Japanese Imports

coil1985

Just curious about peoples opinions regarding Japanese imports, specifically this car below.

Is there anything to watch out for? I also notice the text on the infotainment system is in Japanese, can this be changed?

https://www.carsireland.ie/3356123

User1998

Theres not much to be said about them. They are like any other Audi. Built in Germany, and shipped to another country, and then make their way to Ireland eventually. The same way UK imports make their way here.

Like any other car, you should check the history in Japan, and the auction grading sheet.

Generally the Japanese cars are well looked after, low mileage, clean, high spec. But like anything else some of them are clocked or crashed.

I’ve changed the language on older Audis so I assume the same can be done with the newer ones.

coil1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120599441#Comment_120599441

Tks ye they actually mentioned to me that they change the language so thats all good.

Where would be the best place to track down the service history? I thought that stuff was logged on the car and viewable in the infotainment?

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120599462#Comment_120599462

Well with older Jap imports sometimes you’d have the paper service history. All in Japanese but the dates and mileages were readable.

Theres other ways to get previous mileages tho. Should be possible through a history check.

coil1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120599482#Comment_120599482

Ok, I dont believe the dealer has that anyway. Certainly didn't mention it.

bazz26

It's worth mentioning that you will get a similar Japanese imported Passat for less money than that A4.

https://www.carsireland.ie/3354979

Higher spec, bigger interior with more boot space and 1k cheaper. Engine and gearbox are the exact same as in the A4.

coil1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120599804#Comment_120599804

Will see if I can get a test drive of that too! tks

kanuseeme

Similar sold for auction in japan for 1.1 million yen

11.04.2023 14:41

AUDI A4

2016 grey

1.4TFSI Sports

44000 km  grade 4

1 101 000¥

sold

7500 euro

coil1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120600160#Comment_120600160

Thats some markup. Where did you see that?

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120600160#Comment_120600160

Completely irrelevant. Dealer has to pay

Auction charges

Freight

Customs duty

VAT

VRT

Port fees

Transport fees

Preparation

NCT

Overheads

Warranty

Glaceon

Would Audis built for the domestic Japanese market have immobilisers?

goochy

Michael Barrable around a long long time , former Fiat and Hyundai dealer . Should be good to buy from , though wonder why they are no longer Hyundai as Bright Hyundai are in an even worst location

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120600373#Comment_120600373

All VW/Audis have alarm & immobiliser

kanuseeme

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120600349#Comment_120600349

Auction charges/Transport fees/ 159 000 yen

Freight and insurance 350 000 yen

+ car = 10900 euro x duty x vat = 14750 euro,

Vrt is around 4000 euro, I don't know the Nox, with max nox its 4250, so I knocked a little off it.

port fees, here 150 euro, transport 600 a year for garage plates,

customs agent 100 euro

NCT 55 euro,

All of the above comes to around 19000 euro, plus they would be able to claim vat back on things that I pay for and also would have discounts due to quantity, that same place had a BMW 330e much the same as mine for 10 k more than I paid.

Its all assuming that they paid that much for the car in the first place, I see newer cars sell for less,

Japanese cars are fairly clean, damaged cars are cheaper again, I would ask for the auction sheet or even better do a check on the car, see if it was repaired.

Over heads, no idea ,

Warranty no idea, they might make zero on a few cars, how many do they make 5k on?

Its not irrelevant, the OP now has a better understanding of the value of the car, if he gets 500 euro or more off, maybe he would send something my way. wink wink.

wotzgoingon

Tyres too are needed for NCT as Jap tyres have to be changed for Euro spec ones as they do not have the Euro mark.

Just pointing out that dealers had to buy four tyres too.

kanuseeme

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120600599#Comment_120600599

Not all the time, my 2017 flew through the NCT without changing the tyres, any way claim back 23 % of it.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120600544#Comment_120600544

So going off your calculations they are making €4,000, and then have to warranty the car and pay overheads & staff. I appreciate the price breakdown but how much profit do you expect them to make on a €23,000 car? Or should they just sell it at cost price? The goal of a business is to make profit so I don’t see an issue with the price once its priced accordingly in the Irish market.

Again, all of this is completely irrelevant and just seems like you are angry about dealers making profit on a car. Not helping with OP’s predicament.

kanuseeme

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120600736#Comment_120600736

Honestly I don't know how or why you would assume I am angry, was it the amount of effort I done copying and pasting an auction result?

If thats the standard of gauging anger then your explanation of dealer costs would mean your popping blood vessels now.

4000 minimum, its based on purchase price, I have seen newer cars sell for less so that has a knock on effect of less vat and duty and I said about quantity discounts, 5 cars in a container is cheaper than shipping 5 cars roro.

I don't have an issue with any one making a profit, I pointed out purchase price, you got in a huff and its totally relevant, the OP could decide to purchase from japan himself, just as a dealer would, I said this already but the OP could be better off by a few hundred euro or more by knowing the purchase price, play hard ball, no point spending any more than necessary .

Ahh poor dealers making less money, you could have just let the comment slip, now it just makes it sad.

goochy

the dealer is likely buying through and agent who will take a cut also.