Audi a1 Japanese import

Gtapo

Hi i was looking at buying a Japanese import audi a1. Would there be any troubles down the line with the car being a Japanese import. Thanks

Atlantic Dawn

The radio will need to be replaced as it won't pick up the FM band here, this may result in having to butcher the head unit out of the car and lose some functionality.

Might be harder to insure because of ease of theft, generally Japanese imports don't have immobilizers.

Gtapo

It has an immobiliser and the radio works. Just the sat nav doesn't but if i got a European head unit and put it in i think it should work? Thanks

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

The radio will need to be replaced as it won't pick up the FM band here, this may result in having to butcher the head unit out of the car and lose some functionality.

Might be harder to insure because of ease of theft, generally Japanese imports don't have immobilizers.

projectgtr

Gtapo wrote: »

Hi i was looking at buying a Japanese import audi a1. Would there be any troubles down the line with the car being a Japanese import. Thanks

We brought in a Polo recently, as above only issue is the radio, it will work over here but all you will get is rte 1 and Spirit. We bought an OEM upgraded unit from China, for some reason these are taken from new cars and replaced so you can find them relatively cheap on Aliexpress , id say the A1 would be a very similar story.

Insurance had no issue with it being an import, only issue we had is that although we have a full dealer service book it is in japanese but the camera facility on Google Translate helped figure out what service items were done.

Are you bringing one in yourself or are you buying an import thats already landed here?

Gtapo

projectgtr wrote: »

We brought in a Polo recently, as above only issue is the radio, it will work over here but all you will get is rte 1 and Spirit. We bought an OEM upgraded unit from China, for some reason these are taken from new cars and replaced so you can find them relatively cheap on Aliexpress , id say the A1 would be a very similar story.

Insurance had no issue with it being an import, only issue we had is that although we have a full dealer service book it is in japanese but the camera facility on Google Translate helped figure out what service items were done.

Are you bringing one in yourself or are you buying an import thats already landed here?

I found a few of the same radios from European audi a1 cars for sale and should slot right in where the old one is. Should this fix the radio and sat nav. Thanks

colm_mcm

I know the A4 radio is paired to the chassis number of the car so it may not be a straight swap.

A JDM A1 has to be less desirable to the masses than a European one. It would want to be cheaper.

bazz26

I'd be checking the emissions figure too as this impacts the motor tax rate.

corks finest

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

The radio will need to be replaced as it won't pick up the FM band here, this may result in having to butcher the head unit out of the car and lose some functionality.

Might be harder to insure because of ease of theft, generally Japanese imports don't have immobilizers.

Wrong on both points . 1. FM expander makes radio etc work on our FM Freq.
2. Having had 3 Jap imports - liberty insure them ,I've had no problems.
3. You don't have to butcher any head unit now,if you want you can on eBay buy any correct fascias

corks finest

corks finest wrote: »

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

The radio will need to be replaced as it won't pick up the FM band here, this may result in having to butcher the head unit out of the car and lose some functionality.

Might be harder to insure because of ease of theft, generally Japanese imports don't have immobilizers.

Wrong on both points . 1. FM expander makes radio etc work on our FM Freq.
2. Having had 3 Jap imports - liberty insure them ,I've had no problems.
3. You don't have to butcher any head unit now,if you want you can on eBay buy any correct fascias

4.my 4 imports all had immobilizers

colm_mcm

corks finest wrote: »

Wrong on both points . 1. FM expander makes radio etc work on our FM Freq.
2. Having had 3 Jap imports - liberty insure them ,I've had no problems.
3. You don't have to butcher any head unit now,if you want you can on eBay buy any correct fascias

Does RDS functions work with the expander? Had one years ago and it picked up the stations but all the frequencies were different and there was no RDS

corks finest

colm_mcm wrote: »

corks finest wrote: »

Wrong on both points . 1. FM expander makes radio etc work on our FM Freq.
2. Having had 3 Jap imports - liberty insure them ,I've had no problems.
3. You don't have to butcher any head unit now,if you want you can on eBay buy any correct fascias

Does RDS functions work with the expander? Had one years ago and it picked up the stations but all the frequencies were different and there was no RDS

Yes on my last import ( Suzuki swift zc72s) on my current no problem ( honda insight)