Hi

Anyone ever put together the prices for getting an MB diesel into the US? I'm talking shipping, importer fees and duties.

This would also be for a model that comes in under the EPA and NHTSA radars, e.g. a 1980 model that satisfies the EPA 21 year exemption and the NHTSA 25 year exemption.

People are selling these rare beasts this side of the pond for $15K+ and they sell for often under 5K€ in DE.

If shipping and other fees are under $5K, could be well worth it (notwithstanding exchange differences).

Thanks

__________________
1982 300TD 210K miles ("The Replacement" aka "The Anvil") - SOLD
1979 300SD 245K miles (never ending project)
2007 Pinarello F3:13
1995 Ducati 916 (SOLD, sniff)
1999 Ducati 900SSie (SOLD)

That's an interesting thought, the ones here are usually overpriced for the condition. I don't know what would be involved in importing one, but I assume it could be done for under $5K.

Well, my last foray into this area was working with an importer in Baltimore. He scared the begeezus out of me with all of the costs for diesel testing, duties, etc, but said if it's 25 years old it changes everything (per NHTSA regulations).

I reckon there's a pretty steady market for them on ebay DE..certainly steadier than the overpriced garbage that comes up here.

__________________
1982 300TD 210K miles ("The Replacement" aka "The Anvil") - SOLD
1979 300SD 245K miles (never ending project)
2007 Pinarello F3:13
1995 Ducati 916 (SOLD, sniff)
1999 Ducati 900SSie (SOLD)

the G's are overpriced too here in Europe. You may find some cheap ones, but those are first generation, worn, rusty and no extras.
The good ones are already in collectors hands and the last generation are way too expensive (those with CDI engines and fully equipped).
The situation is similar to what happened with the UNIMOGs.
I can give you some examples if interested (tell me what you are looking for).

Tom fromWestCoastGermany

Thanks for the offer Tom.

I'm looking for 1980-82 GD, preferably 4 door extended version, manual transmission (which is all I've seen on ebay).

It's all relative on the overpricing. Any GD this side of the pond from that era is asking for $15K or more. The ones I've seen on ebay look relatively clean (though we all know the risks there) and seem to rarely crest 5K euros.

Cheers

Bob

__________________
1982 300TD 210K miles ("The Replacement" aka "The Anvil") - SOLD
1979 300SD 245K miles (never ending project)
2007 Pinarello F3:13
1995 Ducati 916 (SOLD, sniff)
1999 Ducati 900SSie (SOLD)

Bob,

try www.mobile.de and www.autoscout24.de for prices depending on condition and model. There is also a G-Club somwhere in the www.

Tom

Try www.keisermotors.com

Your best bet would be to find one in Canada then have someone migrating to the US bring it in as a personal car.

Last year I saw a 250GD (or was it a newer 290GD?) for sale in Vancouver. Seemed well worth the C$18K they were asking for it compared to the ratty 300GDs for sale in the US.

Sixto
93 300SD

No matter what, it's going to cost $$$$ to get a GD into the usa.

Best bet is to find one that's already here.

Yeah, that was my first assumption having looked into importing a Ducati 916 here a few years back. I thought the 25/21 year NHTSA/EPA exemptions would help a lot on the costs though...

__________________
1982 300TD 210K miles ("The Replacement" aka "The Anvil") - SOLD
1979 300SD 245K miles (never ending project)
2007 Pinarello F3:13
1995 Ducati 916 (SOLD, sniff)
1999 Ducati 900SSie (SOLD)

What about converting a US spec gasser by dropping in a 617? It wouldn't be original, but it would probably work.

hmm, a possibilty I suppose. Does anyone know if the transmission on the gassers will mate up with a 617? Are the 617's in the GD's tuned the same? I assumed they had a bit more low end power than their 123 counterparts.

Guess would have to swap out or modify instrument panel (as per other posts I've seen talking about this type of mod.)

__________________
1982 300TD 210K miles ("The Replacement" aka "The Anvil") - SOLD
1979 300SD 245K miles (never ending project)
2007 Pinarello F3:13
1995 Ducati 916 (SOLD, sniff)
1999 Ducati 900SSie (SOLD)