Parikh1234

has anyone here ever imported a car from europe? Does anyone have any more info. Although, I placed my order for my RS4 today, if I could pay like 10-20k more and get the seats and colors I wanted, it might be worth it to take a week or two off to break in the car in europe and then bring it here. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Der Kimbo

So you can get the Euro Recaro Sport seats? Then after all the money it would take to import it they would make you take them out again and replace with the US market seats. Stupid idea unless you have $150k burning a hole in your pocket.

WasabiAudi2

for it to be legalised. Not even to mention the FSI would gum up, unless you put the U.S. spec engine in. It'd be much more cost effective if you just buy the seats and steering wheel....

SPhwoarr

There are a handful of companies who do this but it is EXPENSIVE! US DOT import regulations require you bring the car up to US FMVSS requirements some of which are very arcane but will be required no less. You will likely need to make serious mods, new instrument cluster, bumpers, emissions, tires, etc. A deposit of 1-2 times the value of the car is typically required while the work is done.

Take a look at the NHTSA site and you will see what is required. You can look at all of the actual import dockets on file for Audi (not many) and see what was required. Messy!

Much easier btw to import from the US to Europe not to mention the cost savings!<ul><li><a href="http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/">NHTSA Importing</a></li></ul>

Parikh1234

I was thinking about using it as a track car, so im not too concerned about it being street legal. I guess I could import it as a collectors car and use it as that. Also after its imported I dont think anyone would know the seats are not legal. I guess I could take it out on a rare weekend.

NogaroHiro

( first, in Japan )

Audi Japan is said to import B7RS4, but an Audi person said me that it is without that steering wheel and sport seat.


We know many parallel importers of European car here in Tokyo, and we can buy euro-spec B7RS4 a little cheaper.
They are selling B7RS4 now. Read this: http://www.goose-neck.com/
You can read "Audi RS4" on the right center part on it.
They say, "the first dark gray B7RS4 departed an export port in Germany on Feb. 27, and it will arrive here early April."


<img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y298/nogarohiro/051030tocho.jpg">

I have an euro-spec AVUS silver B5RS4, and this is one of such cars.


I have an experience with a dealer to estimate the cost to import a B7RS4 into Japan.

#1. visit Germany and sign with an Audi dealer to buy a B7RS4. If you have no time, you can do it on paper.
#2. visit Germany again and receive the RS4 in Audi Forum Ingolstadt.
#3. drive through Germany to break in the car and carry it to an export port in Germany, very cheap temporally plate available (about 5 days?).
#4. wait it arrive the port of Yokohama, Japan and import.

It is possible to import a car in such way from Europe into Japan with additional $10-20k.
I can get a B7RS4 with options I hope including that steering wheel and that sport seat.
They can also prepare perfect warranty for one years for free and extended warranty for more four years with $1-2K per year.


( second, in US )

I do not know strictly, but I read several examples and a rumor.


Josh Decker in Seattle imported an AVUS silver B5RS4, federalized it in US with pain, and drove only 200 miles for 4 years.
He is selling the car. Ask him directly. Read this: https://forums.audiworld.com/s4/msgs/2130918.phtml


Some imported two RS4s, and they are driving them in US. Search AW and you can find some on them.


Some imported right-hand drive red S4 in US.
Read this: https://forums.audiworld.com/s4/msgs/650671.phtml


( third, in Mexico )

Audi Mexico imported many B5RS4s. I do not know if they import euro-spec B7RS4 or not.

Der Kimbo

It does not make financial sense for this car. I've imported euro spec vehicles in the past (E36 ME/4 Evo, E38 750i plus various armored vehicles) and dealing with US Customs is the most aggrivating experience. If you want to try it and spend that much (now youre talking close to $200k if not more) than by all means get cracking and take the next flight over.

2953

...<font color="003366"> Base price for an 18" wheeled RS4 in Germany is 69.900 Euro. That comes out to just under $83,435.00. Admited that price includes the 16% German car tax that you would get pack after you ship the car out of Germany. Add paint to spec for the color you want and the price is increased by 2,200. Euro (about $2,625.00). If you want the the 19" wheels (1,600.00 Euro, 1,910.00), rear power windows (290.00 Euro, a little more than $350.00), Climate Control A/C (150.00 Euro, $179.00) we get as part of the standard equipment the delivery price rises to 74,140.00 Euro or $88,569.33. Even backing the German car tax out you're looking at a tab that's $1.75 less than $74,400.00. You still have to ship the car and pay for brokerage once it arrives here and import duty. Oh, one more thing, you won't be able to finance this car, it'll have to be paid-in-full when you take posession from the delivering dealer.

Now if the shell seats aren't enough for you as they come in black cloth and leather, you could order the trick two-tone leather package from Quattro GmbH in black and red...
<img src="http://mediaservice.audi.com/media/mmdb/50100/50356/2006/GPYWPYW/ak_l_motiv.jpg?alt=http://ak4-de.audi.de//img/1pxt.gif">

... black and yellow...
<img src="http://mediaservice.audi.com/media/mmdb/50100/50356/2006/GPYVPYV/ak_l_motiv.jpg?alt=http://ak4-de.audi.de//img/1pxt.gif">

... or black and silver
<img src="http://mediaservice.audi.com/media/mmdb/50100/50356/2006/GPYXPYX/ak_l_motiv.jpg?alt=http://ak4-de.audi.de//img/1pxt.gif">

... that'll cost you an additional 4,500 Euro (a bit less than $5,375.00). Now, in addition to the contrast color leather and stitching, the package includes an Alcantara rim on the flat-bottom steering wheel regardless of color so in my book that makes it worthwhile in itself. Of coure adding the two-tone interior package has raised the pre-tax price of the car to 78,640.00 Euro (about $93,912). After you ship the car (count on an addition $3,500~$5,000 including brokerage fees) out of Germany the and get the tax money back the price is still over 66,055 Euro ($78,846.45).

When this is all over what you have is an RS4 that is still missing some of the U.S. market version's base equipment in the color you want and with the seats and steering wheel without which you apparently cannot live.

Oh and one more thing, you'll have a car the Federal government won't let you drive on the street. But it'll make one hell of a garage ornament.

You are far better off ordering the car with special paint from Q-GmbH then buying the seats and steering wheel from a supplier of OE VAG parts and have them installed or DIY after you take delivery.</font>

jlibman

Der Kimbo, is it me or do you change you name often. Will you be in jax anytime soon?

RXBG

enough about the RS4. what about the TT and R8?