Thread: What would you buy directly while in England?

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.

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.

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