throwaway69

Hi,

So I've been wanting to take my car to Germany and tour Europe for a couple of weeks but I had a couple of questions and I was hoping for some clarifications.

1. Any company that you recommend? Shipping by sea.
2. My car has catless downpipes and a front windshield tint... would that cause any issues once it's there? Is there some kind of inspection the car has to pass before I'm allowed to drive-off?
3. Any insurance company recommendations that covers the car while there?

Anything else I should know?

Sorry for the dumb questions and sorry for asking on here... I can't find much info online and my questions are very specific.. especially in regards to the downpipes and windshield tint. I'd hate to see them deny the car entry at the port.

Thanks!

kornface13

I don't know the process for what youre doing, but I imagine you'll need to follow all their laws. I know you can use any European countries plates anywhere in Europe, but I don't think your NA plates are going to fly. I would honestly think you'd need a full on safety inspection to get the vehicle licensed on their roads. I lived there for three years in the military, and the Germans are EXTREMELY strict about this. If you were so much as missing your safety triangle, you weren't getting license plates.

Good luck! Looking forward to seeing if anyone has actually done this.

Sanch

Cheaper options to be rent one there... plus insurance too. Safer option.

throwaway69

I wasn't looking for the cheapest option

@kornface13 : Thanks! I'm not looking to get german plates. I'll drive around with me US plates since I'll only be staying for 3 weeks. The middle-easterners do it all the time. That's why I'm asking if there's any sort of emission testing or inspection if I'll be visiting as a tourist. I'm mostly concerned about the catless downpipes and the windshield tint.

Thanks!

rmt52

there has to be a way. how do the gumball 3000 guys do it?

larrypmyers

There are freight forwarding companies that ship automobiles every day.

Do a Google search.

Guilty

And you don't seem to understand his problem. Read.

dforman15

I wouldn't be to concerned about the a tinted windshield. I'm sure there are emissions test/standards that cars need to pass before being cleared from the port just like any car coming into the US. That you might need to look into. Other option would be to put stock DP back on. Pain in the *** im sure!

NYCSoiL

Please let us know if you succeed with this and how much did it cost you! I was thinking to do the same thing

throwaway69

Thanks for the replies guys.

My main issue, for which I can't seem to find an answer, is the catless downpipes. There is no way in hell that I'll remove them. It costs 10 hours of labor each time + all the headache it's going to involve. Dropping my transmission once was enough.

No freight company is able to give me a clear answer which is why I'm asking for help here.

If anyone has shipped their car to Europe before... do you remember if they made the car pass some sort of emission test? Everything else is easy enough.

Any other forums where you suggest that I ask my questions?

NYCSoiL

I'd say that you need to contact Germany customs or something. Or even call MB Germany. Worth a try

Viper98912

This must be a bucket list item for you or something, because that sounds like way too much hassle, too much risk, and too much "everything" to go driving in Germany.

I'd rent one over there.

throwaway69

It definitely is a bucket list thing.

I will call the german customs on Monday and see what I can come up with.

larrypmyers

Oh, I understand his problem completely as I've shipped cars to Europe and return on two occasions.

He is considering a task that can be both costly and logistically overwhelming.

Rent a car, pick it up at the arrival airport. Drive the crap out of it for three weeks. Drop it off at the departure airport, get on the airplane home...done.

throwaway69

Nice.

Since you claim that you've done this before... anything else to add in regards to emissions testing etc? That would be a helpful input instead of telling me to rent a car, dad.