 2017
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STURMINSTER NEWTON
Your Mercedes
W124 Estate
Hi

I have wanted a W124 estate for a while and have just come across one which is my preferred spec. It is a 1994 E280 and it is through http://www.specialistcars.net who import the (supposedly very good condition) Mercedes from Japan and service/mot/waxoyl/swap over speedo if nessessary/ UK register the car as part of the deal. From what I understand it is a low milage, good condition car having been kept in Japan's dry climate and un salted roads (no rust). I have been dealing with the proprietor Kristian Geldard.

Has anyone bought a Jap import Mercedes at all or had any experience with Kristian Geldard or specialistcars.net? Apart from potential insurance complications, I can't see any bad points from buying one of these as they are high spec German built cars which tend to be in better condition than UK cars. There is history with the car too.
 

Some guy on the internet

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Your Mercedes
A few.
Low mileage Japanese imports will have racked up their mileage in mostly slow speed heavy traffic, a lot of it stop & go, which is very hard on the car's engine, tranny etc.

IME the best cars mechanically have been USED as they were designed to be used - serviced, warmed up & driven hard.
 

Flyinspanner

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Ruislip
Your Mercedes
CLK320-A209 (sold CL500 & W168)
My last car was a Japanese import, rust free, didn't have any issues with it in six years.
Insuring it was ok, actually it was one of the prolific brokers on this site who did it. (Knott)
(And it was a more tricky grey market version never sold in UK). Being RHD you will have no issues on parts.

Getting it waxoyled or Bilt Hamber treated would be a prudent move as cars supplied to JDM have lesser levels of factory protection due to their kind road conditions. (Maybe even attach a sacrificial zinc anode!)

JDM cars are usually high specced, so it may well have lots of toys, if it has a Japanese sat nav, they usually will not swap to English / uk maps.

Speedo is just an electronic converter and a paper speedo decal. Keep evidence of the change and the Kms swapped at, so you know the corrected mileage for future ref, it will rack up miles after the change.

Good luck with the purchase.
 
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robertdgcripps

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Feb 21, 2017
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STURMINSTER NEWTON
Your Mercedes
W124 Estate
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #4
specialistcars.net in Tockwith

has anyone come across specialistcars.net in Tockwith ?
 

MotardMan

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Apr 3, 2003
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Berkshire, UK
Your Mercedes
1995 E320T, S124, W124, Sportline
Hi

I have wanted a W124 estate for a while and have just come across one which is my preferred spec. It is a 1994 E280 and it is through http://www.specialistcars.net who import the (supposedly very good condition) Mercedes from Japan and service/mot/waxoyl/swap over speedo if nessessary/ UK register the car as part of the deal. From what I understand it is a low milage, good condition car having been kept in Japan's dry climate and un salted roads (no rust). I have been dealing with the proprietor Kristian Geldard.

Has anyone bought a Jap import Mercedes at all or had any experience with Kristian Geldard or specialistcars.net? Apart from potential insurance complications, I can't see any bad points from buying one of these as they are high spec German built cars which tend to be in better condition than UK cars. There is history with the car too.

How did you get on in the end?

I'm following the import route, but not the same importer...
 
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