Moving to Germany – Bring the GTS???
03-08-2011, 11:03 PM
#16
Rennlist Member
Sell the car here and buy one there with all the money you'll save conforming your car to the TUV. It's a MAJOR pita conforming to their rules, not that we couldn't benefit from some of them here.
03-08-2011, 11:23 PM
#17
Cottage Industry Sponsor
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
You might not have to import to and register the car in Germany then. Instead, you need to find out what the rules of the Military are.
In the old days they didn't have to go through German vehicle inspections. They may have their own, but I would not be able to know any details.
That's been a required feature on German/European cars for a very long time. Cars registered there have to comply to the local laws - if you don't register there, it probably doesn't matter.
03-09-2011, 12:42 AM
#18
Rennlist Member
If you work for the military, you will be under a special "NATO deal". Your car will be checked for safety but not like a German that has to take the car to the TÜV (state inspection).
Otherwise more than half of the cars that are on the roads around K-Town would be illegal by German standards.
Make sure that you ship everything with you to make the car factory stock again.
Overall it shouldn't be a big problem.
Otherwise more than half of the cars that are on the roads around K-Town would be illegal by German standards.
Make sure that you ship everything with you to make the car factory stock again.
Overall it shouldn't be a big problem.
03-09-2011, 07:46 AM
#20
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Thanks everyone - Looks like I need to do some homework. I retired from the AF last year. So, for this move, only one of our cars will be shipped by the military--the other will have to go commercial. I'll have to see if she can register two vehicles to avoid the German compliance laws.
Schocki - If you don't mind, I'll send you a PM when I know more... and thanks again!
Schocki - If you don't mind, I'll send you a PM when I know more... and thanks again!
Last edited by NoVector; 03-09-2011 at 07:47 AM. Reason: I can't spell...
03-09-2011, 08:06 AM
#21
Addict
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
If you need to register the car in Germany, you have to comply with the local laws. You basically import the car, pay your 10% duty and 19% VAT on its value, and start preparing it for the vehicle inspection.
Here are a few things you'll have to do:
1. Change the head lights to H4 with aiming/height adjustment capability from the interior
2. Unless the laws have changed, you'll have to disable your side marker lights
3. Your tires need to have the proper speed rating for the top speed of your car, and an approved size. If you have anything different from factory standard, you'll have to show proof ("ABE" = Allgemeine Betriebserlaubnis) for this particular wheel/tire combination from the wheel manufacturer.
4. Your exhaust must be factory standard, with the proper stamping, or an upgrade that has the proper approvals. Contact landsharks.de for an upgrade that will drop you into a lower emissions class, add 30hp, and save you significant vehicle registration fees. No home or custom made, or loud exhausts allowed - you won't pass inspection. Emissions are retested annually.
5. Make sure everything is in working order and tight. Worn out shocks, tie rods or other suspension or brake parts; even a crack in the windshield are not acceptable.
I'm not sure, if suspension upgrades require documentation or approval. Ask Schocki - he should know.
If you make any illegal changes after inspection and get caught, your insurance can recover their payout in a liability claim, and won't cover your own collision claim. Your car could be impounded as evidence after a traffic stop.
Also, if you have not converted your AC to R-134a, you'll have to do so next time it needs service. I don't think you can get an R-12 system serviced in Germany anymore (at least, that's what I've been told).
If you speak German at least a bit, consider joining pff.de and ask questions there. A few of the members there have US model 928s.
Best of luck!
Here are a few things you'll have to do:
1. Change the head lights to H4 with aiming/height adjustment capability from the interior
2. Unless the laws have changed, you'll have to disable your side marker lights
3. Your tires need to have the proper speed rating for the top speed of your car, and an approved size. If you have anything different from factory standard, you'll have to show proof ("ABE" = Allgemeine Betriebserlaubnis) for this particular wheel/tire combination from the wheel manufacturer.
4. Your exhaust must be factory standard, with the proper stamping, or an upgrade that has the proper approvals. Contact landsharks.de for an upgrade that will drop you into a lower emissions class, add 30hp, and save you significant vehicle registration fees. No home or custom made, or loud exhausts allowed - you won't pass inspection. Emissions are retested annually.
5. Make sure everything is in working order and tight. Worn out shocks, tie rods or other suspension or brake parts; even a crack in the windshield are not acceptable.
I'm not sure, if suspension upgrades require documentation or approval. Ask Schocki - he should know.
If you make any illegal changes after inspection and get caught, your insurance can recover their payout in a liability claim, and won't cover your own collision claim. Your car could be impounded as evidence after a traffic stop.
Also, if you have not converted your AC to R-134a, you'll have to do so next time it needs service. I don't think you can get an R-12 system serviced in Germany anymore (at least, that's what I've been told).
If you speak German at least a bit, consider joining pff.de and ask questions there. A few of the members there have US model 928s.
Best of luck!
03-09-2011, 08:38 AM
#23
Rennlist Member
my 2 cent opinion
Keep the GTS in the US (sell it, along with the '84); buy a Euro GTS in Germany; NATO-register it; modify it as the laws allow; enjoy it for the 3-4 years; ship it back to US on your return.
The more GTS's in the US, the better!
The more GTS's in the US, the better!
03-09-2011, 08:54 AM
#24
Three Wheelin'
I lived there for 3+ years when my dad was in the USAF. GREAT place!
Not sure if still there but there was a store I remember as a kid called "Harry's" I think which everyone loved. Was also, cannot remember name of it right now, a restaraunt in K town which had a huge aquarium in and the best onion soup ever!
Still remember the apt number we lived in 1212 B-2, walk across the street to a 10+ foot fence and a German forest, right on the edge of the base. This was during cold war days, still remember "black outs" where the entire based would go black!
03-09-2011, 09:56 AM
#25
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
There are lots of GTS's for sale in Germany... You may just want to sell yours and buy another one over there...
http://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/mi...eatures=EXPORT
http://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/mi...eatures=EXPORT
03-09-2011, 10:42 AM
#26
Rennlist Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Deep in the Heart of Texas!
Posts: 3,267
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes
on
4 Posts
10% duty and 19% VAT? Shipping and modifications to local requirements? I think you're better off buying one in Germany and selling it before you come home.
In the meantime, feel free to drop your car off at my house and I promise to give it regular exercise while you're gone ;-)
In the meantime, feel free to drop your car off at my house and I promise to give it regular exercise while you're gone ;-)
03-09-2011, 11:04 AM
#27
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
It migth be possible to avoid those 10% and 19% payments since car is going in as part of the household goods. It is at least in many other EU countries.
03-09-2011, 11:25 AM
#28
Rennlist Member
Shipping the car with the military is a completely different ballgame. No shipping charges, no VAT. You have to pay for the registration and that's about it. If you sell the car in Germany you have to pay customs and VAT.
If you PCS back to the US and you take the car with you again, no charges.
If you PCS back to the US and you take the car with you again, no charges.
03-09-2011, 11:45 AM
#29
Addict
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
With the difference in price between the US and Germany and with the current exchange rate it's a bad deal to sell the GTS in the US and buy a new one here.
03-09-2011, 01:39 PM
#30
Nordschleife Master
The best advice (unless the car can be taken to Germany and registered as a US car on a temp tag and NOT MODIFIED, other than maybe tires) is to sell both 928's here and then buy a GTS over there. When done sell the EURO GTS over there and buy a new US GTS when you get home! FOR SURE the most cost effective way to enjoy a 928 in Germany while you are living there for awhile.
We will sure miss you and your car up here for the *** GTG's! Think you will make it this weekend! We would love to see you again before you guys head out!