LHD 911 in the UK - worth it?
Discussion
I might look at bringing my 997 C4S back to the UK with me from Dubai . I love the car and don't really want to part with it to be honest. It only has approx 29k on the clock and is in great condition too.
Question is, other than been LHD, what other things should I consider? I appreciate resale will never be as good and of course car parks could be a pain in the ass.
Thoughts welcome!
Question is, other than been LHD, what other things should I consider? I appreciate resale will never be as good and of course car parks could be a pain in the ass.
Thoughts welcome!
Edited by Rich_AR on Thursday 27th July 08:49
Never had a problem with LHD although mine were not registered in the U.K.
I think you need to switch the lights, get an mph speedo (I think the digital one is sufficient though)
Driving wise no problem as you can just leave a little more space when overtaking to have a good view of the road
I think you need to switch the lights, get an mph speedo (I think the digital one is sufficient though)
Driving wise no problem as you can just leave a little more space when overtaking to have a good view of the road
Thoughts!
Do you think potential CGT buyers have concerns of this nature. There really is nothing to worry about at all. I have both a LHD and a RHD 911 in Germany (same issue in reverse). I really do not have any issues at all. Right now LHD like for like are more expensive than RHD in many cases (more so the older stuff). The only initial issue you will have is converting headlights and rear fog. The rest is neither here nor there IMHO. Many even prefer the layout and driving of a LHD car.
Do you think potential CGT buyers have concerns of this nature. There really is nothing to worry about at all. I have both a LHD and a RHD 911 in Germany (same issue in reverse). I really do not have any issues at all. Right now LHD like for like are more expensive than RHD in many cases (more so the older stuff). The only initial issue you will have is converting headlights and rear fog. The rest is neither here nor there IMHO. Many even prefer the layout and driving of a LHD car.
I brought a LHD 968 back to UK years ago after living abroad. The Wife and I both used it regularly for about 5 years without any issues for either of us. I even managed to do the M6 Toll booth from the driver's seat!
The only mod I did was to fit RHD headlights. I didn't change the speedo, though this was 15 years ago so the rules may have changed.
As for resale, I had four offers to buy it unseen from 3 countries within a few days of advertising it as it was a very high spec M030 chassis car, though the actual buyer was in the UK. Years later I spotted it for sale on a Porsche indi's website. It turned out my buyer had suffered health problems so sold it to the indi who owned it as a personal car for a couple of years before selling it to a new owner in France.
So I guess if it is a particularly desirable spec or condition, there may be a European market out there come resale time.
The only mod I did was to fit RHD headlights. I didn't change the speedo, though this was 15 years ago so the rules may have changed.
As for resale, I had four offers to buy it unseen from 3 countries within a few days of advertising it as it was a very high spec M030 chassis car, though the actual buyer was in the UK. Years later I spotted it for sale on a Porsche indi's website. It turned out my buyer had suffered health problems so sold it to the indi who owned it as a personal car for a couple of years before selling it to a new owner in France.
So I guess if it is a particularly desirable spec or condition, there may be a European market out there come resale time.
Only thing that has recently occurred to me is that if you're driving down country lanes with blind bends a LHD has less vision than a RHD car would....obviously especially on left hand bends. Where I live we have a lot of high hedgerows so it would be an issue....not so much in Central London obviously!
BertBert said:
I've not really found that to be a problem in practice in my 69 911. Overtaking is a bit more challenging but again I've not really had problems with it.
Bert
I very nearly ran over three kids doing their DoE near our home recently....they'd clearly been told about walking into oncoming traffic....but someone forget to tell them when you get to a bend you need to be on the outside regardless of direction of traffic. Bert
I pulled up about 2ft short of them....neither they nor I had anywhere to go. I reckon in a LHD car I'd have seen them much later. Can't imagine what it would have been like...scared the crap out of me as it was and I was only doing 30 mph down a road with the national speed limit.
CarreraLightweightRacing said:
Thoughts!
Do you think potential CGT buyers have concerns of this nature. There really is nothing to worry about at all. I have both a LHD and a RHD 911 in Germany (same issue in reverse). I really do not have any issues at all. Right now LHD like for like are more expensive than RHD in many cases (more so the older stuff). The only initial issue you will have is converting headlights and rear fog. The rest is neither here nor there IMHO. Many even prefer the layout and driving of a LHD car.
