Importing a BMW M6 vs Audi R8 vs ?? from the UK
Discussion
Hi Guys,
I'm moving back to Oz after living in the UK and am keen on importing a car back to Sydney. I bought a 2006 M6 6 months ago in anticipation of this and am thinking of getting another car brought over via my girlfriend.
I'm thinking of investing a bit more for the second car and buying an 2008 R8 (4.2L) /Aston Martin Vantage (2008)/DB9 (2006)/Maserati Grantourismo (2009). I figue that out of all of these cars and my M6, the R8 is the mostly likely to sell first in Sydney.
What do you guys think?
Cheers
Kmacnu
I'm moving back to Oz after living in the UK and am keen on importing a car back to Sydney. I bought a 2006 M6 6 months ago in anticipation of this and am thinking of getting another car brought over via my girlfriend.
I'm thinking of investing a bit more for the second car and buying an 2008 R8 (4.2L) /Aston Martin Vantage (2008)/DB9 (2006)/Maserati Grantourismo (2009). I figue that out of all of these cars and my M6, the R8 is the mostly likely to sell first in Sydney.
What do you guys think?
Cheers
Kmacnu
i was looking at the Audi RS4's on car sales, there is a few of them there that have come over from the UK, most seem to be a bit cheeper than the local ones by a fair wack. there was a UK wagon that sold last week for around 54k with 144km on the clock, i was to slow. the next cheepest RS4 wagon is around 80-90k.
ezakimak said:
i was looking at the Audi RS4's on car sales, there is a few of them there that have come over from the UK, most seem to be a bit cheeper than the local ones by a fair wack. there was a UK wagon that sold last week for around 54k with 144km on the clock, i was to slow. the next cheepest RS4 wagon is around 80-90k.
AUdi RS4 can only be bought locally or brought in as a personal import, so in theory there shouldnt be that many imports. The RS2 however is on the SEVS list so they are easily shippable. james280779 said:
just a word of warning- my rule of thumb is what ever you pay for it, allow the same again for the shipping / taxes etc.
If you havent owned them a year then I wouldnt even waste the time or money applying.
I ship cars frequently UK- Aus.
Not sure how you can pay the same for shipping and taxes as you pay for the car? Shipping is around 1500 GBP in a container plus 1-2% of value for insurance, then import and GST is 5% and 10% of value of the car. Unless your getting Aus valuations but even then it wouldn't add up to the same as purchase price in UK! I'm currently going through an import and it's via RAWS so even more costs due to compliance work, but it's still only around 40% of the UK purchase price for shipping, insurance, GST, Import, RAWS and RWC.If you havent owned them a year then I wouldnt even waste the time or money applying.
I ship cars frequently UK- Aus.
Given the chance to bring over personal imports I would say buy as many as you can (so one per person) and make sure you own for the required time in the UK, then bring them over and sell/keep as you wish. Lots of money to be made on non SEV's listed cars.
rich_99 said:
Not sure how you can pay the same for shipping and taxes as you pay for the car? Shipping is around 1500 GBP in a container plus 1-2% of value for insurance, then import and GST is 5% and 10% of value of the car. Unless your getting Aus valuations but even then it wouldn't add up to the same as purchase price in UK! I'm currently going through an import and it's via RAWS so even more costs due to compliance work, but it's still only around 40% of the UK purchase price for shipping, insurance, GST, Import, RAWS and RWC.
Given the chance to bring over personal imports I would say buy as many as you can (so one per person) and make sure you own for the required time in the UK, then bring them over and sell/keep as you wish. Lots of money to be made on non SEV's listed cars.
your not allowing for Luxury car tax (33%), steam cleaning, agents bills, engineers certificates, compliance alterations, re-inspection costs, possible emissions testing (unlikely but this can be up to $100k alone), stamp duty, clearance, storage, its closer to 3% for a decent insurance and contingency fund. Given the chance to bring over personal imports I would say buy as many as you can (so one per person) and make sure you own for the required time in the UK, then bring them over and sell/keep as you wish. Lots of money to be made on non SEV's listed cars.
I know not all will be applicable but a majority will.
I used to work in shipping for a living and I would never use a container costs too much packing/ unpacking plus the moving costs and additional inspection costs your also liable for,on top of that its about 50 times more likely to get damaged or go missing than the cheaper option....... the cheaper option every single car firm uses.
Edited by james280779 on Thursday 14th March 05:03
dont know why so many people dont take up my offer of help, There are so many ways to save thousands plus the agents themselves add untold amounts.
The first agent I used literally tried fraud of nearly $4k, I had to report them but they are one of the main ones people on here seem to favour which is why I used them initially. I had to get customs involved.
Second agent tried charging me three times for the same fee under different names.
Third agent was straight up, honest and a pleasure to deal with. Also the Cheapest - these are the ones I recommend.
I have now used them three times in last year.
The first agent I used literally tried fraud of nearly $4k, I had to report them but they are one of the main ones people on here seem to favour which is why I used them initially. I had to get customs involved.
Second agent tried charging me three times for the same fee under different names.
Third agent was straight up, honest and a pleasure to deal with. Also the Cheapest - these are the ones I recommend.
I have now used them three times in last year.
I swing the other way on the container/RoRo side of the fence, there's a reason why car manufacturers wrap their cars in protective plastic and have dockside rectification centres to repair minor damage when shipping cars RoRo. Sure the chances are low of yours being the one out of the many that gets accidentally scraped up the side of the ship in the at least 4 journeys with different people on/off the 2 vessels from UK to Australia or gets a disgruntled dock worker deciding 1st gear on the red line is the way to drive it around the docks, but it's a whole load more likely than when they get sealed in a nice secure container in the UK and not opened or driven again till they reach the other end.
Reports of badges and emblems being pulled off, easy to remove parts going missing etc are way too common for it to be worth the risk to my mind, sure it'd likely be covered by insurance but just becomes a major pain that isn't going to happen in a sealed container. But yeah, it does cost more with transport, unloading etc.
Reports of badges and emblems being pulled off, easy to remove parts going missing etc are way too common for it to be worth the risk to my mind, sure it'd likely be covered by insurance but just becomes a major pain that isn't going to happen in a sealed container. But yeah, it does cost more with transport, unloading etc.
rich_99 said:
Yes I've been advised not to use a container so mine is traveling RORO, they don't tell you that it costs so much more at the other side to unpack a container, luckily I found out before I arranged shipping
Like James have been saying all this time RORO is the only way to go, these ships are made specifially to do this job. A shipping container is exposed to the elements and does not have climate control like a RORO ferry. The idea of sealing the container in the UK and opening it in Oz is appealing but I'd rather spend the extra on getting the right shipping insurance. The only thing I can add to this is spend 20 pounds and get a 'Battery Brain' battery isolator and fit it before the car get shipped. Had it on the TVR when I shipped it back and the car started first time when they drove it of the RORO ferry (I heard the car start when someone from the ship rang me as they were off loading the car to ask me about the immobiliser).
Dead battery is the most common problem when the car sit on a ship for 2 months, I suspect the most common cause of car damage when shipping it as they try to get into your car when the doors are locked because the battery is dead. Friend had his lotus Elan soft top ripped when the battery was dead and they had to take the car of the ship.
Edited by onny on Friday 15th March 01:09
onny said:
Like James have been saying all this time RORO is the only way to go, these ships are made specifially to do this job. A shipping container is exposed to the elements and does not have climate control like a RORO ferry.
The only thing I can add to this is spend 20 pounds and get a 'Battery Brain' battery isolator and fit it before the car get shipped. Had it on the TVR when I shipped it back and the car started first time when they drove it of the RORO ferry (I heard the car start when someone from the ship rang me as they were off loading the car to ask me about the immobiliser).
Dead battery is the most common problem when the car sit on a ship for 2 months, I suspect the most common cause of car damage when shipping it when they try to get into your car when the doors are locked because the battery is dead.
Containers are the least secure in terms of elements. Most are not watertight, some have gaping holes. Your car will be in a tin shed thats exposed to salt/ sea and air during its transport, maybe loaded/ unloaded several times and bashed around. The only thing I can add to this is spend 20 pounds and get a 'Battery Brain' battery isolator and fit it before the car get shipped. Had it on the TVR when I shipped it back and the car started first time when they drove it of the RORO ferry (I heard the car start when someone from the ship rang me as they were off loading the car to ask me about the immobiliser).
Dead battery is the most common problem when the car sit on a ship for 2 months, I suspect the most common cause of car damage when shipping it when they try to get into your car when the doors are locked because the battery is dead.
By going with something like a Hoegh vessel, it will be below deck, climate controlled, strapped to the deck and in a state of the art vessel.
As stated having worked in the shipping industry for numerous agents/ shipping lines I dealt with approximately ten times more claims for container based vehicles than Ro/Ro.
Neither is 100% safe but one is signifcantly cheaper AND in my professional experience considerably safer. Its a no brainer. Anyone who advises container is the one selling you the container or seriously mis-informed.
Edited by james280779 on Friday 15th March 01:11
I sent my Rolls Royce Silver Spirit II and my wife's Jaguar XKR personal imports roll on/roll off when we emigrated in 2008 on recommendations of a "shipping expert" who said containers were liable to damage.
We don't know at which stage it occurred (which ended up with extended insurance issues afterwards) but both the Jaguar leaper and the Spirit of Ecstasy were torn from the cars with considerable force, from the looks of it by way of rope attached to the back of a vehicle in front when out of sight of any cameras and mascots slipped in a pocket.
The boot of the Rolls was also extensively damaged in a quick and dirty attempt to crowbar it open (they didn't figure out the unlock button was just in the glove box), no doubt on the expectation valuables to be quickly grabbed would be inside (it was completely empty).
Insurance covered the boot damage but refused to cover the mascots as they classed them as "minor cosmetic damage" which is specifically excluded from most RORO insurance policies as it's so common.
I eventually instigated legal action & at this point a "gesture of goodwill" was made to recompense us somewhat, however I was still considerably out of pocket, and the damage caused to the bonnet and grill is still visible if you look for it.
Incidentally the service book was in the Rolls (my own fault for not having removed it) and that went missing too, as such I think the real bulk of the financial damage is yet to come when I have to sell the car with what history we could get stamped back in a replacement but nothing like the bulk of receipts etc that was in the original.
RORO'er beware, I for one will never risk it again.
We don't know at which stage it occurred (which ended up with extended insurance issues afterwards) but both the Jaguar leaper and the Spirit of Ecstasy were torn from the cars with considerable force, from the looks of it by way of rope attached to the back of a vehicle in front when out of sight of any cameras and mascots slipped in a pocket.
The boot of the Rolls was also extensively damaged in a quick and dirty attempt to crowbar it open (they didn't figure out the unlock button was just in the glove box), no doubt on the expectation valuables to be quickly grabbed would be inside (it was completely empty).
Insurance covered the boot damage but refused to cover the mascots as they classed them as "minor cosmetic damage" which is specifically excluded from most RORO insurance policies as it's so common.
I eventually instigated legal action & at this point a "gesture of goodwill" was made to recompense us somewhat, however I was still considerably out of pocket, and the damage caused to the bonnet and grill is still visible if you look for it.
Incidentally the service book was in the Rolls (my own fault for not having removed it) and that went missing too, as such I think the real bulk of the financial damage is yet to come when I have to sell the car with what history we could get stamped back in a replacement but nothing like the bulk of receipts etc that was in the original.
RORO'er beware, I for one will never risk it again.
There are always exceptions to the rule, I would hazard a guess you took the standard insurance offered by the shipping company rather than a seperate policy?? They are pretty worthless for anything other than major damage.
I have shipped tens of thousands of cars over the years (albeit into the UK rather than out) and maybe 5-600 out.
I can say that RO/RO is definately the best option but make sure you get a decent policy. I would recommend- Peter Lole insurance services personally.
I have shipped tens of thousands of cars over the years (albeit into the UK rather than out) and maybe 5-600 out.
I can say that RO/RO is definately the best option but make sure you get a decent policy. I would recommend- Peter Lole insurance services personally.
james280779 said:
AUdi RS4 can only be bought locally or brought in as a personal import, so in theory there shouldnt be that many imports. The RS2 however is on the SEVS list so they are easily shippable.
Yes i suspect it was a personal import by someone emigrating to Australia. I think there is still 2 more on car sales at the moment that are ex UK cars.Ryan
james280779 said:
dont know why so many people dont take up my offer of help, There are so many ways to save thousands plus the agents themselves add untold amounts.
The first agent I used literally tried fraud of nearly $4k, I had to report them but they are one of the main ones people on here seem to favour which is why I used them initially. I had to get customs involved.
Second agent tried charging me three times for the same fee under different names.
Third agent was straight up, honest and a pleasure to deal with. Also the Cheapest - these are the ones I recommend.
I have now used them three times in last year.
Hi James - have you dealt with Elite shipping before? A few people have recommended them and I was going to use them when my car is ready. Also have you used customs agents in Melbourne before (I noticed you are in Darwin), I have recommendations for one (from people who have recently bought cars over as well as the RAWS workshop recommendation), but every bit of information helps :-)The first agent I used literally tried fraud of nearly $4k, I had to report them but they are one of the main ones people on here seem to favour which is why I used them initially. I had to get customs involved.
Second agent tried charging me three times for the same fee under different names.
Third agent was straight up, honest and a pleasure to deal with. Also the Cheapest - these are the ones I recommend.
I have now used them three times in last year.
Rich
james280779 said:
If you havent owned them a year then I wouldnt even waste the time or money applying.
James is correct.A friend prempted the 12 month rule when he bought his car privately in the UK.
he agreed with the seller the date of ownership transfer that went on the V5 paperwork!!
He then submitted his V5 proof of ownership after the 12month period elapsed & got approval to bring to Oz, he now drives around in the sunshine....and lived happily ever after.
rich_99 said:
Hi James - have you dealt with Elite shipping before? A few people have recommended them and I was going to use them when my car is ready. Also have you used customs agents in Melbourne before (I noticed you are in Darwin), I have recommendations for one (from people who have recently bought cars over as well as the RAWS workshop recommendation), but every bit of information helps :-)
Rich
no, I personally use 1st move international from UK to OZ and then WorldWide Customs and Forwarding within Australia. Actually in Australia the whole clearance side of things is electronic so you can pretty much use anyone Australia wide. WWCF have done clearances in Adelaide and Melbourne for me, they are spot on and always cleared within a couple days of landing. Also the cheapest I found and decent guys to talk to. Personally I think the customer service is most important thing and these guys have it. Rich
I think I'll chip a question on to the bottom of this thread.
I've owned a Caterham 7 for nearly 5 years now as my daily car. I had planned to take it to Oz with me. We hope to have our Visa granted and to move if all goes well around November 2014. I then planned to ship the Caterham out one way or another during that following year once made sure that Oz is for us.
I'd like to tune the engine a bit in the next year (to R400 levels), but if getting the car to OZ would be a waste of time and money, then I'll hold off on the engine tune.
My missus was thinking we could bung it into a container as we could then park other goods with it to come out to us. But the 'Rolo' (I've got that right haven't I?) idea sounds like it could work if we didn't take anything else from the UK.
The car is very moveable due to it's lightweight, so even if the battery did die, but it's got a battery cut off switch which would hopefully stop this occurring, they could easily get it off the ship without damage. It's got no permanent cockpit as such, so can easily be gotten in and out of.
Say the car is worth £11K. I know that I could buy a 7 over there, but I think it'd cost me quite a bit more. Also, due to the nature of the car, I could easily change and upgrade any parts as the design hasn't changed much from the original in 50 years, which is why I'd like to bring it, as it wouldn't 'date' as such.
What are my major considerations? As mentioned, I'd like to maybe tune it up a little bit in this country where the Rover K Series engine is common and known about. It wouldn't look far from stock as the modification would go. But I wouldn't want to upragde it this year and then in 2 years having to sell it due to not worth taking.
I've owned a Caterham 7 for nearly 5 years now as my daily car. I had planned to take it to Oz with me. We hope to have our Visa granted and to move if all goes well around November 2014. I then planned to ship the Caterham out one way or another during that following year once made sure that Oz is for us.
I'd like to tune the engine a bit in the next year (to R400 levels), but if getting the car to OZ would be a waste of time and money, then I'll hold off on the engine tune.
My missus was thinking we could bung it into a container as we could then park other goods with it to come out to us. But the 'Rolo' (I've got that right haven't I?) idea sounds like it could work if we didn't take anything else from the UK.
The car is very moveable due to it's lightweight, so even if the battery did die, but it's got a battery cut off switch which would hopefully stop this occurring, they could easily get it off the ship without damage. It's got no permanent cockpit as such, so can easily be gotten in and out of.
Say the car is worth £11K. I know that I could buy a 7 over there, but I think it'd cost me quite a bit more. Also, due to the nature of the car, I could easily change and upgrade any parts as the design hasn't changed much from the original in 50 years, which is why I'd like to bring it, as it wouldn't 'date' as such.
What are my major considerations? As mentioned, I'd like to maybe tune it up a little bit in this country where the Rover K Series engine is common and known about. It wouldn't look far from stock as the modification would go. But I wouldn't want to upragde it this year and then in 2 years having to sell it due to not worth taking.
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