[s-cars] Importing an Audi S2...questions

[Keith Maddock]

I've done a bit of research on this subject on my own, concerning importing my 95 968CS back to the states, and have also talked to a lister who did a LOT of research on bringing a RS2 into the states.

To start off, you *can not physically get a vehicle  through customs* until  you've done one of the following:

A1) The vehicle has a sticker on the car from EPA stating that it meets US emissions requirements.
A2) The vehicle +  VIN  is on NHTSA's list of cars that meet the crash requirements

*or*

B) You have a letter from the manufacturer's North American representative (Audi USA) stating that the vehicle meets EPA emissions and NHTSA's crash requirements.   (99.99999% sure this is impossible for S2 or RS2)

*or*

C)  The car can be released to a bonded and certified ICI (Independent Certified Importer), who will perform the necessary modifications to make the vehicle meet crash regulations, and perform an extensive amount of emissions testing to certify that the vehicle meets EPA regulations.   The crash modifications are then heavily documented and submitted to NHTSA for approval.  Once NHTSA and EPA have signed off that the work has been done, only then can the ICI release the car to your possession.
  I was quoted $8000 for this work to be done on my 968CS a ICI that had done this to a 968CS already.  They also informed me of duty and customs fees around $2200 based on their assumed vehicle value of $26k.

*or*

D) The car is more than 21 years old (EPA) and more than 25 years old (NHTSA)......  (in a few years, UrQ's will be 25 years old.....)

So to import a S2 or RS2 *legally*, you're looking at around $10k or even more over the cost of purchasing and shipping the vehicle.  For reference, used S2's run about 5000-8000 EUR, and RS2's about 12,000-18,000 EUR.    www.mobile.de if you want more up-to-date-info.

However, there are no such restrictions on importing motor vehicle parts.  You could probably manage to break down the vehicle in Europe, and ship it over in 2-4 "shipments" and you'd have the parts in hand.  Regardless, this is a bit of labor cost on both ends to dismantle and re-assemble the vehicle.  And in the end, you have a vehicle which you cannot register, short of tricks with VIN plates from salvage titles, etc etc etc, which may or may not be of dubious legality.

Then ask yourself, how am I going to insure it?

Anyway, I don't claim to be the expert on this, but all of the above is my understanding on the issue.  Some relevant websites to visit are:

EPA: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/imports/
NHTSA: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/

Cheers,
Keith "Thinking about pre-79 cars...." Maddock



Keith Maddock, TRW Automotive,  Koblenz, Germany
Slip Control Systems, Systems Design, Traction Control
+49 (0)261/ 895 2474    -   -   keith.maddock at trw.com


>>> "Tim Radbourne" <tr0910 at softhome.net> 14:12:45 27.07.2003 >>>
Do you mean transfer the VIN too?  Is that legal?

If that's not what you mean, you will have to get a document from Audi
for the S2 you are importing that shows it meets US emission
requirements.

Tim in MI

-----Original Message-----
From: s-car-list-admin at audifans.com
[mailto:s-car-list-admin at audifans.com] On Behalf Of
Paul.Park at colorado.edu
Sent: Sunday, July 27, 2003 4:12 AM
To: s-car-list at audifans.com
Subject: [s-cars] Importing an Audi S2...questions


I don't know about you guys, but I think the costs of converting a 90CS
to a S2 is pretty cost prohibitive for a car that is subject to all the
teething problems of a conversion. Tom Vanderhoort has spent how much on
his ersatz S2?

So why does this seem so simple to me? Why couldn't I purchase the
cheapest CLEAN title B3 Audi 90 20V, and purchase a LHD S2, and transfer
all the required registration info to the S2? Some of you guys might
say, "because you have no money." This is true...but speaking as if I
will have money some day...why isn't this feasible?

I'm sure this has been done...right guys?

Paul
-Daydreaming of rare cars that never made it here
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