Cheers! Well it's looking likely that I will be bringing it back. Do you think potential CGT buyers have concerns of this nature. There really is nothing to worry about at all. I have both a LHD and a RHD 911 in Germany (same issue in reverse). I really do not have any issues at all. Right now LHD like for like are more expensive than RHD in many cases (more so the older stuff). The only initial issue you will have is converting headlights and rear fog. The rest is neither here nor there IMHO. Many even prefer the layout and driving of a LHD car.
I assume on the 997 the lights can be adjusted to point the right way? The also has the rear fog light (built in, on the drivers side) but I think this might need to be placed on the right side?
One thing I consider is fresh underseal/waxoly/dinoil. There is zero rust on this car due to the climate, so might be worth having steam cleaned and coated?
Edited by Rich_AR on Thursday 27th July 08:53
When I retired from Dubai last year, we brought cars back with us to Norfolk, country roads take a bit of getting used to but being LHD actually allows you to get the car right over to the edge on tight roads because you can judge the verge better from the left hand seat. The only issue I have found of note with LHD in UK is car parks that require you to take a ticket on entry, crawling across the console to reach through the passenger window is a pain but the solution is take someone with you if you are parking in such a car park.
Things to consider...if it is less than ten years old it'll have to go through an IVA test as Porsche won't issue a Certificate of Conformity for Country Code C32 (GCC Spec) cars; this is time consuming to get your appointment but not too bad, apply early so you don't waste time when the car arrives, if it's over 10 years old you'll just need the MOT, which is easier. Go on the DVLA web site and order a V55/5 form that you'll have to fill in to get the car registered and make sure you export it with number plates so you can drive it from the port to home, to the IVA & MOT tests to save cost of recoveries.
On a 997 the headlights have a selectable switch for LHD/ RHD you pop them out with the tool in the tool roll, flick the switch over to the RHD setting and put them back in. You'll need to wire up the fog light on the other side and get the dash board changed over to MPH on the onboard computer. UK labour is expensive so best thing to do would be to get one of the independents in Dubai to do it for you before you ship the car, ARM or Stuttgart Cars should be able to do it for you, I used the later for mine.
Things to consider...if it is less than ten years old it'll have to go through an IVA test as Porsche won't issue a Certificate of Conformity for Country Code C32 (GCC Spec) cars; this is time consuming to get your appointment but not too bad, apply early so you don't waste time when the car arrives, if it's over 10 years old you'll just need the MOT, which is easier. Go on the DVLA web site and order a V55/5 form that you'll have to fill in to get the car registered and make sure you export it with number plates so you can drive it from the port to home, to the IVA & MOT tests to save cost of recoveries.
On a 997 the headlights have a selectable switch for LHD/ RHD you pop them out with the tool in the tool roll, flick the switch over to the RHD setting and put them back in. You'll need to wire up the fog light on the other side and get the dash board changed over to MPH on the onboard computer. UK labour is expensive so best thing to do would be to get one of the independents in Dubai to do it for you before you ship the car, ARM or Stuttgart Cars should be able to do it for you, I used the later for mine.
Edited by NAS90 on Friday 28th July 15:50
Just small update for anyone else who will be bringing in a LHD 997.2 to the UK.
You do NOT need a new rear cluster or any wiring to get the rear fog light on the right side.
You just simply need to swap over the PCB inside each light cluster:-
1) Remove the lights from the car
2) Remove the torx screws and gently open the cluster.
3) Single torx screw holds in the circuit board, remove that.
4) Gently remove the two connectors to the circuit board.
5) Fit circuit board from other cluster.
6) Replace the cover, install the screws and refit the lights to the car.
7) Test all the lights.
8) Done!
15 minute job maximum!
Basically saved £500 for a new cluster! And if I move to Europe, I can simply swap it back.
You do NOT need a new rear cluster or any wiring to get the rear fog light on the right side.
You just simply need to swap over the PCB inside each light cluster:-
1) Remove the lights from the car
2) Remove the torx screws and gently open the cluster.
3) Single torx screw holds in the circuit board, remove that.
4) Gently remove the two connectors to the circuit board.
5) Fit circuit board from other cluster.
6) Replace the cover, install the screws and refit the lights to the car.
7) Test all the lights.
8) Done!
15 minute job maximum!
Basically saved £500 for a new cluster! And if I move to Europe, I can simply swap it back.
hornbaek said:
With the low value of the pound i would rather sell the car in Dubai and get more car for the money in the UK.
