Importing a MK2?

[Shortstuff]

Hi! I'm new to the forums. I moved to Melbourne from the UK about a year ago and love it!!

My only problem is that I owned a string of MK1 and 2 Golf GTIs in the UK and am really missing driving one now. My original plan was to do a personal import on the 1988 MK2 GTI I was driving before we left the UK, but that got sold shortly after we moved to Melbourne :(

I'd like to get a 1991 MK2 3 door (hopefully 16valve) and was wondering if anyone can offer advice on importing one from the UK i.e. what has to be done for ADR compliance and Vic rego, companies to use, costs, problems, etc? Ideally i'd like to find my own car and get a company to import it for me but is this possible?

Thanks for any help!

[static1800]

I think you would need to get a pre 89 model, also i believe you need to prove you owned it for a few years. Other guys on here know better then me, goodluck with it!

[syncro]

Don't bother. It's nearly impossible.

There are a lot of links on this thread;
http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/showthread.php?t=610

[Tim]

yah pick a car b4 december 88.

[Golf Loon]

If you pick one befor december 88, there is no restriction on import. 1000quid to ship it here and compliance and rego. Thats it.
Bring an Oak green 2 door 16v if you can find one.

[syncro]

If you pick one befor december 88, there is no restriction on import. 1000quid to ship it here and compliance and rego. Thats it.
Bring an Oak green 2 door 16v if you can find one.

Has anyone tried this yet?

Make sure that you get RHD wipers. ('88 on?)

[static1800]

Import me a Rallye while your at it, although i know of one that is coming into the country :D

[Golf Loon]

Has anyone tried this yet?

Make sure that you get RHD wipers. ('88 on?)

Pre 89 is without restriction. I have checked with the nice lady at customs and you can bring in a Mk2, Mk1 or Scirooco under this ruling, no probs. Corrados are too new. Alas.

RHD wipers were earlier than 88, like 86? I had a C plate that had RHD wipers, that would have been a 1985/1986. My friend had a B plate and they were LHD.

[syncro]

My '86 had LHD wipers.

Ok that is customs. What about the other departments and then the RTA?

It will be interesting. You will still have to comply with certain ADRs.
A freind of mine used to import 1975 Camaros. Cost $800 to get the tail lights checked for type approval.

[moto]

Yes there's a bit more to it (applying for an import licence for example) but it isn't hard - especially if you have friendly help where you buy the car. The best path is to contact a freight forwarder and grill him for the minutae in the regulations and the process. You are looking at around $6000 in costs + or - depending on the price you pay for it there.

[86gti]

My '86 had LHD wipers.

Ok that is customs. What about the other departments and then the RTA?

It will be interesting. You will still have to comply with certain ADRs.
A freind of mine used to import 1975 Camaros. Cost $800 to get the tail lights checked for type approval.

87 mod here with LHD wipers :D , as far as i know it was 89 onwards.

[evorobin]

My 88 is RHD wiper

[86gti]

My 88 is RHD wiper

ah, mite be 88 onwards :?

[Shortstuff]

My 88 is RHD wiper

My last MK2 was built August 1988 and that had RHD wipers. I've only ever seen very early MK2s with the LHD wipers!

I was hoping for a big bumper model in blue (same colour as the car in the eBay link) but if it's that much easier to import a pre 1989 model then i'll have to look at that.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1991-VOLKSWAGEN-GOLF-MK2-1-8-8V-GTI-BLUE-3-DOOR_W0QQitemZ260099631462QQcategoryZ9873QQrdZ1QQc mdZViewItem

From what I read on the other thread am I right in thinking that I CAN do a personal import on a pre 1989 car even if I haven't owned and driven it in the UK for 12 months? And if it's a 16v will it be more complicated than importing an 8 valve due to the 16v engine never being used here?

There is a 3 door MK2 in alpine white in Williamstown and I think that might be a 16v (going on it's registration plates). Anyone on here own that?

Thanks for all the replies. I'm sure i'll have loads more questions as I look into it more!

[Shortstuff]

There is a 3 door MK2 in alpine white in Williamstown and I think that might be a 16v (going on it's registration plates). Anyone on here own that?

j: First thread I looked in after this one and that car is staring at me! Oops!

[86gti]

wipers were changed the year the VW badge got moved to the center of the rear pannel. 1988. :D

[syncro]

From what I read on the other thread am I right in thinking that I CAN do a personal import on a pre 1989 car even if I haven't owned and driven it in the UK for 12 months? And if it's a 16v will it be more complicated than importing an 8 valve due to the 16v engine never being used here?


