Why do MB Dealers treat you like sh*t ?

[renault12ts]

Is there an appreciable saving over buying in the UK?

 

[flango]

Do you not have to pay an "import tax" when you bring it in. Or are you exempt if you keep it for a year? How would insurance companies view an non UK spec car like the 4 pot BM which will prob never be released in UK.

No as it's produced in the EU you just pay the VAT on importation, Could question about Insurance and one I also need to answer, will let you know after I ahev spoken to them.

 

[renault12ts]

Do you not have to pay an "import tax" when you bring it in. Or are you exempt if you keep it for a year? How would insurance companies view an non UK spec car like the 4 pot BM which will prob never be released in UK.

The 520d in the UK is a four pot TJ.

 

[flango]

Is there an appreciable saving over buying in the UK?

No it's probably slightly more expensive The purchase price differential taking into account adding UK VAT is it is about 3% cheaper in Germany but then you have to take into account getting there and back with a trailer to get the car home (£500 - £600) and registering it in the UK, so depending upon the exchange rate at the time it's probably about the same but with a lot more hassle on the individual's part

 

[flango]

The 520d in the UK is a four pot TJ.

Yes sorry if I was not clear enought both German and UK 520d are the same spec 4 pot, The German 520d is remapped by BMW Motorsport division and called an E Map this service is offered in Germany but not in the UK.

 

[Rory]

No it's probably slightly more expensive The purchase price differential taking into account adding UK VAT is it is about 3% cheaper in Germany but then you have to take into account getting there and back with a trailer to get the car home (£500 - £600) and registering it in the UK, so depending upon the exchange rate at the time it's probably about the same but with a lot more hassle on the individual's part

Have you priced up the cars through DriveTheDeal or even Inchcape owned Broadspeed?

 

[bpsorrel]

One problem you may face is if you need warranty work...
In my days as a car salesman for Ford, we went through a period where a lot of people were buying their Fords in Belgium as they were cheaper. BUT, when it came to warranty work, despite the EU rules, ours and many other dealers in the Ford network would be deliberately obstructive to customers who came in with a fault to a Belgium purchased car - often not being refused service, but told there was a loooong wait as "our customers come first".... something to think about...

 

[flango]

Have you priced up the cars through DriveTheDeal or even Inchcape owned Broadspeed?

No I must admit I haven't could be another option though thanks

 

[flango]

One problem you may face is if you need warranty work...
In my days as a car salesman for Ford, we went through a period where a lot of people were buying their Fords in Belgium as they were cheaper. BUT, when it came to warranty work, despite the EU rules, ours and many other dealers in the Ford network would be deliberately obstructive to customers who came in with a fault to a Belgium purchased car - often not being refused service, but told there was a loooong wait as "our customers come first".... something to think about...

Yes you are right I did consider any warranty work or recall issues and although the UK dealer network can't refuse to do the work as you point out they can be obstructive. As I visit Germany at least once a month then assuming the car was fit to be driven I could take it back to the dealer there. Also we have good contact with 2 MB approved workshops who I am sure would also oblige. So think it would work out OK.

 

[Aoraki]

Tell me if I'm off the mark here, but when is an import a "grey import" and when it isn't, I thought any thing not supplied through an official UK dealer was grey? Does the "UK" spec motor through a German dealer not become grey then?

I don't think so as its first registration will be in the UK not Germany, but not an issue to me as the car will never see a UK dealer anyway

The reason I ask is that about 5 years ago, we looked at doing a similar thing for Mrs A on a Peugeot. Insurance was virtually a no go because all insurance co's we contacted classed it as "grey", even buying through the likes of Motorpoint Derby didn't help.
Warranty was also a problem, 2 years in Europe, 3 years in UK, not sure if that's still the same. Biggest downside was the estimated 15~25% less value on sale of said vehicle, no dealer would want to accept it for px. (unless this has changed in the last 5 years)

 

[grober]

In terms of insurance you may have to arrange temporary German insurance for driving on the continent since I'm not sure any British Insurance company will insure a car bought abroad before all import formalities /duties are paid and the car is UK registered ? If this is the case perhaps the German dealer can help?

p.s. this is a different issue from the "grey import situation" mentioned above and would only apply till the car is imported to British soil.

 

[flango]

The reason I ask is that about 5 years ago, we looked at doing a similar thing for Mrs A on a Peugeot. Insurance was virtually a no go because all insurance co's we contacted classed it as "grey", even buying through the likes of Motorpoint Derby didn't help.
Warranty was also a problem, 2 years in Europe, 3 years in UK, not sure if that's still the same. Biggest downside was the estimated 15~25% less value on sale of said vehicle, no dealer would want to accept it for px. (unless this has changed in the last 5 years)

No it's not classed as a grey Import it is treat as a UK car just as though you bought it from a UK dealer as it's first registration is in the UK not Germany, the Insurance company don't even need to know where you bought it and there is no legal duty on you to tell them.

