Advice for US native moving to London - Parts, Cars from US?

[Cotty]

Another E30? You have to ask? definately.

[Grey Ghost]

The good news..........you can come tunnel running

The bad news...........FATCA.........but you knew that right ?

[jmini23]

I would try clements.com for expat insurance in London - surprisingly cheap (only if you are an expat). PS I am in no way connected to them.

[Swanny87]

Camden really isn't that far and would only be one change to get to canary wharf. No longer than 45 mins. Closer to 30 mins if you live nearer Camden tube.

[element6]

Triumph Man said:

I remember a US Passat forum wetting themselves over the fact that someone had rescued the 1998 Passat TDI show car, of which there were 2 (?) in the whole of the US. It wasn't even the 110 bhp version!

Welcome OP, and enjoy. TBH I'd happily trade with you and enjoy your big V8s and sunshine!

Thank you! Yes, the weather is nice in South Florida. But after living here a few years, you cherish ANY trip you can take out of state. It gets extremely repetitive with the weather and geography of the state. A great place to retire though.

By the way, many of the VW guys here in the US are out of their minds if you can't tell. To compare - I'm not sure how the Apple fans are in the UK, but some of the VW "afficionados" here are equally beyond help. Just a few years ago, someone imported 3 higher mileage, LHD B5 Audi RS4's. They sold within a span of weeks for well over $50k USD EACH. Another example - We only got the 2004 model year Mk4 R32 Golf here (it was assembled in Mexico with the rest of the North/South American VW's. Up until a year or two ago, good examples were still being sold for well into the mid $20k range.

All that for an AWD 260hp car when we have things like the WRX STI and Evo VIII and IX available for less cost in comparison to age and mileage. On top of that, I wouldn't hesitate to say that the MK4 Jetta/Golf/r32 was one of the worst platforms in terms of reliability and longevity. I had many friends who owned them. Nothing but problems - especially with the VR6 models. On the other hand, I wouldn't mind owning a MK1 Jetta Coupe for the novelty of it. FWD or not, they look very nice.

Cotty said:

Another E30? You have to ask? definately.

I love e30's, they are great driving cars. But I can get any variant here. Many people have been importing the EU only E30 touring over the last year or so. If I stayed here, I was planning to buy a resto-mod 2002 in the next year. I just wanted a very clean, original looking 2002 coupe with an M42 for some fun.

Grey Ghost said:

The good news..........you can come tunnel running

The bad news...........FATCA.........but you knew that right ?

Very excited for tunnel running
As far as FATCA goes, I won't be bringing any accounts over $50k USD to the UK.
To quote: "Taxpayers with a total value of specified foreign financial assets below a certain threshold do not have to file Form 8938. If the total value is at or below $50,000 at the end of the tax year, there is no reporting requirement for the year, unless the total value was more than $75,000 at any time during the tax year."
We also have FBAR, but if I keep less than $10k in a foreign account, I don't have to report that either.
FBAR
I'll also be attempting to keep my checking/savings accounts with a US based institution.
Won't be buying any real-estate while there.
Cars are also exempt from being reported.
Types of foreign assets and whether they are reportable

jmini23 said:

I would try clements.com for expat insurance in London - surprisingly cheap (only if you are an expat). PS I am in no way connected to them.

Thank you for the tip!

Swanny87 said:

Camden really isn't that far and would only be one change to get to canary wharf. No longer than 45 mins. Closer to 30 mins if you live nearer Camden tube.

Good to know, thank you. I still would rather be closest to the office as possible while being able to enjoy an interesting neighborhood. I think Shoreditch might be my best bet if I like the area. The journey calculator say 15 minutes by rail to Canary wharf with one transfer at Canada Water. Also says I could cycle there in 21 minutes.. not bad.

fttm said:

US Native , you opening a casino somewhere ?

Didn't know "US Native" held that connotation
We refer to them as Native Americans or American Indians. A US native refers to someone born and raised in the US here. It's even used in that respect on government documents, financial documents, etc.
https://www.census.gov/population/foreign/about/fa...

Bluebarge said:

That might be because it doesn't. Miami gets nearly 3 times as much rainfall as London. London is also drier than many S.European cities, such as Toulouse, Naples and Rome.

