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JDM import advice and experience



I know a few of you have imported JDM cars into UK.

I wondered if there are any importers you have experience of and would recommend?

Or anyone done it themselves?

I have an itch to scratch thats was JDM model only.

Thanks in advance for any tips.
 

Twingo 1??

ClioSport Club Member
  Twingo 133 Cup,
I have recently used vgs imports in Sunderland. Very nice guy to deal with and the one issue that arose (tyres cracked) was dealt straight away.
 
  Ph2 Meg 225
If I was to import again I would go with either torque gt or Jm imports. Had a few issues with the company I used which tarnished the experience abit.
 

Crazylegs

ClioSport Club Member
  Clio 182
Andy at BHP Imports is your man, not used him personally but he's renowned for being excellent and will find you a great car. I've also used Torque GT but had an issue with a car I got from them but a lot of the Integra lads have bought from them with no issues. Andy is based in the North East.
 
  Ph2 Meg 225
Andy at BHP Imports is your man, not used him personally but he's renowned for being excellent and will find you a great car. I've also used Torque GT but had an issue with a car I got from them but a lot of the Integra lads have bought from them with no issues. Andy is based in the North East.
Bhp are who imported mine and wasn’t impressed if I’m honest
 
  Ph2 Meg 225
You're the first negative story I've heard. He looked into an RX7 for me but I didn't proceed with it, him and Baz were really helpful to be fair.
They were great to start with and couldn’t be more helpful to be fair but once a car was secured it declined from then on. Also had a friend have some issues with purchasing parts.

I have seen people make complaints about most uk importers mind.
 
  M2 / Golf GTI
Drop me a message, easy enough to do yourself and I have talked a few people through it including @Jason_E who’s car is due to land this week with my next one. It’s not difficult...
 

Philip.

ClioSport Club Member
  VRS 245
Drop me a message, easy enough to do yourself and I have talked a few people through it including @Jason_E who’s car is due to land this week with my next one. It’s not difficult...

It's easy enough, but a few friends have received such shitters. Even after paying for 'inspections' in Japan.
You just need to be super careful.

If I was bringing in anything worth a decent amount I would go through a UK based importer. (Torque, JM, HJA)
 

ChrisR

ClioSport Club Member
I’d either use Torque as they are local and I kind of know one of the owners, or have a go myself.

Would likely depend on the value as to which route I’d take ;)
 

Jason_E

ClioSport Club Member
  Elise, 530d
Couldn't you have got one of those from here?! You really have joined the Jaws school of JDM importing 😂
There are three options to own a V70R in the UK:

A - Buy a UK car, they all have moon mileage and have been dicked with. Thats if you can find one.
B - Buy an already imported one, for several thousand £'s more from some dodgy dealership up north who appear to get it registered in sub-legitimate ways and whos stock sits around for literally years.
C - Have a go yourself, enjoy the process, save some money and get a much more legit car.

Will be interested to see how the car looks on arrival, how much I need to do to it etc. One thing I have done whilst preparing for its long awaited arrival (I won the auction July 30th!) is get everything I need to make it the nicest example I can. Should be the nicest one in the country at least in terms of being sorted/clean/low mileage anyway!

To the OP, use one of the above TRUSTED importers. Seems to be a tonne of dodgey ones out there that you only realise when you go through the process yourself!
 
I know it depends, but how much can you roughly save importing yourself? Ive wanted a Jzx100 chaser for years but the prices now days for a clapped out drift spec one are eye watering. I just want one stock even auto because that can be done later.
 
I know it depends, but how much can you roughly save importing yourself? Ive wanted a Jzx100 chaser for years but the prices now days for a clapped out drift spec one are eye watering. I just want one stock even auto because that can be done later.
This is what I'm wondering. The car I've fancied for a long long time is FD2 Type R. In the UK looking at 15-17k for a mint one but in Japanese auctions similar cars seen a couple go for equivalent of 7-10k but no idea cost to be on the road in UK.
 

Philip.