Read the links on the thread more than the opinions. We do not know the full 2007 story as no-one here has done it. I know a few people that have looked into it and said that it was impossible. I'm only the messenger here:)

Doesn't make any difference whether it is 8v or 16v unless it is a digifant motor with the same engine prefix as the Australian ones, then it would be easier.

[Spyda]

Wait....why does it have to be pre 88? Ive heard of some '15year old' rule but i dont get it. How come you can import japs that arnt pre 88 :?

Can you modify a mk2 over there and them bring it here? is there some ristriction on power to weight for importing?

[evorobin]

It is possible but you have to remember things like side impact bars, emmissions etc which considering they didn't have cats could be a problem. If you bring it in as a personal import like I did none of this stuff applies.

By the time you add up the cost it is easier to just buy a mk2 import. Offers over $10K for mine ;)

[86gti]

Wait....why does it have to be pre 88? Ive heard of some '15year old' rule but i dont get it. How come you can import japs that arnt pre 88 :?

Can you modify a mk2 over there and them bring it here? is there some ristriction on power to weight for importing?

Rules for imports have changed. its no longer 15 year rule.
its now 88 and before. (due to too many bloody skylines lol)...
the pre 88 cars dont have to be complied as such. (maybe a high mount brake light and some child restraint points)
all the jap cars you see after 1988 have to be modified to comply with all ADRs (side intrusion bars etc)
and thats why you see GTR skylines on the warf in japan for bout 5g, and when they get here and complied they sell for 25gPlus.....

some of the other guys might know better than me, but i think if you own a car in the UK, and have owned it for a certain time you can bring it with you no problems.

[Golf Loon]

There are 2 rules either

1. It must be 1988 or older and you can then bring it without restriction and it needs minimal compliancing

or

2. You can own and use it for a year overseas and then you can bring it as a personal import. It can be later than a 1988 model.

[Oli]

[QUOTE=I was hoping for a big bumper model in blue (same colour as the car in the eBay link) but if it's that much easier to import a pre 1989 model then i'll have to look at that.

..Advice..
If you want 1991 why not..
Just make car few years older...somehow, like they gona know...
example 911,964,3.7L turbo body, built date 1988...
Oli

[Oli]

[QUOTE=I was hoping for a big bumper model in blue (same colour as the car in the eBay link) but if it's that much easier to import a pre 1989 model then i'll have to look at that.

..Advice..
If you want 1991 why not..
Just make car few years older...somehow, like they gona know...
example 911,964,3.7L turbo body, built date .."1988"...
Oli

sorry,Its 3.6l turbo and built date on the car .."1988"...

[bsting]

Been trying to get my head around why you guys have buggar all mk1, 2, 3 GTIs, Corrados there, over the last couple of weeks :? and why there is so much red tape to land classic cars.

I wonder what the deal would be if someone has family or mates in NZ planning on moving to OZ and you buy a car here.
Finding a mk2 3dr 16v or mk3 16v or mk3 3dr VR6 for sale here is not hard at all, to use an example.
Maybe they hold on to it here for a year or so and then they bring it with them.

But the car stays in their name till it is landed and they 'sell' it to you ;)
Has to be cheaper to bring in a car from NZ than the UK, surely.

Some gems come up on here www.trademe.co.nz

[syncro]

[QUOTE=Oli;41913]

sorry,Its 3.6l turbo and built date on the car .."1988"...

It would be very expensive if somebody knows what they are doing. They only have to look at the VIN.

[brackie]

I wonder what the deal would be if someone has family or mates in NZ planning on moving to OZ and you buy a car here. Maybe they hold on to it here for a year or so and then they bring it with them.

But the car stays in their name till it is landed and they 'sell' it to you ;)



Or better still they already have the car ;)

[Spyda]

Just get your lebo mate to hook ya up.......shiiifty;)

[Golf Loon]

Been trying to get my head around why you guys have buggar all mk1, 2, 3 GTIs, Corrados there, over the last couple of weeks :? and why there is so much red tape to land classic cars.

I wonder what the deal would be if someone has family or mates in NZ planning on moving to OZ and you buy a car here.
Finding a mk2 3dr 16v or mk3 16v or mk3 3dr VR6 for sale here is not hard at all, to use an example.
Maybe they hold on to it here for a year or so and then they bring it with them.

