AMG SL65 built on SL500..
Discussion
Some I know wants to do this- build a full SL65 using an SL 500 (or basically whatever model he can source cheaply, no bodykitted mr2's thanks;))
Reason for this as opposed to just buying the '65 is due to monumental import taxes in oz, which don't apply to the parts which he can source and import.
And yeah, I've already suggested importing the whole car and simply swapping the VIN plates;) Apparently that'd be dishonest- hardly see what difference it'd make myself but hey.
I personally think it's gonna be a world of pain- I think he'd be better off going to brabus or kleenman as their kit is made to modify and be retro-fitted to a merc, rather than the SL65 which as I understand is largely built, rather than simply modified, by AMG themselves?
Am I right? For the owners, how well does a "genuine" (or not, heh) SL65 compare to spending some serious $$$ with one of the above tuning houses?
Reason for this as opposed to just buying the '65 is due to monumental import taxes in oz, which don't apply to the parts which he can source and import.
And yeah, I've already suggested importing the whole car and simply swapping the VIN plates;) Apparently that'd be dishonest- hardly see what difference it'd make myself but hey.
I personally think it's gonna be a world of pain- I think he'd be better off going to brabus or kleenman as their kit is made to modify and be retro-fitted to a merc, rather than the SL65 which as I understand is largely built, rather than simply modified, by AMG themselves?
Am I right? For the owners, how well does a "genuine" (or not, heh) SL65 compare to spending some serious $$$ with one of the above tuning houses?
If I understand this right, your mate wants to build a SL65 based on some donor car that he would presumably source in Australia by importing genuine SL65 parts and bolting them on as this bypasses the local import tax?
So why doesn't he buy a genuine SL65 in the UK or any other country, strip it down into parts, ship those parts over and then re-assemble them into a genuine SL65? Surely this would achieve the same thing?
So why doesn't he buy a genuine SL65 in the UK or any other country, strip it down into parts, ship those parts over and then re-assemble them into a genuine SL65? Surely this would achieve the same thing?
All I can say is that there is a massive, massive difference between an SL500 and SL63 (for example) to the extent you would not recognise driving them as the same car. They are so different, just like the M car variant of any BMW is so different from the normal cars.
I would save the cash and personal import one rather than trying to do any conversion, grapes of wrath and all that..
I would save the cash and personal import one rather than trying to do any conversion, grapes of wrath and all that..
Nuisance_Value said:
If I understand this right, your mate wants to build a SL65 based on some donor car that he would presumably source in Australia by importing genuine SL65 parts and bolting them on as this bypasses the local import tax?
So why doesn't he buy a genuine SL65 in the UK or any other country, strip it down into parts, ship those parts over and then re-assemble them into a genuine SL65? Surely this would achieve the same thing?
The car would still need an identity to avoid import taxes. You'd think it could be reg'd as a kit car or suchlike but apparently, no.So why doesn't he buy a genuine SL65 in the UK or any other country, strip it down into parts, ship those parts over and then re-assemble them into a genuine SL65? Surely this would achieve the same thing?
Lagerlout said:
All I can say is that there is a massive, massive difference between an SL500 and SL63 (for example) to the extent you would not recognise driving them as the same car. They are so different, just like the M car variant of any BMW is so different from the normal cars.
I would save the cash and personal import one rather than trying to do any conversion, grapes of wrath and all that..
How much so? I can't see it being a fundamentally different car, eg what an escort V is to an escort cosworth, rather mechanically a basic SL monocoque with engine/drivetrain/suspension and trim bits? This is someone who's built kit cars anyway so isn't afraid of a doing up a few bolts (although I personally wonder if the sheer complexity and anti-competative attitude of mercs would be more of an issue than he reckons on)I would save the cash and personal import one rather than trying to do any conversion, grapes of wrath and all that..
I had to join the forum to make this post: for you guys saying its stupid: in thailand an sl 500 costs roughly 300k usd new. An sl65 amg costs roughly 600k new
I figured since OZ has around the same import tax, its understandable why he would want to get a donor car and turn it into an amg.
And to those that say swap the vin or plate: thats a huge jail time and your car will definitly be taken.
I figured since OZ has around the same import tax, its understandable why he would want to get a donor car and turn it into an amg.
And to those that say swap the vin or plate: thats a huge jail time and your car will definitly be taken.
I dont know if this is dishonest but
What about you buy a SL65, then Millage correct it to 200k miles and then import it at the reduced value. As long as you do not clock it back down its not going to increase in value so it may be a little more "honest" then messing with the vin number??
What about you buy a SL65, then Millage correct it to 200k miles and then import it at the reduced value. As long as you do not clock it back down its not going to increase in value so it may be a little more "honest" then messing with the vin number??
Edited by TheBMWDriver on Friday 2nd August 18:45
TheBMWDriver said:
I dont know if this is dishonest but
What about you buy a SL65, then Millage correct it to 200k miles and then import it at the reduced value. As long as you do not clock it back down its not going to increase in value so it may be a little more "honest" then messing with the vin number??
This is why the tax man will never win. I salute you.What about you buy a SL65, then Millage correct it to 200k miles and then import it at the reduced value. As long as you do not clock it back down its not going to increase in value so it may be a little more "honest" then messing with the vin number??
Edited by TheBMWDriver on Friday 2nd August 18:45
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