Will my Evoque send me to jail?!

Cheers all, originally from Glasgow but currently working in France. I put in my order for my Dynamic just a few months ago, I'm over the moon. I'd waited until I could pay for it in cash, it was my Christmas gift to myself...

unfortunately that didn't last quite long. Just two days ago I found out that I'm going to have to go to the States for a year on a work assignment. It's not the worst thing in the world and it'll be good pay and it's near the ocean (San Diego), so it'll be nice especially during the summer in an area I'm keen about.

but of course, I want to take my Evoque. I didn't go through all of this just to leave it here for a year. But if I understand correctly, the diesel engine on the Dynamic would make it illegal in some states, am I wrong? or is is just frowned upon? I want to take it with me, and I see that the non-diesel Evoque's are on sale in the States, so really, how would anyone actually know what kind it is? I've gotten the left driver side model, so it would fit it over there.

but what is the worst that could happen? I'm not going to buy an American model and get 20 mpg when I could be getting 45 from the one that's already on it's way to me. If I ship it over, and don't bother anyone, it should be fine, right?

right...?

You do remember that gas is cheaper here in the states, right?? Plus the price of shipping and inspection and shipping back is going to be expensive, right?

As far as I know - California has some of the strictest emissions laws in the USA.
Umm - you will have to deal with customs right? They will need original documentation and I'm sure they have lists of permissible vehicles like the Canadian Registry for the importation of vehicles does. Then some minor mods might be needed to fulfill local guidelines (reflectors etc) before you can insure it. You do want to insure it right?
That pedestrian you might nudge lives in the land of litigation.
I'm sure there is oodles of more accurate info on line for you.

Oh, you are joking! I hope ....!

I live in Cali but I have limited knowledge about diesel formulations from Europe to US. We have a higher sulfur content in Cali so I'm not sure if your engine will handle the difference. Most restrictions on emissions vehicles are if you are importing and registering a vehicle in Cali.

You can check with bureau of automotive repair on the diesel restriction. They might be able to check and see if the diesel fuel nozzle will fit your filler pipe. They might also be able to tell you what you need to do to allow it to be driven in the state of California

I hope it helps David, let me know if you need more help

Steven

I think it's the stuff of nightmares. First, you are not going to get 45mpg anywhere with a diesel, not least because the US gallon is smaller than the Imperial gallon. Second, as already pointed out, fuel is cheaper in the US so it shouldn't be an issue. Third, the import and certification processes will be long and arduous. Fourth, the car is going to take many weeks to get there, never mind the expense. You can't just slot into LR's established distribution. Fifth, who's going to pay for the dent the car picks up on the dockside at San Diego or wherever? It's just not worth it.

If I were you, I would sell the car back to the dealership pronto who will be able to resell it for minimal loss, certainly compared to the first year depreciation and the cost of putting it on the road in the US, aside from the fact it's LHD (why?). You were always going to take a bath at resale time because of that anyway.

You can then order a US made car, discover how bad they are, and order a current production RRE to arrive on your return.

You could rent your car to someone, maximum of 8000 miles in the year, say £6000 rental, then get the car back when you come home.

You won't go to jail because if it doesn't pass US Customs then you won't be able to drive it. I would assume the are very strict and it could be other things that won't pass other than the engine. It could be something as little as no front amber reflectors in the front as US DOT requires all cars here to have them. In the Evoque, the US spec cars have the amber reflectors integrated into the headlights and so you will need to replace the entire headlights to US spec ones. I still prefer the Euro Spec headlights as it's clear and not the nasty amber reflector. That's why many MB and other car owners swap out the amber reflectors to the clear ones in here in the US. Shipping via steamship line (door to door) shouldn't be too expensive and I don't believe duty on importing a car is too bad but will it pass Customs clearance is the question. You will need to contact a reputable Freight Forwarder/Customs Broker who does import cars into the U.S. to get more info.

I can't understand this stuff about the U.S being strict on emmissions with a diesel given it is the land of V8+ petrols : Am I missing something?

California has a fettish about particulates - even on the ship we have to change over to a special ultra ultra low diesel to enter any Californian port and when we get there we have to shut down the generators and take shore power................ which shifts the problem from the ship producing the particualte to a power station producing the polution.......

Back to topic, many US Servicemen serving in germany used to import Defenders into the USA using their equivalent of the single vehicle type approval, but most ran on petrol. The Defender was never imported to the USA because it cannot be fitted with airbags but there is a very very healthy market for good used left and right hand drive cars in good nick, diesel or petrol. Friends of mine sold a TDi200 rebuilt 90 3 years ago to a family memebr in NYC for just short of $40,000 - it was a RHD UK spec car. Shipping is relatively cheap as there are specialist vehicle shippers in the UK and Europe who import and export single cars. The biggest problem with a modern TD in the USA is there are no LR trained mechanics to service it and ultra low sulpher diesel is not widely available

Is this a wind-up thread? Come on just admit it!