importing a car from Europe

[redneckdr]

alright, here is the question--anybody know of a legal way to import a car from Europe which is NOT made to US DOT and EPA specs? on another thread we've been discussing VW diesels, and my OWMBO (One Who Must Be Obeyed) would like to have a Passat diesel. problem???only sold in Europe. someone on the other thread said he thought there was a provision in the US to allow a one time only in lifetime waiver of the regs to bring in one car. anybody know if this is true? any way to find out? any help appreciated!!!

 

[Dr.Kayak]

I do not think the waiver of the regs. is true. I was stationed in Germany 10 years ago. The rule back then was ALL vehicles had to meet U. S. safety standards. This usually evolves: adding steel panels to the doors, replacing the glass and headlights. Vehicles more than 5 years old did not have to meet EPA standards.



People generally took 5 year old cars home from Germany. It is sometimes impossible to convert an engine to meet EPA standards. I know of people who destroyed the engine on a $50k Porsche trying to convert it to EPA standards.

 

[Riflesmith]

Go to www.tdiclub.com and post your question there. They have plenty of people there who would know. I belive that I read on this site that it is not possible. I drove a Passat TDI on a trip to Europe last year. They are incredible vehicles. I would have brought it home with me but it wouldn't fit in my suitcase.

 

[BCFAST]

There is nothing so rediculous as a "one-time-only" law. The ONLY way you can get a Europe-Only car here leagally is to register the car in the other country and bring it to the States on a 1-year Visa. At the end of each and every year, the car must PHYSICALLY leave US soil while a visa renewal is approved. Take the car to Canada, Mexico or the Bahamas for a week's vacation!

 

[redneckdr]

European car

BCFast, i didn't mean to stir up something. one of the responders on the other thread suggested i ask the question specifically like this. i know you had rtesponded on the other thread, and i thank you. i think that would be too much hassle in the long run... ah well, it was a thought... the Jetta is just a bit small for our "family car"... ... ... . me, the missus, 2 german shepherds, and a mutt..... my OWMBO is still thinking about it however. sure would like to have another turbo diesel in the family. that would make 4... . gotta love 'em.

 

[BCFAST]

The visa thing is a PITA! LOL... heck, you can buy a turbo diesel/stick shift ANYTHING over there... how about a BMW 740i with a 4. 0 td V8?? Gobs of torque, quiet and good economy! VW is comming with the new W8 motor in the Passat this fall... . it's a gasser, but sounds pretty cool! I owned a 2000 Passat with the 1. 8t motor... what a wonderful car.

 

[MABurns]

There are exceptions but they only apply to antiques, and "vehicles imported for historical reasons". (Like a Russian GAZ that a friend was able to ship back).

 

[Alan Reagan]

As someone who is on the port almost daily, believe me, customs will seize the car until it is proven to meet the EPA standards. I've seen various cars seized waiting to figure out whether or not the owner will ship it back to Europe/Japan or spend the money to "upgrade" the emissions system.

 

[csutton7]

pull the engine--ship the car---tear apart the engine and ship the engine in pcs(one crate)---seems to me I heard if you ship stuff in parts you can get it here----as for registration once it's back together--I haven't a clue and am not totally sure of the above, more research on your end is needed or input from the guru's--chris

 

[Alan Reagan]

It's not a problem to get it here. The problem is getting the car or pieces out of customs. They will seize anything that doesn't meet the criteria for import into the US. If the engine is shipped separately, it could still be seized if it did not meet standards for the US. Maybe do it a piece at the time but ... .....

 

[JHansen]

Thought I had a brainwave for you Herb-at one time I'm pretty sure they sold a diesel Passat here in Canada. Unfortunately a quick trip to VW's website doesn't list it anymore. Too bad-that would have made things quite a lot easier for you. Oh well, it was worth a try... ...



Jason

 

[RedRam1]

I'm the guy who advised Herb to post this thread. Around twenty years ago there was indeed a "one time only" law pertaining to importing cars from europe. I was just a young punk fresh out of college at the time, and did not personally import any cars, but I know of several instances where guys brought in european spec cars under this provision. This was a long time ago, and now that I think about it I believe Dr. Kayak is right about the cars having to be 5 old to qualify.



