AlexT

Hello,

I am looking into importing a 2014 507 edition from just over the border of Canada, and into the US (Boston).

So far, I have a good idea of the cost of shipping. Apparently, Mercedes Benz is excluded from the NAFTA agreement between Canada/USA, so there will be a 4%+ $100 import tax? The shipper said that I shouldn't need to pay an additional Sales Tax when I register the car at my DMV, although I am not sure how that makes sense, as Federal and State are two different entities.

Will I also need to swap-out the Instrument Cluster which shows KMH, and replace it with the MPH version, or is there a way around this? Does the Dealer need to do this and change some codes?

I can pickup a used 2011 C63 Instrument Cluster in MPH for about $600. I see no need to pay an arm and a leg to the dealer.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MERCEDES-W204-C63-C350-C300-AMG-SPORT-SPEEDOMETER-INSTRUMENT-GAUGE-CLUSTER-OEM-/191071750165?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c7cc38815&vxp=mtr

Am I missing anything else here?

I have searched a lot of forums, and most people ask about Exporting out of the USA, not importing into it, so help has been limited.

I appreciate any help!

CarHopper

There is a 2015 black on black 507 coupe in Rochester NY. Brand new. Let me know because I feel like this will be easier. Think it was 85k

AlexT

Thanks for the tip, I didn't see that listed anywhere online, do you have a link to it?

I was actually offered $80,500 by MB of Tampa Bay for a loaded 2015 507 with black/white interior, but it didn't work out due to some 'export list' issue at the last second.

I wouldn't pay $85K for a black interior 2015 507 though. I am looking into the 2014 so that I can stay in the $70K+ range. Some of the 2015 prices of the 507s ($85-90K) don't seem to make any sense. This is an outgoing model, and it is really the 2014 that are being sold as 2015 models, seems like a waste of money to spend more than $80K for these (personal opinion). Looks like dealers just trying to make $15K profit.

For about $85K several base Black Series 2012/2013 were sold this year from private sellers. I feel that I might as well wait for a Black Series if I'm spending $85K on a C63.

xxGenericSNxx

From what I understand the only way to swap clusters is to purchase a BRAND NEW cluster and have it version coded to the correct mileage. You can't purchase a used cluster and get it to work unless if you take both your mph and kmh clusters apart and swap over the faces.

AlexT

That's interesting. I am going to call MB dealership tomorrow to see if they are able to reprogram the cluster if I gave it to them. Looks like this is a brand new cluster:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-Mercedes-W204-S204-C204-Coupe-63-AMG-Instrument-Cluster-Speedometer-/131055947141?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1e838b0d85&vxp=mtr

bhamg

I once imported an M car. The certification process required a dealer-purchased brand new MPH cluster installed by the dealer, along with a BMWUSA letter of compliance. YMMV.

abcut973

To export from Canada you will need to make sure the car is compliant to the US rules (safety/emissions etc...). That is why you need a letter from the manufacturer. Then you'll have to pay for import tax, gas guzzler, state tax + registration, shipping. So do your math before committing to make sure it is worth the hassle.
As far as the instrument cluster I think just changing the units into mph could do the trick. The actual printed speedo will remain in km/h but you can definitely display the speed in mph which is what the border inspector will look for I guess

bhamg

Definitely not for me. I was required to bring proof that a) I purchased the cluster from a dealer, and b) the cluster was installed by a dealer. Like I said, OP's MMV.

AlexT

Import Tax and Sales Tax both will need to be paid? That's 4%+6.25% and would make this purchase not worth it for sure.

vastermind

I'm also based in Boston.

Lookin forward to see that 507 on the street after you get everything sorted out

AlexT

Looking forward to it myself vastermind! I've seen very few C63s and not a single 507 or black series around Boston.

The only 2014 507s available now are two vehicles white-on-black in Canada and 3 more in the USA: 2 are with Red exteriors and 1 is a black on black but overpriced at $84k. Hopefully I will find a private seller soon that wants to part with their 507 or a base Black Series.

vastermind

I've also never seen a 507 but did see one MA plate red BS with aero pack at prudential center parking garage once

There's plenty of normal C63s around tho

CPBRI

I've got one.....down in Providence.

bbb_fatboy

Going in your favour to import is the current USD/CAD fx rate, and the fact 507s seem to be significantly less expensive to start with in Canada. Should make the effort worthwhile.

