[Hanzenegger]

Hi,

I hava a LHD Cooper S and I may be moving to the UK in the near future. As my car is just over 6 months old, selling it and getting a new one in the UK is not really an option, I guess I'd loose a lot of money in the transaction...

I was wondering if anyone could give me any advise on importing a LHD car in the UK. I gather I will have to get the speedometer changed to indicate MPH, and change the headlights. Can anyone tell me if there are other things to change as well? (I know, I know... the steering wheel...) Any idea of the costs involved though? I have xenons...

I also heard that insurance may be more expensive running a LHD car. Is this true? Anyone have any experience with that?

Finally, I know about the hassles of overtaking, parking and drive-in restaurants, but anything else I should consider?

I guess the cost of a full steering wheel swap would be prohibitive, or perhaps someone else needs his car swapped over to LHD and we can swap parts?

Thanks for any advise!

[Carrera 4]

You will have to have the car registered as a UK car. This involves an SVA test. You will only need to change the headlights and speedo, plus the fog amp on the rear if there is only one (never looked!) to the right side.
There are soem RHD headlamps on ebay.co.uk at the moment (£20ish about 30Euro). The speedo can be as simple as sticking the numbers on the screen, but i would think there is a kit available somwhere.
After this test, the yearly MOT will only check the headlights so you could "lose" the stickers off the speedo.
Make sure when you register the car you don't get a "Q" plate. What month/year is the car?
Insurance will be about 25% more expensive.
I wouldn't suggest trying to swap it to completely RHD!
Hope this helps

[dcfkan]

Don't know about importing cars from Europe, however, I am sure there are loads of people on here who do

I drive in mainland Europe regularly, and I no long find the switch from driving on the left to driving on the right an issue.

I would hesitate overtaking on a single carridgeway unless I can have a very clear view of the road ahead, i.e. I would not try and overtake a big lorry.

I find I have to rely on my LHS wing mirror a lot more (RHS for you I guess).

As for tolls, drive in restaurant etc., car parking tickets etc., I bought one of these rubbish gripper thing from a company that sells aides for disable people. I found it very effective when I travelled to France on my own in Feb 03. Takes a bit of practice and getting used to, but it worked!

There are loads of US servicemen based in UK in East Anglia, and you never know, one of them may take a fancy to your RHD MINI when you decide to sell it Mind you, the UOM needs to be changed to imperial from metric

Hope this helps

DK :apple:

[dcfkan]

Ooo, forgot to mention, if you have not driven a LHD in UK, then I would advise you to arrange for a driving lesson or two in your own car in UK.

I personally found that very useful. Did that before I embarked on a long solo trip

Also, in case you need to drive RHD hired cars, again I would advise the same thing, arrange a lesson or two in a RHD car in the UK. I did that in Canada before I took a hired car out to tour the Rockies

DK :apple:

[StevePSB]

Always wondered why KPH clocks don't have MPH on them too. Ours (UK, MPH) all (as far as I'm aware) have KPH on the speedo too.

Actually, now I've said that, UK MINI's do have KPH on them too don't they?!

[midlife mini]

I've worked outside of the Uk on a number of occasions and brought LHD cars back to UK upon my return.

If your car is comming from europe it should have a build standard acceptable to DVLA and may not need a SVA test. It is pretty straight forward as VAT or TVA whatever they call it where you live has been paid within Europe so there will not be any Taxation issue. Depending on how long you intend to stay will dictate wether you will be required to register the vehicle.

The authority within UK is DVLA (Driver Vehicle Licensing Authority. They have a very comprehensive website that will, I am sure, answer all your questions. You find it here:

http://www.dvla.gov.uk

[Fizzle]

i know it would cost a lot of money to sell your car then buy a rhd mini when you get here but have you considered how much you will loose when you come to sell your lhd mini in the uk in a few years.

[mancjimmy]

yeah i agree with fizzle, think about all the blooming hassle as well if i was you i would sell the car over there and move then buy a new one and just think of how much fun it wqill be speccing your second mini.

[Hanzenegger]

Thanks for the replies!

25% increase on insurance sounds like a lot! Anyone know about companies offering better deals on LHD cars?

I hadn't thought about resale value (only had the car for just over 6 months, so selling is not really on my mind yet...). I guess that with the increased insurance and import costs, over time perhaps the sums look different and I should get a RHD. Speccing a new Mini will be quite straightforward though, exactly like the one I have now, but with the steering wheel on the other side please! Unfortunately, I would probably have to trade in an MCS for a Cooper so that I do not loose too much on the deal.

I'm not too worried about diving on the other side. Did it before for a few years, albeit on a motorbike. Less hassle swapping sides. Though to get that on a car, I guess I'd have to go for a McLaren F1...

I think I'll just go for the new lights and speedometer. Does anyone know what that would cost? Are the lamp mirrors the same on xenons and non-xenons?

Thanks again.

[dietcokeplease]

Hanzenegger,

How long are you planning to stay in the UK? Is it a permanent move or a short term contract?

I would be more inclined to sell the car if it's a permanent move and buy RHD. You don't have to decide straight away as you could legally drive on German plates for a short period. Therefore you could use your car in the UK and decide whether to drive back to Germany and sell it.

One advantage will be that you could attend UK MINImeets.

On the other hand servicing/warranty work on your MINI may not be as straightforward as the dealer may need to order LHD parts (although BMW are very efficient - sometimes nextday).

[midlife mini]

If it's any consolation Priviledge Insurance did not load my premium on a LHD 911, got it for the same as a RHD

[AMT]

I think if you are planning on staying in the UK for upwards of two years it's best to sell up and get a RHD model. With all the other financial implications such as insurance increases, import costs etc it probably wont work out that much more expensive. And a LHD would be a real pain to drive, especially in the city-- try nipping past those busses when they stop in the middle of the road... you would have to swing right out to check if clear. Impossible.

Quote: Originally Posted by dcfkan

As for tolls, drive in restaurant etc., car parking tickets etc., I bought one of these rubbish gripper thing from a company that sells aides for disable people.

I love this idea though [vision of big claw protruding from Mini's window]

[Hanzenegger]

I'll be staying for a minimum of 3 years (if I'll go, not sure yet...)

The thing is, for the moment I couldn't really afford to pay a whole lot more, and I'm not very likely to get a good deal on privately selling a 6 month old car in Belgium (not Germany by the way, the stripes on our flag are vertical and in a different order - makes a whole lot of difference ). So I'd have to trade in a LHD Cooper S for a RHD Cooper, or... something else

Good idea though dietcokeplease, I could drive it as it is now for a while and check out my options. Does anyone know for how long I can do that?

Thanks!

[Carrera 4]

Quote: Originally Posted by Hanzenegger

Good idea though dietcokeplease, I could drive it as it is now for a while and check out my options. Does anyone know for how long I can do that?

Thanks!

You can drive for six months, then you must get the car licensed (Road TAX) in the UK, which involves getting it registered.

My ex brought her 206 CC in from France, it took a couple of weeks to sort out, but when she came to sell, she got £2000 (about 20%) less than the going price.

Insurance will vary on the car, I know Porsche 911's are the same LHD or RHD but that is unusual. Their premium is mainly weighted on value and that the brand is Porsche! 25% increase is what I'd budget for and be happy if its less.

The best bet I think would be to bring it over for a while, try selling it (there is a small LHD market in the UK for posh people who have villas in Spain/France etc). Then after six months you'll know which idea makes the best sense.

The waiting list for new Mini's in a few months anyway.