Moving my car to oz.. well maybe

DamoDLK

Well all,

I am a newbie to the Australian way of live and thus far, its fantastic, except, i reckon cars are way overpriced... In Ireland, i'm trying to sell a 00 3series Bmw, I cant seem to shift it.. so i had to leave it behind:( now i was looking for a similar car to mine, but prices here are nearly $20,000! i cant even get 5 grand at home for mine!!

Sooo would i be as well to ship my beloved and cherished car down here?
Anybody done this or vice versa? good idea/bad idea?

As per usual thanks for any input!

icedtea

DamoDLK wrote: »

Well all,

I am a newbie to the Australian way of live and thus far, its fantastic, except, i reckon cars are way overpriced... In Ireland, i'm trying to sell a 00 3series Bmw, I cant seem to shift it.. so i had to leave it behind:( now i was looking for a similar car to mine, but prices here are nearly $20,000! i cant even get 5 grand at home for mine!!

Sooo would i be as well to ship my beloved and cherished car down here?
Anybody done this or vice versa? good idea/bad idea?

As per usual thanks for any input!

I'd say itd be very expensive,slow and may well end up costing $20000 or more.

watna

Yeah - it's hugely expensive. When my OH's family moved from South Africa to NZ, it cost a hell of a lot to ship the car so they just bought one here. Apparently the only time it's worth the month is if you put it in a container you are sending anyway and pack stuff in the car and around it. A container is hugely expensive as well.

I think it's worth looking in to but I wouldn't be surprised if it is too much. I know when shipping cars to NZ you have to pay to have them thoroughly cleaned (or do a day long cleaning job yourself) before you come so it passes the inspection and doesn't bring contaminants in to the country, you also have to pay a lot to register the car as imported to NZ.

Unfortunately European cars are expensive in this part of the world. A Nissan Micra that is a few years old is $10,000 here but €10,000 at home (if I remember correctly). A puegot 307 is about $10,000 here but €2,500 at home (can't remember the figures exactly but it was shocking how much cheaper a Nissan Micra was here and how much more expensive a Peugot 307 was compared to home).

You also need to bear in mind that getting the parts for European cars here is harder and a lot more expensive.

If I were you I would look to buy a car in Australia but not a bmw or other European brand car. Try Japanese models, if Aus is like NZ they'll be significantly cheaper.

Zambia

Dont do it its a nightmare... you will end up driving it in the Yarra (or closest river) due to the stream of red tape and mechanics looking at it like its evil because it an "import"

Mahatma coat

its dooable, but as people have said, EXPENSIVE, that said it may work out just shy of what you would pay for the same car here.

if you were going to do it then I'd break the shippin into a few stages

1) get it to Rotterdam
2) get it to Singapore
3) get it to Townsville
4) and this is the big one, get it through AQIS without gettin Raped

if you can get it to singapore then I can put you in contact with some people who Ship To there from here and might take it as a backload if you ask nicely

I might be able to help you with Quarintine too but thats strictly on the QT

Zambia

Seriously its a nice car but not worth this ...

Ozeire

DamoDLK

forget the BMW buy your self a good old Holden Commodore



Kicks the ass of any German BMW

Check out http://www.carsales.com.au

Mahatma coat

Nah Mate, I tried Ausie Cars, had a few XR6 Falcons and a VX Crummydore

I now drive a 300SE Mercedes, far superior machine, seriously the Germans know how to builds cars

Zambia

Ozeire wrote: »

DamoDLK

forget the BMW buy your self a good old Holden Commodore



Kicks the ass of any German BMW

Check out http://www.carsales.com.au

As much as I like the commodore , the above model here rear ended my missus who was in a camry(She was fine). The commodore was rooted the driver went home in an ambulance ...f**king hoon

I have to say i really like the VE Omega Commodore.

civildefence

Why not drive it there? That'd be interesting

Gonzales

not worth the cost... not woth the hassle, bite the bullet get a Ute.

Mahatma coat

ah yes UTES, Australias single greatest gift in the motoring world, I love em, had a genuine 79 XD once, Yellow 250Xflow, Weber Carb, Borg Warner 4on thefloor, 9"Diff, P/S T/W A/W Roobars and a sunvisor, God I miss thatcar

Mr Benevolent

A Holden's just an Opel in disguise, which is a GM car in disguise, so broad as it is long really.

eire-kp

One of my mates was bying a car out in NZ. He got a quote of $2600USD for shiping it from LYTTELTON (Christchurch) to dublin. that was in its own 20 foot container. It didnt seem like a bad price.

