help importing 300e to canada from USA - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

kosracing · #1 01-02-2008, 05:49 PM

Hi there I am new to this site was wondering if anyone has imported a 1996 to 2002 300e to canada. was looking at buying one from the US but checked mercedes web site and they say all 300e are not admissable to canada. My question is why and is there changes that can be made to make admissable? Want to purchase a 300e diesel 96 or newer
thanks gary

PaulC · #2 01-02-2008, 07:02 PM

I suspect a difference in spec between U.S. and Canada-market vehicles is the culprit. One issue is the speedometer which should show the metric (KPH) numbers as the predominant numbers on the dial. Also, Daytime Running Lights are required in Canada. Certain control and indicator markings that are written in English on U.S. spec cars must be changed to symbols for Canada-bound vehicles (to accomodate non-English-speaking drivers).

I'm sure the above does not represent a complete list.

A264172 · #3 01-02-2008, 07:11 PM

Your best bet is to find a Mercedes dealership local to the car you are considering, then call them with the vin# They can advise you as to the cost of conversion. As best I have been able to determine, the dealership is the agent that would prepare the paperwork and is the only authority able to certify the car for export.

kosracing · #4 01-02-2008, 09:06 PM

thanks for the help I think thats what I will do. By the way how are the mercedes diesel for dependabilty? My daily driver is a vw tdi any comparison?

Jim B. · #5 01-02-2008, 10:03 PM

Fill out your profile under your user name so we know where you are from and what kind of car you have

Tips can be found on www.canadiandriver.com

Back in 1980 if you were an American immigrating to Canada, they can bring in at least one car as "settler's effects" ...or so a Chrysler dealer in Victoria, BC told me, anyway.......

rickg · #6 01-03-2008, 06:07 AM

there used to be a couple forum members from Canada here a couple years ago that had the import USA to Canada thing down pat that could help you with that, but I don't think they're around anymore. It can be done, but is a paperwork nightmare. You have to know who to see, and what buttons to push.

arvy · #7 01-03-2008, 09:32 AM

Attached is a link to Mercedes-Benz Canada's list of admissible vehicles...
http://www.mercedes-benz.ca/index.cfm?id=6872

You may also want to see Transport Canada's list of admissible vehicles...
http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/importation/VAFUS/list/VAFUS.pdf

Basically, any vehicle over 15 yrs. old can be imported with minimal fuss. However, vehicles younger than 15 yrs. have to comply with Transport Canada and the Registrar of Import Vehicles (www.riv.ca).

The following lists the major differences between Canada and US vehicles standards...
Exerpts from:
Canadian Automotive Partnership Council
Regulatory Harmonization Working Group
Progress Report - May 4, 2007
http://capcinfo.ca/english/reports/d...egHarmon_e.pdf

and

Vehicle Manufacturers in the North American Environment
Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America
Canadian Automotive Partnership Council
June 2005
http://capcinfo.ca/english/reports/r...05.html#impact

- Canadian standards stipulate an impact to the front or rear of the vehicle at 8 km/h (5 mph) and pendulum impacts on the corner of the vehicle at 4.8 km/h (3 mph). The Canadian test allows for minimal exterior damage as long as there is no damage to or degradation of the performance of the overall vehicle safety systems or vehicle performance.

- The U.S. standard, by comparison, requires front and rear impacts at 2.5 mph (4.0 km/h) and pendulum corner impacts at 1.5 mph (2.4 km/h) - only half the speed of Canadian tests. The U.S. test permits no damage or permanent deformation of the vehicle, other than cosmetic scratches on bumper covers and sight shields.