But the car stays in their name till it is landed and they 'sell' it to you ;)
Has to be cheaper to bring in a car from NZ than the UK, surely.

Some gems come up on here www.trademe.co.nz (http://www.trademe.co.nz)

It actually costs the same shipping wise to bring a car from NZ as it does from the UK. But If you know anyone who is moving to Oz and can bring a Golf with em, or Corrado, get them to do so. Once it is landed and registered in Oz, they can sell it to anyone. I`ll be intereste dif you want to hook us up bsting

[bsting]

Shipping cost the same :mad: that really sucks
Hmmm.... Im looking for a flatmate at the moment :)
And you can stay for a year. Ill show you some nice old vags and go for some wicked drives in them :)

Anyway, looking at this issue from another angle, do you have in Oz the B3 Passat GT model? The one with the 2L 16v 9A in it? most are autos.

If i was in OZ and my budget was a bit tight...i would hunt for a tidy mk1 or mk2 3dr...and stick the 16v in it...you can use the 8v box from an mk2 or a mk3 on it.
Or if you are lucky enough to get a 16v box, use that.

Make for a cool car i reckon ;-)

Who came up with this silly dumb law? what is the real reason behind it?
Stop voting for these idiots...and tell your mates to do the same come election time.

Ps Sorry to say this but i honestly dont think a Corrado owner here could be coaxed out of one. But you never know...

[syncro]

Anyway, looking at this issue from another angle, do you have in Oz the B3 Passat GT model? The one with the 2L 16v 9A in it? most are autos.


We had 13 of them sold here.

[Golf Loon]

Shipping cost the same :mad: that really sucks
Hmmm.... Im looking for a flatmate at the moment :)
And you can stay for a year. Ill show you some nice old vags and go for some wicked drives in them :)

Anyway, looking at this issue from another angle, do you have in Oz the B3 Passat GT model? The one with the 2L 16v 9A in it? most are autos.

If i was in OZ and my budget was a bit tight...i would hunt for a tidy mk1 or mk2 3dr...and stick the 16v in it...you can use the 8v box from an mk2 or a mk3 on it.
Or if you are lucky enough to get a 16v box, use that.

Make for a cool car i reckon ;-)

Who came up with this silly dumb law? what is the real reason behind it?
Stop voting for these idiots...and tell your mates to do the same come election time.

Ps Sorry to say this but i honestly dont think a Corrado owner here could be coaxed out of one. But you never know...

There are a few tidy Mk1 shells with 16vs in, mostly imported pommie engines. I have a Mk1 76 5 door with a KR 16v in it.
There are probably 5 or 10 2 door Mk2s in Oz, not many are 16vs.
200odd Mk 5 doors were sold here and probably more have been imported from SA and the UK.

The law is in force to protect the pathetic Aussie domestic car market. They wouldn`t be able to sell Holdons or Fords if there were more VWs here.

[Golf Loon]

We had 13 of them sold here.

Down to at least 12 now, since AusGolfer wrecked his one.

[syncro]

Even with the 15 year rule that just means that you can import it. Then it has to be modified to comply with state regulations.

[bsting]

Real sad news that :( Hunt those Passat GTs down!
The 9A is a good tough donk.

Did you guys get the Audi 80? One of the models got the 2L 8V 3A in it, another good engine....One of the guys in our club has one in his mk1 GTI and its quite quick!

There is always a group buy option with one of the wreckers here for engines and stuff, i would recommend these guys. And i believe they have sent stuff to Oz before.

www.vwspares.co.nz

Post below if it is not working (its not at my end at mo) and ill call them monday and get the new site details.

Cool?

[Shortstuff]

The link for the wreckers doesn't seem to be working for me either.

There are loads of Passat GTs about in the UK and I always used to see them in the wreckers but they wanted too much money for the engines :(

Has anyone imported a modified car from the UK? A 2 litre 16v conversion sounds good to me but i'd probably want to get it done before I brought a car to Aus simply because of the abundance of suitable parts there.

[bsting]

Thanks for the info about the link.
Ill post the correct one when i have it.

We do have easy to find Passat GTs here most are over 130,000kms and people get rid of them because the autos crap out.

Complete cars can be picked up here for $400nz (stuffed auto)
To running ok ones for $700-1200nz (still a bit of life in em)

[Shortstuff]

They used to want almost that much just for an engine in the UK!! Most were manual there though.

