MINI2

7amood999 · Jan 27th, 2005, 10:51 AM

hey all! i currently own a left hand drive 2002 mini cooper S in the UAE and im moving to Brisbane next month, i wanted to know if i ship my mini over will registration and insurance be a problem due to the left hand steering?

THANKS!
- Max

MickyD · Jan 27th, 2005, 11:00 AM

you won't be able to register it in Australia if it's left hand drive.

the only exceptions to this (that I'm aware of) are some old cars. (and people who live in a town in Western Australia where there is a US military communications facility).

minigolf · Jan 27th, 2005, 11:19 AM

You could probably manage it in Canberra if you were diplomatic staff, but in Brisbane, you're screwed I'm afraid, well AFAIK.

brett · Jan 27th, 2005, 11:24 AM

CRIKEY MATE

Looks like you have a problem.
isn't it about time to upgrade to a new '05 Cooper S Chilli

They go faster.......

7amood999 · Jan 27th, 2005, 05:10 PM

DAMN! aaaagh i really love my 2002 mini, but your right time for an upgrade! thanks a lot for the replies! CHEERS!
-max

swamos · Jan 27th, 2005, 07:43 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by 7amood999

DAMN! aaaagh i really love my 2002 mini, but your right time for an upgrade! thanks a lot for the replies! CHEERS!
-max

Don't forget to post up when you get here and say hello

Tit · Jan 27th, 2005, 07:59 PM

There's an American that works in the building next to mine who drives his left-hand drive yank-tank monster truck (Chevvy Avalanche)

to work everyday....

I was surprised when I saw it because I thought they didn't sell such ridiculous cars here....then one day when he was behind me on the road, I realised he was sitting on the wrong side of the car!!

Therefore, it might be possible...if I bump into the guy, I'll ask him....

Mini 7 · Jan 28th, 2005, 04:09 AM

You could of course ship it over and get it converted to RH drive. A mate of mine has just imported a very large Dodge truck (brand new though) and is having that converted and inspected for legal registration onto the road by an engineering works in Brisbane. You end up having to change more parts than just the steering and dash board though; things like light lenses and tires if the parts used on your car do not meet Australian standards. So depending on how different a UAE car is compared to an Australian spec vehicle upgrading to an '05 maybe the cheaper option.

PM me if you need the conversion engineers number.

Todd! · Jan 28th, 2005, 08:03 AM

I really dont think that would be worth it...

The benefit (!?!) of the Dodge is that you can get them sooo cheap in the US compared to what their percieved value is here, so if you get the truck for $40,000(ball park (I really dont know what he paid) and it costs him $10,000 for the conversion (this is a conservative figure from my knowledge of l-to-rhd conversions) that means the car owes him $50,000 - the going ratre for a Dodge (Ram I assume) truck according to traders in Unique Cars is $70,000+ depending on options...

So your mate can drive it for the next 5 years and still probably get $40,000 for it...

Unlike a mini that is readily available in RHD variants (From factory), this car would be one of the first in the world to be converted - which makes it a test mule - this means costs HEAPS!

I think that you never really get the car perfect, I have driven a few mustangs and a few chev trucks that have been converted and there just feels like there is something not right.

These cars are also very simple in design (Heck they are made for hicks to work on their ranchs)

The expense, with the fact that it would never really be perfect, with the headache and lack of car for as many months as it takes - and how long is a piece of string - is not worth the trouble.

Best of luck when you are in Australia, Max. I would recommend an upgrade to 05... far less headaches!

Pull your current mods off and bring them with you

Get speccin'

Todd

7amood999 · Jan 28th, 2005, 11:52 AM

THANKS! for all the help guys... conversions are too much of a hassle and sometimes arent the safest of things, ofcoarse depending on who does them for ya! i guess ill be selling my cooper and gettin me another one when i get ther! probably used.. thanks again! cheers
-max

IML337 · Jan 29th, 2005, 12:20 AM

I wouldn't totally rule out using it here, sometimes you can do that, but I think buying a new one here would be much simpler

Todd! · Jan 29th, 2005, 03:33 AM

Are you planning on living here indefinatly?? If it is only a short trip - a year i think - you can get a permit in some states...

Jan 27th, 2005, 10:51 AM	#1
7amood999 MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Oct 2004 Local Time: 11:34 PM Posts: 5 Offline	G'DAY MATES! do i have a problem? hey all! i currently own a left hand drive 2002 mini cooper S in the UAE and im moving to Brisbane next month, i wanted to know if i ship my mini over will registration and insurance be a problem due to the left hand steering? THANKS! - Max adrenaline junkie!

Jan 27th, 2005, 11:19 AM	#3 (permalink)
minigolf Blue is the colour! Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Canberra, Australia Local Time: 07:34 AM Posts: 13,849 Offline	You could probably manage it in Canberra if you were diplomatic staff, but in Brisbane, you're screwed I'm afraid, well AFAIK. Sabine Schmitz: Fear disturbs your concentration.

