Importing SLK 350 from US to Canada modification question - Page 2

eatbeme · 06-29-2008

Thanks for the replies guys. I still think it might benefit me to look south of the border. There seems to be a lot more on the market, and I could probably fly down to wherever I need to go to get it and still come out on top, especially since I'm not in a rush.

**Duo-Art** · 06-29-2008

eatbeme & Dang, I can understand your desire for a manual transmission. I have a 7G automatic 350. I rarely use its manual feature because it is terrible IMHO. The manual feature on my Honda Prelude's automatic was far more precise. It had a separate shifter gate that you moved the lever into. Pull back to downshift, push forward to upshift. Once for each gear you want to change. I find it quite difficult in my SLK to grab the gear I want when I'm slowing down.

**FishtailnZ** · 06-29-2008

One recent bit of good news for importing US cars is Transport Canada has just this past week harmonized our bumper laws with those in the U.S. Previous our 5mph standard could result in clashes with some models built to the U.S 2.5mph standard. Now it's 2.5mph for everyone!

Bruce_from_Canada · 07-06-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by MS011

Hi all,

did anybody here import SLK 350, 2005-2007, from US to Canada? If you did what modifications did you have to do to the car and how much did it cost? Thanks in advance.

I imported my 05 SLK from the US in 06. It was a nuisance doing the research and finding my way through the paperwork, but it did permit me to locate a vehicle with the features I was looking for and ultimately saved some money.

At the time, RIV (the company the government contracts to handle vehicle imports) left final importing approval on the SLK up to the discretion of MB Canada. This meant that MB Canada got to decide what was required and that they had the say-so on whether it would pass. Of course, they required all work to be done by MB.

The process was setup so that the local dealer queries MB Canada with the VIN to get a list of everything required to change. I challenged the guy at MB Canada on a couple of items but basically you only have two choices: pay, or return the vehicle to the US. There is no other way to get approvals other than by a letter from MB Canada saying you are compliant.

I found my invoice from June 06 and noted the following:
·Update front bumper to Canadian standard:
oLabour $ 262.38
oEnergy absorbing block $ 75
oEnergy absorbing block $ 116
oEnergy absorbing block $ 116
oStrut $328
oStrut $328
·Update Instrument Cluster to Canadian standard
oLabour $136.44
oInstrument cluster $1114
·Update vehicle with daytime running lights
oCovered under above item $ 0
·Update computer for Canadian standard
oUpdate control unit with DAS $31.49
·Update kilometre setting for Canadian standard
oInstall mileage into cluster $31.49
·Update rear bumper to Canadian standards
oLabour $ 209.90
oEnergy absorbing block $ 121
oEnergy absorbing block $ 95
oEnergy absorbing block $ 95
oRivet $1.31
·Misc. Supplies, recycling, waste remove
oAnother $35

The summary shows a total of $671.70 in labour, $2387.31 in parts, and $35 misc. They charged GST and PST taxes of $216.58 each, bringing the grand total to $3527.17.

Knowing how long the work really took and what was really changed, my impression is that MB Canada recovered a good amount of the profit they didn’t make in selling me the car in the first place. That said, I knew it up front and chose to proceed anyway.

My local service center did not stock all required parts so I also had a 3 week wait for parts from Germany.

If you are still considering importing and doing the modifications, you should be prepared for the occasional annoyance with warranty services. The local dealer has given me a hassle on a couple of occasions saying that MB Canada and MB US have slightly different rules. I now confirm warranty coverage before approving any work I expect is covered.

You may find that the rules have changed since I imported, but I doubt they have made things easier or less expensive. I hope you can benefit from the above.

eatbeme · 07-07-2008

Thanks Bruce and FishtailnZ. It looks like I'd save some money now that we don't have to change the bumpers. In your mind do you think the money you saved was worth the effort in importing your car? How much do you think you saved in the end?

**WhiteRabbit** · 07-07-2008

Another thing to consider is trade-in value. I have a friend with a gray market Honda mini-van in the US and he took a greater hit when he traded it in than he would have with a non-gray market car.