Well, you can say that but the equivalent RHD car with the same spec as mine (and mileage) is almost £20k more than what the car is worth here, even after shipping, IVA test etc. Granted, LHD is never really worth the same as a RHD car, but at least I have the option to sell it in Europe after 12 months. NAS90 said:
When I retired from Dubai last year, we brought cars back with us to Norfolk, country roads take a bit of getting used to but being LHD actually allows you to get the car right over to the edge on tight roads because you can judge the verge better from the left hand seat. The only issue I have found of note with LHD in UK is car parks that require you to take a ticket on entry, crawling across the console to reach through the passenger window is a pain but the solution is take someone with you if you are parking in such a car park.
Things to consider...if it is less than ten years old it'll have to go through an IVA test as Porsche won't issue a Certificate of Conformity for Country Code C32 (GCC Spec) cars; this is time consuming to get your appointment but not too bad, apply early so you don't waste time when the car arrives, if it's over 10 years old you'll just need the MOT, which is easier. Go on the DVLA web site and order a V55/5 form that you'll have to fill in to get the car registered and make sure you export it with number plates so you can drive it from the port to home, to the IVA & MOT tests to save cost of recoveries.
On a 997 the headlights have a selectable switch for LHD/ RHD you pop them out with the tool in the tool roll, flick the switch over to the RHD setting and put them back in. You'll need to wire up the fog light on the other side and get the dash board changed over to MPH on the onboard computer. UK labour is expensive so best thing to do would be to get one of the independents in Dubai to do it for you before you ship the car, ARM or Stuttgart Cars should be able to do it for you, I used the later for mine.
Yes, I've already spoken to Porsche UK and they won't issue me that certificate (as you've stated), therefore it's going to have to be IVA'd. The car is 8 years old as well. The speedo flicks over to MPH digital readout via a change in the PCM and this will suffice (already tried it). Things to consider...if it is less than ten years old it'll have to go through an IVA test as Porsche won't issue a Certificate of Conformity for Country Code C32 (GCC Spec) cars; this is time consuming to get your appointment but not too bad, apply early so you don't waste time when the car arrives, if it's over 10 years old you'll just need the MOT, which is easier. Go on the DVLA web site and order a V55/5 form that you'll have to fill in to get the car registered and make sure you export it with number plates so you can drive it from the port to home, to the IVA & MOT tests to save cost of recoveries.
On a 997 the headlights have a selectable switch for LHD/ RHD you pop them out with the tool in the tool roll, flick the switch over to the RHD setting and put them back in. You'll need to wire up the fog light on the other side and get the dash board changed over to MPH on the onboard computer. UK labour is expensive so best thing to do would be to get one of the independents in Dubai to do it for you before you ship the car, ARM or Stuttgart Cars should be able to do it for you, I used the later for mine.
I'm pretty handy with the tools, so will do most before I ship the car anyway (see above for the fog light!).
I will be using a company to sort all the IVA test, and MOT's, collection from a port etc. So this will be taken care of.
Noted on the car park tip!
Edited by Rich_AR on Saturday 29th July 10:03
It really depends on your long term perspective. I have imported a handfull of LHDs into the UK over the years for private use ( I prefer LHD Porsches due to better driving position for tall people ) but would not do it now with the value of the pound and the difficulty selling them on into Germany (especially if it is a Dubai car) so still believe that you are better off buying one here. The slightly higher price simply reflects the UK market premium and this you would get back when you sell it here. Good luck in whatever you do.
hornbaek said:
It really depends on your long term perspective. I have imported a handfull of LHDs into the UK over the years for private use ( I prefer LHD Porsches due to better driving position for tall people ) but would not do it now with the value of the pound and the difficulty selling them on into Germany (especially if it is a Dubai car) so still believe that you are better off buying one here. The slightly higher price simply reflects the UK market premium and this you would get back when you sell it here. Good luck in whatever you do.
I had the car advertised for a while here locally and most of then interest I received were from buyers in Europe. Two in Germany and one in Greece. But doing the math, I decided to keep the car and not have the hassle of exporting it for someone else. I appreciate that a non-EU LHD car will be worth less that than EU one, but its relative in my opinion.Granted the pound is weak, but I own the car outright and will have no import tax to pay. Long term is not to sell it and keep it with a view that I'll ideally be living in Europe.
Anyway, thanks for your input.
Edited by Rich_AR on Saturday 29th July 12:48
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