Importing a diesel car from Europe to US/Canada

[DVad3r]

Hey guys,

Im wondering if its even possible to import a European diesel car to Canada? I've been driving around in some of these cars here and they are absolutely fuckin amazing. Massive torque, good mileage, strong engines, etc. I have an 08 Range Rover Sport diesel for a week now and the thing is insane, get's 9 liters per 100 km too...

It's shitty how these engines aren't an option in North America...

 

[Doppel]

Yes, too expensive to bother with.

 

[mmntech]

Audi Q7 TDI.

 

[Eli]

I'd import some old POS that gets 65MPG.

Doubt I'd ever get used to driving on the wrong side though.

 

[satyajitmenon]

BMW European Delivery

 

[Doppel]

I'd import some old POS that gets 65MPG.

Doubt I'd ever get used to driving on the wrong side though.

No respect!

 

[Bignate603]

BMW European Delivery

Doubtful you can do that with a model that has an engine that was never certified for sale in the US.

 

[sdifox]

chances are they are not on the authorised import list.

http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/SafeVehicles/Importation/Usa/VAFUS/list2/Section3_0.htm

 

[Eli]

How about import an engine etc and have it transplanted into the car?

 

[Tristicus]

I don't think I'd have a problem with driving on the wrong side, but shifting might be a problem..

 

[soccerballtux]

How about import an engine etc and have it transplanted into the car?

that's not a bad idea.

 

[Bignate603]

How about import an engine etc and have it transplanted into the car?

Could work if your pockets are deep enough and your state doesn't do inspections or emissions testings. Swapping an engine on a modern car and getting it all to work like it came from the factory like that will cost insane amounts.

Just off the top of my head here's some things you'll need...
Engine
Transmission
Possibly transfercase and/or driveshaft depending on the layout of the drivetrain
All electronics to go with the engine and transmission (ECU, harness, etc)
Suspension, due to changes in weight of the engine
Every single accessory on the engine (AC, power steering, alternator, etc)
Engine mounts
Intake
Exhaust
Pay a guy to do all of the work

If you add up the costs to get it to be like those cars in Europe it will be insanely high.

 

[WelshBloke]

I don't think I'd have a problem with driving on the wrong side, but shifting might be a problem..

You get used to it really quickly. I drive hire cars in Europe a few times a year and it's really not a problem, hell even my wife manages.

 

[FuzzyDunlop]

I'd import some old POS that gets 65MPG.

Doubt I'd ever get used to driving on the wrong side though.

lol, silly, only Englandians drive on the wrong side. Everywhere else in europe is jsut like us.

 

[Eli]

lol, silly, only Englandians drive on the wrong side. Everywhere else in europe is jsut like us.

Ah, fair enough.. lol

 

[Eli]

Could work if your pockets are deep enough and your state doesn't do inspections or emissions testings. Swapping an engine on a modern car and getting it all to work like it came from the factory like that will cost insane amounts.

Just off the top of my head here's some things you'll need...
Engine
Transmission
Possibly transfercase and/or driveshaft depending on the layout of the drivetrain
All electronics to go with the engine and transmission (ECU, harness, etc)
Suspension, due to changes in weight of the engine
Every single accessory on the engine (AC, power steering, alternator, etc)
Engine mounts
Intake
Exhaust
Pay a guy to do all of the work

If you add up the costs to get it to be like those cars in Europe it will be insanely high.

Oh, I'm aware. It's really not all as voodoo as it sounds though. Just look at FuzzyDunlop's thread...

But yeah, either you're going to need deep pockets or some time on your hands.

I tend to think it would likely be much easier than some of the custom stuff people have done out there. At least everything is designed to fit...

 

[drnickriviera]

How about import an engine etc and have it transplanted into the car?

That's what they do with some toyota truck diesels. They ship the front clip so you get all the other junk to go with the engine. Still isn't cheap, then you have to worry about getting parts for a engine that was never here.

 

[Meghan54]

Oh, I'm aware. It's really not all as voodoo as it sounds though. Just look at FuzzyDunlop's thread...

But yeah, either you're going to need deep pockets or some time on your hands.

I tend to think it would likely be much easier than some of the custom stuff people have done out there. At least everything is designed to fit...

Or there's another way......join the military, get stationed in Europe. You're allowed to take a vehicle over to Europe and then bring one back and doesn't have to be the same one. But you have to ship one over to be able to have one brought back.

Then you can apply for an exemption, single time, for a vehicle that's not DOT conforming to emissions, safety, etc. Age has something to do with it and it's been quite a while since I researched it but it is very doable.