Was hoping someone would mention that I can deal with rain just fine. From June to almost November here, the humidity averages about 80% all day, every day, and it rains (POURS) every single afternoon and night, sometimes for hours. To be honest, I can deal with the humidity and rain here.. many people here absolutely can't stand it. I don't like subjecting myself to year-round AC in my home, car, and everywhere in between - so I don't. But as I said, many people live in their AC bubble nonstop.

Jabosoc said:

I pay £117/year for my BMW E34 520i (also inexpensive, slow and common). It's a 5000 mile/year policy with commuting included - although it's seldom used for that - an agreed value and salvage retention.

Very helpful, thank you. I will probably have to go insurance shopping when I arrive. I figure I should probably bring full, notarized copies of my US driving record from FL and PA. Although, I did read that many insurers ignore US driving records regardless :/

Edited by element6 on Thursday 8th January 23:24

[Grey Ghost]

Good man

I work in a regulatory environment for an investment bank and the cost of rolling out FATCA is estimated at over 10 times the anticipated income for the IRS.................yet every country has to do it.

Have to laugh don't you.

Tunnel running is great fun and we usually have a spare seat or two, lovely way to spend a Sunday morning

[fivepointnine]

element6 said:

Very helpful, thank you. I will probably have to go insurance shopping when I arrive. I figure I should probably bring full, notarized copies of my US driving record from FL and PA. Although, I did read that many insurers ignore US driving records regardless :/

Edited by element6 on Thursday 8th January 23:24

Geico has a branch in England, that is what I am doing next month, just transferring my current Geico policy to UK coverage. USAA (if you are Government) is the same way.

Edited by fivepointnine on Friday 9th January 15:17

[Cotty]

element6 said:

Cotty said:

Another E30? You have to ask? definately.

I love e30's, they are great driving cars. But I can get any variant here. Many people have been importing the EU only E30 touring over the last year or so. If I stayed here, I was planning to buy a resto-mod 2002 in the next year. I just wanted a very clean, original looking 2002 coupe with an M42 for some fun.

I forgot your didn't get the touring. I suggested it becuase I have a 325i touring

[element6]

Well, I got much more reasonable insurance quotes out of Clements (AIG).

I checked rates with several different cars and they all stayed relatively the same no matter what I did.

I don't anticipate driving the car for work, won't be driving it more than 6,000 miles a year, will own the car outright (I don't like loans or liens), car will be garage kept, have security system and tracking, and will only be driven by me. Personally, I have a clean driving record (except for being rear ended in 2013 where I was obviously not at fault) and I am 28.

The rates for the following three cars all stayed about the same - Right around 2,000GBP annually if paid upfront (which I plan to do). I still think there is room for improvement but maybe I'm wrong.
2010 Mercedes E300 CDI Blueefficiency Saloon - Bland and slow, but inexpensive at the pump and comfortable
2001 Audi RS4 Wagon - Currently my favorite option.. a sensible AND entertaining EU only Audi catering
2006 Lotus Elise 111R - A slightly impractical source of excitement for the weekends and after hours


I have to admit, I want to drive a 325i touring, but I'm not sure I want to own and maintain another e30 as soon as I arrive.. Especially with all the new options opened up to me.

I will certainly miss this though:



Snapped that earlier tonight. Had to fill up the Insight after driving it 450 miles the other day.. On that trip, it guzzled 7 gallons of gas (petrol) at the ludicrous price of $2.12/gallon. I'm ashamed.

[PanzerCommander]

From somebody that drives a LHD in the UK on a daily basis (assuming the BMW you are brining over will be LHD) the only problems you will have is if you have to use toll roads regularly and barrier controlled car parks because the booth/barrier is on the ‘wrong’ side of the car. If you have to do this regularly a grabber with a cup can be used to deliver cash to the booth and can also be used to press the button on barriers.

Parts from the US is a doddle, as others have said Summit will ship parts over here, as will Jegs, Rock Auto and a great deal of others. And for those that don’t (usually wont) ship to the UK there are companies that will bring things across for you (STS Imports is the one I use).

If you like your NFL you will be pleased to know that there are currently 3 games a year (as of last year) being brought over to the UK and played at Wembley.

I can’t help with any London based stuff as I live in t’north.

Hope you enjoy the UK.

[element6]

swerni said:

A world mainly consisting of monochrom diesel fridges.

