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Imported W204

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Old May 19, 2009 | 06:37 PM
  #1  
blanco55's Avatar
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C300 W204
Imported W204

Hello,

I have recently imported a W204 from the US to the Gulf. I did so because of the vast difference in prices between Mercedes cars in the US and here. Of course, that is not the only reason. I instantly fell in love with the W204 when it came out. I find it sporty yet classy, and without a doubt the best C-class ever produced by Mercedes.

These pictures are FOB. I have already changed the markers to clear color, bought a trunk spoiler (lip) and looking to change rims in the future.

In general, I am strongly in favour of keeping a Benz the way it was meant to be: classy. The car already looks marvelous, but it could always use some touch ups including new wheels. Some people take it too far (lower the car insanely, chrome rims, paint things they shouldn't paint). There is no harm in being unique, but it is important to keep it simple. That is just my opinion and I am in no way an expert on the W204. That's why im here and hope to learn more about this car from this excellent community. Cheers!
Attached Thumbnails Imported W204-p1000567-resized.jpg   Imported W204-p1000565-resied.jpg  
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Old May 19, 2009 | 07:31 PM
  #2  
alexyanglaw's Avatar
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From: Los Angeles
2008 C300 Sports, AMG 18 inch wheels, MM package, 6000K HID Kit, 20% 3M tinted all around
Nice, how much money did you save by imported the car to your country.
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Old May 19, 2009 | 08:12 PM
  #3  
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Benz
did you debadge the emblems or did it come that way?
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Old May 19, 2009 | 09:12 PM
  #4  
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2007 Avalanche LT, 2009 C300
looking good what does this mean for warranty coverage?
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Old May 20, 2009 | 02:29 AM
  #5  
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C300 4matic Sport, CBR 954
Originally Posted by jamaicakevkev
looking good what does this mean for warranty coverage?

good qustion, i would assume that he would probably lose it because hes in the gulf now and its a us spec C but he might luck out, let us know what they say about this.
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Old May 20, 2009 | 02:37 AM
  #6  
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isnt it illegal to export the car? dont you have to sign something when you buy the car? i know i did
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Old May 20, 2009 | 02:39 AM
  #7  
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From: Read the name
C300 4matic Sport, CBR 954
Originally Posted by joshg1001
isnt it illegal to export the car? dont you have to sign something when you buy the car? i know i did
no its not illegal to take ur car to another country if u wish but im assuming its illegal to buy one in the US and then sell it in another country for profit, i think thats what ur thinking.

Last edited by CrAZyVeGAsBoY; May 20, 2009 at 07:17 AM.
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Old May 20, 2009 | 03:00 AM
  #8  
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C300 W204
Stryder, I didn't debadge the emblems, it came that way for some reason.

Obviously I have no warranty . But the car is an '08 model and in good condition, so I am crossing my fingers. Plus I saved about $10,000 (if you compare to a similiar used car here)
Hopefully that would make up for the lack of warranty/service.
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Old May 20, 2009 | 05:12 AM
  #9  
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From: Philippines/California, USA
W204 C280
as long as you don't spend more than 10k on repairs for three years, then its worth it!
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Old May 20, 2009 | 10:23 AM
  #10  
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no its not illegal to take ur car to another country if u wish but im assuming its illegal to buy one in the US and then sell it in another country for profit, i think thats what ur thinking.
but that reasoning doesnt stop canadians from coming into the country and buying a cheaper car, then "exporting" it for their own use to Canada...which i know is illegal
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Old May 20, 2009 | 10:38 AM
  #11  
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2009 C350
I remember when I bought mine I had to sign a statement saying that I will not export the car out of the country. According to the dealer I'm not supposed to ever export it, even for own use..
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Old May 20, 2009 | 02:47 PM
  #12  
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From: Woodstock, GA. USA
w204-C300
I think the paper states that you're not allowed to export it to another country for 2 years from the purchased date.
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Old May 20, 2009 | 03:21 PM
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2011 E350 4Matic Wagon, 2013 C350 4Matic Sedan
Anyone care to check with a lawyer? I am sure that there are no laws which state that you cannot export a vehicle, especially one for your personal use. The property rights activists would be all over that like a fat kid in a doughnut shop.

