Imports?

[YellowDog]

Not normally the case, generally Jap domestic models are higher spec then ours. Sunroofs are just not that popular in Japan, but you can spec your car to have one if you want.

I didn't know that about Japanese cars. Maybe that's why my drivers seat is electric and my neighbour's is not.

Mercs and Beemers that I've driven in Germany have been of a far lower spec than ones I have driven in France and the UK. This was a few years back though

[Mully]

I didn't know that about Japanese cars. Maybe that's why my drivers seat is electric and my neighbour's is not.

Mercs and Beemers that I've driven in Germany have been of a far lower spec than ones I have driven in France and the UK. This was a few years back though

Yep - and the Japs put out dozens on JDM models that we don't see (GDI engines in Mitsis for example - NZ New didn't have that. NZ New were 2l, not 1.8 etc)

Keep in mind though, that some Mercs, Beemers, etc are work hacks in Germany. Much like Commodores/Falcons over here - some cheap low-spec shit for the taxis and options if your further up the ladder.

[pete376403]

Good point and that is why you do need to check the foreign country spec with the NZ one.

In the case of Japanese cars, the domestic vehicles usually are of a slightly lower spec. I don't have an electric sunroof on my Subaru, whereas my NZ New neighbour's one does.

My 2003 Honda Accord wagon import is specced up to the max, a workmates 2007 Accord sedan (NZ New) doesn't have all the features of my car. About the only faults I can find with my Accord is the satnav DVD is for Japan and it's not possible to get the NZ dvd. And the TV is NTSC, not PAL, so I can get audio, but no picture.

[Insanity_rules]

My Family has been in the Euro car repair game for a number of years. The specs between Asian imports and Kiwi new euros cam sometimes be VERY different. Quite often (Especially Mercedes) have smaller capacity engines, different emissions gear and engine programming so in a way what the dealer said was correct. Asian Euros quite often have quite a bit of UV and heat damage with rubber components. The engine tune is usually for a slightly better quality fuel. Our gas is quite seriously crap!

Often with the more modern ones our diagnositic gear cant read the asian spec computers so diagnostics can be a nightmare. Tyres are VERY different compound so when they wear because of our shitty roads you can put extra strain on the suspension components. Batteries in them are designed for a hotter climate so when they hit their first NZ winter they usually clap out.

Dealers also quite often polish up some pretty ropey examples so they look good and first but then without a good service history your bargain Merc or Beemer becomes a very expensive hand grenade. Jap import euros quite often give quite good makes of car a very bad name. I've seen so many broken import mercs and beemers due to them not being treated well in japan, singapore or hong kong it'd make you cry.

I wouldn't touch an asian market model euro with a loooong barge pole.

[98tls]

This thread reminded me of a moment way back during my time selling Toyotas,old bloke turns up with his 2.8 GLXI Cressida,all the bells n whistles which he bought a few years earlier as a "NZ new " vehicle for shitloads,the reaction to my offer of $8000 for a trade was priceless and at the time quite warranted i guess.Actually there was many such reactions.People at that time were queuing up to buy Honda Preludes complete with fucked CVs.Then came the era of people who just had to have a Bmw 318 shitbox,now that was funny comparable to motorcyclists in the late 90s that had to own Cagivassorry Ducatis.

[ducatilover]

All cars are different in how much they vary spec wise, for example the NZ new E46 BMW M3 had suspension that was too hard for most of our fun roads.
I'm a BMW E36 manic and they spec differences between NZ and Jap models can be very large, the majority of non M-sport kitted E36 BMW's had grey lower bumers, softer suspension, yet 99.9% '94 onwards had the twin airbag dash, many NZ new E36s' didn't until 95. Japanese 6cyl E36s' had the Jatco gearbox, which sucks, so don't buy an auto...roof lining sags on all of them as do the door trims...
You can often find the Jap ones with an analogue clock instead of a digital trip meter, many had lower spec fabrics. I can go on for yonks...

[BMWST?]

a mates 530 BMW ex singapore had the heater circuits(water and air) blocked off

[98tls]

All cars are different in how much they vary spec wise, for example the NZ new E46 BMW M3 had suspension that was too hard for most of our fun roads.
I'm a BMW E36 manic and they spec differences between NZ and Jap models can be very large, the majority of non M-sport kitted E36 BMW's had grey lower bumers, softer suspension, yet 99.9% '94 onwards had the twin airbag dash, many NZ new E36s' didn't until 95. Japanese 6cyl E36s' had the Jatco gearbox, which sucks, so don't buy an auto...roof lining sags on all of them as do the door trims...
You can often find the Jap ones with an analogue clock instead of a digital trip meter, many had lower spec fabrics. I can go on for yonks...

Kin hell,stop your starting to sound like my old man hes a Bmw fanatic,last time i caught up with him was at Ruapuna attending some "thrash your Bmw' day or another,coming out with all sorts of facts n figurers not to mention that orrible word "history",i merely smiled and laughed remembering the same conversation about Fords come Bathurst day back when i was a young fella.Actually when he had a 900 Bevel or 2 i remember once again similar utterings.Theses days my XR8 doesnt even get a glance.lol.

[ducatilover]

Kin hell,stop your starting to sound like my old man hes a Bmw fanatic,last time i caught up with him was at Ruapuna attending some "thrash your Bmw' day or another,coming out with all sorts of facts n figurers not to mention that orrible word "history",i merely smiled and laughed remembering the same conversation about Fords come Bathurst day back when i was a young fella.Actually when he had a 900 Bevel or 2 i remember once again similar utterings.Theses days my XR8 doesnt even get a glance.lol.

Bevels?
I can chat about the BA xr8 too, but, not to so much extent. Nice car though!

[98tls]

Bevels?
I can chat about the BA xr8 too, but, not to so much extent. Nice car though!

Na mate,tis a big old shitbox thats only saving grace is the noise from out back,thing is ive owned plenty that do everything else better but nothing that sounds so sweet,hence my going back.Probably the same reason i own an old V twin.

[ducatilover]

Na mate,tis a big old shitbox thats only saving grace is the noise from out back,thing is ive owned plenty that do everything else better but nothing that sounds so sweet,hence my going back.Probably the same reason i own an old V twin.

I thought it was a BA ute? They went quite well Real bikes have two cylinders... My bikes are not real.

[YellowDog]

Our gas is quite seriously crap!

Funny that! I tried importing my 'mid-life crisis' Porsche 928 S4 from the UK that I'd spent 6 years making like new and was told that I couldn't import it as that specific model needed an additional fuel filter for NZ.

I didn't believe what I was hearing and spent some time arguing the issue.

I guess I owe someone an apology

As I'd run out of time I sold the car on eBay for about one third of the NZ values.

The guy who bought it was pretty stoked about the deal. I wasn't

[onearmedbandit]

Funny that! I tried importing my 'mid-life crisis' Porsche 928 S4 from the UK that I'd spent 6 years making like new and was told that I couldn't import it as that specific model needed an additional fuel filter for NZ.

Nice car the S4. Obviously they wouldn't let you fit the additional filter?

[Owl]

My Tiger was new and came from LA. It was a higher spec than was available in NZ at that time. The bike was new and UK made, regadless of were I imported it to NZ from.

Wouldn't a California spec Tiger come with "SAI" and "Evaporative loss control system"?

[YellowDog]

Nice car the S4. Obviously they wouldn't let you fit the additional filter?

It was a great car. I was told that the filter was unobtainable due to the age of the car (1989). If I'd know what I know now, then I would have shipped it and worried about getting the filter for compliance from a breakers yard.

As I didn't believe the filter story and I was running out of time, it all ended in tears.