My understanding is that a car bought in one part of the EU can be imported into the UK relatively easily nowadays. The main issues are LHD/RHD (which I'm told is no problem at all, ordering a RHD car), and possibly headlight beam patterns (they being different on the continent, hence those little stickers you have to apply when driving abroad). I have been lead to believe that those are about the only real hurdles - if anyone knows differently, let me know. Of course, the dealership can't export the car back into the UK - that would tread on too many toes. So I have to fly over there and collect it in person, and drive it back. Far, far from ideal, but the only viable option given that the alternative is no JCW for me.
Other differences in the UK and EU cars - such as the base spec being slightly different (the alarm isn't fitted as standard, for example, car crime being a particularly British problem during the 80s and 90s apparently) are easily overcome with the healthy list of MINI options.
Like I say - if anyone knows different, please let me know. And it is a ROYAL pain in the arse, and will cost quite a bit more, but it's worth doing because the alternatives (buying a Golf, buying a different Clubman to "tide me over", trying to manage with the current Hatch) are all particularly unattractive. I remain hopeful that MINI UK will come to their senses, but pessimistic/realistic enough to believe that that won't happen.
Anyone from MINI UK cruising these boards - kick someone up the backside really hard for me. In these days of environmental concerns and carbon emissions, I find it almost offensive that the only way to buy a car built in Oxford is to have it shipped to parts foreign, then fly over there and drive it back again. A round trip of maybe 2,000 miles instead of 50. Still, at least it'll be mostly run-in by the time I'm home again. |