Possible trip to Europe to pick up a car, and stuff it full of parts to ship back - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ROLLGUY · #1 08-30-2016, 03:17 PM

I have the opportunity to travel to Europe (England specifically) with a friend to pick up a car (W124 wagon) with the intent to stuff it full of parts before sending it back to California. He is going on the trip regardless if I go or not, and the plan is still the same (fill it with parts). Lord willing, I will go and participate in the gathering of parts and selling them when the car returns to the port here in CA. We were thinking mostly about Euro bumpers and lights (123), and maybe some VW things for his friends. I am sure we will eventually sell everything we bring back, but I would like to know what parts would be of interest to this community for us to stuff the car with. Obviously we are doing this to make a profit, and pay for the trip, but also to be able to provide some desired parts at a decent price to our friends here. We are also planning to tour other parts of Europe with the car before stuffing it and it's contents into the container to be shipped back here.
So, what would you all like to see us bring back?

disqo · #2 08-30-2016, 03:37 PM

Rear Euro wagon bumpers and French headlights.

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dieselbenz1 · #3 08-30-2016, 03:37 PM

Headlights used on right hand drive cars are not the same as for left handed drivers a friend bought some and was real disappointed when he could not aim them properly.

David Hendy · #4 08-30-2016, 05:13 PM

Just as an FYI, and a caveat, I have brought 3 cars from the UK to the USA, and each time the shipping company made me empty the car.

That is just my experience. I'm pretty sure it will be different if you load the cars into a container.

Good luck with it anyway.

spock505 · #5 08-30-2016, 05:27 PM

Be sure to let us know when your coming, would be cool to meet up plus one or two bits from parts car which might be of use.

ROLLGUY · #6 08-30-2016, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spock505

Be sure to let us know when your coming, would be cool to meet up plus one or two bits from parts car which might be of use.

It will be sometime in October, we are planning to be gone about 2 weeks. Of course a trip to the Mercedes-Benz Museum is part of the itinerary as well....Rich

ROLLGUY · #7 08-30-2016, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Hendy

Just as an FYI, and a caveat, I have brought 3 cars from the UK to the USA, and each time the shipping company made me empty the car.

That is just my experience. I'm pretty sure it will be different if you load the cars into a container.

Good luck with it anyway.

My friend does this often. He works close with the shipping company all the time.

DieselPaul · #8 08-30-2016, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Hendy

Just as an FYI, and a caveat, I have brought 3 cars from the UK to the USA, and each time the shipping company made me empty the car.

That is just my experience. I'm pretty sure it will be different if you load the cars into a container.

Good luck with it anyway.

My experience has been the same. US customs website also says somewhere "your car is not a shipping container and cannot be shipped with personal effects in it"

I'll try to find the verbiage.

If the OP knows someone who will allow it and consistently gets away with it, then fill 'er up. But when my cars came from Japan they wouldn't even send the factory parts to the car itself in it.

But that was for RoRo shipping.

BWhitmore · #9 08-30-2016, 07:35 PM

Rich - make sure to visit the Classic Center in Fellbach. Call Irvine and they can make the arrangements for you.

97 SL320 · #10 08-30-2016, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DieselPaul

US customs website also says somewhere "your car is not a shipping container and cannot be shipped with personal effects in it"

Suddenly I have visions of a mini van filled with typical kid junk and your caption below it.. . .

Stretch · #11 08-31-2016, 12:35 AM

I say plan your trip and start looking for spares now. The American impression that Europe is paved with cheap Mercedes spares is not correct.

Pirublues · #12 08-31-2016, 02:58 AM

My Belgian friend goes to Germany few times a year to buy parts for his cars. He never seems to be able to find any w123 stuff. If he does, it's in **** shape.

Stretch · #13 08-31-2016, 04:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pirublues

My Belgian friend goes to Germany few times a year to buy parts for his cars. He never seems to be able to find any w123 stuff. If he does, it's in **** shape.

Yep since the "run it on chip fat" days the amount of W123 stuff available has dropped off incredibly in Holland too.

W201 and W124 parts are slowly running out too

Now if you want any W202 stuff there might still be a few of those kicking about if they haven't already rusted away.

cho · #14 08-31-2016, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stretch

I say plan your trip and start looking for spares now. The American impression that Europe is paved with cheap Mercedes spares is not correct.

Hear Hear !!

.

spock505 · #15 08-31-2016, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

It will be sometime in October, we are planning to be gone about 2 weeks. Of course a trip to the Mercedes-Benz Museum is part of the itinerary as well....Rich

Cool, I'll send across contact details - where about's is the 124 wagon for collection?

Dollar strong against pound/euro..should help cost wise.