[quailallstar]

Guys I need your help. My friend just got a 2003 GLS 1.8T to export to Greece soon and me and him where talking and the talk about the rear trunk not being able to fit the standard sized Europe Plate... What do people do when they export American cars to Europe? Is there a special Europe plate with a size sorta like the US plates but with two character lines? Ahhhhhhhhhhh We need your help ASAP! I emailed and IMed UPING but no answer!

 

[rtenke]

Re: Exporting Passat to Greece (quailallstar)

In know from my experience in Germany, that a similar plate to the US size is available (which is the same width, but a little higher than the US plate), but we were able to use the standard plate on our b4. There are also many US spec vehicles being driven by US military servicemen/women in Europe. I noticed that their vehicles have plates which have the exact dimensions of the US plate.

 

[PlatzDa]

Re: Exporting Passat to Greece (quailallstar)

I noticed the same thing in Germany. American cars, trucks and vans can't normally accept European plates, but they make US-sized/shaped plates for those vehicles. This is probably true in Greece as well...

 

[quailallstar]

Re: Exporting Passat to Greece (PlatzDa)

Anyone know where I can find info online, or pictures etc..?

 

[Elias]

Re: Exporting Passat to Greece (quailallstar)

With all due respect to your Greek friend…

Unfortunately they are still stuck in the "Old Days" when Greeks in the US would bring a car back to the "old country", from America, and think they have brought something special over.

The Passat in Europe is just as nice, if not better equipped than what we get here. What a shame…

As far as the trunk is concerned, they don't have to change a thing as they will have to get the car registered with "red" tags to identify it as an "export". The "red" tags are similar in shape/size to the US plates. See if you can talk them out of it, if its not tooooo late… They will regret this within the first 6 to 8 months as they will be wrung through the ringer … Tell them that KARENTA VW/AUDI in Athens has a 1.8t 4Motion Passat, cloth interior with recaro seats, factory roof rack and tow package, with a 6 speed for 37,000 Euro. I realize it’s a bit more expensive than the 1.8t they purchased here, however they will easily exceed that price by the time the car passes European inspection standards and hits the streets in Greece.

Good Luck as the plate size should be the least of their problem.

 

[quailallstar]

Re: Exporting Passat to Greece (Elias)

Here is the brake down of what he got.

2003 Silverstone 1.8T GLS with Gray Leather

Lux, Monsoon, Homelink, ESP, Tip, Cold Wheather PKG.

They thought about buying the Passat overthere but it came out to be more than what a GLS with all the bells and whistles was here in the states. =( Another issue is the warranty. Once that US passat crosses over to Europe the warranty is Void and Null and that sucks ass! I hope they can buy some sort of aftermarket warranty. Man that Passat sounds great RECAROS!!!! I'll take it.


[Modified by quailallstar, 7:53 AM 11/26/2002]

<![CDATA[Here is the brake down of what he got.

2003 Silverstone 1.8T GLS with Gray Leather

Lux, Monsoon, Homelink, ESP, Tip, Cold Wheather PKG.

They thought about buying the Passat overthere but it came out to be more than what a GLS with all the bells and whistles was here in the states. =( Another issue is the warranty. Once that US passat crosses over to Europe the warranty is Void and Null and that sucks ass! I hope they can buy some sort of aftermarket warranty. Man that Passat sounds great RECAROS!!!! I'll take it.


[Modified by quailallstar, 7:53 AM 11/26/2002]

[Modified by quailallstar, 7:56 AM 11/26/2002]

 

[rtenke]

Re: Exporting Passat to Greece (Elias)

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>With all due respect to your Greek friend…

Unfortunately they are still stuck in the "Old Days" when Greeks in the US would bring a car back to the "old country", from America, and think they have brought something special over.

The Passat in Europe is just as nice, if not better equipped than what we get here. What a shame…

As far as the trunk is concerned, they don't have to change a thing as they will have to get the car registered with "red" tags to identify it as an "export". The "red" tags are similar in shape/size to the US plates. See if you can talk them out of it, if its not tooooo late… They will regret this within the first 6 to 8 months as they will be wrung through the ringer … Tell them that KARENTA VW/AUDI in Athens has a 1.8t 4Motion Passat, cloth interior with recaro seats, factory roof rack and tow package, with a 6 speed for 37,000 Euro. I realize it’s a bit more expensive than the 1.8t they purchased here, however they will easily exceed that price by the time the car passes European inspection standards and hits the streets in Greece.

