Howdi

 

My 300 is on it's way from tokyo, due to arrive 6th July. First time I've imported.

 

I know it'll need a foglight for mot, but any suggestions as to what else will need changing due to it being an import?

 

Also, the car wont have been ran for atleast 5-6weeks, any special precautions i need to take as i know from experience 300s can be a little bit troublesome at times lol (owned one before)?

 

btw it's a 91 TT, 50k, manual, leather. Supposedly in "good condition".

 

:)

Hi Chris,

 

Do you mind me asking how much that set you back?

I'm currently looking for a Z and am wondering if it'd be better to import one myslef?

Hi m8

 

Put it this way, you wouldnt get a good one in this country for what I've paid, and thats including shipping, tax etc....but it's not a massive saving by any means.

 

It seems possible to pick up a decent 300 tt for as little as £4k nowadays, although note i used the word 'seems'.....not actually sure how good these 4k motors are.

 

One reason i went for an import is because the uk cars i've seen, including my old one, were not so good condition wise. The japs have better weather (i've yet to see an import with rust), seem to do less miles (ok i know clocking is rife with imports but i do have the japanese service history docs for this car), and are generally better cared for due to their strict mot laws and their more sympathtic nature towards cars.

 

PLEASE i dont want a war of words on uk vs import either, i wont bite.

 

hope that helps...

It has to have repeater indicators, the front indicators need spacing to make them visible at 45 degrees, fog light 250mm from ground and a PROPER fog light, not brake lite conversion etc.

 

After market steering wheels can be a fail, even without holes. Noise, I think 105db is OK, which is very loud. Brakes have to work at a percentage of engine running ability, but with the engine off. Tyres must have speed/load rating and the Jap JS mark or better, I have probably forgotten some things, hope this helps, ask for more info if you want. Sharp edges also fail...

I imported mine from Japan and for the m.o.t, I just used inner brake lights for the fogs changed speedo to mph and that was it, passed first time

Originally posted by C h r i s

 

One reason i went for an import is because the uk cars i've seen, including my old one, were not so good condition wise. The japs have better weather (i've yet to see an import with rust), seem to do less miles (ok i know clocking is rife with imports but i do have the japanese service history docs for this car), and are generally better cared for due to their strict mot laws and their more sympathtic nature towards cars.

 

 

They dont have better weather than us. It may be slightly drier but it snows a lot more than over here. The reason the cars are in better condition is as simple road salt. They just dont use it.

 

Also I bet a service doesnt cost half as much as it does over here, so you are less likely to put things off.

 

As for UK v Jap, they are the same car for gods sake. Who would want to argue about that.?

 

Stuart

Sorry, I have just re-read, properly this time, your first qustion, I was thinking for the SVA. I can be stupid.

thanks for comments guys ;) ,

 

hopefully it'll just be a case of fogs and speedo conversion to mph...

 

now for my next question :D

 

whats involved in the speedo conversion i.e. what's needed? where can I purchase what is needed? is it a diy job?

 

thx...

I changed my jap speedo for a UK one, I am not happy with the idea of converters etc as I have heard thast they can upset the Hicas.

 

Changing the clocks is very easy, and in my case resulted in the speedo reading just 1mph more than the actual speed, which is very good. UK clocks are hard to find though, and expect to pay £100 to £125 for them. "Clocking" the odometer to show the true mileage, not KM's, is easy.

 

However this means that the car is limited on top speed, in my case 125mph. To remove this you need another ECU chip, so I am told.

thx for the info Mark :)

 

so with the clocks I can either get uk clocks or do a conversion....

 

Sorry to myther you even more but exactly how do I fix the brake light to function as a rear foglight?

 

Did u go to the port to pick up the car? Mines coming in at Liverpool early July. Is is just a case of turning up, showing your docs, and then trailering the car away? How long does this take (not sure whether to book a full day or just half day off from work).

 

Once I've got it mot'd after the above is done, I assume I go to my local VRO, and apply for registration (£25?), I guess it takes about two weeks for the logbook to come through?? Bloody hell I doubt I'll be able to wait that long :D , don't be surprised if u see a 300 flying around with no plates on it lol !!

There is info on this site for converting the brakes to fogs, but a "proper" MOT might not accept them as fog lights, some do, and some dont. I do belive that they should not accept it but many still do.

 

As for going to the docks. The shipping agents will not release the car untill all taxes have been paid, ie 10% import and VAT on top of everthing.

 

I use a forwarding company in Southampton, they charge me £45.00 but the forms are all done right and it is very easy just to pay them (use cash) and let them get on with it. When this has been done you can collect the car.

 

Contact the shipping agents, they will tell you what you have to do, there will also be a invoice from them, my last was £45.00.

 

DO NOT just turn up, without contacting both the agents and a forwarding company, ask the agents who they use, as you will probably be turned away....And contact them asap as I remember them wanting copies of paperwork well before the ship arrives...

 

How long will it take? I have been loaded in just 3-4 hours, and I have sat around all day waiting for HM Customes to sort out the VAT.

 

They sometimes think that the price you have paid is not enough and want to inspect the car, and possibly revalue it, ha ha, as if they know the front from the back.

 

Thats it I think, feel free to ask anything else you can think of and I will do my best.

thanks again Mark :)

 

I think that's enough info to go for now, I'm going to phone the shipping company today and ask them some stuff...

 

When I do get the car I'll post some pics etc...

 

Thanks again

I dont think you even need a speedo to pass the MOT, nevermind whether it's in kph/mph, I could be wrong but I remember it from my driving theory test ;)

 

My import's speedo is in kph - its defo not a requirement to change it over. Also my rear fog is wired into the inner brake lights - much tidier than a light hanging from the rear bumper.

 

I think the foglight dash switch has to light up too, to pass.

 

Pete