The letter that you guys are being asked to sign is a commitment letter between the purchaser and MBUSA. MSUSA knows what they are selling their wares for significantly less in the US so use this as a tactic to stop people from taking advantage of this situation.

Just my $0.02 of course.
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Old May 20, 2009 | 03:35 PM
  #14  
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Originally Posted by joshg1001
but that reasoning doesnt stop canadians from coming into the country and buying a cheaper car, then "exporting" it for their own use to Canada...which i know is illegal
Not illegal - US>CAD but mfgs don't like it and erect all types of disincentives (which should be illegal) like having to pay out of pocket for CAD warranty and submitting bills back to US for reimbursement, plus other crap like delayed service at dealer etc. In Europe these practices will land mfgs multi $100MN fines.
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Old May 21, 2009 | 06:11 AM
  #15  
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C300 W204
I bought the car used, and the dealer knew it was for export (no tax and papers required), not for local purchase. Nothing illegal about it.
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Old May 21, 2009 | 01:09 PM
  #16  
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I guess if it was purchased used, then the "do not export" restrictions are not applied. MBUSA is prob more concerned about people flipping their new cars for profit.
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Old May 21, 2009 | 05:13 PM
  #17  
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From: Read the name
C300 4matic Sport, CBR 954
Originally Posted by joshg1001
but that reasoning doesnt stop canadians from coming into the country and buying a cheaper car, then "exporting" it for their own use to Canada...which i know is illegal

well thats true but if they use it for there own use it usualy hard to get them, again like i said its only when there trying to sell it for profit that it might raise a flag.
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Old May 22, 2009 | 12:48 AM
  #18  
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From: San Francisco
2007 SLK350
Originally Posted by joshg1001
isnt it illegal to export the car? dont you have to sign something when you buy the car? i know i did
they made me sign it too... >___<
i was suprised....
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Old May 22, 2009 | 03:40 AM
  #19  
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You're not allowed to export it for 2 years...after that you can do whatever you wish...if you wanna export it to another country drive it there or sell it sure by all means
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Old May 27, 2009 | 10:16 AM
  #20  
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C300 W204
It seems I have the P2 package without the bi-xenon, does anyone know how that works? I definitely have the corner illuminating fogs.

Also, can I install the parking assist without MM, it doesnt seem like it's an available option in after-sales. What about the Harmon Kardon speakers?
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Old May 27, 2009 | 11:19 AM
  #21  
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From: Los Angeles, CA
2009 C350
Originally Posted by blanco55
It seems I have the P2 package without the bi-xenon, does anyone know how that works? I definitely have the corner illuminating fogs.

Also, can I install the parking assist without MM, it doesnt seem like it's an available option in after-sales. What about the Harmon Kardon speakers?
since you got your car in the US, bi-xenon should definitely come with P2. i believe the main difference is in the high beams:

bixenon

normal



park assist does not exist in the US, and the H/K speakers come with MM only. i think you can retro fit those, but not sure if the price and trouble is gonna be worth it.
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Old May 27, 2009 | 12:11 PM
  #22  
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Originally Posted by qwqwerertyty
since you got your car in the US, bi-xenon should definitely come with P2. i believe the main difference is in the high beams:

bixenon

normal



park assist does not exist in the US, and the H/K speakers come with MM only. i think you can retro fit those, but not sure if the price and trouble is gonna be worth it.
You shouldn't really put a picture of the w204 w/ Brabus kit - it may confuse some people.
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Old May 27, 2009 | 12:15 PM
  #23  
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C300 W204
Thanks, I can do without the bi-xenon, but would really like the park assist. I heard there is backup camera option, but that wouldnt work too without the MM.
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Old May 27, 2009 | 12:25 PM
  #24  
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Old May 27, 2009 | 12:55 PM
  #25  
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MB W204, VW Polo, Audi R8 V10 - SOLD.
Originally Posted by blanco55
Thanks, I can do without the bi-xenon, but would really like the park assist. I heard there is backup camera option, but that wouldnt work too without the MM.
MB offer a Quick-Park aftermarket package which I believe are the rear park assist sensors.
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