B7 owner thinking of Japanese Import B8.5

printmonkey

printmonkey

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Hi All

I'm a current B7 owner thinking of getting a Japanese import B8.5. Has anyone got a Japanese import, and are there any things I should pay attention to?

Cheers
David
 
I briefly considered a B8 Jap import.

I called my insurance and they were totally fine about it.

Service history was my main focus. Despite being low mileage and with virtually no corrosion, it’s difficult to determine all the history.


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…and one other thing….my insurance company wanted a certified Thatcham alarm fitted. They didn’t accept the factory installed unit….


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Thanks for the feedback, I’ll look into the history and see what’s available.

Good info on the alarm, I’ll call around and see what I can find out. I had a similar response from insurers when I bought a T25 camper van that had been imported from California a few years ago.
 
You will run into issues with radio frequencies, MMI firmware, language and maps.
 
If it has a TV tuner you will have to change the tuner and all 3 antenna modules. That’s if you want it to work.
 
Thanks, I thought that the MMI would need looking into, not too worried about TV in the car :smug:
I'm hoping to get bluetooth streaming working as soon as I gwt the car and then looking at CarPlay options.
 
What’s the benefit of a Japan import? I don’t see why shipping a car half way round the earth and paying import duties makes this viable. Especially when the MMI won’t work.
 
The car has already been imported and is registered in the UK. To be honest the price is good and mileage lower than a UK car and my commute has increased recently so the lower mileage is appealing.

MMI has been loaded with European software, but as I said I’ll be using CarPlay anyway. The only thing is radio frequencies may still be incorrect but I can address if I get the car.


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did you ever buy the Import model? I am looking at an S4 and the one I wanted just sold but there is a lovely well specced Jap import on there now I'm considering and wondered what problems I might bump into
 
I did, and haven't had any issues at all.

Check the MMI software is changed to European spec, if that is done correctly I would recommend it if the car is right.
 
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