I'm going to import a 55.
Hi folks,
2009 is the year. I've loved (apart from the bills) my 1990 230G for the past 5 years and now it's time to upgrade (i'll be handing him down to my son for his first car).
I've decided to import 55 from the states, I considered a 500 but I feel that I'd always regret not getting the 55 and as I intended to keep it forever the 55 will be a great collector's item in the years to come.
Has anyone else done the same thing and has any advice?
thanks
allow 10% import duty plus 15% vat on original purchase price, there are shipping and clearence charges to add to that too. however you are quering the fuel consumption of your 230 in another thread. wait until you have to fill a 55 mate :shock:
click onto "autoscout de" there are a Quantity of 52 AMG 55's for sale at the moment...cost it at GBP 1 = Euro 1!!!! and no import levy from the EU... one good thing is you can drive it home........
If you get a US G you will always have a grey import which may make it difficult if you ever need servicing or warranty work (which on a 55 you may well still be covered)
Also you will have those ugly side lights...
There are a couple around!
click on the links or copy and paste.
G55's below
http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/729208.htm
http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/719293.htm
http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/755465.htm
G500's below
http://www.exchangeandmart.co.uk/iad/motors/cars-for-sale/mercedes/g-cla...
http://www.exchangeandmart.co.uk/iad/motors/cars-for-sale/mercedes/g-cla...
click onto "autoscout de" there are a Quantity of 52 AMG 55's for sale at the moment...cost it at GBP 1 = Euro 1!!!! and no import levy from the EU... one good thing is you can drive it home........
Thanks for the timely reminder about Autoscout
A quick trawl through their site revealed a clutch of ex-military, soft-top Puch 230G "Wolf" GS automatics in what appears to be half reasonable condition. They are available from: Mil Trucks & Parts Trading Ralf Wolf, Bahnhofstrasse 18A, D77731 Willstatt, Germany.
Has anybody dealt with these people? Mind you, they do seem a wee bit pricey....
No, I mustn't get excited....and Mrs woman does like a plush interior...ah well, "toys for boys" I suppose. Back to the rocking chair! :roll:
They won't have issues servicing it, but they would likely have issues doing any warranty work.
Also remember that the US Gs have all the added bling and if you are the sort of person who would prefer not to have it then you will be filling holes in your body work.
The lights also won't be European spec - ie I *believe* the turn signals are always on as running lights.
What a dilemma!
About 18 months ago I looked into the same issue - 55 or 500? Import or not? In the end the 500 won out mainly on insurance, running costs (owning other AMG's it does get rather expensive when parts go wrong esp if your warranty is void in the UK)
The other issues is off roading - with the AMG they are slightly lowered AND the exhausts ends come out under the side step, thus reducing your clearance and ability to get it muddy!(not that I have seen any AMG G's off road! :lol: )
however if your looking at the 'mind blowing' 55K (510BHP) then, hey who am I to argue! If your looking at the 55 (348BHP) then the 500 (esp the new one that has a 5.5 V8) the performance is not that much different.
I will say that I was not as experienced in understanding the G's as I am now. But if your going to keep it for life then , hey sink the money into a really nice 'Euro' G as I think it will work out ,much less expensive in the medium to long term as MB UK are more likely to look after you/it (even though it will be a LHD...... :lol: )
The final point I see that there is a link for G Wagen for a Black 500, I have see this one and must say low mileage, well maintained and I think the LAST official RHD registered in the UK. If you get it of G-Wagen it will come with a 1 year warranty (that's where I got mine from)
Hope this helps
Spider1V
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interesting information. It would seem it's a game of exchange rates the $ are currently not on our side. The EU ones are not as cheap as the same in the US but there is a lot less hassle getting them here so it's swings and roundabounts.
I cannot imagine that MB UK would have a issue servicing a US 55 but there is always a risk, guess I should ask them. Thanks the the link to autoscout, most useful indeed