What's not to look forward to

It's all new and exciting in the beginning. After all, the only things we get here with diesel options are pickup trucks and 18-wheelers. It's been a little better in recent years (with Mercedes and BMW bringing more diesel options here) but we still don't get them all. Our commutes here are a lot different than commutes in the UK though.. that's the price you pay for cheap, plentiful land and sprawling suburbs - Spread out friends and family, added seat time, and high mileage vehicles.

My case is a little different than most.. but being completely honest I can say I average driving an assortment of vehicles about 45,000 miles a year in total.

[londonbabe]

Don't live in Shoreditch if you value sleep. It's all bars and clubs and students and parties and traffic and noise well into the early hours. Go a bit further East into Bethnal Green. As connected as Shoreditch (more so, really) but you can get to sleep at night. Or take a look at the former Olympic Village in Stratford: It's all being marketed at the moment, you've got direct trains to Canary Wharf and the QE2 Olympic park is just lovely.

Based purely on my viewings of Wheeler Dealers, if you want to bring something over, you will have no trouble selling Deloreans or rust-free split screen VW campers over here.

Edited by londonbabe on Sunday 25th January 22:54

[gwm]

How about something like a resto-mod that would be hard to source/find from the UK? I always liked the idea of them, yet you would have to know what you wanted and import it if you were in the UK. I'm sure many UK locals would love the modern car/retro looks - without the car being completely crap by Euro standards.

[Dammit]

If you are going to be in Shoreditch, and can (as has been mentioned) put up with Northern hairdressers vomiting on your doorstep every night of the week, why not become a member of this place: http://classiccarclub.co.uk/home.asp

Be a stroll from your hugely expensive shoebox in the morning to pick up whatever you fancy for the weekend.

[daveofedinburgh]

londonbabe said:

Don't live in Shoreditch if you value sleep. It's all bars and clubs and students and parties and traffic and noise well into the early hours. Go a bit further East into Bethnal Green. As connected as Shoreditch (more so, really) but you can get to sleep at night. Or take a look at the former Olympic Village in Stratford: It's all being marketed at the moment, you've got direct trains to Canary Wharf and the QE2 Olympic park is just lovely.

Based purely on my viewings of Wheeler Dealers, if you want to bring something over, you will have no trouble selling Deloreans or rust-free split screen VW campers over here.

Edited by londonbabe on Sunday 25th January 22:54

Stratford area has proven surprisingly appealing on afew recent visits.

More cosmopolitan than you'd think, and some relatively affordable properties that will offer views of the city and other nice stuff. Also lots of new build flats/ apartments around the area that will have secure underground parking, which would be a must for me.

Someone planning to live as central as yourself really won't 'need' a car, but why should that stop you owning one or more vehicles for purely recreational purposes?! Used to love popping out for an evening top-down drive around Richmond/ Hammersmith etc once the traffic subsided and just drinking in the views/ ambience.

Most of my neighbours in Chiswick (desirable London area, but nothing like as central as your considering) didnt own a single vehicle. This made it much easier for nutters like myself to secure parking fairly easily- worth considering when looking at any property with allocated parking, as many spaces will be unused and thus cheap/ free to use (with the owners' consent!).

I think parking (when not at home) is a biggie down here. It's often hard to come by and very expensive, even in places with huge lots like Westfield. Just plan ahead and use the excellent public transport if visiting somewhere with potentially sketchy parking- dont get caught out.

I also find that there aren't enough gas stations around central London, so make sure you fill up when you get the chance to avoid any nervous needle-watching drives through traffic on eg. the North Circular.

That brings me to another point- you'll have to be vigilant of traffic reports (I find Twitter pretty useful) before setting off anywhere near peak times. Last week for example it took my good lady and I 3 hours to do Westfield Stratford to Watford due to the North Circ/ M11 being f*cked, for lack of a better word. We've made the journey problem-free so many times that we just assumed we'd be grand, the lesson here being 'never assume'. Nothing more exciting than a diesel spill was responsible for that particular sh*tty end to an otherwise enjoyable shopping spree.

Not sure how aware of traffic you have to be day-to-day in the US, the only time Ive ever encountered what I'd call 'traffic' over there was in LA, and it was nowhere near as bad as I'd expected.