What would you buy directly while in England?

[DiscoMick]

After a bit of advice.
Assuming the predicted healthy tax return actually appears in our bank account, it looks like we'll be off to the UK for 4 weeks in November-December.
So, that raises the possibility of buying a few Disco 1 bits while we're over there and sending them back.
However, I'm a bit unsure about what bits would offer the greatest saving compared with buying them here, given they obviously won't fit in my luggage so will have to be shipped.
I'm sitting here looking at the ads. in Land Rover Owner International and trying to keep my urge to buy stuff under control. So far my list of possibles includes:

Steering guard (seem to be about 80-95 pounds)
Diff guards (20 pounds)
Stronger sidesteps than my currrent ones (137 pounds)
Light guards
Front True Trac or other locker (ARB air locker, 10 or 24 spline diff, 587 pounds) (already have a rear auto locker)
Larger fuel tank with guard (can't find a price for a larger tank, but guards are 69 pounds)
Maybe a rear swing wheel carrier that can mount to the standard Disco rear bar. (from Paddock 100 pounds)
Front bar with winch mount (bar 280 pounds
Britpart winch 9500lb 369 pounds; EW9000 T-Max winch 286 pounds

I keep looking at the tyre and wheel packages and wondering... For example, set of 4 BFG MTs in 235/70/16 on steel wheels for 595 pounds.

Do you think carpets and a roof lining would be worth importing? (I can find ads, but I can't find any actual prices for a D1)

Is there anything else you'd recommend? I'm making a tourer, not a rock-hopper.

Anyone done this?

There are several big suppliers advertising - anyone have any experience to recommend one with good prices and service to Australia? I'm assuming the best suppliers might be in or near London so I could go in for a look-see? We will have a car to get around in.

Also, is it better to just let the retailer arrange to ship them over or is there a shipper you'd recommend? Do they charge by weight or space or both?

So many Qs...

I did have a brief wicked thought about buying an actual vehicle and shipping it back, but the budget isn't up for that, unfortunately.

[big guy]

A complete car. RRC 95 with a tdi or a P38 with the bmw motor!:cool:

[d@rk51d3]

And then pack it full of goodies to bring back. :cool:

[DiscoMick]

Funny you should say that, there's a private ad. for a RR Classic 300tdi auto Vogue in immaculate condition with 13,000 pounds of bills for work done with original bill of sale and every MOT since new and only done 72,000 miles for a mere 2695 pounds ono advertised in the June LR Owner International p 242. Very tempting.:angel:

[big guy]

There was a RRC 95 tdi for sale in Brisbane some months ago.
It sold for $15k and it looked great.
My fav colour-Green and cream leather with soft dash.
Could be a car to last a life time:p

[circlework]

Geeeez, I look at your list an it makes me feel like that weasel that keeps lickin' its chops and trying to eat Foghorn Leghorn. :twisted:

Don't hold back, just remember not to go over the limit for import duty with each individual package and try to space the postage times out so they don't all arrive on customs doorstep at the same time.


Cheers,
Daryl.

[PAT303]

There was a RRC 95 tdi for sale in Brisbane some months ago.
It sold for $15k and it looked great.
My fav colour-Green and cream leather with soft dash.
Could be a car to last a life time:p

Got to agree with that. Pat

[Yorkie]

i am not 100% on this but would it not be the case if you buy from aus and have sent over the seller does not have to charge vat.
i you buy in the uk you will be slugged vat (17.5%), suspect you can claim this back at the airport but would think you have to have the item to show the customs people, could be tricky with a set of rims with tyres. :D

[Tank]

What would you buy directly while in England?
A ticket straight back home LOL, Regards Frank.

[sashadidi]

i am not 100% on this but would it not be the case if you buy from aus and have sent over the seller does not have to charge vat.
i you buy in the uk you will be slugged vat (17.5%), suspect you can claim this back at the airport but would think you have to have the item to show the customs people, could be tricky with a set of rims with tyres. :D
would you get the old car back in with the new pollution type regs? in NZ we cannot bring in td5s or 300tdi as does not met the new pollution regs unless you owned it personally for 18 months, two friends have brought new defenders on export and driven around europe and shipped home no vat if arranged but these were new cars on special plates

[Bigbjorn]

If you are thinking of buying a car over there, check with the relevant commonwealth department as to what year model you can import without owning and using overseas for the required time which used to be two years. You have to have permission to import BEFORE shipping a vehicle. The shipping companies generally won't accept the job without the permission.

[Grockle]

if you keep your Aus passport with you you won't have to pay vat

[pando]

If you are thinking of buying a car over there, check with the relevant commonwealth department as to what year model you can import without owning and using overseas for the required time which used to be two years. You have to have permission to import BEFORE shipping a vehicle. The shipping companies generally won't accept the job without the permission.

