how to bring over a hardtop from germany?

[Ali786]

hi everyone. was interested in a hardtop but its in Augsburg, Germany near munich other than driving there are there couriers that do it and roughly how much? many thanks

[e301988325i]

To ship one of these internationally it needs to be packed and secured in a wooden crate otherwise it's going to be ruined by the time it gets to you. Massive logistical problem unless the seller is a dream. In terms of couriers I'd start with TNT, then palletline.

I think it would just be easier to go there, check it yourself, fit it and drive back!

[Ali786]

To ship one of these internationally it needs to be packed and secured in a wooden crate otherwise it's going to be ruined by the time it gets to you. Massive logistical problem unless the seller is a dream. In terms of couriers I'd start with TNT, then palletline.

I think it would just be easier to go there, check it yourself, fit it and drive back!

thanks for the advice mate but ive never driven a car from country to country what would i need?

[e301988325i]

These are legal requirements going through the countries on the way to Germany, i.e. France & Belgium, A ferry ticket in advance is the cheapest way to cross the water.

Hotels can be booked in advance www.hotel.de keeps it simple

1) Passport
2) head light beam deflectors.
3) high vis vest for every occupant
4) Spare bulb kit
5) First aid kit
6) Warning triangle

The AA's website will detail anything I've forgotton. It's basically illegal to break down in Germany, in their eyes your car should be properly maintained, so try not to do that, LOL.

It's a lot less stressful with a Euro sat nav than the Mrs map reading!

[Grrrmachine]

thanks for the advice mate but ive never driven a car from country to country what would i need?

A ferry ticket, a map, the ability to speak German and shed-loads of Euros. Also the addresses of some cheap motels in case things go wrong.

It's 850 miles each way, so it's going to be an expensive drive. At 1.30 a litre and the average 320i fuel economy, thats 350 quid in fuel, 50 quid for an overnight hotel and 50 for the ferry if you're very lucky with booking...

[Ali786]

thanks for the advice mate but ive never driven a car from country to country what would i need?

A ferry ticket, a map, the ability to speak German and shed-loads of Euros. Also the addresses of some cheap motels in case things go wrong.

It's 850 miles each way, so it's going to be an expensive drive. At 1.30 a litre and the average 320i fuel economy, thats 350 quid in fuel, 50 quid for an overnight hotel and 50 for the ferry if you're very lucky with booking...

thinking of taking a diesel van but rading what e301988325i just said i want to get it couriered over do you think dhl would do this?

[Grrrmachine]

Almost any courier company will do it. Your issue is whether the seller is prepared to package it up for the courier, and how you're going to pay him. Remember, ze Germans don't really do Paypal.

[e301988325i]

We get wooden boxes made up at work, a box to take a hard top would be around £60, you've either got to get this made locally in Germany and ship it to the seller or get the seller to arrange this, now this box isn't going to fit in a car, and it's going to be reasonably heavy, so then you need a courier vehicle with a tail lift to pick it up.

Straight away this item's going to cost you £200+ to ship, and you haven't even seen it, I assume it's worth about £500ish, I assume it's just the correct colour, a spray job would be cheaper than the shipping.

Ps) I can't believe you're entertaining going to Germany! Buy one in England and get it sprayed to match your car!

[MARKYMARKY]

Check out Z3I on here,nice guy to talk to and always has a hardtop for sale or one coming.

[swindler]

have a look on shiply.com
someone will do it for you - esp on a backload or if they have space when they're driving that route anyway. Check for good feedback and specify how carefully you want it handling.

[Rav335uk]

I hope it was Cheap to buy, as it could end up costing you more than if you were to buy one over here.
Paul (Z3I) isn't going over just yet, or wasn't the last time I spoke to him.

[daimlerman]

It's a lot less stressful with a Euro sat nav than the Mrs map reading!