Jan 27th, 2005, 11:24 AM	#4 (permalink)
brett 1st MINI Owner in QLD !!! Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: St George Local Time: 06:34 AM Posts: 2,390 Offline	CRIKEY MATE Looks like you have a problem. isn't it about time to upgrade to a new '05 Cooper S Chilli They go faster....... 1968 Mk1 Morris Cooper S 1310cc Downton Lake Green - White 1974 Leyland Mini 1098c Country Cream 2008 MINI Cooper S Chilli Pepper White - Black Roof

Jan 27th, 2005, 05:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
7amood999 MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Oct 2004 Local Time: 11:34 PM Posts: 5 Offline	DAMN! aaaagh i really love my 2002 mini, but your right time for an upgrade! thanks a lot for the replies! CHEERS! -max adrenaline junkie!

Jan 28th, 2005, 08:03 AM	#9 (permalink)
Todd! Boy who made the wolf cry Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Geelong, Vic, Aus Local Time: 06:34 AM Posts: 10,450 Offline	I really dont think that would be worth it... The benefit (!?!) of the Dodge is that you can get them sooo cheap in the US compared to what their percieved value is here, so if you get the truck for $40,000(ball park (I really dont know what he paid) and it costs him $10,000 for the conversion (this is a conservative figure from my knowledge of l-to-rhd conversions) that means the car owes him $50,000 - the going ratre for a Dodge (Ram I assume) truck according to traders in Unique Cars is $70,000+ depending on options... So your mate can drive it for the next 5 years and still probably get $40,000 for it... Unlike a mini that is readily available in RHD variants (From factory), this car would be one of the first in the world to be converted - which makes it a test mule - this means costs HEAPS! I think that you never really get the car perfect, I have driven a few mustangs and a few chev trucks that have been converted and there just feels like there is something not right. These cars are also very simple in design (Heck they are made for hicks to work on their ranchs) The expense, with the fact that it would never really be perfect, with the headache and lack of car for as many months as it takes - and how long is a piece of string - is not worth the trouble. Best of luck when you are in Australia, Max. I would recommend an upgrade to 05... far less headaches! Pull your current mods off and bring them with you Get speccin' Todd PROJECT POLARIS - Die Wiedergeburt eines kultautos

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Jan 27th, 2005, 11:00 AM	#2 (permalink)
MickyD MINI2 Master Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Melbourne, Australia Local Time: 07:34 AM Posts: 3,628 Offline	you won't be able to register it in Australia if it's left hand drive. the only exceptions to this (that I'm aware of) are some old cars. (and people who live in a town in Western Australia where there is a US military communications facility).

Jan 27th, 2005, 07:43 PM	#6 (permalink)
swamos MINI Traitor Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Brisbane, Australia Local Time: 06:34 AM Posts: 4,985 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by 7amood999 DAMN! aaaagh i really love my 2002 mini, but your right time for an upgrade! thanks a lot for the replies! CHEERS! -max Don't forget to post up when you get here and say hello

Jan 27th, 2005, 07:59 PM	#7 (permalink)
Tit Still kickin' along Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Canberra, Australia Local Time: 07:34 AM Posts: 3,087 Offline	There's an American that works in the building next to mine who drives his left-hand drive yank-tank monster truck (Chevvy Avalanche) to work everyday.... I was surprised when I saw it because I thought they didn't sell such ridiculous cars here....then one day when he was behind me on the road, I realised he was sitting on the wrong side of the car!! Therefore, it might be possible...if I bump into the guy, I'll ask him....

Jan 28th, 2005, 04:09 AM	#8 (permalink)
Mini 7 MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Nov 2004 Local Time: 07:34 AM Posts: 35 Offline	You could of course ship it over and get it converted to RH drive. A mate of mine has just imported a very large Dodge truck (brand new though) and is having that converted and inspected for legal registration onto the road by an engineering works in Brisbane. You end up having to change more parts than just the steering and dash board though; things like light lenses and tires if the parts used on your car do not meet Australian standards. So depending on how different a UAE car is compared to an Australian spec vehicle upgrading to an '05 maybe the cheaper option. PM me if you need the conversion engineers number.

Jan 28th, 2005, 11:52 AM	#10 (permalink)
7amood999 MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Oct 2004 Local Time: 11:34 PM Posts: 5 Offline	THANKS! for all the help guys... conversions are too much of a hassle and sometimes arent the safest of things, ofcoarse depending on who does them for ya! i guess ill be selling my cooper and gettin me another one when i get ther! probably used.. thanks again! cheers -max adrenaline junkie!

Jan 29th, 2005, 12:20 AM	#11 (permalink)
IML337 saving the world Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Singapore Local Time: 06:34 AM Posts: 2,931 Offline	I wouldn't totally rule out using it here, sometimes you can do that, but I think buying a new one here would be much simpler

Jan 29th, 2005, 03:33 AM	#12 (permalink)
Todd! Boy who made the wolf cry Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Geelong, Vic, Aus Local Time: 06:34 AM Posts: 10,450 Offline	Are you planning on living here indefinatly?? If it is only a short trip - a year i think - you can get a permit in some states... PROJECT POLARIS - Die Wiedergeburt eines kultautos

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