Good Luck as the plate size should be the least of their problem.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I have exported a US spec B4 to Europe (Germany) and went through the registration process. While dealing with the local beauracracies is a PITA, converting the car to Euro spec involved swapping the headlights and taillights, having a European ID plate (containing the car's dimensions, weight, etc) afixed to the car, disable the DRLs, enable the rear fog, install a Euro headlight switch and going through Germany's comprehensive vehicle inspection procedure. The cost for all of this was approx. DM 3,000 ($1,500.00). IMHO, the whole process is not cost prohibitive.

Regarding additional information, here is a place to start: http://www.eurocadres.org/mobilnet/EN/greece.cfm

 

[Elias]

Re: Exporting Passat to Greece (quailallstar)

That’s the problem… they call friends and family who do research and they decide its cheaper to buy here and ship over… it may be cheaper as far as the cost of the vehicle is concerned… however, the "certification" process to "register" the car with the local agencies is a royal pain in the arse. I know several Greeks who have done the same and have regretted it in the long run.

p.s. The 1.8t engine offered in Greece is 163 hp not the 170/180 we get here. As a result, the VAG tools will not easily pick up on many "check engine" faults the car develops while there. Which it will, considering the different grades of gasoline, not to mention that the majority of gasoline retailers like to "water down" their supply… It does wonders to the US calibrated O2 sensors…

 

[rtenke]

Re: Exporting Passat to Greece (Elias)

The details to which Elias refers have to be considered. If Greek government offices are anything like the German ones, your friends will be doing this

many, many times before the whole process is finished.

 

[PlatzDa]

Re: Exporting Passat to Greece (rtenke)

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>The details to which Elias refers have to be considered. If Greek government offices are anything like the German ones, your friends will be doing this

many, many times before the whole process is finished.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

These are all excellent points as far as dealing with the various bureaucracies is concerned... If Greece is anything at all like Germany then these folks are in for a mess of trouble!
Another thought struck me after my first post... They could be buying a TDI!!!!!

I can tell you that if I ever move back to Germany, that will be my very first purchase!!

 

[landarcht]

Re: Exporting Passat to Greece (rtenke)

A bit off the subject, but does anyone here know if the cops will pull you over for having an euro plate even the numbers are correctly matching the rear?
I'm in los angeles area and you know how the cops here are...they'll get you for adding a side marker on a car that's not supposed to have one....

 

[mrgreek2002]

Re: Exporting Passat to Greece (quailallstar)

If I was him, I would sell that NA Spec B5.5 and buy one from Germany and drive it down to Greece. That is what I did with my 2000 M-B E 320. I didn't have any problems doing it that way.

Actually, now that I think of it, I miss it a lot and can't wait to see it this summer in my village villa's garage.

<![CDATA[If I was him, I would sell that NA Spec B5.5 and buy one from Germany and drive it down to Greece. That is what I did with my 2000 M-B E 320. I didn't have any problems doing it that way.

Actually, now that I think of it, I miss it a lot and can't wait to see it this summer in my village villa's garage.

[Modified by mrgreek2002, 10:49 PM 11/26/2002]

 

[PassatFahrer]

Re: Exporting Passat to Greece (Elias)

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Tell them that KARENTA VW/AUDI in Athens has a 1.8t 4Motion Passat, cloth interior with recaro seats, <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
A 1.8t 4mo

.... sorry, man - no such thing as a 1.8T 4mo, and the Recaros only come in alcantara/leather or leather all over....

 

[passatplus]

Re: Exporting Passat to Greece (quailallstar)

here are many infos about german license plates (but all in german)

http://www.kennzeichen1.de/

 

[b5_1.8T_GR]

Re: Exporting Passat to Greece (mgolz)

Let me try to help a bit...

No TDI in Greece

They are not allowed to be driven in the major cities (Athens, Salonica). This is stupid, but that's the way it is.

There is no 1.8T 4mo. They only have 2.0 4mo and 2.8 4mo (2.8 is also called V6 and it's like your GLX)

The passats with Trendline package, DO have all cloth recaros. It doesn't say RECARO in the back, but it is an original recaro made by recaro company as OEM seat available in Trendline. I know since I have it

I do agree, finding the right size plate is going to be the least of problems. On the other hand there are people coming from the States bringing their car with them. It's been done many times for so many years, it can be done but the bureaucracy is something that cannot be avoided.

 

[quailallstar]

Re: Exporting Passat to Greece (b5_1.8T_GR)

Damn........more negative post than positive. My friends parents exported a 1996 Nissan Pathfinder and they didnt encounter any problems! Looks like with the Passat they will....

 

[luigidf]

Re: Exporting Passat to Greece (quailallstar)

http://clubb5.zeroforum.com/zerothread?id=29943

Check salty d's first car. It's a German us-sized plate. Problem will not be on the plate, but in bureocracy.