Yeah, did a bit of research on this a while ago, was thinking of importing from nippon.

Basically, you've got buckleys trying to legally import a car from OS that was available from a dealer in oz as a mass produced, mass delivered vehicle that you haven't owned in it's country of origin for less than 18 months. Customs dudes just won't sign off on the paper work, and even if you did get it to an Australian port, without all the toilet paper in check it would not be allowed to enter any Australian State or Territory and you'll either have to pay to have it freighted back to whence it came or to have it destroyed.

Variances on models don't count either, although you maybe able to plead the "RRC was not available as a diesel in Australia" case but i doubt it would hold much sway, they don't seem to be very flexible at all.

My interpretation of the options available are......

1) Import a vehicle manufactured prior to 1976 (AFAIR).

2) Import a vehicle under the REVS scheme (set list, Skylines, Mustangs, Corvettes....).

3) Get the vehicle complied and on the REVS list (around 14k from what other forums suggest, I might just be perpetuating the bollocks here, not real sure as what is involved), also, i think it regulates out any dealer delivered vehicle as well as the normal regs.

4) Own the vehicle and live in the same country (proof is required) for a period of 18 months.

Although I might be way off track and you never know your luck, maybe just apply to have it imported, they can only knock you back?

[lardy]

After a bit of advice.
Assuming the predicted healthy tax return actually appears in our bank account, it looks like we'll be off to the UK for 4 weeks in November-December.
So, that raises the possibility of buying a few Disco 1 bits while we're over there and sending them back.
However, I'm a bit unsure about what bits would offer the greatest saving compared with buying them here, given they obviously won't fit in my luggage so will have to be shipped.
I'm sitting here looking at the ads. in Land Rover Owner International and trying to keep my urge to buy stuff under control. So far my list of possibles includes:

Steering guard (seem to be about 80-95 pounds)
Diff guards (20 pounds)
Stronger sidesteps than my currrent ones (137 pounds)
Light guards
Front True Trac or other locker (ARB air locker, 10 or 24 spline diff, 587 pounds) (already have a rear auto locker)
Larger fuel tank with guard (can't find a price for a larger tank, but guards are 69 pounds)
Maybe a rear swing wheel carrier that can mount to the standard Disco rear bar. (from Paddock 100 pounds)
Front bar with winch mount (bar 280 pounds
Britpart winch 9500lb 369 pounds; EW9000 T-Max winch 286 pounds

I keep looking at the tyre and wheel packages and wondering... For example, set of 4 BFG MTs in 235/70/16 on steel wheels for 595 pounds.

Do you think carpets and a roof lining would be worth importing? (I can find ads, but I can't find any actual prices for a D1)

Is there anything else you'd recommend? I'm making a tourer, not a rock-hopper.

Anyone done this?

There are several big suppliers advertising - anyone have any experience to recommend one with good prices and service to Australia? I'm assuming the best suppliers might be in or near London so I could go in for a look-see? We will have a car to get around in.

Also, is it better to just let the retailer arrange to ship them over or is there a shipper you'd recommend? Do they charge by weight or space or both?

So many Qs...

I did have a brief wicked thought about buying an actual vehicle and shipping it back, but the budget isn't up for that, unfortunately.

Personally I wouldn't bother with the winch what is available to purchase in Australia should suffice on that front

[Lostkiwi]

i am not 100% on this but would it not be the case if you buy from aus and have sent over the seller does not have to charge vat.
i you buy in the uk you will be slugged vat (17.5%), suspect you can claim this back at the airport but would think you have to have the item to show the customs people, could be tricky with a set of rims with tyres. :D


As of 2011 VAT is going up to 20%:o But thats good for us, should make it even cheaper to import those goodies:D [I hope]:cool:

[Ranga]

New bloody seat trim for my Defender after I accidentally burnt a hole in one of them!! :mad:

[Lostkiwi]

New bloody seat trim for my Defender after I accidentally burnt a hole in one of them!! :mad:


Do Tell :) Or maybe not:wasntme:

[Ranga]

Do Tell :) Or maybe not:wasntme:

Out hunting, left my Defender at camp whilst we went into town for supplies in another vehicle.

Came back to find someone had accidentally turned on the spotlight which was facing down on my front passenger seat, and burnt/singed a perfect hole through the trim and foam! :o

Still shudder when I think of it, buggered if I know why it didn't catch alight! :eek:

[circlework]

Congrats on being so lucky.

Now, just add a chamber pot and whalla ........ instant commode!! :D :D


Cheers.