Diamondmaker

I enquired similarly in Nov 07: Managed to sell it in the end, before it all went major tits up in used car market, only reason I did not bring it was no AC:

Thank you for your enquiry into shipping your BMW 318Ci motor vehicle to
> Australia. Please read the attached guide to motor vehicle shipping. If
> you have any particular then let me know and I'll be happy to help us much
> as I can.
>
> Please note that the Australian Government has recently changed the law to
> make it more difficult to import motor vehicles into Australia and you
> need to obtain an Import Permit. Before getting this permit you will need
> to show 12 months of consecutive use for your vehicle. A copy of this
> permit is required before shipping of your motor vehicle.
>
> This Import Permit needs to be obtained from the following authority:
>
> Vehicle Safety Standards
> GPO Box 594
> Canberra ACT 2602>
> To ship your vehicle to arrival port in Brisbane via a share use container
> service would be GBP1042.00. Your vehicle will need to be delivered to our
> depot in London NW10, transportation can be arranged for an additional
> fee. This service allows you to place goods within the vehicle which are
> shipped free of freight charge. The price includes UK handling charge, UK
> customs entry and ocean freight to arrival port Brisbane. The cost of
> clearing the car only in Australia would be a further GBP400.00 which can
> be prepaid, this includes Australian Customs Clearance, Australian
> handling & port charges. Your vehicle will be handed over at our agent's
> depot in Brisbane. For goods shipped inside the vehicle, there will
> however be a separate Customs clearance charge in Australia.
>
> The price quoted is based on a standard saloon sized vehicle and excludes
> roof racks, top boxes etc., unless otherwise stated.
>
> Transit shipment protection cover (Standard Liability cover) is optional.
> However, we strongly recommend to all clients that they take financial
> protection for the full value of their shipment. We hope you will not find
> it necessary to make a claim, but should the need arise, you would be able
> to do so if you have taken up the option of transit cover. Standard
> Liability or Shipment Protection is offered at 3% of the motor vehicle's
> replacement value as specified by you. The Shipment Protection rate for
> personal effects inside the car is 5%. For more information, please
> request a copy of our Terms and Conditions.
>
> Please note that the above excludes duties, taxes, storage, quarantine,
> steam cleaning and delivery to residence. Please note we do not offer a
> steam cleaning service. I am giving you the website for Australian
> Quarantine to explore their charges; www.affa.gov.au. If you wish to have
> your vehicle battery disconnected we must be notified in writing before
> shipping.
>
> We load the share containers 1-2 weeks (depending of the time of year) and
> the transit time is about 35 days.

DamoDLK

I'm in melbourne so the yarra it is!!!

DamoDLK

Well i had considered it, it would be one hell of a road trip!!! I'd love to see the heads on people with d plates 00LH8888 driving about Vic!!!

DamoDLK

I like the utes alright, just returned to melbourne from a week in (what seems) ute capital Brisbane! commodore utes are savage!!

DamoDLK

Zambia232 wrote: »

Seriously its a nice car but not worth this ...

Do u know anyone selling any cheap cars around Vic?

missannik

Try www.carsales.com.au www.carpoint.com.au www.drive.com.au

DamoDLK wrote: »

Well i had considered it, it would be one hell of a road trip!!! I'd love to see the heads on people with d plates 00LH8888 driving about Vic!!!

Reminded me of the time I saw a guy driving a car in Dublin with QLD plates!!! :pac:

Zambia

DamoDLK wrote: »

Do u know anyone selling any cheap cars around Vic?

Depends where you are around footscray there is a glut of car dealers

Also car city in Ringwood off the marroondah highway is worth a punt, wish I had tried it before buying my lump of crap.

seachto7

holden utes are f**king class looking...

missannik

Zambia232 wrote: »

Depends where you are around footscray there is a glut of car dealers

Footscray? :eek: I'd do your research well if going car shopping in Footscray, Dandenong, etc.

Zambia

missannik wrote: »

Footscray? :eek: I'd do your research well if going car shopping in Footscray, Dandenong, etc.

Whats wrong with footscray , besides if you are looking for a cheap car you dont look in high rent areas.

Plus you need to research what ever you buy ?

DamoDLK

Zambia232 wrote: »

Whats wrong with footscray , besides if you are looking for a cheap car you dont look in high rent areas.

Plus you need to research what ever you buy ?

This is true, buyer beware! Im over in Albert park, but considering a move to Footscray.. Albert park is way tooo dear for my pocket!!lol

markheat

Hi I found this attachment on another site, just but in the value of your car and the exchange rates . It seems to be very detailed . I was thinking of taking my own car but it is not worth it only an Astra but BMW I would take that as long as I was happy to drive it for ever.

