Anyone know if it's possible to import an A class merc?

[Dmak]

I am trying to get my hands on one of these and want to find out if its even possible to get one of these in the US? Anyone know how do I go about this? Mexico?

[amb9800]

You could try and import one - there are tons of importers out there - see globalcar (i believe it's www.globalcar.com) - they have thousands of importer listings. But the US Conversion, standardization, etc. could cost as much as the car itself.

And that's only if you can't wait two years. It is almost confirmed that the next-generation A-Class is coming here for 2005 to compete with BMW's upcoming 1-Series (which will start at $16,000) and with Audi, which will bring over its A2 (what an original name).

Also the MCC Smart is coming over - that's also almost positive. What would have been it's competitor in the US, the Ford Think (also a very original name), is now dead.

Hope it helps.

[zishan03]

I dont understand why you couldnt just put in an order to a dealer in Germany as they do produce left hand drive cars after all and then just get some private company to ship it over for you!! Is there something extra which has to be done to American cars which might make it more expensive then that?

[amb9800]

Importing cars into the US that are not normally sold in the US requires a lot of time, effort, and money. You need to have the car EPA tested and certified, which often requires new US regulation-compliant parts. And some other things - if you do some research, you'll find that importing is a pretty complicated practice.

But the biggest problem of all, besides the problems you will have with the car being all in German language, is that MBUSA won't even touch the car. They treat it as if you were to bring a honda into the MB dealer. These imported cars are called 'gray-market' cars and you probably won't be able to resell it without a major loss.

Plus, because MB doesn't sell the A-Class in the US, getting parts will be hard and servicing will not be included, no warranty at all from MBUSA, etc.

I wouldn't import such a car if you don't have the resources/know-how to do this. It's a serious and complicated matter that requires a lot of research in most cases.

Hope it helps.

[amb9800]

There's a famous example of a woman who imported a SMART into the US. She bought the car, including shipping, taxes, etc. for around $15,000 but had to spend $35,000 legalizing it in the US, so she got a SMART in the US, but for $50,000, is it worth it when you can get so much more in the US market - e.g. you could almost get a nice new CLK for that much. Or a C Sports-coupe and have thousands of dollars extra.

So US legalization can be an expensive proposition.

Note - I'm not sure whether the $35k was including a RHD-LHD conversion - might be - but even if it does, conversion is pretty hard.

[connectcctv]

I own 2 A160 ACS in the uk and a C270 CDI. Both ACkass cars are RHD but if you open the the Battery Compartment and take the fuse paper out of the fuse holder some fuses are clearly marked for the US market. Lets face it these cars are are as safe or safer than any car built in the US, So is there another reason for the hold up.

[ima55r2]

I saw an A-class in town last month. It was going in the opposite direction, but I didn't have time to turn around and catch up to it. It does look like it would be a good urban car.

I hope it has NASCAR type cage. because there isn't too much to it...it is small.

[connectcctv]

A Class saftey reports
http://www.euroncap.com/results.htm

[amb9800]

The A-Class is a well-designed, very safe car (safest in its league) and is overall pretty good, but the fact is that US Legislation is needlessly tedious - it doesn't have much to do with safety, etc., they just need to do things with them.

I believe they want a US crash-test, but individuals who are importing them can't do that, so instead they hold you up with tons of needless requirements for some reason - the common thinking is that they want it harder to import cars, which encourages you to buy one that was made for the US - which makes the government more money, etc.

[kwhiner]

There is a sidebar article in R&T feb issue saying that the A-class is coming to NA and that there is a larger version say about VW golf size that will be included. Hopefully with the CDI engines as an option. Could get interesting...

[kaneman]

The A class is already sold in Mexico and I've seen them quite a few times on this side of the border. The first time I saw one here I did a tripletake! IMO if someone REALLY wanted one they only need buy it in Mexico, drive it across, slap some US plates on it and go. Of course, it's not legal and there's no insurance but...

[ano0oj]

im sure u can get one imported im gonna try to get some pics and post em

[ano0oj]

heres one with a amg kit

[vraa]

i didn't know AMG acutually made a kit for it.. i thought they just slapped another engine..

[amb9800]

Originally posted by vraa
i didn't know AMG acutually made a kit for it.. i thought they just slapped another engine..

AMG actually doesn't make an AMG version of the A-Class that compares with the rest of the AMG lineup with regard to production numbers. The A32K is a special-production car by HWA (AMG's racing division) and only 10 are being made. See the other thread for that.

Otherwise the only AMG tweak for the A-Class is the body styling, which compares to the AMG Sports Package on other MBs. IIRC the highest level normal A-Class is the A210 Evolution, which IIRC has the AMG styling standard. I believe that pic is an A210 Evolution.

[vraa]

O_0 thank you VERY much mbakshi.. i have no clue on this a-class stuff!

btw: your right .. the 210 is the highest