Can I expect to lose out substantially in depreciation if I buy an imported new model UK spec Audi A3 (2.0 FSI Sport) over a UK car? Am I right in thinking the 2 year pan-Euro warranty commences from the day the car was pre-registered?
Thanks
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You might also lose out on purchase price in the first place; have you checked the broker prices, e.g., www.ukcarbroker.co.uk has them for £17,700 and base spec 2.0 versions for £16k.
What's your importer quoted you?
It's hard to say whether or not you will lose out - the reduction in cars being imported with the rise in the euro means that resale values in three to five years will be hard to predict, but I'd budget in the high three figures, plus a slightly surly attitude from the local dealer and a pretty much cast iron assurance that any problems when the car is out of warranty won't be looked upon very favourably, fAsh or not.
On top of that, there may still be supply delays, so IMO you need to be looking at below £16,500 to make the deal worthwhile.
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And even then - are the extras in the Sport version actually worth more to you than the simplicity and peace of mind of having a UK car?
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hi DavidHM,
the cars are actually in stock at VirginCars in the colour I want and the price is 16.8K. Virgin claim list would be 19.9K but that implies some other options beyond metallic paint. I would be looking at the Sport spec if I bought a UK car because I prefer the look of the 17in wheels and wanted sports suspension. Also the base model A3 has no air-con of any sort and its 1K to add climate. My main worry would be whether I got lesser service at the dealer come servicing time as well as future trade value. I guess part of the appeal of getting a premium brand is the feeling that if anything goes wrong you should be well looked after (although this may well not be borne out in practice) - if the car does go badly wrong I wonder how I'd be treated.
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i bought my golf gt tdi 130 which was an import from holland in late 2001. the car is full uk spec plus a number of optional extras. i have had the vehicle serviced at a number of vw dealers both in scotland and northern ireland without any problems whatsoever. that includes a wiper motor replaced under warranty.most dealers will be happy to service an import and will not turn away work. after all the warranty is a pan european one which they have to honour. after all they all come from the same factory!!I saved abot £2500 off list price for my car and have enjoyed the experience.The stigma of european imports has largely disappeared ( often confused with grey import non uk spec cars from japan ) and if its uk spec shouldnt be a problem come re sale and if the price is right go for it!!
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I got rid of my full UK spec year 2000 imported Focus 2.0 ESP last year and to be honest, recieved stupid trade in values from all dealers I went to as soon as they found out it was an import! (everyone says it should make no difference, but believe me it does! - I have first hand experience!)I eventually got somewhere near the going rate when the salesman I was buying my next car from did not ask if it was an import. As soon as he found this out through HPI or whatever he was straight on the phone telling me he wanted to knock the trade in cost down by £1200. We eventually settled on £250
Service wasn't a problem while I had the car as it had two jobs done during the warranty period and the garage was quite happy to relieve my wallet come routine service time.
I had an A3 before this Focus and I hope your local Audi dealer meets your needs better than the one I dealt with up here in Tyne & Wear. They were the worst people I have ever bought a new car from in terms of customer service, which is what drove me down the import route for the Focus. The A3 was a good car though!
When I bought my latest, the poor trade-ins offered by all and the currency exchange put me off going down that road again.
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Thanks for the replies. TBH, I'm gradually going off the idea - I'd prefer the TDI model anyway and this combined with other concerns will probably make my mind up.
Has anyone bought a s/h Audi from a franchise? Are they prepared to negotiate on prices as they want silly money for their ex-demonstrator 2.0 TDIs - more than list in all bar one case.
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Clearly it should make no difference to the second hand value if the 'imported' car is to full UK spec and has the appropriate FSH. As someone said earlier they are built in the same factory.
Equally clearly dealers will grasp at any excuse to drive down the part exchange value of these cars. It is a conspiracy to protect the exorbitant profits made on cars sold in this country.
You can buy a Mercedes, BMW etc through concessionaires in UK and collect it at the factory in Germany and that is a 'UK car'. Do exactly the same through a foreign dealer and the car is an 'import'.
What a nonsense!
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I ordered an Audi A3 2.0TDI Sport before Xmas (delivery is 1st of March) from my local dealer, with a lot of effort and bargaining (playing the I'm a poor student etc cards) I negotiated 3% off list price for the car including the options I wanted (metallic, mats, no smoking) and also got an extra £900 on the trade in of my S-Reg Golf TDI Auto. I did find one Audi dealer who was not helpful but the newly opened local appears to be very good. Broadspeed did offer the A3 for some £1000 less than I paid in the end, but I didn't fancy the risk on the car not being what I ordered etc. I didn't seriously consider the importing route since the lowest price I could find was within £500 of the price I had negotiated including the increased Part Ex.
Chris
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