importing a 1984 300GD into the USA - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ducellier · #1 07-08-2010, 05:53 PM

yes indeed.

what does the average good condition 617 powered 300GD (short wheelbase) bring in the USA?? I'm thinking (and hoping) around $15000

looking at not too rusted, obviously used specimen. original motor and tranny of course, or I won't be able to get it in.

I am looking into importing a couple.
plenty room for transmissions and bumpers by the way. place your order in time!!

HDP

kerry · #2 07-08-2010, 06:25 PM

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38683&highlight=1982+Mercedes+Gel%E4ndewagen+300GD+98%2C000+miles+460+Series+hand+drive

300GD · #3 07-09-2010, 07:57 AM

Not much G info on this forum; you might try the G-class forum at pointedthree.

I'd be wary of the "not too rusted" part unless you've personally inspected the vehicles in question. Also be aware there is more demand for the long wheelbase versions, if you're just looking to re-sell.

ducellier · #4 07-13-2010, 04:54 PM

hmmm...
a decent 300GD starts at around 10000 euro's. 1650 to ship it. looking at $15000 until it gets to the US. Not sure if you can then still make a profit??

kolnerspieler · #5 07-13-2010, 08:21 PM

There is profit that you can make, but its not all that easy. I am originally from europe and have looked into this. I am not sure how easy it would be to profit, since these cars do not go selling all that fast. There is a guy here in Mass that is selling one for 17000 for over a year now. It is in really nice condition as well, so they do not sell all that crazy although a lower price might move it. It does cost around 1500 to ship it depending where but from hamburg Hafen to boston it would cost around that much. Another thing you have to do it pay an import company to import the vehicle since there are regulations to be followed when it comes to the border partrol. If the vehicle is less that 25 years of age you have to pay a tax on the vehicle, and if it is 25 years or older its tax free to import, but it still i trouble. It can be done, but it is not as clear cut as buy it in europe ship it here and sell it. You would want to look at the car, granted I have family that can look at cars for me but it still takes time to find a vehicle buy it and bring to a port for shipping. Then you have to have all the papers in order. The other thing is that the G model does not sell that cheap in europe either. A nice vehicle with a couple things here and there will be around 3000 euros which translated to about 4500 dollars.

kolnerspieler · #6 07-13-2010, 08:26 PM

http://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/search.html?usage=&isSearchRequest=true&editSearch=&lang=de&export=NO_EXPORT&sortOption.sortOrder=ASCENDING&damageUnrepaired=NO_DAMAGE_UNREPAIRED&sortOption.sortBy=price.consumerGrossEuro&scopeId=C&makeModelVariant1.makeId=17200&makeModelVariant1.modelId=152%2C151%2C153%2C154%2C155%2C156%2C157%2C158%2C160%2C159%2C161%2C68&maxPrice=5001&minFirstRegistrationDate=&maxMileage=&fuels=DIESEL&ambitCountry=&zipcode=

I did a quick search up to 5000 euros and there isnt that much.

300GD · #7 07-13-2010, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kolnerspieler

If the vehicle is less that 25 years of age you have to pay a tax on the vehicle, and if it is 25 years or older its tax free to import, but it still i trouble. It can be done, but it is not as clear cut as buy it in europe ship it here and sell it.

A vehicle under 25 years old would also have to be federalized (modified to meet USDOT/NHTSA specs for emissions and safety) before it can be legally registered here. I doubt you want to get involved with that.

So good luck finding an unrestored antique European car that isn't a rust-bucket, for around 1000 Euro, then importing and flipping it here, to the tune of $15K.

I assume you're also aware that in the W460 300GD, if the engine is original, it's a normally-aspirated OM617, rated at 88 hp. As in, under 100 hp in a 4500-lb truck! Extremely limited market for something like that here in the US, especially at the price level you have in mind.

IMHO, if this was such a hot business proposition, lots of people would probably be doing it already. Not to rain on your parade, just trying to be realistic.

#8 07-13-2010, 09:44 PM

I might work but it seems like an awful lot of effort to clear a couple $1000, especially if you have to float $5-10k.

ducellier · #9 07-14-2010, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kolnerspieler

There is profit that you can make, but its not all that easy. I am originally from europe and have looked into this. I am not sure how easy it would be to profit, since these cars do not go selling all that fast. There is a guy here in Mass that is selling one for 17000 for over a year now. It is in really nice condition as well, so they do not sell all that crazy although a lower price might move it. It does cost around 1500 to ship it depending where but from hamburg Hafen to boston it would cost around that much. Another thing you have to do it pay an import company to import the vehicle since there are regulations to be followed when it comes to the border partrol. If the vehicle is less that 25 years of age you have to pay a tax on the vehicle, and if it is 25 years or older its tax free to import, but it still i trouble. It can be done, but it is not as clear cut as buy it in europe ship it here and sell it. You would want to look at the car, granted I have family that can look at cars for me but it still takes time to find a vehicle buy it and bring to a port for shipping. Then you have to have all the papers in order. The other thing is that the G model does not sell that cheap in europe either. A nice vehicle with a couple things here and there will be around 3000 euros which translated to about 4500 dollars.

no way you find one for 3000... 6500 euro's buys you a rustbucket nowadays. and that is because there is this tax thing going on. if a vehicle is over 25 you don't pay the road tax anymore. which for a gd would be well over $200 a month... so what people do now is take a 25 year old chassis and put a new body and motor and all on top of it. since that just fits... then they happily drive a "classic" GD, tax-free and cheap to insure whilst it really is a 2006 model. hence the price for rustheap 25 year old gd's went up like crazy.
funny huh.

ducellier · #10 07-14-2010, 06:01 AM

indeed this is a stupid plan hahaha. better get the rustheap here, and a salvage 2006 gd in the states and do the swap. because the "swapped" 300GD's, the 2006 on an old chassis, go sky high in europe.. or in holland at least they do because they have the highest road tax.
60.000 isn't a strange price for one...