Looking into a Euro E220 CDI
 

So I have a friend in Germany with a license to export cars....wouldn't a base-model diesel E-class be awesome?

I've been checking out E220 CDIs online, both W210s and W211s, seems that I could pick one up with cloth seats, manual AC, stickshift, no navigation--somewhat like a modern 240D! An E420 biturbo V8 CDI would be insanely cool, but their cost is prohibitive.

Shipping would be no problem, the exchange rate might present some difficulty, I'm not sure of ANY parts availability for Euro-only parts...what do you guys think? Fun project in the making? :D
I have a feeling my (somewhat lax) local DMV may let it slip through. They didn't recognize neither my E300 nor my Jetta TDI as diesels, and for Pete's sake the E300 even has "TURBODIESEL" spelled out on the trunklid. Diesels aren't required to be smogged in CA....I'm not sure about the EPA/CA emissions sticker requirements, though--that's something a Euro wouldn't have. Are there any DOT/EPA spec conversion requirements these days?

Any thoughts? Last summer I took an E220 CDI taxi (W210, stickshift) in Vienna, what an awesome ride!

It does not matter if the destination state tests for smog, it will not be let through the port unless it meets US safety and emissions requirements.
Unless you've got lots of cash and time, it's best to keep it a dream or it could end up a nightmare.

By the time all is said and done, you could probably buy an 05-06 E320 CDI for less.

That's exactly what I've been thinking. ;)
I'm just gonna have to wait for Mercedes, BMW, and VW/Audi to bring their diesel models over here in the next few years.

I'm hearing good things about the V12 TDI powered Audi Q7. ;)

http://www.vwvortex.com/artman/uploa...00_024_001.jpg

I know that you can take a car from many places in canada and register it here legally in california. A member here brought a B200 in, and its in southern california.


We are looking at bringing in an A-Class diesel from British Colombia. Shouldnt be too hard from talking to the people at the local DMV...


What part of Sacramento are you from? I am in Granite Bay.

I would actually not be discouraged so quickly about bringing that baby here...

Afterall the chassis is already imported to the usa (airbags, crash tests, already done with the E-classe)
...and the engine already exist here as well in on one of its iterrations in the Dodge Sprinter (now if i could get my greasy hands on one of these engine without the van, i would transplant it in a little 240D i have around!!!!).

No, the Sprinter gets the 5-cylinder version of this engine.

I've read that the C220 Bluetec will be imported to the USA in 2008. 170 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque -- pretty good for a 4-cylinder diesel. Also, 42 MPG!

http://www.automobilemag.com/new_and_future_cars/2008/0703_2008_mercedes_benz_c220_bluetec/

Better be in manual transmission this side of the pond :furious2:

I'm in Woodland--on the opposite side of Sac ;)
I have a son that attends Jesuit HS, that's why we got the TDI, for commuting.

Regarding importing a CDI, do you guys think it would be possible to bring in an E280? E-class chassis and 5cyl CDI used in the Sprinter? I'm pretty sure the authorities would like there to be stickers on the car stating EPA emissions and DOT crash-safety compliance.

How about finding a cheap E320 a wrecked Sprinter and swapping engines?

US and Canada have similar environmental, crash and safety requirements so import/export between our two countries is not much of a hassle, but from the other side of the pond would be different.

I am not sure even Canada gets the A class; I have not seen any here (in British Columbia). We have the B-class here but not with the diesel..except on my wish list.

Bringing the car into the US through Canada will not be possible, since Canada only allows current model year or cars >15 years old to be imported from all countries except the USA.

Is there any chance I can get the contact number for your friend? I would like to talk to him about exporting a car for me.