Here's the story in case anyone wonders how I know this without ever having actually brought in a car myself. Back in the early '80's, my buddy and I owned a couple of DeTomaso Pantera's, we tore down the ZF transaxle out of one of the cars, and couldn't figure out how to get it back together correctly (those things are complicated as h@ll). Anyway, we finally located a guy who knew about ZF transaxles. This fellow was in the exotic car repair & importing business, and we started hanging out in his shop checking out all the cool cars. He performed all of the DOT & EPA mods necessary to certify a european car for use in this country, and Dr. Kayak is right about having to add steel reinforcements to the doors, change the lights, etc. He also had to add smog pumps, EGR, catalytic converters and such to meet EPA regs. After making all the EPA mods, you had to run on an emissions dyno to verify you were clean enough... this guy kenw all sorts of tricks to get the cars to pass! Ferarri Boxers were the most popular car to import back then, even though you could already buy them stateside, the importing, and converting business seemed to be primarily for guys with more money than sense!



This same guy also advised folks on how to bring in cars under the once in a lifetime rule, or what ever it was called. This seemed to confuse the customs types, and just about everyone else, near as I could tell. I remember hearing about cars getting seized and so forth due to ignorance of the rules. Our buddy was always on the phone trying to help customers with all the customs red tape. However, I did see, with my own eyes, euro-spec cars in this guys shop that were imported and registered in this conutry without being converted. Again, Dr. K is probably right about the 5 year old business, so this law, if it's still in effect would not help Herb anyway.



Sorry for the long post, I think this one's a record for me, just wanted to set the record straight.

 

[redneckdr]

Passat

alright, guys, i an't givin' up yet. it prolly ain't gonna work, but i'm gonna ask a big VDub dealer some place, if he can import a passat diesel, and spec it for the us, then find out what it would cost. another option... ..... the TDI's are selling pretty well. maybe the OWMBO will drive a Jetta for a year or two. i'll bet we'll see the Passat diesel in some form brought back to the U S of A, in a year or two... .....

anyway, thanks for all the help , knowledge, and support. the other car my OWMBO likes is the Lexus RX 300. she keeps saying the little diesel doesn't compare... ... ..... i say yeah, but look at the difference in cost, and the mileage of the diesel... ... ... we'll see. i'll let ya know what she chooses. got my fingers crossed... ...

 

[Marco]

I think you have the same problems importing a European car into the States, like we have here importing American vehicles into Europe.



The light's for example are a simple part. Your turning light's are red, ours are yellow. Simple, take a clear bulb and paint it with a spray can. That's not the problem.



THE problem is EPA, like for us it's the new Euro III.

The problem is within the fact that the two standards are very different. But most likely an Euro III certified engine could nearly met your EPA standart. Nearly but not at all...

Nothing some ECM tweaking couldn't adjust, but also that's not THE problem.



THE problem is to get the engine certified for EPA emissions.

To get that certification, you need an EPA aproved certification institution. That's also not a big problem.

The problem is the $$$$$$$. To test an engine you have to get it on an engine dyno in the certification instituiton and provide emission test results that meet the EPA transient and stationary

tests. Once that's done and EPA says OK, you can then import any car with that engine in it.



The going rate for an engine dyno is arround 500 bucks an hour.

Preparing the engine, adapting the enigne dyno for that enigne,

then running all the test's will take not less then 10 days on the dyno...

All in all not less than 40-50K US.

Then you need an engine, then you have to pay the guy that tweaks the ECM software then... .



Got the picture?



IF you're ready to spend that kinda money, then I can... .

Marco

 

[Shovelhead]

Hey Marco... . Long time no hear from.



Howzeabout a quick note about how the "Mad ECM" is commin' along.



Inquiring minds want to know. Oo. Oo. Oo. Oo.

 

[Alan Reagan]

Marco is right (as usual) and without that EPA certification, your car will become another trophy in the US Customs treasure trove, to be sold at auction or returned to sender.



Marco, Whas uuuuuuuuuup? Coast Guard is killing me. Making me run, do push ups, situps. They'll have me jumping through the fire hoops if I'm not careful.

 

[Marco]

Shovelhead,

We have a few beta testers on the roads now. Waiting for inputs.



Alan, at least you can play with boats all day long. I have to wait for the weekend to play with mine...



Marco