Exporting a V8V to the USA

[helipilot]

Hi all,

I may be off to the USA with work at the end of 2012 for 3 years. I would be quite keen to take my V8V out there with me and was wondering if anyone has any experience of doing this or knows anything about it. I will be working in Alabama and my nearest AM dealer is a 4 hour drive away in Atlanta which is workable. Things such as the grade of Petrol (93RON i believe is the highest they have) would mean a remap of my engine? Are there any other considerations to take into account that people can think of.

Thanks.

Mark

[toohuge]

Mark,

As far as I am aware, you should not need a re-map of your engine. I was fairly certain that engine maps were the same despite the fact we run slightly spicyer fuel over here. - This is how many re-map companies offer the 40bhp increase on an aftermarket re-map.

I think there may be issues with import fees etc and these can mount up.

I am sure someone will be along to correct me where I am wrong!

Chris

[Shmee]

There's a huge amount on Google, and because it's going to be there for over 6 months it all gets an awful lot more complicated. I've been looking at having my car over there for a much shorter period of time which is relatively easy to do.

[helipilot]

Thanks for the replies guys. As far as import duty etc I may be able to get around this as I am UK military and will be there on duty. I am lead to believe that there are exemptions for this... but I'll check.

[Adam2S]

Would it not make more sense to sell the one in the UK and buy another already in US spec whilst out there???

[burntout]

Adam2S said:

Would it not make more sense to sell the one in the UK and buy another already in US spec whilst out there???

Or find a nice quiet Hanger somewhere to store your P&J while away and sample some local cuisine when you get there... Should be able to find your self a meen Alabama Slamma V8 something or other....

[Stuart Dickinson]

helipilot said:

Things such as the grade of Petrol (93RON i believe is the highest they have) would mean a remap of my engine?

Hi Mark. I'm Canadian, lived in London for 6 years and now in South Florida, used to the fuel quality questions. Pretty much everywhere in the USA apart from California you can get 93 Octane fuel at most gas stations, but it is not 93 RON.

RON (Research Octane Number) is only one method of measurement of the Octane level in fuel. It typically yields a value of 8-10 points higher thatn MON (Motor Octane Number) with is the other predominant measurement system.

In the UK, the number shown on the pump is RON. In the USA the number shown on the pump is an average between both RON and MON (typically called PON or Pump Octane Number.) Any number shown on the pump in the USA is roughly equivalent to a number 4-5 points higher shown in the UK. So USA 93 = UK 97/98 RON.

[helipilot]

Adam2S said:

Would it not make more sense to sell the one in the UK and buy another already in US spec whilst out there???

After a little bit of research it seems that prices over there are slightly more than here (as you have to pay tax on used cars too). I would think that doing what you suggest would cost me around £5k in depreciation on my car (a 2006 car) versus a similar one in the US... and three years later I would have the same problem coming back.

[helipilot]

Stuart Dickinson said:

Hi Mark. I'm Canadian, lived in London for 6 years and now in South Florida, used to the fuel quality questions. Pretty much everywhere in the USA apart from California you can get 93 Octane fuel at most gas stations, but it is not 93 RON.

RON (Research Octane Number) is only one method of measurement of the Octane level in fuel. It typically yields a value of 8-10 points higher thatn MON (Motor Octane Number) with is the other predominant measurement system.

In the UK, the number shown on the pump is RON. In the USA the number shown on the pump is an average between both RON and MON (typically called PON or Pump Octane Number.) Any number shown on the pump in the USA is roughly equivalent to a number 4-5 points higher shown in the UK. So USA 93 = UK 97/98 RON.

Stuart, thanks for that...just the sort of info I was after... that eases the decision somewhat then.

[Jay_Davis]

Don't forget the detail of the steering wheel BEING ON THE WRONG SIDE!

As a side note, the amount of sales tax and whether or not you have to pay it for a used car varies state by state, so make sure you check the specific state you would be registering the car in.

[DB9VolanteDriver]

helipilot said:

Hi all,

I may be off to the USA with work at the end of 2012 for 3 years. I would be quite keen to take my V8V out there with me and was wondering if anyone has any experience of doing this or knows anything about it. I will be working in Alabama and my nearest AM dealer is a 4 hour drive away in Atlanta which is workable. Things such as the grade of Petrol (93RON i believe is the highest they have) would mean a remap of my engine? Are there any other considerations to take into account that people can think of.

Thanks.

Mark

Alabama?

Not Redstone Arsenal per chance?

[helipilot]

DB9VolanteDriver said:

Alabama?

Not Redstone Arsenal per chance?

Yes indeed. I'm there at the moment too!

Edited by helipilot on Thursday 24th November 15:17