Japanese imported ferraris - good idea?
Discussion
Skylab said:
Be wary of trying to sell your LHD car into Europe , if you intend to move it on. A Japanese car will not have a COC that is acceptable to many countries, we are more flexible.
That's an interesting point, relevant to me as I expect to repatriate my car to Europe at some point...Is it possible to get a CoC for a Japanese car or is the European market just a non-starter?
Im not sure , but I assume it could be the same issue. even when Ferrari have issued a COC saying the car conforms to the original Euro spec, I have heard of cases of rejection. I am unsure for how many countries this is an issue, I would get it checked out before a big purchase. Have heard same with GCC cars coming to Europe. ok to get into UK but not other countries.
jtremlett said:
Inverness said:
...but if it was a Rolls Royce then it would have left its Factory in the UK in Right Hand Drive, so they would want it in Right Hand Drive...
Well it must be quite a small sub-culture that doesn't ever sell their cars then because, of course, I checked before my previous post and couldn't find any RHD Rolls-Royces for sale on the Japanese websites I looked on. Back on topic; Japanese are genuinely fastidious about looking after their cars...they don’t get caught up with paperwork, but look after them as necessary/by the book. However, the lack of documentation does mean that some less reputable exporters will from mileages.
Most Japanese owners will have kept the shaken documents - it’s a one page summary of the MOT equivalent. Japanese language but it’s easy enough to find the mileage, so check the most recent mileage stacks up. If the shaken documents are missing (lost!) then there is no easy way to confirm...data protection law are very strict here, so dealerships aren’t able to share any history they have with the car.
Inverness said:
jtremlett said:
Inverness said:
...but if it was a Rolls Royce then it would have left its Factory in the UK in Right Hand Drive, so they would want it in Right Hand Drive...
Well it must be quite a small sub-culture that doesn't ever sell their cars then because, of course, I checked before my previous post and couldn't find any RHD Rolls-Royces for sale on the Japanese websites I looked on. These days Ferrari sell approx. 400 cars a year in Japan, Bentley around 280 and Rolls-Royce around 180 cars.
Edited by Voxy on Saturday 3rd November 08:12
Skylab said:
Im not sure , but I assume it could be the same issue. even when Ferrari have issued a COC saying the car conforms to the original Euro spec, I have heard of cases of rejection. I am unsure for how many countries this is an issue, I would get it checked out before a big purchase. Have heard same with GCC cars coming to Europe. ok to get into UK but not other countries.
No direct experience, but a Japanese friend has been selling “older” Ferrari into Germany for quite a few years now and making a decent profit (subject to exchange rate fluctuations). He most typically exports 355s, 360s and 430s, but also a few Testarossas and the occasional 512BB.SlackBladder said:
3 years later.......
Found a GTC4 Lusso that I'm interested in but found out it's a Malaysian import.
No 'black hole' history as it's a 2018 car the less than 1000 miles on the clock.
Will the 7 year service plan be honoured in the UK and what about extending the warranty?
Yes , the service plan should be honoured worldwide.Found a GTC4 Lusso that I'm interested in but found out it's a Malaysian import.
No 'black hole' history as it's a 2018 car the less than 1000 miles on the clock.
Will the 7 year service plan be honoured in the UK and what about extending the warranty?
Note that Malaysian cars are UK-spec. In fact, quite a lot of UK cars end up for sale there.
daddy cool said:
OSMojo said:
Please (and no disrespect) responses only from high end car owners, buying a Nissan 300zx or some other thing with a bean can on the exhaust that came from Japan isnt the same thing
Says "No disrespect" then shows complete disrespect. Brilliant! 
K50 DEL said:
I have one... a LHD 360 spider that was originally sold by Cornes in Tokyo before being imported into a UAE collection, from where I purchased it in 2013, eventually shipping it back to the UK with me in 2015 when I returned home.
I don't have the complete black hole of Japanese servicing to be fair (Japanese service sheets were with the car, and a small fee to a translation company sorted out what was done and when) though it wasn't done annually with a cambelt every 3 years like UK Ferrari buyers are obsessed with.
Personally once you get to the age of my car (17yrs now) a serious buyer would be looking at current condition and recent works, not whether the car missed a belt service over a decade ago so I've never worried.