Here's a couple of pics of my last 2 Golfs. The MK2 was a 1988 8v GTI and I put G60 steelies on it plus clear indicators, side repeaters and M3 style rear lights. The clear pic is just after I bought it and the poor pic is after the bits I did to it.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7/AlexTegg/PA150124.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7/AlexTegg/Jan0179.jpg

The MK1 was a 1983 1.8 Campaign edition GTI which I was slowly restoring.


http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7/AlexTegg/Mycampaign3.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7/AlexTegg/Mycampaign4.jpg

[bsting]

Nice looking cars there...steelies are very cool :)

[Shortstuff]

Thanks! Yeah I love the G60 steelies. The MK1 needed a LOT of work to sort it out but the MK2 came up really well after a good polish when I got it (like in the bad pic). I paid the equivalent of $500 for it on eBay!!

I think i'll be looking here for my next MK2

http://www.futureclassiccars.com/stocklist/index.php

[bsting]

K got some stuff if you are looking to import parts from nz

www.vwspares.co.nz (issue with the server at the mo, but try again later in the week) My top choice these guys, and they have sent stuff to Oz before.

www.vdubshoppe.co.nz (mostly aircooled, but they might have some watercooled stuff)

www.german-automotive.co.nz

www.qualitat.co.nz

www.vwownersclub.co.nz (mostly aircooled with good links, the 'wanted/for sale' section can be good....with nz being a small place someone knows someone who has hard to find stuff....

www.mpd.co.nz (partsfinder site, NOW WORKING)

Hope it helps

[Spyda]

Whats if you want to import it for track use only?

and

Would you be able to take the car appart in NZ (for example) and then bring the parts over in a container or whatever and then put the car together.
Would that bypass the pre88 law?

(Dont say it would be alot of work, no ****)

[syncro]

You cannot bring a complete shell in.
How would you get it registered?

[BlackVr6ix]

Down to at least 12 now, since AusGolfer wrecked his one.

he didnt wreck it, he sold it whole

[aussieg60]

Import me a Rallye while your at it, although i know of one that is coming into the country :D

Spill the beans... I want to know more, who, where, when...:grin:

[static1800]

who? A guy i know.
where? Sydney
When? shortly

Not going to be converted to RHD though, owner doesn't want to butcher it.

[evorobin]

Not to say it can't be registered in WA/TAS though!

[aussieg60]

That would be a great and rare car in Aus. Go the Rallye ;) Would like to see it. What color ?

[static1800]

think it's silver, may be done as a hillclimb car. With a half cage maybe, so nothing gets butchered.

[Shortstuff]

Was the MK2 Syncro ever officially imported to Australia? There's a few of them in the UK running 20v turbo engines :D I'd love one with that setup!

[static1800]

there may have been some privately imported but i highly doubt it.

[syncro]

The only Mk 2s imported here were the GTIs imported in 1990 in two shipments.

[Golf Loon]

he didnt wreck it, he sold it whole

For wrecking :(

[Shortstuff]

The only Mk 2s imported here were the GTIs imported in 1990 in two shipments.

Ok! Is it incredibly expensive to ship parts out from the UK (like engines / gearboxes)? And does anyone know if you're allowed to bring parts of a car's body in to the country?

[syncro]

Yes, but not a shell.

[Golf Loon]

Ok! Is it incredibly expensive to ship parts out from the UK (like engines / gearboxes)? And does anyone know if you're allowed to bring parts of a car's body in to the country?

I have done a couple of shipments of engines and gearboxes from the UK. It is expensive, but significantly cheaper than buying stuff here. If you need something, I can help with shipping.

[Shortstuff]

I have done a couple of shipments of engines and gearboxes from the UK. It is expensive, but significantly cheaper than buying stuff here. If you need something, I can help with shipping.

Thanks! It won't be for a while yet but that would be good. I'm just trying to find the right car for the right price to import at the moment.

[Shortstuff]

Looks like i've found a car to bring over. One of my friends has a 3 door 1988 GTI 8v Campaign model (I think in a greenish grey colour) which needs a bit of easy work doing to it, but is free!! I just have to work out the technicalities (and costs) of getting it here now.

He's going to e-mail me a few pics of it so i'll post those up when I get them. I'm starting to get excitied at the prospect of MK2 GTI ownership again!:D
Hoping to drive it as is for a while, then look at an engine swap for something with a bit more go.

[static1800]

nice work man, hope you get it across smoothly.

[brackie]

All the best mate...you can be our official import tester ;)

[aliasmk2]

Looks like i've found a car to bring over. One of my friends has a 3 door 1988 GTI 8v Campaign model (I think in a greenish grey colour) which needs a bit of easy work doing to it, but is free!! I just have to work out the technicalities (and costs) of getting it here now.

