Importing an RS from Pommy Land

Mikey B · 26-02-2007, 11:18 PM

Hello all,

I have recently been introduced to a decent chap who works by importing cars. He is a fully licenced trader and imports vehicles all the time from all over the globe.
Now, my good buddy in Blighty (who still works at Ford research and design) is thinking about selling his FRS and asked if I wanted to 'upgrade' my ST170.
The timing coulnd't have been better.
I am now seeking to get his car over from the UK with the aid of the importer.
Has anyone else thought about importing a FRS from the UK?
I know you have to own it on the originating country for 12 months before exporting, however going thru' an importer (slip 'em a drink if you know 'em well) then all is fine?!
Cheers,
Mike

zetec · 26-02-2007, 11:55 PM

There's one other RS in the country at the mo, an ex-pat Englishman who brought his with him, it's running about 255 bhp but is otherwise stock (Bluefin) and it is out of this workd to actualy see an RS.

Whatever the cost, whatever the effort, JUST DO IT. You WILL NOT regret it, and the bonus is you can get most parts through your local Ford Dealer, in terms of the every day bits at least.

I'd own an RS over an XR5 Turbo without question, mainly because they're a knife-edge car that'll ***** slap you if tou hit it too hard compared with the much more mature but not quite as hard edged XR5 Turbo. Other fact is it's original and you'll smoke just about anything - they won't know what hit 'em!

Piotr · 27-02-2007, 12:25 AM

You won't be able to do it. The Focus was sold here so it 100% is not eligible for SEVS which is the only way (other than personal import) that you can import cars into Australia if they were build after 1989.

chevaps · 27-02-2007, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zetec

There's one other RS in the country at the mo, an ex-pat Englishman who brought his with him, it's running about 255 bhp but is otherwise stock (Bluefin) and it is out of this workd to actualy see an RS.

Yep! Its a dude based in Perth i think. Was priveleged to see it at last years Telstra Rallly Oz. He had WA number plates, but im not sure if he just had them for the purpose of showing it off at Rally Oz or if hes based in Perth. But you could imagine my response when i saw it sitting there. I almost creamed my pants and my cuzin n mate were thing WTF!!!
Got some photos of it too...

Tom

zetec · 27-02-2007, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chevaps

Yep! Its a dude based in Perth i think. Was priveleged to see it at last years Telstra Rallly Oz. He had WA number plates, but im not sure if he just had them for the purpose of showing it off at Rally Oz or if hes based in Perth. But you could imagine my response when i saw it sitting there. I almost creamed my pants and my cuzin n mate were thing WTF!!!
Got some photos of it too...

Tom

That would be this fine example, the one sitting next to the Escort Cosworth RS... Let's just say my mind wasn't on the Rally that night...

photn · 27-02-2007, 10:51 AM

*CREAME* OMG there is a god. but a god that likes to TEASE THE CRAP out of us. i like Matt would Prefer the Focus RS over the XR5Turbo anyday.....the LR is in my eyes the best styles focus there is. sure the new one is modern and all that and looks kool. but the LR *drewls* is my fav.

1lifeliveit · 27-02-2007, 12:10 PM

I second that. When I bought my car in 2005, I could have afforded a new LS. But the car that really stole my heart was the LR ( especially seeing Colin Mcrae's ). So I went for a used car - the best I cud get (with 21k on the odo). Unfortunately I cudnt find an ST170 in the mkt then.

I never understood y they wudnt sell RS's here. If only they did............

:

Piotr · 27-02-2007, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1lifeliveit

I never understood y they wudnt sell RS's here. If only they did............

:

The RS was a very limited edition run and Ford actually lost money on each one they sold

Mikey B · 27-02-2007, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piotr

You won't be able to do it. The Focus was sold here so it 100% is not eligible for SEVS which is the only way (other than personal import) that you can import cars into Australia if they were build after 1989.

I will find a way to get one here. There must be a way around the system???
I did many development miles in an RS when i worked at Ford in the UK and the same in the ST (XR5)...I too prefer the C170 RS over the C307 XR5 due to the 'rawness' of the RS. The XR5 has almost a tonne over the front axle and cornering grip isn't as high as the RS. I did enjoy the low down torque from the XR5 however the RS just has that aggression from the engine and it's styling.

Right...I'm investigating getting one here....

Mike

**Fordman1** · 27-02-2007, 08:58 PM

It'll cost a heap so I'm not sure if it's worth it. But it will be exclusive for sure.

The ST (XR5) is faster around the Nurburgring isn't it ?

Why not get an XR5 and mod it ? (there are some monster ST's in Europe if you surf the net) - might be cheaper.......

The duty for an RS will cost you a 'bomb' I think.

photn · 27-02-2007, 09:09 PM

a modded RS is even better.....

**Fordman1** · 27-02-2007, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photn

a modded RS is even better.....

Yeah agree, but the Volvo motor is going to get a lot of exposure especially if the latest gos on it being used in the next RS is true (and not the Volvo I6). And I think there is a whole industry of mods that'll be built around the I5, and parts will be easier to get.

The last RS is certainly more exclusive than a current XR5 in this country though!!

b2tf · 27-02-2007, 09:46 PM

RS is probably the only car that would get me back into a euroford. mean little bugger.

Mikey B · 27-02-2007, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barraxr8

It'll cost a heap so I'm not sure if it's worth it. But it will be exclusive for sure.

The ST (XR5) is faster around the Nurburgring isn't it ?

Why not get an XR5 and mod it ? (there are some monster ST's in Europe if you surf the net) - might be cheaper.......

The duty for an RS will cost you a 'bomb' I think.

The low down torque and Vmax is why the ST is slightly quicker around Nurby...the RS is more exciting tho'!

Piotr · 28-02-2007, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikey B

I will find a way to get one here. There must be a way around the system???
I did many development miles in an RS when i worked at Ford in the UK and the same in the ST (XR5)...I too prefer the C170 RS over the C307 XR5 due to the 'rawness' of the RS. The XR5 has almost a tonne over the front axle and cornering grip isn't as high as the RS. I did enjoy the low down torque from the XR5 however the RS just has that aggression from the engine and it's styling.

Right...I'm investigating getting one here....

Mike

Probably your best bet would be to get one into the country stripping it and putting everything into a regular LR.

Not trying to get your down but the government make it extremly hard to get cars in, to protect the car industry here. I tried to import a car under SEVS before but even with it being on the SEVS list I couldn't import it because no workshops complianced it, doesn't make sense but it happened.

used · 03-03-2007, 05:00 AM

just buy the RS, store it for a year or so in uK and then get it over here~!

:

**Fordman1** · 03-03-2007, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by used

just buy the RS, store it for a year or so in uK and then get it over here~!

:

That won't work from what I understand - that loop hole has been closed I think.

used · 03-03-2007, 02:05 PM

buy all the part for the RS and assemble here on to a zetec??

a while ago i saw a RS engine for sale around 6000 i think...