imported mercedes
 

has anyone on forum has done this, import a used benz from euro or asia(japan in particular)

share the experince, i see so many unique and rare amg, even babus mercedes, w126, w124, etc

I have a 1989 W124 260e which was an original export to the Japan market. In 2003 the car was ordered through a Japanese broker and exported to Australia.

The car has low miles - (90,000 miles) No rust and the body work and interior are - well - like new. However sometimes the mileage is not a good indicator of actual ware and tear particularly if the car has been owned by a big company executive. Big bosses generally have drivers who sit in the cars with the engine running and the AC on cooling the car down ready for a cool journey.

Often cars have never been driven over 50 mph or have spent most of their life in stop start city traffic - with the AC on.

Japan is a right hand drive country. Cars especially made for that market are in RHD config.

Cars from Singapore have never been over 50 mph (Speed limit). AC running at all times. Stop start driving. - Tropical problems.
Cars from Hong Kong have similar traits to Singapore - just not so tropical
Both RHD countries.

The tropics are not kind to electronics.

Japan had some private import exotics - AMG Brabus etc etc.

My car may only have 90,000 miles however here is a list of repairs made in the last few months.

Water pump
Auto transmission replaced
FPR and OVP
Electrical leads - coil, rotor, distributor cap, leads and plugs.
Fuel pumps, and fuel filters
Fan clutch,
Tie rods, front struts and rear shockers and mounts.
Replaced injectors (because I had a set lying around)
Temp sensors x 2
Oil pressure switch.
Thermostat and hoses

Heating system has a vacuum leak yet to find
Heating system duo valve requires replacement
Cruise control not working - replaced amp with spare, - still requires replacement sender.
Alternator bearing is shot - needs replacement alternator - repair costs more than replacement.

Just my two cents.

This is a very good example of why you should put your location in your profile. Where do you want to bring the car to? Is it safe to say that you are in the U.S?

Bruce Mendel on this forum has done this on several occassions, I believe. He goes under "brucem105".

The EPA and DOT have very specific regulations that MUST be followed to achieve a legal vehicle, but this is only in the US.

Upon which part of this planet do you reside, and into which country would you like to import this vehicle. Regulations vary, specifics ARE required. Otherwise, the answer is: could be easy, could be difficult, depending upon........ location.

in particular speaking of older cars w124 123 126 and such
exotic brabus amg etc

25 year wait for US importation of foreign models not certified by DOT or NHTSA. Otherwise the car will be held in US Customs until it is brought into compliance by a bonded importer who can certify the "federalizaiton" of the vehicle.

Several dealers on Canada's west coast specialize in importing MB's and various other brands from Japan (LHD and RHD).

I have not bought one myself but there seems to be a decent market for them.

Suggest googling and see what happens.

jb