What would you buy directly while in England?

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.

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

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Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm

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.

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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?

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Originally Posted by 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.

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

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Originally Posted by 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

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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:

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

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Originally Posted by Ranga

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

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Do Tell :) Or maybe not:wasntme:

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Originally Posted by Lostkiwi

Do Tell :) Or maybe not:wasntme:

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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:

Congrats on being so lucky.

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


Cheers.

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...