Warranty is 3 years on MB, BMW and Audi In Europe so not a problem.

My biggest problem on the sale of the vehicle will be it's mileage not the fact it was Imported know one would ever know it was imported and again there is no legal requirement to declare it. all vehicle checks would show it as first registered in the UK and hence a UK car

 

[flango]

In terms of insurance you may have to arrange temporary German insurance for driving on the continent since I'm not sure any British Insurance company will insure a car bought abroad before all import formalities /duties are paid and the car is UK registered ? If this is the case perhaps the German dealer can help?

p.s. this is a different issue from the "grey import situation" mentioned above and would only apply till the car is imported to British soil.

To drive the car home you would also have to pay the German VAT register the car in Germany and arrange German Insurance. Then on bringing the car into the UK it would be classed as an Import and recorded on the V5 as such, then instead of registering the car you would have to re register it as you would have previously registered it in Germany that's why the easy way is to pick it up on a trailer and do all the VAT and paperwork in the UK

 

[grober]

Sorry didn't realise you were trailering it home. How are you covered should, God forbid, you turn over your trailer on the motorway and trash your new car?

 

[flango]

Sorry didn't realise you were trailering it home. How are you covered should, God forbid, you turn over your trailer on the motorway and trash your new car?

Motor Trade Insurance which covers recovery collection and delivery of cars (including new) in Western Europe.

This is a great thread as I'm sure someone will come up with something I've neglected or missed, there is such a wealth of knowledge and thought on this forum it never ceases to amaze me.

 

[Deleted member 6183]

The reason I ask is that about 5 years ago, we looked at doing a similar thing for Mrs A on a Peugeot. Insurance was virtually a no go because all insurance co's we contacted classed it as "grey", even buying through the likes of Motorpoint Derby didn't help.
Warranty was also a problem, 2 years in Europe, 3 years in UK, not sure if that's still the same. Biggest downside was the estimated 15~25% less value on sale of said vehicle, no dealer would want to accept it for px. (unless this has changed in the last 5 years)

There's a lot of truth in this.

I would also consider what is being proposed to be a grey import and could have the effect above.

Why not make more enquiries first? Particularly insurance.

 

[flango]

There's a lot of truth in this.

I would also consider what is being proposed to be a grey import and could have the effect above.

Why not make more enquiries first? Particularly insurance.

Already have done as part of the homework by the method I detail of bringing the car into the country DVLA/VOSA do not class the car as a grey Import as its first registration will be in the UK just as though a MB dealer were bringing it in from the MB factory and registering it on your behalf.

Insurance not an issue as long as it is a UK first registered car and not a re registered German car which it won't be.

 

[wemorgan]

Hi Ian. Sorry for asking a question you may have already answered, but why are you doing this? I gather you were not happy with the UK dealers and that the German dealers are excellent. But having now test driven your cars I presume you've made your decision which one to buy. So why not now just use a UK online broker to source the cheapest deal for you? The car can then be delivered to your door without all this hassle. Or maybe this isn't hassle for you?

edit: Are cars bought in Germany cheaper than the UK?

 

[flango]

Hi Ian. Sorry for asking a question you may have already answered, but why are you doing this? I gather you were not happy with the UK dealers and that the German dealers are excellent. But having now test driven your cars I presume you've made your decision which one to buy. So why not now just use a UK online broker to source the cheapest deal for you? The car can then be delivered to your door without all this hassle. Or maybe this isn't hassle for you?

edit: Are cars bought in Germany cheaper than the UK?

Actually no I have not made my decision yet it's probably going to come down to the E250 cdi coupe from Brabus (In which case it cant come from an online broker only Brabus direct) or one of the BMW's now I could get a 535d via an online broker and that would be an option for me and less hassle but If I want the 520d E Map then the car is not available in the UK so again would have to come from BMW Germany.

Pricing ex VAT its about 3% cheaper but probably more expensive when you factor in collecting the car paying VAT and registering it in the UK, theres more on this in post #144

The gamble is the exchange rate which if it swings on a long lead time could work for or against me and significantly affect the price,I'll be posting a separate thread shortly to ask the advice of any currency traders or hedging specialists we may have

 

[Barryh]

This is partly why I moved to Audi,but dont be fooled,Audi,BMW and many other are the same.It can be the salesman on the day.
I walked into Milton St last week and immediately was asked how I could be helped,firstly by receptionist ,who dealt with my request immmediately and then by a passing salesman.This is in contrast to last year when they were useless and let me down on several appointments.
If you want a car then I think you will find a garage that will appeal on one day but could be the opposite the next day or even to the next customer.Inconsistant but unfortunate .