I'm almost regretting posting this but here goes, and it's directed at anyone who has imported a US spec Cayenne.

I have a chance to pick up a Cayenne Turbo S, the bought it new in California and brought it with him when he moved to London 2 years ago. He had it prepped and converted by a Porsche garage for UK registration and is now on UK plates. The guy spent more money on the car than his wife (maybe why that's why she's divorcing him) and this thing has every imaginable extra. It's an Oct 2004 model with 47k miles (verified and guaranteed), FPSH the last 1,000 miles ago, and I can pick this pristine beasty for £17,000, which represents a massive saving over a CH spec model.

BUT - I know I would have to pay tax here , and I'd still be comfortably quids (or CHF) in, but as it's a originally a US car what problems are there with MFK/Parts etc.

Is it this one?

LOL....

I did have to look twice matey, but no

as it now conforms with UK specs, the only thing you'll probably have to change are the headlights. Try to get a COC from Porsche UK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_ap..._or_Compliance

The guy is getting the CoC sorted and is in touch with Porsche UK, and I guessed about the light, but are there any challenges with fitting euro lights, I'm guessing not as it's been set up for the UK by a Porsche dealership... but you do hear horror stories of cars needing extensive=expensive front end work for lights, then problem with some marques and suspension/brakes/fuel & exhaust systemsECU compatability issues. Saving some dough I don't mind... a can of worms, I'll pass

Fitting headlights is no problem, and if you get the CoC, no further work needs to be done (all the messy things should have been done to get it to UK=EU specs).

For that price you can't go wrong PG, good luck its a lot of car for the money.

Didn't he store the LHD lights when he brought it to the UK so he could switch back?

I just imported a UK to Switzerland and it wasn't that difficult, but I suspect those lights are Xenon's and I don't know how much more difficult/costly that would be.

Anyway, the total cost will be much less than it costs to fuel that thing.

How many seats would it have ? meaning how many hungry chicken loving people can it hold for the next Kfc run?

But yes, i'm with Castro on this one, for that amount of money you would be silly not to do it, even if there is a fee to import it.

You will never pay the total as what you would pay for a Ch spec car.

Good luck PG

I quickly checked similar car under: http://www.autoscout24.ch/AS24Web/De...3&page=5&row=1

This looks like a HUGE bargain PG! Seriously! Go for it and good luck!


P.S. Does it mean we all are going to Snowsports EF day in laxurious Porsche Cayenne

No, the cheapest Turbo S's are about 45-50k. Still a bargain though.

That's where I am, really.... inc' the KFC run

Well that would be on the cards to... just don't tell Eire

another thing to make sure is its all original porsche parts, so wheels, exhaust, suspension etc etc he hasn't used any after market 'upgrades' on it, the import MFK go over the car with a fine tooth comb, anything they think isn't an original manufacturer part will fail you, unless you have the swiss certificate for that part. we had a bugger of a job persuading the inspector that the body kit on our car was actually how it came out of the factory.

I'm a little bit confused here. He presumably would have needed to get a CoC when he imported the vehicle into the UK, or would have needed to import the vehicle under the SVA. Do you know how he originally imported the vehicle?

If he's still got the US headlights, you should be in luck, as long as they've got the SAE or DOT markings.

Have a look at this guide from the TCS (sorry, in French) for more specific details on importing a car from the US -- relevant info is on page 7.

Not quite an "eggs with eggs" comparison, but when I lived in California, I had BMW and Yamaha motorbikes (CA spec.). When I moved to London, I had no problems with reg. and MOT - just put some black tape on the headlight to stop the beam shining the wrong way, and just for the Yamaha, had to disconnect the running lights (indicators).
Both bikes are now here, although only the BMW is registered (Yamaha was an insurance write-off in London, that I bought back with the good intention of getting back on the road).

The only obvious issue was headlight alignment. Because California also has strict emission controls, the Swiss abgas test was fine on the BMW.

Re. the headlight on your considered purchase, even if the original right-dip ones are no longer available, it should be no problem to revert back (as it once had these for right side driving). Probably cost a bit through Porsche to change, but the car seems enough of a bargain to more than justify the expense.

Shouldn't cost too much.

PapaG, I presume the Porker has Xenon lights. In some cases it is just a matter of switching them, as the same lights can be set up of left or right. On some models it can be done by the owner and in others they need half an hour in the work shop. But still a lot cheaper than having to replace parts.

Never thought of that Jako, I had a roadster that had switchable lamps... bugger of a job though. The guy is on the case for the C.o.C, and it's a turbo not a turbo S, still seems bloody cheap though and I'm going to see it next week when I'm back

Any update on this?

Nope, it's still in Hounslow, Mama G is still nursing her mum in the UK and I'm and I'm still here with no way to get back.... so bargain though this appears, it's set to pass me by