Importing

[Scutch]

Recently, Ive been looking on Autotrader website for a brand new Clio 182 and there have been a few great deals knocking about. However, one from Motor Provider seems to be the best. £11695 for the base 182 model with no packages. When I asked for the Cup packages he claimed insurance companies didnt like it but told me he would order me the Clio 182 with both spoiler and suspension packages and the car would be available in 6 - 8 weeks if I would like to go ahead with the deal.

Now, Ive never imported a car before so dont know the pros and cons. The ad on Autotrader says "BRAND NEW Metallic. 3 YRS RENAULT WARRANTY, 16" light alloy wheels, ABS, Air Bags, cruise control, Door to Door Delivery Service Available, Electric Pack, Esp and traction control, Finance packages available, Leather Alcantara Trim, Part Exchange Welcome, rain sensor, Remote Cental Lockin, xenon lights, spoiler set. The Car Supermarket and Dealer Suppliers NOW SELLING DIRECT TO THE PUBLIC and SAVE YOU THOUSANDS not only against main dealer prices but just about any dealer or car supermarket in the UK. £11,695" so thats why I opted for them. £2.5k less than Renault UK. Cant be bad.

However, could someone please advise me on following up this deal, as I know very little about the importing scene or how it will affect my insurance, warranty (although it states 3 years) or anything else for that matter! If anyone has indeed imported in the past your comments would be very helpful to me. At the end of the day is this a good deal?

My first few posts are all wanting your advice and help but thats what were all here for right? Thanks peeps.

 

[telford_mike]

Beware of delivery timescales. Many people have been left waiting for a long time, although others have had no problem. Its much better to buy an actual, existing car from a supermarket - that way at least you know you can have the car right away.

 

[BigBoreBri]

The basics are i think...

1. You will need to get a CAT1 alarm fitted as it wont have one

2. You may have to contact Renault UK to apply for your 3yrs warranty

3. Renault dealerships will be fussy about stuff cos u have a import

4. Insurance may need to be notified its a import

Im sure eveyone else will fill you in on anything else

 

[Scutch]

Thanks Bri.

The Security Equipment on the document I was emailed says :

R.A.I.D

Alarm

Engine Immobiliser

Remote Central Locking

Surely if the car comes from the manufacturer with Cat 1 alarm, then this is what will be described above?

Also, it claims to come with the 3 year manufacturers Renault warranty, which should be valid for all Renault manufacturers surely?

I hope so. Also, Tescos vehicle selector just states Clio 182, no import option etc. So I could just play dumb Huh?

Anyone else got any good news about importing. lol

 

[BigBoreBri]

I played dumb with my 172 import and it worked 4 me mate

I dont think they come from the factory with the CAT1, its generally just the immobilizer and its just us in UK that needs the alarm. They could mean that they fit the alarm once they get it tho - could be wrong

As for the warraty you want to look at it in detail and make sure you know whats what before you put any money on the table

 

[D-CUP]

GET ONE FROM A BROKER.

 

[Scutch]

Hey D-CUP. Could u explain the broker crack to me? Oh and by the way, I got a pretty decent deal off http://www.drivethedeal.comwww.drivethedeal.com £13300 ish with the illusion paint work and cup packages, and its a UK car not import. Not bad. However, Im tempted to just plump for the 172 Cup, saving money and allowing me to upgrade things! Hmm...?

 

[D-CUP]

They still have a 172 Cup?

Brokers buy lots of UK cars in one go so they get them cheap via fleet discount. Everything is the same with the car. On an import you have to get the alarm, window etching and put up with hassle when it comes to sell. I think someone on here got a 182 with cup bits for £12500

 

[toonboy]

there was a post on here a while back saying that motor provider ONLY supplies UK cars and NOT imports. can those people speak up again?

 

[Viv172]

Quote: Originally posted by toonboy on 25 February 2004

there was a post on here a while back saying that motor provider ONLY supplies UK cars and NOT imports. can those people speak up again?

Howz that? If they buy from a UK dealer, theyd sell for the same price.

If they buy direct from Renault and have UK spec. then its exactly the same as importing.

Plus the cars in the dealerships are all imported from Renault in France, which strangely enough is where they all come from...

 

[specialK]

I never had any problems with warranty work from a Renault dealer - they may not always be perfect, but certainly they never got difficult about doing warranty work on it because it was an import

 

[Viv172]

Quote: Originally posted by specialK on 25 February 2004

I never had any problems with warranty work from a Renault dealer - they may not always be perfect, but certainly they never got difficult about doing warranty work on it because it was an import

This is true, import owners get the same amount of hassles as dealer bought car owners, they dont discriminate who they mess about!!

 

[CMRsi]

Cheapest Ive found so far is about £12,900 for a 182 with cup suspension and spoiler packs, and metallic paint. As far as I can tell it is UK supplied and not an EU import. Delivery 2-8 weeks?! This is from micronet showroom http://www.micronetshowroom.com/category.asp?Category=Options&Make=RENAULT&Model=CLIO&UID=430955http://www.micronetshowroom.com/category.asp?Category=Options&Make=RENAULT&Model=CLIO&UID=430955

youd probably be better emailing them to be sure though. There is also the issue of whether the car is "pre-registered" or not, this means the car is new but already registered, so you wont be the first owner on the registration document. If youre not bothered about having an Import, http://www.motorpoint.co.ukwww.motorpoint.co.uk have 172s for £11,000.

Drivethedeal sounds like the most sensible system and its mentioned by some car magazines.

 

[steveV6]

My advice would be, get one from here---->>

http://www.carselect.lloydstsb.com/goDirect.asp?page=goFindPrivateCarhttp://www.carselect.lloydstsb.com/goDirect.asp?page=goFindPrivateCar

£12700, UK supplied car, everything youd get if you were buying from your local dealer, coz it still comes from a Renault dealer, just proberbly not your local one!

Good luck what ever you decide.