Looking for some advice here. Want to buy an 'A' in Germany and ship it back to the US. Will be there for about two weeks. Any suggestions? OR is it better to get it somewhere online etc? How do you buy these today?
Rob W.
Santa Monica
Last edited by innerplay : 06-04-2007 at 10:16 PM.
I am assuming you want to get a new one. (A used one can be done, but it's a huge PITA and will cost you about $10,000 and all the DOT/EPA hurdles to cross, a 3-6 month wait and probably won't be worth it for what money you could save. Can be worth it sometimes with the more expensive or exotic models though)
So for a new one, call/visit your dealer (W I Simonson is the closest to you) should have information about taking delivery under the Mercedes Benz European delivery program.
***THEY MAY NOT INCLUDE THE "A" class UNDER THE PROGRAM right now, so I am not sure...***
It's a good way to save some money, and get free round trip tickets to Europe and back, a night or two at a posh hotel and a chance to tour the factory, and drive your car all over Europe if you want to. then drop it off at a port and fly home.
The program has been in effect for I believe swince the early 1960s or even before that, and if you have a taste for adventure, it'll be a lifetime's memory.
You will get the car just as you want it, and why wou will need insurance for it, and an Intl D/L, the dealer, if he's a good one, will walk you through it all.
If they can't help, try MB of Hollywood, Beverly Hills Limited or Auto Steigler.
There have been a couple of accounts of folks here who were customers of the Euro delivery plan. Use the search function to find them and read them. One guy I remember loved it, another guy had problems with it, I think there was a lease issue involved.
Jim
__________________
"I swear to god, it's like I live in a trailer of common sense, and stare out the window at a tornado of stupidity."
The A Class 168/169 is NOT a US Car...MBUSA is NOT going to add them to cars that are US/DOT/EPA legal..Even with the A class Rated at EU4 that is the cleanest Internal combustion engine...
Customs Will NOT allow the A class in Unless it goes to a RI (Conversion shop)
Went through the same stuff with my Smarts several years ago...Got them in and Legal...
Btw I Will have a 168 A210AMG here in the states Soon!
If You do NOT want to do all the work ..Just Drive up to Canada and bring in a B Class
Looking for some advice here. Want to buy an 'A' in Germany and ship it back to the US. Will be there for about two weeks. Any suggestions? OR is it better to get it somewhere online etc? How do you buy these today?
Rob W.
Santa Monica
Before you try to bring in a non California car talk to the Technical Compliance people at the DMV, they were very helpful. There are a few of exceptions but only used (over 7,500 miles) vehicles can be brought in and registered. My B had 8,000 miles on it when I bought it from Canada and I did not have to make any conversions or modifications to it - just get a smog test. Of course any car must also meet US federal safety standards.
There are still DOT approved Registered Importers well acquainted with the process of bringing them in. It could be done with a new or a used one.
A good one will know all about the Customs, bonding, shipping, conversion process, testing, and other hurdles you need to overcome.
The numbers should be crunched first, to make sure the savings aren't eaten up in the Federalization/conversion/legalization process. That isn't so likely with the strength of the Euro, and the fact that the car you are discussing is not an ultra high line car...
No A in European Delivery Program 
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