Instead, I enjoy using the car, ensure all maintenance is done and generally have fun with a Ferrari in the garage in my 30s whilst not getting hung-up on every last stone-chip or mark... it's been parked in all kinds of places, driven around Castle Combe by 14yr old kids, thrashed around Yas Island circuit by a Ferrari factory driver and even lightly off-roaded at one point in Oman lol
Personally I'd far rather have a car that I can use and enjoy but is worth 10k less than a mint example that I'm scared to take out of the garage but YMMV
Hi, I have recently got a LHD Ferrari Portofino imported from Japan from a dealer in Dubai. The car looks like euro specs, the only issue is the head unit, because I can’t have all the radio frequencies, the gps does not work, and I have a strange message saying “ETC communication error”, but I cannot find any ETC card reader in the car, I only have a Panasonic antenna fixed I don’t know how on the car dashboard that I would like to remove. Any experience about the head unit ? I don't have the complete black hole of Japanese servicing to be fair (Japanese service sheets were with the car, and a small fee to a translation company sorted out what was done and when) though it wasn't done annually with a cambelt every 3 years like UK Ferrari buyers are obsessed with.
Personally once you get to the age of my car (17yrs now) a serious buyer would be looking at current condition and recent works, not whether the car missed a belt service over a decade ago so I've never worried.
Instead, I enjoy using the car, ensure all maintenance is done and generally have fun with a Ferrari in the garage in my 30s whilst not getting hung-up on every last stone-chip or mark... it's been parked in all kinds of places, driven around Castle Combe by 14yr old kids, thrashed around Yas Island circuit by a Ferrari factory driver and even lightly off-roaded at one point in Oman lol
Personally I'd far rather have a car that I can use and enjoy but is worth 10k less than a mint example that I'm scared to take out of the garage but YMMV
Is it possible to program it to a specific region or I have to change the head unit ?
Thanks
You car is much much newer than mine was and hence much more technically advanced however even in my 360 I had to change the head unit as the Japanese one was useless.
You don't say where in the World you have imported the car into but I would suggest finding a local independent with knowledge of modern Ferrari would be a good first step.
You don't say where in the World you have imported the car into but I would suggest finding a local independent with knowledge of modern Ferrari would be a good first step.
If your plan is to eventually take the car into Europe, then a CoC is nearly essential. Most of my knowledge is France specific - you could import something over 30 years old here without a CoC - anything younger no chance.
Many of the French who wanted those common as muck Nissan 300zx and others have found unless you are 'in the trade' and very well connected it is just not possible. The situation varies across most of the EU countries - so depending on where it will end up you need to do some research.
Many of the French who wanted those common as muck Nissan 300zx and others have found unless you are 'in the trade' and very well connected it is just not possible. The situation varies across most of the EU countries - so depending on where it will end up you need to do some research.
Pete54 is right, but as with most things, there is a way to get it done. Dont let not having a COC dissuade you from buying a car you want. UK is without doubt the easiest place to register things. (edited) I should have been clearer, getting it registered in EU will require a few hoops, but is navigable.
gotoPzero said:
The error for ETC card reader is probably telling you it cant see it because the owner probably removed the reader before they sold it.
When I turn the ignition off, I just turn the volume right down so I don't hear the ETC warning when I next start it and only listen to Radio 2 anyway. It's fine.But it's only a Mercedes C200 so my views may not count
PM me if you'd like to be put in touch with the importer I used. He's an approachable guy.
The car was ten years old when I bought it and like new. Phenomenal.
https://news.met.police.uk/news/organised-vehicle-...
Gerhard Berger's Ferrari was exported straight to Japan 28 years ago......buyer beware and all that.
Gerhard Berger's Ferrari was exported straight to Japan 28 years ago......buyer beware and all that.
Sarnie said:
https://news.met.police.uk/news/organised-vehicle-...
Gerhard Berger's Ferrari was exported straight to Japan 28 years ago......buyer beware and all that.
It's nice to know that Ferrari are also tracking the VINs as stolen and take an active part in reporting updates to the authorities.Gerhard Berger's Ferrari was exported straight to Japan 28 years ago......buyer beware and all that.
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