How to get 2004-2005 Audi A8 4.0 Diesel imported to michigan
09-01-2004, 02:35 PM
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How to get 2004-2005 Audi A8 4.0 Diesel imported to michigan
How to get the 2004 Audi A8 4.0 Diesel imported?
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Posted by Baloo588 on 2004-09-01 15:24:51
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Hi,
My dad is interested in the 2004 Audi A8 with a 4.0 diesel engine that is sold in europe with a 275 horsepower output. I was wondering if anyone knows of a dealership, an Audi or some kind of european importer that can import this car for us. I have seen some people do it with mercedes and bmw. We live in southeast Michigan by the way. This diesel will be great for my dad since he does alot of mileage a day going to work and back. There are several diesel gas station on or along I-75 in Southeast michigan. Let me know.
Thanks,
Dave
User account number (aid): 58256
Posted by Baloo588 on 2004-09-01 15:24:51
edit delete
Hi,
My dad is interested in the 2004 Audi A8 with a 4.0 diesel engine that is sold in europe with a 275 horsepower output. I was wondering if anyone knows of a dealership, an Audi or some kind of european importer that can import this car for us. I have seen some people do it with mercedes and bmw. We live in southeast Michigan by the way. This diesel will be great for my dad since he does alot of mileage a day going to work and back. There are several diesel gas station on or along I-75 in Southeast michigan. Let me know.
Thanks,
Dave
09-01-2004, 06:21 PM
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How to get 2004-2005 Audi A8 4.0 Diesel imported to michigan
Greenie,
Is there any way you could tell me how did you find out that the Audi diesel is not ceritified in US? Just curious. Anyone, please let me know about were I could contact or find a place to import this car IF possible.
THank you
Is there any way you could tell me how did you find out that the Audi diesel is not ceritified in US? Just curious. Anyone, please let me know about were I could contact or find a place to import this car IF possible.
THank you
09-01-2004, 07:28 PM
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Maybe not a good idea
I have found that "federalizing" (making a non-U.S. car legal for driving in the U.S.) a car is a very complex, expensive process, particularly when there aren't any economies of scale (i.e., lots of people wanting to pay to own the same car) to offset the cost of doing the work.
During the heyday of gray market imports (1974-1984), when people were bringing in euro BMWs *****-nilly (I bought two of them, including an M635csi), it cost something like $15,000 to federalize a car. One-offs, I bet would cost three of four times that, if even feasible at all.
Beyond engine modifications, there'd be a myriad of DOT and NHTSA "modifications" to be considered. Then, once all the work was done, you'd have a bastardized version of the car that most dealers wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole, and with many parts only available from Europe, or custom-crafted by the federalizer.
To put it in some perspective, as I recall, Bill Gates was never able to legally drive the Ferrari F100 (correct model?) he imported because he'd couldn't get it appropriately federalized.
Bottom line, even at 800 miles to a tank, you'd probably have to drive a few million miles to break even. In any event, I'm sure if I'm wrong about any or all this stuff, more than a few folks on this site will let me know.
During the heyday of gray market imports (1974-1984), when people were bringing in euro BMWs *****-nilly (I bought two of them, including an M635csi), it cost something like $15,000 to federalize a car. One-offs, I bet would cost three of four times that, if even feasible at all.
Beyond engine modifications, there'd be a myriad of DOT and NHTSA "modifications" to be considered. Then, once all the work was done, you'd have a bastardized version of the car that most dealers wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole, and with many parts only available from Europe, or custom-crafted by the federalizer.
To put it in some perspective, as I recall, Bill Gates was never able to legally drive the Ferrari F100 (correct model?) he imported because he'd couldn't get it appropriately federalized.
Bottom line, even at 800 miles to a tank, you'd probably have to drive a few million miles to break even. In any event, I'm sure if I'm wrong about any or all this stuff, more than a few folks on this site will let me know.
09-01-2004, 07:32 PM
#6
I could tell you but then I would have to kill you! Its fairly common knowledge
that engines have to meet US specs by getting certified and the 3.7 and 4.0 engines are not certified. If you find a source, get me an 05 A8L 4.0 TDI in black. No wait, get me two!
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09-02-2004, 01:43 AM
#9
You know...this is going to sound a little off kilter....but
I wonder what Canada's policies are for importing european vehicles. Maybe there is a loop hole with having a Canadian registered vehicle driving in the U.S. as visitors. I'm not sure on residency restrictions as well. Maybe just a mailing address would suffice or make friends with a Canadian citizen. Well I don't know where this is on the line of being illegal so this is just a wandering thought.
09-02-2004, 04:41 AM
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Canada has the same basic pollution and safety laws...
...as the US. There are some fifferences but any car brought in from Canada still needs to pass state tests before it can be registered. While it is possible for a Canadian to drive a CDN titled car in the US, a US citizen (with a US driver's license) would be in trouble real soon - the neighbors would turn him in as a terrorist and the cops would probably nuke his residence........
...All that assuming that Diesel Audis are available up north before they are available here.
...and then you have the problem with mechanics and spare parts. AoA can't deal with the problems on gasoline engines - what will your local dealer do if you drive up with a TDi?????
...All that assuming that Diesel Audis are available up north before they are available here.
...and then you have the problem with mechanics and spare parts. AoA can't deal with the problems on gasoline engines - what will your local dealer do if you drive up with a TDi?????