ClioSport Club Member
  VRS 245
I know it depends, but how much can you roughly save importing yourself? Ive wanted a Jzx100 chaser for years but the prices now days for a clapped out drift spec one are eye watering. I just want one stock even auto because that can be done later.

Same here. Chaser or Mk2 but the prices are stupid now. I’m lucky to have got my s15 for £8k, so happy I didn’t have to fork out stupid money.
 

mharvey

ClioSport Club Member
Ignition imports come highly recommended by me, fairly new outfit but top notch cars in great spec. I've bought a number of cars from the owner prior to this venture
 

E11OOT

ClioSport Club Member
  Evo 6/Ph1 v6/R34
@jp_lcr dipping your toes into the JDM auction pond at a very expensive time!

I can't help you out with UK importers but pick someone that has good communication and has lots of experience. Even some of the best looking auction sheets have red flags which can easily be missed.

Best of luck!
 

Jason_E

ClioSport Club Member
  Elise, 530d
This is what I'm wondering. The car I've fancied for a long long time is FD2 Type R. In the UK looking at 15-17k for a mint one but in Japanese auctions similar cars seen a couple go for equivalent of 7-10k but no idea cost to be on the road in UK.
I was looking at one myself. A lot of importers appear to be working on very little margin for those, latest auctions FD2s are going for anywhere between £10-20k in japan. You need to tack on your shipping £1000-1500, plus your fees that side, plus VAT and Duty on landing. That’s before you’ve got it transported from the docks to your house, made road legal, MOT’d and plated etc. I couldn’t make the sums work vs. Buying one here, unless one came up in a dream spec or something.

A lot of the desirable jap stuff has gone very very silly of late. A grade R R34 skyline went for £189k at auction the other day lol
 

Silent_Scone

ClioSport Club Member
  Evo 5 RS
Torque GT or Guy Francis, both very good to deal with. Guy is more of a family outfit but can't fault him, really. Just be knowing that it doesn't matter where you go, these folks will tart the cars up some what, even a lot of the very clean ones.

Let them do a lot of the ground work if the car isn't already in the country, and do not be put off by grades. Japanese auction grading is about as predictable as the weather. You'll see some grade 4 and 3 cars come through that are rough as dogs, and vice versa, it's there as a gauge. They will have folks they trust natively that will inspect the cars closely themselves.
 
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jameswrx

ClioSport Club Member
I wouldn’t trust any of them to be honest. One mentioned in this thread and said to be one of the best on MLR I’ve seen a car he sold as “fully serviced” (and we’re talking £15k evo 5) Mate had it delivered to him as it was so mint & seller has one of the best reps (kind of my fault for reading forums, what people say & telling him to trust the guy)

First drive it misfired it’s tits off, mate text me I said check plugs. He sent me pics & plugs were worn to high hell, gap massive so it was blowing spark out and the plug wells full of water (spark plugs supposedly changed before sent down)

Then we get it on the lift and it’s got some full Jap spec (very old and some weird make) oil filter (not even changed the fkin oil FFS)

No way has he done the AYC fluid too (which he’d said was done) if he hasn't changed the engine oil and sure enough my mate said it squarks on cornering and asked me what it could be, that’ll be your AYC (“oh, he said he’d done that”

Just goes to show how trusting people are and we’re in a garage (my mate owns) why the fcuk the bloke would knowingly send it down to us without doing the service he promised on a £15k evo 5 I’ll never know, total 5hit show if you ask me and he’s “one of the good guys”

Greedy and very stupid if you ask me and my mate’s been quiet about the whole thing.
 

