GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk4 => Topic started by: swildy on 18 March 2009, 09:12
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Hi Guys
Ive just sold my car and in the process of buying a Golf
I have seen a mint 1.8 T GTi mark 4, low miles, service history etc
Was ready to go and buy it then the guy from the dealers told me it is a European Import UK Spec
What will I need to condsider, should I stay away and look for another one, Im aware my insurance may go up a little but will I have problems with parts, servicing, selling on etc?
I really want this car and really want to be part of this group so any advice is much appreciated as my knowledge of this is very limited
Cheers
Steve
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Not sure mate, i thought you could just pay a fee to VW uk to get it on the system ???
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Im sure its already registered in the UK as it was brought in New, just was a bit worried about selling on etc etc
Im pretty positive it will be ok, just spoke to the garage and they wont budge on there asking price, well said they would knock the £94 off, I was hoping more £294 off
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shouldn't really affect selling on as its well past its warranty period
as long as its well specced i.e fitted with aircon etc then it should be fine
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Sounds good mate go for it :wink:
As Rhyso said it's out of warranty so it being an import shouldnt be a problem
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my aum is a swedish import and its not a cause for concern its dealer serviced and had no issue there either as rhy's says its out of warranty as is mine so should'nt be any course for concern :wink: mine came well specc'd :cool:
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My sisters 1.6 was an import at new, was fully covered by uk warrenty an all, also had crusie control which the UK one didnt!
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How's that work, importing them from abroad? Won't everything be all arse about face, like the steering wheel on the wrong side?
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Nah, there was a trend a few years a go (before the car supermarkets really took off), where people would go to the continent to buy their own cars. Continental dealers HAD to sell you a UK spec car if you wanted one, at roughly the same price as the Euro cars, due to EU directives etc.. Even when paying VAT on your return, you could still save thousands. It's all done for you nowadays, of course. ;)
Dealers tried to strike back by not offering the same length of warranty as the UK cars. (This was allowed, though, as the 3rd year of warranty was (& still only is, AFAIK) an extra chucked in by franchised dealers - The first 2 years are covered by the manufacturer i.e. VW). :)
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Go for it, does not matter to most people at the end of the day.
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I am also in the market for a MK4 1.8 T GTi following research and opinion on this forum. Cannot offer any advice on a Mk4 as my previous (happy) experience was with MK1's and Mk2's before I went over to the dark side (hopefully I will soon be back, and behind the wheel of a MK4)
I do have some experience of "UK spec imports" though
I owned a UK spec import Audi TT that was about 10% cheaper than a UK franchised dealer bought car, obviously they are all imports as they aren't manufactured in the UK, the difference is that a 'UK car' is supplied via the official VAG UK dealer franchise network
VAG UK operate as an independent company to VAG Germany, they deal with the import of the cars from the factory and sell them onwards to their UK dealer franchise network, VAG UK control pricing, discounts and crucially as 'middleman' are adding a margin that is avoided by importing a 'UK spec car' direct from the factory (which has its own showroom) or via an independent importer.
On a new car the concern is the lack of VAG UK backed warranty, this is usually overcome by a warranty either purchased personally or included by the car supermarket, the cost of which still resulting in the car being cheaper than if bought through the dealer network.
Imported cars are either bought direct from the factory based showroom in Germany and driven home on import plates and all paperwork for DVLA done personally, or via an independent importer or car supermarket who have done all the DVLA registration - which is why they are cheaper, as you are cutting out the VAG UK and dealer margin and avoiding the controlled pricing structure and maximum discount restrictions imposed by VAG UK
You haven't said what year and price, how does its price compare with Parkers ?
I personally would expect an import to be cheaper bearing in mind it was cheaper for the 1st buyer and so using the logic that its depreciation percentage will be the same I would expect if the direct import route saves 10% then its second hand value should be at least 10% cheaper than a VAG UK dealer franchise supplied car.
Have a look at the honestjohn.co.uk review http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=449 as they say that "RHD personal imports not to full UK spec" they do not explain in what way - maybe someone on this forum knows?
Hope all this helps - good luck