Bruce_from_Canada · 07-07-2008

At the time I purchased my SLK, I calculated that I probably saved a net of more than $15k Canadian. For me, that more than made up for the annoyances involved.

Since then the Canadian dollar has improved and Canadian dealers have slowly adjusted discounts. There are lots of variables to consider, but I would certainly do it again.

As WhiteRabbit noted, I've been advised by my local MB dealer (who is not exactly impartial) that I should expect to receive a lower resale on the car because it is an import - as though the US model is somehow deficient or less desirable(!). I view it as just another scare tactic to discourage Canadians from shopping 100 miles to the south- but even it its true, I'm not concerned give the savings I've enjoyed up front.

06-29-2008	#21 (permalink)
eatbeme SLK World Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 5 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for the replies guys. I still think it might benefit me to look south of the border. There seems to be a lot more on the market, and I could probably fly down to wherever I need to go to get it and still come out on top, especially since I'm not in a rush.
	http://www.slkworld.com/

06-29-2008	#23 (permalink)
FishtailnZ Buckle up shut up hold on / Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Nfld., Canada Vehicle: 2006 SLK55 Other Toys: Wife, kids, dogs... Posts: 1,377 Country: Thanks: 245 Thanked 162 Times in 68 Posts	One recent bit of good news for importing US cars is Transport Canada has just this past week harmonized our bumper laws with those in the U.S. Previous our 5mph standard could result in clashes with some models built to the U.S 2.5mph standard. Now it's 2.5mph for everyone! __________________ - Bill 2006 SLK55 Caspian Blue/Beige Stock 1/4 mile results: ET 12.72, trap 110.80, 60' 1.90 O.Z. Ultraleggeras, Magnaflow X-pipe, E55K Airbox, Windrestrictor. Some guys they just give up living and start dying little by little, piece by piece. Some guys come home from work and wash up and go racin' in the street... - B. Springsteen To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

07-07-2008	#26 (permalink)
WhiteRabbit Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Arlington, VA Vehicle: 2009 SLK 350 Posts: 318 Country: Thanks: 59 Thanked 25 Times in 14 Posts	Another thing to consider is trade-in value. I have a friend with a gray market Honda mini-van in the US and he took a greater hit when he traded it in than he would have with a non-gray market car. __________________ 2009 SLK 350, Arctic White, Gullwing Red, 7G Automatic, Premium PKG I, Lighting, Heating packages, Auto Climate Control, smartTop roof module v3.22, Clear side-marker lenses.

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06-29-2008	#22 (permalink)
Duo-Art Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 503 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 6 Posts	eatbeme & Dang, I can understand your desire for a manual transmission. I have a 7G automatic 350. I rarely use its manual feature because it is terrible IMHO. The manual feature on my Honda Prelude's automatic was far more precise. It had a separate shifter gate that you moved the lever into. Pull back to downshift, push forward to upshift. Once for each gear you want to change. I find it quite difficult in my SLK to grab the gear I want when I'm slowing down.

07-07-2008	#25 (permalink)
eatbeme SLK World Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 5 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks Bruce and FishtailnZ. It looks like I'd save some money now that we don't have to change the bumpers. In your mind do you think the money you saved was worth the effort in importing your car? How much do you think you saved in the end?

07-07-2008	#27 (permalink)
Bruce_from_Canada SLK World Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Victoria, BC Vehicle: 2005 SLK 350 - Caspian blue, every option Posts: 4 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 1 Post	At the time I purchased my SLK, I calculated that I probably saved a net of more than $15k Canadian. For me, that more than made up for the annoyances involved. Since then the Canadian dollar has improved and Canadian dealers have slowly adjusted discounts. There are lots of variables to consider, but I would certainly do it again. As WhiteRabbit noted, I've been advised by my local MB dealer (who is not exactly impartial) that I should expect to receive a lower resale on the car because it is an import - as though the US model is somehow deficient or less desirable(!). I view it as just another scare tactic to discourage Canadians from shopping 100 miles to the south- but even it its true, I'm not concerned give the savings I've enjoyed up front.

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