Silent_Scone

ClioSport Club Member
  Evo 5 RS
I wouldn’t trust any of them to be honest. One mentioned in this thread and said to be one of the best on MLR I’ve seen a car he sold as “fully serviced” (and we’re talking £15k evo 5) Mate had it delivered to him as it was so mint & seller has one of the best reps (kind of my fault for reading forums, what people say & telling him to trust the guy)

First drive it misfired it’s tits off, mate text me I said check plugs. He sent me pics & plugs were worn to high hell, gap massive so it was blowing spark out and the plug wells full of water (spark plugs supposedly changed before sent down)

Then we get it on the lift and it’s got some full Jap spec (very old and some weird make) oil filter (not even changed the fkin oil FFS)

No way has he done the AYC fluid too (which he’d said was done) if he hasn't changed the engine oil and sure enough my mate said it squarks on cornering and asked me what it could be, that’ll be your AYC (“oh, he said he’d done that”

Just goes to show how trusting people are and we’re in a garage (my mate owns) why the fcuk the bloke would knowingly send it down to us without doing the service he promised on a £15k evo 5 I’ll never know, total 5hit show if you ask me and he’s “one of the good guys”

Greedy and very stupid if you ask me and my mate’s been quiet about the whole thing.

9/10 Evos are s**t, that's half the battle right there no matter who you're buying from lol. Not doing a service when claiming you will is very cheeky, though. You'll geth horror stories everywhere...There's a well-known importer in Essex that the GTR boys circle jerk over. I've seen some heavily tarted up Evo's in there that aren't worth what they're asking. You just have to make sure you know what you're buying before comitting.
 

Crazylegs

ClioSport Club Member
  Clio 182
I'd just buy one that's already in the UK tbh as it's less messing about. Adam that used to be on the DC5 forum is selling a stunning one in purple at the moment, very rare colour. He's got it for sale on Facebook. Might be out of your budget mind but it's mint. I think FD2's look amazing in Vivid Blue.
 

Crazylegs

ClioSport Club Member
  Clio 182
For Sale - Honda Civic Type R (FD2)

Here we have my 2008 (58) plate Honda Civic Type R in Crystal Black Pearl. This car has covered 83,000 miles and has had no expense spared on it.

Having previous owned a Honda Prelude 2.2 SiR and a Honda Integra Type R DC5, this car has been my pride and joy and has proven to be by far the most exciting Honda.

Import Details
I bought the car as a private import through Torque GT in October 2016 and I received the car in April 2017. Torque GT had already done the underseal in Dinitrol and of course all the necessary paperwork involved. The car is graded as a 4B with no door dinks, scuffs or scratches. A BIMTA certificate will be provided with the sale.

Usage
The modifications on this car have really made it a very useable car on a day-to-day basis and a track car. The Dixcel brakes and Tein suspension allow you to drive it to a track, stiffen the shocks and away you go. This car has been used and to the best of its ability. The set up of the car upon import suggests that it has been tracked in Japan and I myself have taken it around Castle Combe, Spa Francorchamps and the Nürburgring. Driven with respect, never in anger and she was a feisty mistress and great fun to drive.

Condition
This car comes in excellent condition for its age and mileage with the only external signs of wear being some stone chips on the bonnet, a small mark on the driver’s door (from import) and the roof has a couple of slightly dry areas. Internally, the condition is near immaculate with only the driver’s seat bolster showing wear relative to its use.

Care
From import, I have been the only one to clean this car using only the best products on the market and with the utmost attention to detail. The car was ceramic coated using Gtechniq crystal serum in March 2019 at Summit Detailing. A full laser alignment was done at Ferrari in Exeter in March 2020. When not being used, the car has been garaged. I have all the paperwork and service history for every bolt, washer and gasket bought for it including all the original Honda booklets.

Price
The car will be priced at two levels.

Option 1: The car will be sold as I bought it when it was freshly imported into the UK, but with a selected number of upgrades included (as listed in the car details section).
Price: £18,000 GBP.
Should you wish to also have any of the non-included upgrades or items, these can be bolted on for an additional price.

Option 2: The car will be sold as it is now with all the modifications and OEM parts included.
Price: £19,000 GBP.

These prices fairly reflect the excellent condition of the car alongside the care and attention it has received in my ownership, having spent just shy of £10,000 on its servicing and enhancement. This is a rare specimen, and I am willing to take the time to find the right new owner at the right price.

