Originally Posted by Pulaski (Post 12377900)

Well many of my journeys are in the same direction, and I try to combine as many tasks as I can into one journey, but it is rare that it is possible to combine more than two or three things. :(

Originally Posted by lansbury (Post 12378079)

I wasn't necessarily suggesting combining journeys, but pointing out there are places where all the locations you listed are short local trips. Therefore journeys in some locations are no longer than in the UK, and the sort of area you live in does make a difference to the mileage you drive here.

Originally Posted by BenK91 (Post 12378052)

I had an RS3 sportback in the UK very briefly. Fantastic car.

It is worth noting that the GTI, Golf R and S/RS3 are all the same 2 litre 4pot engine just with a different map. My stage one APR map took my GTI to significantly better figures than a Golf R. I would like an RS7 one day though! :wub:

Originally Posted by Englishmum (Post 12378076)

A couple of days ago I saw a guy who lives in our neighbourhood driving a BMW with Munich registration plates on it.

I know that some of the European motor manufacturers (eg. Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Volvo etc.) will sell US spec cars to US residents who go over and inspect the cars over at their European factories. The car manufacturer pays for return flights and a night in an hotel. You then go on a tour of the factory and drive away your new car (can be most places in Europe inc. the UK in most cases) for up to a couple of weeks.

You then fly back to the States and your car is shipped to you free of charge. From what I understand, the car is considered ‘used’ rather than ‘new’ and the import duties are a lot less. I assume the guy in my neighbourhood must have done this with his BMW and would soon be registering the car at our local New Jersey DMV. (Btw; the sea port in Newark is only about 12 miles away, very close to Newark airport).

I think you still purchase these cars via your local dealership but though a special programme (easy to google it eg. BMW European Delivery - BMW USA)

Actually, my Brit friend moved from New Jersey to Switzerland a couple of years ago (when I was still resident in Switzerland) and they moved just around the lake from our place. She decided to import her Toyota RAV4 as it was cheap to ship it....it was nice to see and go out with her in the car with the NJ licence plates on for a few weeks until she re-registered it!

Originally Posted by petepete99 (Post 12378387)

I've also heard of this. Sounds like a bit of a hassle, though!

Originally Posted by Englishmum (Post 12378076)

A couple of days ago I saw a guy who lives in our neighbourhood driving a BMW with Munich registration plates on it.

I know that some of the European motor manufacturers (eg. Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Volvo etc.) will sell US spec cars to US residents who go over and inspect the cars over at their European factories. The car manufacturer pays for return flights and a night in an hotel. You then go on a tour of the factory and drive away your new car (can be most places in Europe inc. the UK in most cases) for up to a couple of weeks.

You then fly back to the States and your car is shipped to you free of charge. From what I understand, the car is considered ‘used’ rather than ‘new’ and the import duties are a lot less. I assume the guy in my neighbourhood must have done this with his BMW and would soon be registering the car at our local New Jersey DMV. (Btw; the sea port in Newark is only about 12 miles away, very close to Newark airport).

I think you still purchase these cars via your local dealership but though a special programme (easy to google it eg. BMW European Delivery - BMW USA)

Actually, my Brit friend moved from New Jersey to Switzerland a couple of years ago (when I was still resident in Switzerland) and they moved just around the lake from our place. She decided to import her Toyota RAV4 as it was cheap to ship it....it was nice to see and go out with her in the car with the NJ licence plates on for a few weeks until she re-registered it!

Originally Posted by mrken30 (Post 12377792)

Tires only last longer if you drive like a a Miami resident or like to run on stage coach wheels. If you have "grippy" tire they last the same length of time as they do in the UK. My last set of tires lasted around 40k on both my cars. However I do not have snail mode in my driving resume.

https://www.cars.com/articles/2013/0...do-tires-last/

Originally Posted by Chesten (Post 12378464)

On tires, I just bought some that are quoting 80K miles and have a guarantee. I wouldn't get remotely close to that back home. I think 20K was what I was getting. I understood tire standards are different ....

Originally Posted by Chesten (Post 12378464)

On tires, I just bought some that are quoting 80K miles and have a guarantee. I wouldn't get remotely close to that back home. I think 20K was what I was getting. I understood tire standards are different and linked to reducing noise in U.K./ Europe which requires different compounds and a less durable tire. Am I misinformed? Anyhow I haven't done the miles here or tested the warranty but my presumption is (good quality) tires will last longer and therefore be better value.

Originally Posted by Pulaski (Post 12378413)

A colleague of mine considered it, when buying a Beemer a few years ago, and came to the same conclusion. You might save a few bucks on the duty (I hadn't heard that was the case), and the flights might be included, but overall, with hotels and dining while touring around for a couple of weeks, it was going to cost him money, not save it, and yes, it was a lot of faffing around.

Originally Posted by Nutek (Post 12378487)

I go through a set in around 25 - 30K

Originally Posted by mrken30 (Post 12378577)

It's due to all that extra cake you carry around in the trunk ....

Originally Posted by Pulaski (Post 12378583)

What does "extra cake" even mean? :confused:

Originally Posted by Pulaski (Post 12378486)

......have enough tread to pass the inspection next April........