Importing a car to Indiana - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

indybenz · #1 06-13-2022, 08:10 AM

Hello! I have a W123 I'm swapping an OM605 (inline 5 turbo diesel) into. I live in Scotland but am moving (home) to Indiana.

Just wondering if anyone out there has experience with registering an 'oddball' car in Indiana?! I'd imagine it will be a royal pain in the keester.

Also any recommendations on shipping companies? My research has led me to Golden Chariots 'RORO' (roll on roll off) from Southampton, UK, to Baltimore, MD, with a turnaround of 30 days for $1,000 (or higher as it seems to have gone up in the last month...Ukraine war/fuel price related?!).

Any insights welcome, and stupid comments will be read but ignored and perhaps responded to with bad forum Karma, eternal automotive Gremlins, and general bad juju.

barry12345 · #2 06-13-2022, 08:33 AM

In effect and some time ago. See no reason it has changed. As a Canadian if I decide to reside in America. I am not allowed to take my diesel car with me. You really should check with American customs and get it in writing that you can import your diesel car.

Personally I would not expect a big issue getting it registered in Indiana once in the country. I just supect it should not be hard. Yet that is just my opinion.

There are some oddities out there that can suprise people. One of our son in laws returned from duties in Scotland many years ago. With a right hand side drive jaguar E type roadster. England for example does not allow that car to be imported back. Unless things have changed.

t walgamuth · #3 06-13-2022, 09:14 AM

I don't have any fact to offer on the international exchange. Registering it in Indiana should be no problem. It will have to have a police officer examine it to be sure it is not stolen, a generally easy task.

indybenz · #4 06-13-2022, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barry12345

In effect and some time ago. See no reason it has changed. As a Canadian if I decide to reside in America. I am not allowed to take my diesel car with me. You really should check with American customs and get it in writing that you can import your diesel car.

Personally I would not expect a big issue getting it registered in Indiana once in the country. I just supect it should not be hard. Yet that is just my opinion.

There are some oddities out there that can suprise people. One of our son in laws returned from duties in Scotland many years ago. With a right hand side drive jaguar E type roadster. England for example does not allow that car to be imported back. Unless things have changed.

Thanks for your input.

indybenz · #5 06-13-2022, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

I don't have any fact to offer on the international exchange. Registering it in Indiana should be no problem. It will have to have a police officer examine it to be sure it is not stolen, a generally easy task.

Hey maybe I'll meet you some day if you're in Lafayette and into autocross :-) Thanks T

t walgamuth · #6 06-13-2022, 10:34 AM

I am looking forward to meeting you!

indybenz · #7 06-16-2022, 06:02 AM

So not sure what is going on with either the PP site or my computer but it's taking ages to load PP and attach pictures.

Anyways I found a solution which is to wait til 2023 to ship the engine (a few months) when it will be 25 years old.

I can export/import the 240D now and get it ready for the swap in Indiana.

Anyone know definitively how to read MB engine codes for date of manufacture? I found several sources but nothing definitive.

Here is what's stamped on the block:

P.C. · #8 06-16-2022, 01:42 PM

Wondering if the Euro VIN will create some headaches when trying to find US automobile insurance coverage...

t walgamuth · #9 06-16-2022, 04:51 PM

my insurance company doesn't care.

indybenz · #10 06-22-2022, 07:01 PM

So this thread has gone a bit cold, but as an update I've learned that any 'bare' engine can be shipped to the US, but it is the responsibility of the installer to make it EPA compliant. Not sure how they check this. So my plan is to crate it and put it in the container with our other household goods for shipping UK>US. So that's good news! I'll get the 240 ready for a Roll on Roll off trip across the ocean, and drive it from Baltimore to Indy once it arrives. I'm swapping out the coolant for Mercedes blue stuff, changing the power steering fluid and filter, and addressing 'reliability' issues as much as possible now so that it can be a winter car in Indiana...until I park it and swap engines. Thanks for reading!