European spec vs US
Discussion
Mainly...yes.
Importing one requires a Euro lens conversion (available from Ecklers), fitting side repeaters, fitting a fog light and switch, white front sidelights and getting the mirrors passed (which they seem to do). Oh and you'll need to save yourself a shedload of cash on buying one in the UK.
Importing one requires a Euro lens conversion (available from Ecklers), fitting side repeaters, fitting a fog light and switch, white front sidelights and getting the mirrors passed (which they seem to do). Oh and you'll need to save yourself a shedload of cash on buying one in the UK.
All Torque,
It can be done and there are lots of good reasons to import. I plan to do so although I'm in the US at present so its easier for me. there will be some great bargains on C5s soon as C6 comes on line and the dealers shift the stock.
Kenski just imported and modified to pass SVA so there are plenty of tips on the Forum. I modified a Camaro in the past and passed SVA easily.
Bottom line, Euro or US, the car is magic!!
It can be done and there are lots of good reasons to import. I plan to do so although I'm in the US at present so its easier for me. there will be some great bargains on C5s soon as C6 comes on line and the dealers shift the stock.
Kenski just imported and modified to pass SVA so there are plenty of tips on the Forum. I modified a Camaro in the past and passed SVA easily.
Bottom line, Euro or US, the car is magic!!
The euro VS USA spec -
The euro spec has radio that works in the UK & is set up on even numbers euro have side indicators amber rear lights with fog light alll build in space for a uk number plate a lot have standard Thatcham one alarm fitted by the vauxhall dealers if sold new in the uk also euro specs have service history book to check up when it was serviced they all had 3 years warranty europe wide unlike the US spec all euro had a tow hook fitted to the front side lights also were fitted & they are better cars to sell over here euro was 344bhp usa was 345bhp nothing in it!
The euro spec has radio that works in the UK & is set up on even numbers euro have side indicators amber rear lights with fog light alll build in space for a uk number plate a lot have standard Thatcham one alarm fitted by the vauxhall dealers if sold new in the uk also euro specs have service history book to check up when it was serviced they all had 3 years warranty europe wide unlike the US spec all euro had a tow hook fitted to the front side lights also were fitted & they are better cars to sell over here euro was 344bhp usa was 345bhp nothing in it!
The flip side is that the difference in the rear styling comes down to personal preference (I prefer the look of a US conversion to the Euro styling) and then there's that badge you can get on US ones that says 'Z06'...
I can't say I've had problems with the radio as yet, but I don't use it much.
Euro headlights are different, too, dipping to one side. US ones dip down instead and only need minor adjustment to pass SVA. You can drive around Europe on US ones, whereas you need those sticker things for Euro cars. Again, the flip side is that some prefer the light given off by Euro ones which have a large lit area then a sharp cut-off to pitch black, whereas US ones have a small hotspot and a progressive fade out. Most people say they prefer the Euro ones.
-kenski
I can't say I've had problems with the radio as yet, but I don't use it much.
Euro headlights are different, too, dipping to one side. US ones dip down instead and only need minor adjustment to pass SVA. You can drive around Europe on US ones, whereas you need those sticker things for Euro cars. Again, the flip side is that some prefer the light given off by Euro ones which have a large lit area then a sharp cut-off to pitch black, whereas US ones have a small hotspot and a progressive fade out. Most people say they prefer the Euro ones.
-kenski
LuS1fer said:
The principal differences are cosmetic - you get the streamlined US mirrors, you don't get the fugly rear foglamps and on the US version, the wheels stick out 1/2" further and the exhaust is louder I believe.
Well they can't get any quieter that's for sure! I was going to go to black rear lenses and red lettering (on black car) but having mocked it up on the computer, those damned fog lights spoil the balance in my view.
Only GM could stick rectangular fogs on a car with four roundish rear lights. Stroke of genius. The new Monaro looks like it will get a single round one. Just out of interest, how many years ago did anyone actually use their damn fog lamps (pensioners with Metros - different question - when did you ever turn them off).
....that's why I bought a red C5; so the rear fog lamps make at least some attempt at blending in with the car.
Don't forget that its not the fog lamp height that's critical but the height of the reflectors that are mounted integrally towards one end of the lamp. I've never understood how it is that US cars have always done without reflectors yet European type approval requires them. (Not to be confused with SVA which is much less strict)
Equally mysterious is why US cars require side marker lights but European don't. Yet the high level brake lights that started out as a US only requirement are now standard in Europe. It's a whacky world!
Don't forget that its not the fog lamp height that's critical but the height of the reflectors that are mounted integrally towards one end of the lamp. I've never understood how it is that US cars have always done without reflectors yet European type approval requires them. (Not to be confused with SVA which is much less strict)
Equally mysterious is why US cars require side marker lights but European don't. Yet the high level brake lights that started out as a US only requirement are now standard in Europe. It's a whacky world!
LuS1fer said:
... Just out of interest, how many years ago did anyone actually use their damn fog lamps ...
Like a lot of C4 owners I think they look cool and are bright enough to get away with using instead of the headlights sometimes.
Makes the car look meaner too. Shame the old bill don't agree...
I was thinking more of the rear ones. American front fog lights are generally recessed which stops the glare reflecting off the road like European ones do.
For rear fogs, if it's really foggy, you should be driving slowly enough to see a car in front of you. They tend to get used in light mist and traffic which is damned annoying and in rain which is even more annoying. I never use mine unless I see a car ahead where I think "he need to have a foglight on". the law of inverse principles suggests that when they ARE needed, people don't use them.
For rear fogs, if it's really foggy, you should be driving slowly enough to see a car in front of you. They tend to get used in light mist and traffic which is damned annoying and in rain which is even more annoying. I never use mine unless I see a car ahead where I think "he need to have a foglight on". the law of inverse principles suggests that when they ARE needed, people don't use them.
I can honestly say that the only time I use my rear fogs is to dazzle someone who I have just overtaken and who has left theirs on by mistake - a surprisingly common occurence, alas. I use the fronts a lot - those pop up headlights ruin the lines (mind you, I suppose as its dark that doesn't really matter).
Just saw a thread on the Corvette Forum. A german guy has modifed his vette with strip type LEDs for fog lights in the top one of the slits at the base of the rear bumper. They look good and they are E Marked so would pass SVA. Haven't found out who the supplier is yet. Trouble is once the "General" has cut those big holes in the bumper for the euro fogs it's difficult to change!
Incidentally, SAV rules are at least 25 cm from the ground and no more than 100 cm. They have to be symetrically in pairs or, if fitted singly, central or to the offside.
Incidentally, SAV rules are at least 25 cm from the ground and no more than 100 cm. They have to be symetrically in pairs or, if fitted singly, central or to the offside.
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