Car details
2008 (58) Facelift model
• Crystal Black Pearl paint
• Ceramic coated (body, wheels and brake callipers)
• New Honda headlights
• New Honda front bumper
• New Honda leather gear gaiter
• New Mugen wind deflectors
• New Tein Flex-Z Coil overs
• Front Brembo callipers refurbished with new seals, pistons, bleed nipples and caps. Brembo Logo in Crystal Black Pearl
• New Honda fog light switch
• Eibach camber arms
• Spoon rigid collars front and rear
• Standard B-pipe
• Back Yard Special rear box
• Rocker cover refurbished in Wrinkle Red with new seals and caps
• New Honda O2 sensor (Lambda)
• Odometer reads in MPH with no stickers on the dash (first in UK)
• AppRadio system

Service parts
• Honda clutch and Flywheel fitted by Honda with new seals and bolts
• New Honda Auxiliary belt
• NGK Iridium Spark plugs
• New Honda Fuel filter and strainer
• Honda MTF3 (gearbox fluid)
• Honda coolant
• Valve clearances
• Honda wiper blades
• Injector clean (done by a professional on a specialist machine)
• Numerous oil changes using Honda filters and Shell oil
• Power steering pump refurbished with new seals and bearing

Upgrades and items (not included as standard with option 1):
• Dixcel slotted discs £150
• Dixcel front and rear pads £100
• Mugen air box with cleaning kit £350
• 5Zigen miracle fireball exhaust system £350
• Spoon radiator cap £20
• Mugen number plate bolts £20
• Skunk2 weighted gearknob £20
• 2 x Yokohama AD08R Tyres £100

The number plate can go with the car for an additional cost but will discuss upon inspection of the car. The number plate ‘J8 FDR’ is specialised to the car:
J = Japan
8 = Considered a lucky number in Japan
FDR = Model of the car

The car is based in Bristol and will come with a fresh MOT if the buyer desires it, otherwise it is due in February.

Should the car be sold without the upgrades and additional items, these will not be for sale until the car has sold. No first dibs, deposits or vulturing will not be accepted and comments will be deleted.
 

Philip.

ClioSport Club Member
  VRS 245
I wouldn’t trust any of them to be honest. One mentioned in this thread and said to be one of the best on MLR I’ve seen a car he sold as “fully serviced” (and we’re talking £15k evo 5) Mate had it delivered to him as it was so mint & seller has one of the best reps (kind of my fault for reading forums, what people say & telling him to trust the guy)

First drive it misfired it’s tits off, mate text me I said check plugs. He sent me pics & plugs were worn to high hell, gap massive so it was blowing spark out and the plug wells full of water (spark plugs supposedly changed before sent down)

Then we get it on the lift and it’s got some full Jap spec (very old and some weird make) oil filter (not even changed the fkin oil FFS)

No way has he done the AYC fluid too (which he’d said was done) if he hasn't changed the engine oil and sure enough my mate said it squarks on cornering and asked me what it could be, that’ll be your AYC (“oh, he said he’d done that”

Just goes to show how trusting people are and we’re in a garage (my mate owns) why the fcuk the bloke would knowingly send it down to us without doing the service he promised on a £15k evo 5 I’ll never know, total 5hit show if you ask me and he’s “one of the good guys”

Greedy and very stupid if you ask me and my mate’s been quiet about the whole thing.

Offft. Name names! 😂

Sounds like a right lazy b*****d not even doing a service ffs. Would be good to know these people for anyone looking to import a car.
 

Crazylegs

ClioSport Club Member
  Clio 182
That looks stunning but think I'm starting to realise the more I read up I may have missed the boat on values for these.

I think so mate, non-aspirated Hondas in particular the FD2 which is well regarded as not only being the best Type R ever made but also the last NA Type R are starting to fetch mega money. The FD2 is a hell of a car and if you can afford one get one but they are mega expensive.

Adam's will be mint as well as he looks after his cars really well, he's not a scrimper. I'm not a fan of the colour personally but many are however his is by far the rarest colour for the FD2.
 

Rojer

ClioSport Club Member
I am a big Honda fan and JDM fan, but when an FD2 is almost 20k and my mate bought a new shape Civic Type R for 22k the new one is just a no brainer.

I should of imported a chaser years ago, but chickened out now the boat has probably passed.
 


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