[DiscoMick]

I've decided I'm definitely buying diff guards and a steering guard.
I'm also going to compare the cost of larger fuel tanks, a tube bar for the front and a wheel carrier for the rear.
I wonder if I can get that lot in a Golf with 4 people... and if I can sneak it past Air Asia's 20kg limit. Maybe if I leave the wife behind...
Now, about the rest of that list...

[pando]

Hi Guys,

For those that maybe interested, I just got a quote for a Disco 1 winch bumper (about the heaviest most awkward thing i could think of to ship) from the UK, about 230 pounds to my door in southern tassie.

I don't think thats too bad really, considering where it's coming from.

[DiscoMick]

That's $430 including shipping which is a lot less than winch bumpers here cost.

[Hamish71]

A Wildcat....they arent available in Australia :)

Models - Wildcat 300STR - Qt Wildcat (http://www.qtwildcat.co.uk/models/?wildcat=300STR)

Honest Sir, its just a sports coupe...look, the brochure says so:angel:

[DiscoMick]

They are pretty cool. No prices given, I notice???

[Yorkie]

one of those if you have to ask, you can't afford. ;)
very noice bit of kit that.

[Lostkiwi]

Hi Guys,

For those that maybe interested, I just got a quote for a Disco 1 winch bumper (about the heaviest most awkward thing i could think of to ship) from the UK, about 230 pounds to my door in southern tassie.

I don't think thats too bad really, considering where it's coming from.


I just ordered a few small light parts from the UK - 4 front brake slave cylinders a few seals and a few small screws etc Nothing heavy Total came to 27 pounds Good price:D Then the freight bill came Thur 87pounds to post it to Norfolk Island!!! :eek::eek::eek::o:o:mad:
They said it was the courier they use [maybe they should change]
Im Just in the process of getting them to post it to some rallies over there Cost 5 pounds:) They are going to forward onto me
Its will be interesting to see how much that costs!
So be aware of were you buy from and get a quote on the freight first!!

[pando]

That's $430 including shipping which is a lot less than winch bumpers here cost.

Opps....

Read the quote wrong, 230 was the shipping, 200 for the bar.

Around $800 AUD all up.

[Bearman]

I would get a Quaife centre for my front diff.;)

[DiscoMick]

Oh, I thought it was too good to be true.:(

[digger]

ticket home?


(and properly marked L/R mudflaps for series)

[Lostkiwi]

A V8 90:twisted:

[Bigbjorn]

I just ordered a few small light parts from the UK - 4 front brake slave cylinders a few seals and a few small screws etc Nothing heavy Total came to 27 pounds Good price:D Then the freight bill came Thur 87pounds to post it to Norfolk Island!!! :eek::eek::eek::o:o:mad:
They said it was the courier they use [maybe they should change]
Im Just in the process of getting them to post it to some rallies over there Cost 5 pounds:) They are going to forward onto me
Its will be interesting to see how much that costs!
So be aware of were you buy from and get a quote on the freight first!!

Have a look at the Pom Post Office web site. I think it is called Royal Mail. You should be able to calculate a close enough price for comparison purposes. I now only use US Post Office when buying stock and insist on suppliers using International Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes. I have had a couple of severe frights when suppliers used FedEx and UPS. A FedEx charge of $125 for two fog light sealed beams costing US$17 was the last straw. I now rarely buy anything from UK & Europe since the freight and postage charges got right out of hand. Let alone the monstrous increase in the price of my lines of goods in recent years.

[Fifth Columnist]

Almost anything, being as I live in England ;)

[abaddonxi]

Kylie Minogue.

[Lostkiwi]

Have a look at the Pom Post Office web site. I think it is called Royal Mail. You should be able to calculate a close enough price for comparison purposes. I now only use US Post Office when buying stock and insist on suppliers using International Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes. I have had a couple of severe frights when suppliers used FedEx and UPS. A FedEx charge of $125 for two fog light sealed beams costing US$17 was the last straw. I now rarely buy anything from UK & Europe since the freight and postage charges got right out of hand. Let alone the monstrous increase in the price of my lines of goods in recent years.


Thanks, Just checked out the royal Mail web site Looks like it should only cost 6-8 pounds. Thats a lot better than the 87 pounds i was going to get charged!:mad:
I also ordered a set front dumb Irons from a different company They charged $170au all up thats including items and the freight
So there are still bargains out there:D

[frantic]

How about half the list from ashcroft to make the drivetrain bulletproof(4.11 gears, front cv's, rear driveshafts, transfer,gearbox etc)!
Maybe you could get a LONG ski bag and pass the side steps off as snow skis!:D
You would probably get away with bringing in a lightweight LR as they where never sold here and then you can just put a HUGE wood box in the back and fill it up!

[Grockle]

me a pint :D if I can help let me know,where abouts are you going in the UK

[DiscoMick]

Everywhere, judging from the wife's draft itinerary.