He's going to e-mail me a few pics of it so i'll post those up when I get them. I'm starting to get excitied at the prospect of MK2 GTI ownership again!:D
Hoping to drive it as is for a while, then look at an engine swap for something with a bit more go.

At least the price is right to begin with
Good luck & look forward to hearing how you go with it
Cheers Ian

[evorobin]

Like I said before $5K and counting but yeah hope you go great guns :D

[Shortstuff]

Like I said before $5K and counting but yeah hope you go great guns :D

Yeah, I keep telling myself it's not too bad considering I could pay $7000+ for an aussie car. And with a UK car I get a few extra HP ;)

I'll update with pics and information as I pick up parts to sort the bits that need doing and go through the import process.

First up will be a braided brake hose kit as it failed an MOT due to perished hoses!

[evorobin]

Get a 16v and save yourself $2K instantly ;)

[bsting]

a mates 3dr 16v on this side of the ditch, dont let the high kms fool you, it goes hard :cool:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=96750543

15" ATS cups :cool:

[Shortstuff]

I just had a thought..............Will I need to get an instrument cluster with the speedo showing in KMs? I'll have to have a look at the German eBay if I do!!

[Golf Loon]

I just had a thought..............Will I need to get an instrument cluster with the speedo showing in KMs? I'll have to have a look at the German eBay if I do!!

You dont have to, as your speedo has both, but its easier to have a ks one.

[aliasmk2]

Should not be a prob, because you have km's like loon say's

Also we are not that hard strapped for parts as there are some of the 200 or so that came here are starting to turn up in wrecking yards

cheers Ian

[sukebe]

This is a bit irrelevant at this point in the thread, however I think its necessary to clear something up. I have imported cars under SEVS, pre-SEVS Rules (Low Volume Import) Personal Importing, and the 15 Year Old Rule (now redundant, replaced by the "Older than 1989 Rule", but the only change is the age).

Under SEVS there are specific models that can be imported as listed by DoTaRS. To import one of these models you need to find a RAW who can do the compliancing to ADRs. Expect to pay $4-7k for one car including Engineers Certificate.

The "Older Than 1989 Rule" allows any model to be imported and it only needs to meet certain ADRs. These usually include child restraints, side instrusion bars (if not fitted), sometimes seat belts, high-mount brake light and can include other minor bits. You do not need to be registered to do this (so can do it yourself), but you will need to get an Automotive Engineer provide a certificate which you will need for registration requirements. This certificate will cost $4-500 depending on the engineer, and the parts will could cost $200-800 (model specific needs). Generally speaking, expect to pay around $800-1200 if you get someone to do it all for you (including Engineers Certificate).

The Personal Import Rule requires that: 1. The car be owned for at least 12months abroad, 2. that you reside in that country for at least 12months continuously with no more than 40 days during that 12months allowed outside that country (to allow for travel, business etc), and 3. That ONLY AUSTRALIA CITIZENS OR THOSE WITH A PERMANENT RESIDENCY VISA CAN IMPORT UNDER THE PERSONAL IMPORT SCHEME if you wish to road-register the car. If you were able to have NZ citizens "import" their car to Oz, then "sell" it to you, there would be a hell of a lot more NZ sourced cars over here. ADR requirements for Personal Imports are the same as for "Older than 1989".

In the interest of this thread, as a UK citizen you can only import (and road register) cars older than 1989. You CANNOT use the Personal Import Rule (unless you have Permanent Residency Status).

Good luck finding a nice MK2 GTI~!

[evorobin]

I personally imported a car with a temporary residency as you have to wait two years to become permanent. However the good news is your application has to accepted to import before it's on the boat!

[Shortstuff]

In the interest of this thread, as a UK citizen you can only import (and road register) cars older than 1989. You CANNOT use the Personal Import Rule (unless you have Permanent Residency Status).

Good luck finding a nice MK2 GTI~!

Thanks for the info on the ADR related stuff.
I'm still a bit cloudy on some areas of the import rules, but the car is a 1988 model. I also have permanent residency so hopefully ok in those areas.

Although i'm not stuck with the car (my friend can always sell it to someone locally if I can't import it) I really want to get it all sorted out ASAP.

Is anyone who has personally imported a car able to tell me exactly what I need to get clearance to bring the car in to Australia? I just want to be well informed before going to transport companies, customs, etc!