Jap import XC90 V8's

[DionBullock]

While looking through various sites and classified's for my dream XC90 V8, I noticed a couple on ebay that are Jap imports. I've seen a few S60 V70 R imports for sale too, must be an age thing with the cars??

Anyway my question is, does anyone have any experience with an import xc90 v8? Do they differ in spec to the UK models? Not so much the interior spec, but the more important things like running gear, auto boxes, electrics etc. How much is the same and how much is different?

They seem to be better value for the mileage compared to the equivalent UK cars, any reason for this?

I've owned a few jap import cars in the past and getting some parts were trickier due to being an import! Also insurance had to be done through a specialist broker!

[Tannaton]

I don't think that you need to be worried about materially different specs and parts - but the main worry for me is you have now way of knowing the history. I've seen a few on e-bay, they also seem to have horrible colour scheme's inside and strange extra mirrors and things....

Attitude towards imports vary by insurer, but I would have thought with a standard UK registered Volvo you should be fine. If you had a modified Nissan Skyline that might be an issue...

Some of the ones I have seen from a Yorkshire based seller seemed expensive though...

[XC90Mk1]

Originally Posted by Tannaton

I don't think that you need to be worried about materially different specs and parts - but the main worry for me is you have now way of knowing the history. I've seen a few on e-bay, they also seem to have horrible colour scheme's inside and strange extra mirrors and things....

Attitude towards imports vary by insurer, but I would have thought with a standard UK registered Volvo you should be fine. If you had a modified Nissan Skyline that might be an issue...

Some of the ones I have seen from a Yorkshire based seller seemed expensive though...

I have never bought a jap import but they are supposed to be clean. I don’t think however that it’s easy to check mileages and history etc. I could be wrong however and will follow this thread

[Tannaton]

Here's one:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2008-Volv...mPO3:rk:3:pf:0

Really not sure about the brown leather on black trim.... or extra wing mounted mirror.

As said, hard to verify mileage and service history unless Volvo have records centrally?

Doesn't seem that cheap either.

[JRL]

A lot of Japanese supplied cars have no or minimal rustproofing. The Japanese tend not to use salt on their roads.

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by JRL

A lot of Japanese supplied cars have no or minimal rustproofing. The Japanese tend not to use salt on their roads.

This is very true...

When I worked in the motor trade in the 1990's there was a lot of debate at the time about buying UK spec vs Grey import cars. The company I worked for had two Japanese franchises, Mazda & Mitsubishi.

I've seen some Mazda MX-5 imports (Eunos Roadster...) with corrosion issues that you would not expect to see on a UK car, but a substantial number of Mitsubishi Shoguns (Pajero) & L200 with severe rot that was not seen on UK spec cars of similar age (including holed chrome bumpers).

There was also a period in time when the Eunos Roadsters had less crash protection than the UK spec MX5's of the same year (side impact bars, sill reinforcement). This was pointed out to my by an insurance assessor when we had a damaged one on the ramp... but you did get speakers in the headrests!

[4x4]

Originally Posted by Tannaton

Here's one:

£255 years road tax...


How is a Japanese import only £225?

[Stevied1960]

£255 Road tax

Mine cost £505 a year, don't know why it should be cheaper for an import!!!!

[DionBullock]

Thanks for the replies guys! I get the insurance and lack of rust proofing aspect of jap imports, but does the rust proofing mainly apply to jdm cars like the mazdas and mitsubishis. Im assuming the xc90s (uk or jap spec) are both made in sweden?? So "should" have the same level of rustproofing and crash protection??

[iain cooper]

I know a guy who imports Japanese cars, especially MX5's into Newcastle.

He said they are amazingly clean and rust free, but the first thing he does is have them rustproofed before bringing them up to Scotland to sell.

Iain