Hope this helps. Cheers

DamoDLK

markheat wrote: »

Hi I found this attachment on another site, just but in the value of your car and the exchange rates . It seems to be very detailed . I was thinking of taking my own car but it is not worth it only an Astra but BMW I would take that as long as I was happy to drive it for ever.

Hope this helps. Cheers

Sound Mate,

But all this talk of red tape and inspections is well putting me off, as u no doubt know the market in the UK and Ireland is gone to shi*e its a pure buyers market, think the best thing to do is cut the losses, leave the BM in IRL, and just buy a cheapo(ish) car here..

Mahatma coat

hey if your just gonna dump it PM me ands I'll find it a good home for ya

DamoDLK

Mahatma coat wrote: »

hey if your just gonna dump it PM me ands I'll find it a good home for ya

Dump it lol!?! no bloody way!! She's mint, if things don't work out down here i'll at least still have it if i go home.

Jagera

missannik wrote: »

Reminded me of the time I saw a guy driving a car in Dublin with QLD plates!!! :pac:

I saw the same thing.. might have been the same car. Think it was a 4WD if I remember correctly..?

Also here is Basel, I saw 2 Irish reg cars last week. One from Wexford, the other from Kilkenny.

paulhannon

Diamondmaker wrote: »

I enquired similarly in Nov 07: Managed to sell it in the end, before it all went major tits up in used car market, only reason I did not bring it was no AC:

Thank you for your enquiry into shipping your BMW 318Ci motor vehicle to
> Australia. Please read the attached guide to motor vehicle shipping. If
> you have any particular then let me know and I'll be happy to help us much
> as I can.
>
> Please note that the Australian Government has recently changed the law to
> make it more difficult to import motor vehicles into Australia and you
> need to obtain an Import Permit. Before getting this permit you will need
> to show 12 months of consecutive use for your vehicle. A copy of this
> permit is required before shipping of your motor vehicle.
>
> This Import Permit needs to be obtained from the following authority:
>
> Vehicle Safety Standards
> GPO Box 594
> Canberra ACT 2602>
> To ship your vehicle to arrival port in Brisbane via a share use container
> service would be GBP1042.00. Your vehicle will need to be delivered to our
> depot in London NW10, transportation can be arranged for an additional
> fee. This service allows you to place goods within the vehicle which are
> shipped free of freight charge. The price includes UK handling charge, UK
> customs entry and ocean freight to arrival port Brisbane. The cost of
> clearing the car only in Australia would be a further GBP400.00 which can
> be prepaid, this includes Australian Customs Clearance, Australian
> handling & port charges. Your vehicle will be handed over at our agent's
> depot in Brisbane. For goods shipped inside the vehicle, there will
> however be a separate Customs clearance charge in Australia.
>
> The price quoted is based on a standard saloon sized vehicle and excludes
> roof racks, top boxes etc., unless otherwise stated.
>
> Transit shipment protection cover (Standard Liability cover) is optional.
> However, we strongly recommend to all clients that they take financial
> protection for the full value of their shipment. We hope you will not find
> it necessary to make a claim, but should the need arise, you would be able
> to do so if you have taken up the option of transit cover. Standard
> Liability or Shipment Protection is offered at 3% of the motor vehicle's
> replacement value as specified by you. The Shipment Protection rate for
> personal effects inside the car is 5%. For more information, please
> request a copy of our Terms and Conditions.
>
> Please note that the above excludes duties, taxes, storage, quarantine,
> steam cleaning and delivery to residence. Please note we do not offer a
> steam cleaning service. I am giving you the website for Australian
> Quarantine to explore their charges; www.affa.gov.au. If you wish to have
> your vehicle battery disconnected we must be notified in writing before
> shipping.
>
> We load the share containers 1-2 weeks (depending of the time of year) and
> the transit time is about 35 days.

Do you have the website you got this from please?
Im looking at doing the same.

thanks

kdevitt

Heres a good thread on importation costs - I gave up on the idea when I saw how much it was working out at and stuck my cars into storage. Ended up buying another BMW here which was about 3/4 times more expensive than the irish equivalent

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=139&t=526846&mid=0&i=0&nmt=Importing%20a%20car%20to%20Australia%20-%20All%20the%20facts...%20Hopefully!&mid=0

ballooba

I may be biased regarding my car but I don't think I'd find an equivalent as nice in Ireland. Sure, cars are expensive over here but they hold their value too. If I didn't have use for my car in Ireland I would probably get rid of it. It gets used though so would rather keep it.

