Can you Import an Audi RS3

[Figas]

Looking for some help as per the title

I may have an opportunity to move to Australia and I wondered if I could import the Audi RS3

I have owned it from new (around 20 months) and can prove all the usage etc.

Question is, as it was never officially imported into Australia and doesn't appear on a list of approved SEVS vehicles can I import it as a personal import.

Thanks in advance

Figas

[ariddell]

Yes, so long as you have owned it 12mths+ and can prove continual usage you can bring it in as a personal import. I would expect the only modifications it'll need will be removal of the ISOFIX child seat mounts and replacement with Aussie approved ones.

The SEVS list is seperate, so you can ignore it for personal import purposes.

[Mattt]

How dare you Europeans go fitting improved child seat mounting points, we Aussies demand less safe versions.

[motomk]

Mattt said:

How dare you Europeans go fitting improved child seat mounting points, we Aussies demand less safe versions.

I thought ISOFIX attachment points were now approved or is that only in new cars?

[Jader1973]

VF Commodore has ISOFIX, and the top tether too. Not sure you can buy ISOFIX seats though. I think the Aus ISOFIX requires the top tether - different to Europe (I think).

As for the OP - bear in mind that if it wasn't sold here getting parts could be a problem, and when you sell it being "the only one in Aus" may limit appeal.

[papahet]

Parts that require a vin will always be an issue if you use a main dealer for parts, they just won't help you. Often you will need to know that you can get the part here and know the right part number to get it out of a dealer and avoid the vin.

[Hasbeen]

Probably be a lot cheaper to pull the parts out of Europe any way. If you bring it, make contact & an arrangement with, a supplier over there.

I'd be more worried about service. Audi's are pretty much electronic, & you could probably find problems with a program to download codes here, if it has not been offered here.

They can be a hassle here, depending where you live. My cousin visited me from Sydney in his new Audi, just after it had been in for it's first service. It had been terrifying him with a check oil message on the screen for the last 200 kilometers getting here. With no dip stick, he still had another 75 Kilometers to the nearest dealer he could get to check the oil.

They are a capital city only car in Oz in my book, where the nearest dealer could be a thousand kilometers away, if you go for a bit of a drive.

[Figas]

Thank you very much for the responses

Its good to know importing the RS3 is an option but the problems around ongoing maintenance and support are worth considering.

Figas

[Mattt]

Considering but I think fine, compared to something like my TVR I'm sure it will be a doddle to find a garage to work on it!