How to bring a car from Europe?

[Henryk]

Does anyone know where to find info about what is required to be able to import a car from Europe?

[kip Foss]

In 1983 I brought a BMW 3.0cs and a 1976 MB 280slc into the States from Dubai. It cost me about $4,000 each to convert them to US standard. It was a BIG hastle and in the end not really worth it. I understand that because of pressure from the major importers like MB and BMW, the the process of bringing in 'gray market' cars if very difficult now.
Most Euro car manufacturers have a program for allowing you to pick up one of their cars in Europe, tour around a bit, and ship it home. That way you get a US spec. car and the US dealers get credit and some profit from the sale.

If the car you want is pre 1972 (I believe that is the cutoff date) then you can bring it in without having to convert it to US spec. Younger than that you better get your check book ready.

You might contact the DOT (dept. of transport) or a local foreigh car repair shop. I doubt that you will get any help from the dealers since this type of deal costs them money.

Good luck

[Momo]

As I am considering a job offer in the bay area, I have looked, briefly, at moving my two MBs there from Switzerland. Swiss and Californian emissions standards have been the same for a long time, generally stricter than the rest of Europe, though they relaxed this a couple of years ago.

However, I still feel I would not do it. The reason is that Kelley Blue Book prices suggest I can sell both cars here and pick up identical cars for 30% less over there. (Yes, I know the E280 is not available, so I compared with the 320.) Swiss prices are among the lowest in Europe, so it should be safe to generalize.

Now, for collectors' items, I suppose the story might be different. New car price differences will depend on currency. The program already mentioned works for some people.

[kip Foss]

The emission standards are not the only thing to consider when bringing a Euro can to the US. They also require that the doors and bumpers be reinforced and the speedometer changed to MPH. At least they did in 1983 when I brought my cars over from the UAE. I doubt that the requirements have become more lax in the past 20 years.

Mostly I would say that it is not worth the effort to bring cars over. Check out WWW.collectorcartraderonline.com for MB prices in the US

[elau]

Not to discourage you, but there is an article you may want to read before doing so. It is in today's Washington Post.

It is about the founder of the Black Entertainment Television (BET), Robert Johnson who bought a Ferrari in Germany. It took him almost a year since he paid for the car till he finally got it into his garage because of government regulations. He got his car so quick because of the help of Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, and him being such an important figure in the Washington scene.

The article says that thousands of MB, BWM, Porsches from non-dealer network are sitting in the the lots all over the country waiting for gov't approval. The situation has gotten so bad that it takes more than 18 months to get your car out of the lot as oppose to 60-90 days three years ago.

[n2lw]

There are a few good threads in the archive on this subject.
Basically it is not worth the trouble importing a car less than 25 years old.

[Mark Pedersen]

It depends on the car as to whether its worth it. I had a Euro S600 Coupe done by JK Motorcars in Baltimore. They can quote prices for various models. They do excellent work. They actually write some of the EPA Manuals for conversion.

[Phire08]

Does the car have to be left side driven?
everything else is to spec
even emmisions
what woudl the shipping cost be? im paying 6300$ for it, very good condition, gray with red interior. 1964 mercedes 220s fintail

[POS]

If it's older than 25 years (1983 as of 2008), then you can bring it in easily - doesn't matter if it's LHDrive or RHDrive. Because the low value of the dollar, now is a good time to send cars out the of the US rather then try to bring them in.