Expats or If you've ever shipped cars...

[clnilsen]

Please read:

Ok guys, this isn't directly related to my 911 SC, but it kind of is.

Saturday I just bought a 2001 325ic Convertable as my daily driver, and I really love it. It was exactly what I wanted option wise, and plus I got a really good deal on it!

HOWEVER, I have run into a MAJOR problem that I trust you guys to talk to about as opposed to anywhere else.

I come into work monday and find out that my company is very interested in relocating me to Luxembourg or Belgium. I won't know more about the situation until Friday, but obviously this causes a snafu with my new car. My 911 is owned free and clear, but I financed my BMW using BMW finance.

What my question is... is what to do with my new car should I get this job? This would be (i'm guessing) a 2-3 year deal. I definately do not want to sell my Porsche. Should I consider shipping the car over to Europe for use there, or should I just sell it and take whatever financial hit I get? What about just storing the car for 2-3 years and making the payments on it? I'd then have to have 2 cars in storage.

Any ideas, thoughts, or experiences would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Chuck

[silverc4s]

I my past experience, companies have "loss-protected" me on the sale of up to two cars as part of an expat package...
I.e., the company credit union appraised the cars at some retail value, then they would either buy the car or reimburse me the difference as I sold the cars...not too bad a deal...

BTW, not exactly a GREAT time to be an American Expat in Europe, right? Sure you really want to do that??
...

[FranksPlace2]

When I went to Poland (a great country that loves Americans), my company protected me on the car I sold so that I got retail. I put my Infinity M30 convertible in storage. It worked out fine.

You can bring a personal car fairly easily and also bring it back. I suggest you bring the BMW and store the Porsche.

Generally your company will have a policy re in-country peronal transportation.

I think its a great time to move to Europe!

Frank

[clnilsen]

Thanks for the ideas guys!

I hadn't thought of that, so I'll have to ask if they can help with the resale.

But, any more insight on shipping, or just fuhgettaboutit?

Thanks!

Chuck

[FranksPlace2]

Most companies will arrange to move the employee's household goods to the assignment location. The company that moves your goods can ship your car. It is done quite often.

Frank

[clnilsen]

Sounds like a plan!!!!

:-)

Thanks Frank!

Chuck

[Eagle Keeper]

I'm currently living in England with a brand new American spec BMW, my Porsche and my wife's Blazer. The only thing you need to look into is what kind of inspection you will have to go through before the car is road legal. My mother and father live very close to Lux., I can ask what they had to do when they imported there cars. Driving american cars in Europe isn't that bad at all. Just make sure that when you go to the dealership for parts that they know that its am-spec.! Bring the Porsche!!!!!!!

[silverc4s]

Always keeping in mind that the roads are narrower, and that fuel is more like US$5.00 a gallon....Might be a good time to learn more about high tech, common rail, diesels...

[clnilsen]

Jason:

Any information your parents might have would be appreciated.

Did you buy your BMW there as an american spec, or was it something you bought in the USA and took over with you?

What did you have to do either way?

The reson I ask is that I haven't have my BMW that long (less than a week actually...) and could dump it and buy something there as well to bring back.

Thanks!

Chuck

[joeycatt]

Say it ain't so, Mr CL!
Moving east, are you? Well - here's my 2cents for ya...
Storage is not a big problem - you've got an exceptional car, with no known problems, so it's a keeper I think. It's just a matter of details (flush brake fluid, remove battery, etc) - call me for the details and we can discuss at length.

Or (Muhaha) you could have me keep it "excercized" for you, whilst you are in the hinterland....I promise to make sure that there is no dust in the exhaust, by giving it a thorough blow-out each week!

Seriously - the Silver Streak is an outstanding car, and I think that nice ones are getting more scarce...no telling what would be available in 3 years. Find a climate controlled storage facility and put it away properly - in 3 years, you'll come back to a great drive....and if you happen to find something you like over there, you can bring it back and keep one, the other or both!

Give me a call at the office ...
(p.s. My 78 is back from the blaster....looking mighty naked! Not a sign of blue paint...got to get to work and get some primer on it soon!)

[Joeaksa]

I moved to Berlin years ago and wanted to take my BMW bike with me. BMW credit refused to even talk to me about it and said that they would not allow the bike (or car) out of the country, even to return to its country of origin.

Ended up selling the bike and buying a new one in Germany but the credit people do not like letting any control of the vehicle go...

Joe

[expat]

Couple of thoughts.

Most expats I know leave for a year or two and come back 10 years later! Living overseas often changes the way you see the world and expat lifestyles can be pretty good if you've got a good package.

Notwithstanding that, I also know some people who absolutely hated living away from home and after a year returned to their comfortably broke lifestyle. (Generally I would say its the wives who are not working while o/s that drives a couple or family back home.)

Personally my company would not pay our costs of moving o/s. We sold the house because we couldn't bare the worry about renting and we didn't want to keep financing it.

The family car and ski boat I kept in storage for a year and then thought hard about what my future might hold. The cost of keeping the car & boat was dead money and I knew I'd be coming back with more money than I had when I left so I figured I get something better when/if I ever headed home.

As far as a loved family member is concerened though (your 911), I probably recommend hanging on to it in storage if its your ideal baby, that you couldn't dare part with. Otherwise I'd sell it (losing the costs of insurance, registration etc) and any concerns related to problems that might develop from an extended period of non-use. Use your big fat expat salary to save for a new toy/s for your return.

I guess it really comes down to what sort of package your company is offering you over the next few years and what the likihood is of you staying for a shorter or longer period.

Like others have said there are pitfalls of sending cars o/s but you really need to speak to someone who has done exactly what your planning (going to Belgium that is)

Good luck.