[s-cars] I think this question has been asked before, but.....

[TM]

Bruce-
Seeing what has been done with some BMWs, I believe you could probably
bring in a 2.2L S6, but the one big hurdle would be OBD-II. I don't know
if the Euro-spec cars are OBD-II compliant. If they are not, I don't
think
it would be worth the trouble.

You'll have to change the following, at a minimum:
Instrument cluster from kph to mph, speedo and odometer
Change e-brake warning to light up "BRAKE" in the cluster
Install check engine light if not there
Rear taillights to DOT/US spec (all-red, w/ US center piece)
Front sidemarkers to amber color DOT/US spec
Headlamps to DOT spec
Letter of compliance from Audi of America

All of this stuff would have to be done by a registered importer.

I really doubt you can get an S6 into the country as an off-road
vehicle- it's
definitely too much of a road vehicle unless you make it look like a DTM
race
car.

You can probably pass emissions with the Euro-spec, and crash testing
would not
be required, I think.

>From what I've read and heard, it will cost approx. $6k minimum to bring
a Euro car
into compliance. Only worth it for the truly exceptional and rare cars-
like the
BMW 850CSi, 3.8L E34 M5 and/or M5 Touring, etc.

Believe me, if I could get one into the US and registered and titled for
next to
nothing (import duty and shipping only), I'd be driving a E34 M5 3.8L
6-speed as
a daily driver.

Taka

-----Original Message-----
From: s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com
[mailto:s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com] On Behalf Of Bruce Mendel
Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2004 11:16 AM
To: s-car-list at audifans.com
Subject: [s-cars] I think this question has been asked before, but.....


.....when trying to import a car from Europe, what's involved?

I have two options it seems:

1. If it is to be registered in USA, insured, and driven on public
roads, it must meet EPA/DOT requirements. Therefore, you need to get a
registered importer involved, who post a bond, take the car, bring it
into compliance, and then release the car to you after you've paid all
the costs associated with the above

2. If it's a show or race vehicle, and you're not putting a plate on it
or registering it with DMV, then you can fill out a whole bunch of
paperwork certifying that, pay a 2.5% duty fee, and you get the car.

Is there a third option that's cheaper/better/faster? And in 1997, did
Audi make cars to a worldwide standard for crash and emissions? Or would
a German S6 need thousands of dollars in compliance work?

Thanks!

Bruce
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