Critter

Not seeing the logic on this move unless it is a super rare giggalombardo stxss, when you purchase the car in Canada there will be 13% sales tax plus licensing and must be insured/registered to you when you hit the border with the proper paper work there will be import duties as you state The 4+6.25% + the car should probably pass any US requirement as far as Emissions are concerned, but really is it a cheaper option instead of locating one in the US, flights are cheap and the US is a much larger market than here in Canuc.
We Canadians are always looking at accessing the US market because your prices are always on the cheaper side than here. We cannot import a US new car for specific reasons as the Canadian car industry would fail as all would be bringing a car back from holidays.
The Canadian dash can be changed over(electrically) in the menu to Miles per from KM and the only other is the daytime running lights which can also be shut off through the menu.
Good Luck

xxGenericSNxx

Is the black/black one you mention at MB Seattle? I know they have at least one black/black new 507 sedan in inventory.

zibby43

You don't want to put a pre-facelift gauge cluster (2008-2011) in a post-facelift (2012+) car.

Ingenieur

What is an 'export list' issue?
Makes no sense

The Canadian sales tax would kill the deal alone
US residents used to be able to apply for a refund...no more
The CA sales tax. Fees, certifications alone would be 20% or 16k
Not including local sales tax which you will probably have to pay anyways

Will MB USA even warrant the car?

abcut973

Yeah I think it is not worth it. I was heading that way a few weeks ago but realized it would end up being more expensive than buying in the Us.

AlexT

You're right guys, the combination of the Taxes kills the deal. Thanks to a tip that I received here from someone, I'm working with a dealership that has located a white 2015 507 edition that might work for me. Trying to get it done in the high $70+ range. No limited slip or 2 tone interior though.

I am still amazed that nobody is selling a base C63 Black Series. Only 2 of those have been on sale in the last 10 months or so..

I am Jeff

The "export list" that the OP is speaking about is that the dealership probably had enough back charges from MB USA for cars sold by their dealership that have been exported out of the country. I believe the dealership gets fined 10k for every new car sold that have been exported within 6 months of ownership. This is due to the different pricing structures for different regions.

I found out about this when I tried to purchase a new C63 from Euromotorcars in Bethesda. They were happy to sell me a car over the phone and pick it up over the weekend, until they found out I was in NYC.

http://dealer-communications.com/dea...er-agreements/

AlexT

Interesting information Jeff. The other dealership I'm working with now has no idea what this export issue was that I dealt with. I am pretty sure this is a dealership-specific issue and doesn't affect all MB dealers.

Basically, 1-2 weeks ago I placed a deposit and was approved (credit check ran) for a 2015 507 from a Mercedes Benz dealership in Tampa Bay Florida. The same day as the contract was supposed to be in the mail, the manager of the dealership called me and canceled the deal, wouldn't tell me anything, only that they ran some export check and based on what they found they are returning the deposit back, so I can go take a hike (basically).

I had to have an eemployee call my cell and tell me (off the record) that it was cancelled due to someone in my condo complex was on a known exporter list.

What the hell that had to do with me, I still don't know to this day. Very unprofessional people.

I am Jeff

Dealerships usually won't be as sensitive to charge backs if they haven't had too many of them.

You can circumvent that by placing a deposit over the phone and flying down to complete the paperwork for the vehicle. I personally wouldn't recommend going to the extreme of exporting a "grey market" Canadian C63 to the US. MBUSA will give you a lot of hassle when you claim warranty work on the car. You're better off doing a little more searching for that 507 C63.

Ingenieur

Thanks
But that sounds if export = out of country, not out of state?

Edit: they must have associated the OP with their blacklist

I am Jeff

Yup. The problem isn't with the OP being an out of state buyer. His issue is that the dealership must have had a lot of charge back from buyers from his State/City/ or even his address. Unfortunately, a lot of exporters reside in major cities.