Has anybody shipped to, or owned a Benz in the Middle East? I have received a job offer from a company in Qatar and I wonder if I should take my Benz with me, sell it and buy another one at arrival, get a 4x4, or settle for a lesser car. I also wonder if it's going to be more expensive to maintain a Benz there and how the trouble-prone A/C is going to fare at 140 deg F. Is engine overheating going to be an issue? Is there a difference between the models/options available in Europe, North America and the Middle East? Any thoughts on the pros and cons would be appreciated. Shipping & insurance is approx. $2,000US.
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AK
87 260E
75 FIAT 124 Spider

With all of the sheiks driving them huge MB's (at least they do in the movies) you could probably get a used one dirt cheap there. I would assume that it would be set up to handle the heat as well. Just make sure that the power windows work so that you can roll down the window when it gets hot out.

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FrankieZ
84 500SEL EURO 87K
85 300D 267K (and still goin' strong)

Was over in UAE for some time. Mecedes-Benz have no probelm with the climate, the dealers are well equipped. As for gas/petrol prices, basically cheaper that water.
See the Dealer when you get there, they can do any required modifications to help handle the heat.


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Mercedes-Benz Master Guild - 2 years
Shop Foreman - 20 + years - dealer.
Part owner - MBZ Transmission remanufacture
2000 SL500
1995 E320
1989 300SE

TXBill,
I haven't moved yet, so I don't have the most up-to-date info. Historically, gasoline prices there have been approximately half of what we pay in Canada. Current price in Calgary is CAD 0.80/litre = USD 2.00/gallon of regular unleaded. Therefore I expect gasoline in Qatar to cost no more than USD 1.00/gallon these days (used to be USD 0.60/gallon)
AK

MB's are a big item in that region, service and parts are not a problem. However, the majority are very basic autos used for taxis or affordable transportation. Such things as power windows, seats and etc, may be difficult to service unless you are near an authorized dealer or service center.
As for buying one there, import duties are high for the citizen buying for private use. It may be worth it to take yours. You also need to find out about selling yours there when you leave. It may cost a bundle in duty or fees to sell. Check with the employer, they should have all this info for you. Ed

I have several friends who are originally from the Middle East and who have owned Mercedes vehicles when they lived there. Personally I would buy one when I got there. Just like some older European have more power due to less restrictive emmissions controls, the cars originally delivered there will likely have quite a bit more power. Each of my friends who owned a BEnz there, bought similar models when they arrived in Canada and said they could not believe the reduced power of the cars here. Also, as has been mentioned, these cars are big over there, parts and service are about as common as a 7-eleven here.



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Jason Priest
1986 420SEL

I have been in Dubai for about 13 years and we are about 300 miles East of Qatar with a similar climate, hot, hot and then hot some more. I have a 190e and a 500SEL and both run fine providing the basic spec. is suitable for the Middle East. Air conditioning is a must and if Qatar is anything like Dubai, there are some real bargains to be had. The general idea amongst the locals is " if it is not new, dump it ! " A 5 year old plus car can be had for a steal and with gas at $1 a gallon, the bigger the engine, the better ! I personally steer away from the dealers here for maintenance as there are plenty of other garage facilities available at a fraction of the price. My 2 cents worth, buy one locally and save a heap on shipping a car that might die in the heat anyway !