[W126 Coupe] 560SEC Euro

[Mike R.]

As an ex-employee of a Registered Importer (RI), I can verify that David and 
Bruce are right on the money. All they've stated is true.

It's the liability issue that is the major concern. Most insurance companies 
know what a gray market is and what is required. If you have an accident and 
the other party's insurance company realizes (usually via the European VIN 
number) that this is an imported car, they'll call the Department of 
Transportation (DOT) to verify the car's legality. If it has NOT been 
converted by an RI, the VIN number will not be in the DOT data banks and the 
DOT will tell the insurance company the car is in the country illegally. At 
that point, your insurance becomes null and void, retroactive to the date 
you purchased it. You won't get any premiums returned and the accident is 
now YOUR fault since if your illegal car wasn't there, there wouldn't be an 
accident. Then you'll likely (probably) get sued.

Since I'm not capable of self insuring my vehicles, I have to use a company 
and follow their rules. YMMV

Take care,
Mike R.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David G. Cole" <dc at dc-mc.com>
To: "Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists" <mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com>
Sent: Saturday, February 23, 2008 10:41 AM
Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] 560SEC Euro



>I would heed Bruce's perspective on this as he is actively involved in 

>these

> ventures. But I will throw in my comments as well.

>

> My friend while searching for an AMG Widebody car had located one licensed 

> in

> Virginia. This was a euro spec car, converted at the AMG facility in 

> Germany with

> all the associated documents. The car was brought in to Canada and then 

> into

> the States and licensed in Virginia. For what ever reason the lack of epa 

> or dot

> docs did not bother the boys at the license branch in Virginia.

>

> My friend and I discussed the what-ifs of this situation, but in the end 

> he went

> ahead and bought the car. Upon bringing it to Houston the TX state police 

> did

> their "check if this is a stolen car" inspection and then proceeded to 

> give it a go

> for texas plates. Neither the license branch or his insurance company 

> voiced any

> concerns over the grey market status, stating the valid virginia title & 

> registration

> is all we care about, history wise.

>

> That has been 5 yrs ago and he has not had any issues since.

>

> Hope this helps some.

>

> David Cole

> '87 560SEC AMG Widebody w/ 50k miles and also originally through Canada

> and other german toys...

>

>

>

> On 23 Feb 2008 at 8:06, Bruce Mendel wrote:

>

>>

>>

>> bringing the car into the US legally requires either an exemption

>> allowed by the US laws

>> (diplomat, non-resident staying 6 months or less, show use only, car

>> of importance, etc).

>>

>> If you want to title it and drive it here on a more permanent basis,

>> the car must be

>> brought in to the USA by a registered importer and converted to US

>> laws, which is a

>> $4K+ undertaking.

>>

>> As Jim mentions, there are "creative" ways of getting it into the

>> USA, but you won't be

>> able to register or title it. And if you have an accident, you will

>> have huge liability issues.

>>

>> Bruce

>>     ----- Original Message ----- 

>>     From: jralex at ix.netcom.com

>>     To: Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists

>>     Sent: Saturday, February 23, 2008 2:46 AM

>>     Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] 560SEC Euro

>>

>>     Bruce Mendel will likely chime in to help you with this

>> information. If you have any diplomatic

>>     connections you might be able to bypass some of our out of date

>> but expensive DOT

>>     requirements. You might even be able to ship to Canada and drive

>> it here. There are

>>     creative ways around it but others know more about it and will

>> help. Jim Alexander

>>

>>

>>     -----Original Message----- 

>>     From: Firas Al-Shatti

>>     Sent: Feb 23, 2008 1:56 AM

>>     To: mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com

>>     Subject: [W126 Coupe] 560SEC Euro

>>

>>     Dear Friends,

>>     I own a 560SEC Euro version and I'm planning to ship it to US

>> Virginia.

>>     I wonder what modifications I need to do (as per Virginia rules)

>> prior to

>>     shipment.

>>

>>     Your feedback will be highly appreciated.

>>

>>     Regards,

>>     Firas Al-Shatti

>>     Kuwait

>>

>>     Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with

>> Yahoo! Search.

>>

>>     The MB Coupes Website!

>>     W126 SEC Mailing List

>>     Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.

>

>

>

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