dykaar

We're thinking about the S6 wagon and after seeing the horror that is Mercedes, wrt the e500 wagon ~$5k conversion for an 04), I'm wondering if anyone has recent experience bringing a US Audi S6 Avant across?

I brought a 00 BMW 540i across a year ago last march. No issues. No cost for the compliance letter from BMW NA. No mods. DRLs already on. What is going ON?


Regards,

doug
Waterloo, Ontario Canada, eh


86 951 (pcaucr.org/forum/post.jsp?postid=2393]Member Pages - 1986 951- Widebody)
94 855 turbo
00 540

Regina_TTS

Hey Doug,

That sounds like a pretty great car to import!

I'm guessing you have already been on the RIV website (Registrar of Imported Vehicles RIV: How to import a U.S made vehicle into Canada) and checked for admissibility?

Just out of curiosity I checked myself and noticed that the "2002 to 2004 S6 Wagon" is in fact inadmissible.

Sorry if that's bad news.

Tony

dykaar

Right you are. That's depressing. If I could convince the wife to go rear wheel drive, then a 540 wagon becomes a possibility...

Regina_TTS

That also would be a fine machine. What about the S4 Avant?

dykaar

We currently have a 94 Volvo 850 turbo wagon. Its a pretty big car, but with 165kmi, its getting a little long in the tooth. I could keep it running, but there's the first signs of surface rust, the idle is crappy, the other wheel bearing went, I just a rebulit steering rack put in (its still pretty cold up here), and I just did the front struts, control arms and rear swingarm bushings.

The A4 (and BMW 3 series) are smaller. And now that I've lived with a 4.5 liter V8 for a while, its pretty nice...

Stevelev

X2 for the S4 Avant. V8 ... check. Admissable ... check. Fun to drive with awesome seats .... check. Oh and relatively rare ... check. I just got off the phone with Audi Canada - they confirmed that only 53 2007 S4 Avant's were brought into Canada (29 Manual and 24 Auto).

dykaar

we looked at an A6 yetserday. Pretty gutless, and seems small compared to the 850 wagon.

The interior was in pretty bad shape. A lot of the black plastic was apparently painted, so the white was showing through. Seems like such an easy problem to avoid by design.

I guess we'll keep looking...

I'm thinking the A4 is also gonna be too small. Fast maybe, with the V8, but small.

Stiffy

The German manufacturers are trying desperately to protect their market, and in particular the prices of their pre-owned vehicles. Until about December, BMW didn't make a big deal about the importation process. They then realized 2 things: 1. Resale prices would drop dramatically if they didn't do something to dissuade us from importing cars from the US and 2. MB-Cda was forcing importers to get modifications done at their dealerships and charging $250 for the estimate and $500 for the 'Inspection and Compliance letter'. BMW figured they could get away with it too and have since made it very difficult for folks to import. On top of that, if you dare cross them and try to import, they'll drag out the process interminably so you pay both financially and with your blood and sweat.

I imported a 2002 MB SL500 in November, and spent the $750 for 'fees', and $3400 modifications. I knew ahead of time what I was in for, so was prepared. The service advisor at my local MB dealer was very helpful - I think he realized there was a hefty mods bill and the likelihood of future service work. My mods were done in a day and a half, and I had my compliance letter 2 days later.

Long story - the point is the landscape has changed for those of us who dare cross the border to find a car. I do not know how Audi treats this, but if it's better than BMW or MB, I may well make a US Audi my next vehicle. My BMW 525i lease is up in July, and having had an A6 prior to that I would be happy back with another Audi (hence my lurking at this forum). I'm curious as to others experience with importing Audis, particularly '05-'06 S4 or '06-'08 A6. Cheers.

Regina_TTS

This is likely a "going forward" change, but a welcome change nonetheless...

Canada to harmonize bumper standard with U.S., Europe | CanadianDriver: Automotive news

Stevelev

A couple of examples of importing Audis:

1) My 2007 S4 was easy to bring in (this past December). Audi Canada confirmed no issues and warranty was applicable. There was nothing to be done to the car to make it admissable except for DRL's and this was dealt with in minutes with a VAG. Stealerships will charge between $250. and $500. for this but I'm not an idiot and had Independant Tuning do it for $35. An extended warranty as well as extended service ($750 for 80k) is available for this car. Net result was major savings

2) My cousin picked up an A6 with 15,000 miles on it. Same story as above .. He was able to get a Royal Buy back plan in place and due to the difference between the US purchase price and the CDN residual, he's paying less than $200. monthly to drive the car !