Anyone import thier Porsche to Australia

[cambjones]

Hi all.

I'm coming back to live in Australia next year from London and I'm planning on bringing my 993 back with me.

I am just starting to do my research on shipping but I have a questions hopefully someone who has imported their Porsche might know.

Do you know if there are any restrictions on ride height? I am about to get my suspension done and I was going to get Bilstein HDs and lower it to RS+10mm ride height. Then I had a terrible thought in the back of my mind, what happens if it get taken off the boat in Australia and they say it has to be min ride height.

AU Standard is Front 154mm, Rear 147mm
and I am going to go RS +10 (Front 134mm, Rear 117)

hope someone might know.. many thanks

[clutch-monkey]

hi mate, i'll try to find a link to the RTA page later, but the general rule is 100mm clearance at all places under the car (they use a roller thingo) and can't lose more than 1/3rd of your suspension travel (i'm not 100% on that part, and they usually don't bother with it and just throw the roller under there for the 100mm rule).
there are factory exceptions i believe; the mini cooper's sump is only 70mm off the ground.
hope that helps

[sml]

Not rocket science, but i would have thought that the ride height will be the least of your problems.

Why dont you just raise the car 50mm or 100mm before the shipping journey? I have minimal mechanical experience but could still raise the car ride height with adjustable coilovers in a few hours max. My 964 had adjustable height strut/shock/coilover things .. I think they all did so its an easy tweak to raise the height.

[cambjones]

Thanks for the replies guys

clutch-monkey, I'll hunt around the RTA site also and perhaps some of the importers sites to see if they have the guidelines, appreciate your note though and that is good as I only pant to go down to 117...

sml, yeah that is a good point, although I just thought that if you adjusted the height you'd have to get the Geometry done again and that all adds up $$. I'll check with the guy when I get it done over here.

Cheers guys!

[sml]

If you are paying someone, then yep, it isn't the best plan to raise, import, lower, alignment.

You could measure accurately at the current height and make sure it is set back at the same height, then skip the wheel alignment. You could carefully mark it on the thread of the coilover to make sure there is no doubt.

I would budget for about 1 to 2 hours to raise.
Another 1 to 2 hours to lower.
Another $120 for front & rear wheel alignment (optional but i would probably do it).

If you do it yourself $0 (or $120 for optional alignment).
If you get a mechanic involved, about $400 total (plus $120 for optional wheel alignment).

Personally, I would take my chances and just rectify if it is picked-up as a problem .. (although I would do a check to understand the costs if there are defects first).

There is plenty of importing info on the www which you'll find quickly with a google

Guess you're moving to NSW if you are going to the RTA website?

I would have thought that most of your troubles would be consistent national legislation .. with only a few minor tweaks at the end for the state in which you wish to register .. (like a pink slip in NSW or something).

[cambjones]

Many thanks for your help sml!

I'll do some online research before I get it lowered over here, otherwise I'll just keep it to standard ride height.

Also, glad to see we have a Porsche forum in Oz... I just 911uk.com over here in London and there is a wealth of info and incredibly helpful forum members also.

Cheers guys

[sml]

Originally Posted by cambjones

Also, glad to see we have a Porsche forum in Oz...

really? rennlist is the best option i think.

[cambjones]

Yeah rennlist also very good...

The UK version is just a little more useful as there is more local relevant info, like local service provider recommendations. There are a few over here that always bubble up to the surface, like (just in case you are interested)

Chris for Centre of Gravity (Suspension)
911uk.com - Porsche 911 Car For Sale, Finance, Insurance, Parts & Service : View topic - Centre Gravity

Chris from exelwheels.co.uk (Wheel refurb)
911uk.com - Porsche 911 Car For Sale, Finance, Insurance, Parts & Service : View topic - Good old Cup 2's come out like new

Wayne from Chip Wizzard (Live Chip Remap)
911uk.com - Porsche 911 Car For Sale, Finance, Insurance, Parts & Service : View topic - Live Remap

I do wonder what the Porsche Independents are like in Oz... fingers crossed we have some goodens.