- Most new vehicles sold in Canada are currently equipped with immobilizers, which can shut the vehicle down or prevent the vehicle from operating if the ignition is by-passed. These immobilizers meet the level of performance required by Transport Canada, and it is felt that most of those vehicles currently not equipped will either soon be so-equipped or those models will be discontinued. In spite of this situation and extensive discussions towards an MOU (ed. Memorandum of Understanding), Transport Canada has amended the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations to require immobilizers (ed.to Transport Canada standard) on all new vehicles under 4 356 kg gross vehicle weight, starting with the 2008 model year (effective September 1, 2007).

donbryce · #8 01-03-2008, 09:46 AM

I went down to Boston area last October and brought home my 560SL. There is a LOT to learn here, but I'll cut right to the chase.....Firstly, if the car is less than 15 years old, you'll need to go through some hoops to have changes made to bring it into compliance with the b*****t regulations under the RIV program (Registrar of Imported Vehicles), mostly bumper brackets, daytime running lights, speedometer KPH stickers, stuff like that.
Secondly, if the car is a Mercedes, and is less than 15 years old, only Mercedes can make the changes (everyone else, almost, can have Canadian Tire do the work)(no, I'm not kidding)....Well, you think, that's reasonable....but wait, there's a set rate to make these modifications from Mercedes: about $7000.00!!!!!

When we brought our '86 560SL to Calais ME for the 3 day wait (for US Customs to check vehicle for theft)(again, lots to learn here), there was a beautiful '96 SL sitting on the lot. I asked the lot owner about it, and he said it had been there for 3 years and he had just recently bought it from the owner, who was from Nova Scotia. The guy had purchased it in Florida, didn't do his homework, and had to unload it...for about what I had paid for mine.
Here's a couple of links to get your research started. You won't find this outrageous conversion fee from Mercedes though. I learned this from the guy at the storage place, and have since had it mentioned on several other forums
http://www.importcartocanada.info/
http://www.riv.ca/english/html/how_to_import.html

kosracing · #9 01-03-2008, 02:32 PM

Its funny you mention impact bumper regulations I work at trade school in alberta(specificlly in the Automotives and Heavy equipment area).We often get cars donated from many different manufactures to be used for what have you. Last year we had one of the schools facultys do a project on 5kph front and rear impact crash tests to find out how various models faired. It was suprising to see the results. I beleive 1 model made it within the $500.00 range (assuming you could find someone to paint and prep a bumper for $500.00). The worse case was a border line right off with structural trunk pan and quater panel damage. In seeing these results first hand it seems as though this is an out dated or maybe a third world country(cheap labour) law.
Getting back to import rules it sounds as though the 15 year rule is the way to go? maybe I will wait tell a 96 300e is 15yrs old. I wonder how a 15yr old car becomes magiclly safe and compliant to canada standards...
thanks gary

arvy · #10 01-03-2008, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donbryce

there's a set rate to make these modifications from Mercedes: about $7000.00!!!!!

That may or may not include the cost for Mercedes Canada's "Letter of Admissibility". MB Canada can confirm price. There is also a cost to do the safety estimate; according to MB Canada, "Estimates for safety certification work are only available through an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer in Canada (charges may apply)."

kosracing · #11 01-03-2008, 09:43 PM

well tonight I took a serial number off a car for sale on ebay and sent it off to mercedes to see what all they will tell me. by the sound of some of the feed back Iam starting to think it would be better to buy 15 years or older

arvy · #12 01-03-2008, 10:15 PM

Let us know how it goes. Good luck!

zr one · #13 01-08-2008, 08:59 PM

i planing on importing a 93 500e when its 15years old,from usa to canada,but mb lists the 92-94 500e inadmissible.im confussed??
help anyone?

DuckMuck · #14 01-09-2008, 12:07 AM

zr one, I think the reason why the 92-94 500E is not importable is because the US model was not equipped with Daytime Running Lights...that is it...Canadian W124 models do not have specific DRL's, but have the low beams hardwired so it is always running...I think that is pretty much it...US cars, in terms of speedometers on the W124, have the kph in the inner ring...so that is fine...

zr one · #15 01-09-2008, 12:39 AM

thanks duck muck,but it doesnt matter if there 15yearsor older...does it?