CabanSail

kdevitt wrote: »

Heres a good thread on importation costs - I gave up on the idea when I saw how much it was working out at and stuck my cars into storage. Ended up buying another BMW here which was about 3/4 times more expensive than the irish equivalent

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=139&t=526846&mid=0&i=0&nmt=Importing%20a%20car%20to%20Australia%20-%20All%20the%20facts...%20Hopefully!&mid=0

Be careful in Australia .... When you drive a BMW/Audi here you are still assumed to be a Banker but you do not have the special licence endorsment that you get in Ireland.

You will have to use you Indicators. (They are on the Steering Column)
You will have to obey the Speed Limits.
You cannot overtake using the BMW/Audi "Around Corner X-Ray Vision"
You cannot park anywhere you like.
You are not allowed to just drive in Transit/Bus Lanes.
Other traffic does not automatically have to give way to you.


So it is really hard to justify the higher prices here without the special priviledges that are included elsewhere. :rolleyes:

ballooba

CabanSail wrote: »

So it is really hard to justify the higher prices here without the special priviledges that are included elsewhere. :rolleyes:

I manage to justify it to myself.:D Haven't noticed any reverse snobbery either. I still receive the same level of courtesy as if I'm driving the various other POS I drive.

kdevitt

CabanSail wrote: »

Be careful in Australia .... When you drive a BMW/Audi here you are still assumed to be a Banker but you do not have the special licence endorsment that you get in Ireland.

I am a banker - and given that the driving here is just as bad as Ireland, I'll continue to save money on indicator bulbs for the forseeable future. :rolleyes:

Mahatma coat

I Dunno, the main advantage of driving a BMW is that when people ask you which is better, Ford or Holden, you can laugh in their faces and inform them that they Obviously know Fack all about Cars.

CabanSail

I drive a Landrover Defender. The battle of the brands in the 4WD circles is between Toyota & Nissan. When someone starts to preach to me about the superiority of their vehicle I just say "Hmmm... that's one of those Japanese one's isn't it?"

Xavi6

I used to think folk who drive 4WDs were the biggest **** on the roads, and now I am one

Very few road users fancy taking on the roo bars

Mahatma coat

Oh yeah Xavi, People resent 4WD's because they dont have one its great when tryin to nse yer way out into traffic, Even better in mine cos they are Very old, therefore I give not a **** if you hit one, my Landcruiser is 2.5 Ton of Steel, your average Hyundai is 20KG of Glass and Plastic, I Will Win that contest

ballooba

I have a Landcruiser in Ireland and I prefer the Audi because it's nicer to drive. I think I may have got my purchases back to front though because I would enjoy the Landcruiser for some off-roading over here.

CabanSail

I need to buy a Road Car as I don't like having the Defender on the road. It is meant to be Off Road. Mine is definitely not one of those Main Street Banker 4WD's

ballooba

I thought about bringing the Landcruiser over but it's not worth it.

Mikester21

Ya I got a quote of £1057 to ship my RX8 over from Southhampton to Sydney, I was soo tempted after seeing the price of the car here but the import fees and registering costs seem way too high so I ended up buying a 97 Lancer to get me around, my baby is still parked up at home the only thing I miss really

Diamondmaker

paulhannon wrote: »

Do you have the website you got this from please?
Im looking at doing the same.

thanks

Cant remember the company, that was a blast from the past seeing that again.

My mate left his Audi RS3 at home and bought a "better value" local car as he felt the costs and hassle were a bit much to ship. Biggest mistake he ever made. The indirect costs of the loss you incur leaving your car behind cos of the current poor car market needs to be factored in.

Then ther is the hassle of getting back into the car market, gaining finance if yoy have not got PR, ( a nightmare for me I got mate to sponsor me in the end ) and the worry of buying a new car and not knowing about the possible hassles of it when you have a perfectly good and loved one at home.

He massively regrets not bringing it and in hindsight the costs all up were not as bad when he assessed from home.

Only reason I did not ship mine was cos it had no AC plus it was the 1.8l and after driving across Oz for 3 months in a POS 4.2l Falcon I at leaset knoew I would be need ing a 6cyl.

Bought a 325Ci in the end and really happy with it, I tried many local cars and Jap cars and Im sorry you just cannot compete with German cars.

I have owned Avensis, I thoiugh it was great at the time, Falcon, Megane, Punto yadda yadda yadda but now Im on my 3rd BMW Ci only changing the year and engine as I go. The perfefct car !

Plus it was tested with 4 adults and a bay seat, stroller and bags and passed the family test.....

You get what youj pay for and its pointless comparing the price of Euro cars here with at home cos there is a very strong (lack of ) economic force drving prices down the way they are. In the boom they were still poison expenssive !

seachto7

just nosing in on this thread, and I think you should all post pics of your motors in Aus!! :cool: