Importing and cost of 1.2TDi

battyb

Member
I not there are some members on here with imported 1.2TDi's. Does anyone know what they cost and how you would go about importing?

Paul
 
Good sites. Allot seem to have high milages, so must be good for it. Will do some searching. Any tax etc due on inporting?

Paul
 
My LHD BMW is imported, but not by me, I bought it from a specialist importer, so I don't know the ins and outs. I guess that they will pass all the relevant UK rules and regulations, you need to be careful about headlights, my BMW needed new tail lights (not bright enough? Never managed to figure that one out), also side indicators which weren't fitted from new in Germany but are needed here for MOT. You need to get it inspected (MOT plus a bit more I think) but as long as its from Europe I guess that there is no VAT or whatever. Might be worth doing a google search on this as I'm sure its covered somewhere. You can get someone to do it for you but I don't know how much that costs. www.mcpmotorsport will import all sorts of cars from Germany to order, thay may get you one of these too. Good luck, would be interesting to see how much it costs and how easy it is to do. Oh and LHD is no problem - I drive a RHD A2 and a LHD BMW M3, both very different, but you instantly adjust from one to the other, and the driving position will be better in LHD, with the handbrake in the right place, a proper cluth rest for your left foot, etc etc.
 
I also bought an imported LHD BMW. Lyndonbuck's comments mirror my experience: to pass the MOT headlights just required changing (no probs with the rear units tho').

I also agree that there are no real issues with driving a LHD-er in the UK. After a few months it just becomes second nature. Volume controls on ICE are also properly located. It also makes life easier when you drive in Europe again!!!

My cars: RHD A2 and LHD BMW Z8
 
Ooooooh John F - BMW Z8 - very nice - hasn't that got an aluminium floorpan or something really tweaky too. Nice big V8 from the M5 I think too wasn't it? Helpful comments about importing - my BMW only has km/h on the speedo and has passed 5 MOTs - now what does that say about consistency of MOT testing? It does make me very good at converting kmh to mph though in my head though.
 
If you are serious then read the article in Audi Driver last year (new TT edition) about a chap I helped with importing one.

Note: They are quite different to the normal A2 and have their own foibles but still think they are the closest to the original concept. Lack of road tax, now low insurance (I managed to get the british asocc of inusurers to recognise the car based on CoC docs and Audi DE info), 81g/km CO2 and aboslutely incredible MPG makes it hard to believe Audi never sold them in the UK.

Would stay clear of "cheaper" stuff - you really do get what you pay for and there are some essentials when it comes to electro/hydraulic controlled gearboxes, alloy subframes etc.

Having imported the 1st one into the UK I'm happy to give advice on what to check - PM if you like.
 
ecoangel said:
If you are serious then read the article in Audi Driver last year (new TT edition) about a chap I helped with importing one.

Were can I get hold of this article? Can anyone scan and email or some such?

Cheers

Paul
 
1.2 TDI Article subject.

I'm a Lukas soulmate! You can back order the magazine, but I've not got a copy currently to hand.
My story formed basis of the Audi Driver magazine article - an A2 1.4TDI owners journey to 1.2TDI heaven:
Why do I like A2’s – Purity of design, and quality of execution. Where else could one match this lightweight aluminium manufacturing technology in such a small and practical car?
Why a 1.2 TDI after a 1.4TDI? Quite simply when tired, clutch control was getting difficult for me and I wanted to stay with the A2. Now that I always use a walking stick, sometimes stumble and fall and keep a wheelchair in the boot – a left hand drive (pavement side!) Tiptronic A2 is my vehicle of choice. Multiple Sclerosis has again provided an excuse to be a little different from the crowd!
Why import? Because I couldn’t source an A2 1.2 TDI Tiptronic via Audi UK, personal import was the only option. Lukas was incredibly helpful, his shared experience, together with German A2OC member help, solving some UK conversion issues. Bought new in August 2005, from Eduard Winter Autos, an Audi Dealer in Berlin. They fitted UK spec instruments/lamps/additional internal grab handles and steering wheel spinner for me. I've got the part number details for anyone needing to repeat the instrument and lamps change process. Eduard Winter arranged temporary German export registration, plates and insurance. Driven back by yours truly via Hook van Holland ferry to Harwich and then direct to Wales.
Four weeks later I completed UK type certification, HMCE VAT exemption process and registration. My local Audi dealer in Cardiff (now at J30 M4) had always been very helpful and efficient when servicing my old A2 1.4 TDI SE. They knew I’d import a 1.2 TDI and happily processed the Audi Warranty registration with Audi UK as soon as I’d got the car UK registered. I parked up my old A2 in mid September; since when I’ve added a few more miles to the 1.2 TDI Tiptronic! My 1.2 TDI has now run up 42564 miles.
Average fuel consumption since new circa 87 mpg. Whenever any long motorway/A road runs involved, car routinely exceeds 90 mpg whilst still cruising 65/70 mph. A routine 583 mile journey - Cardiff, Bristol, Coventry, Blackpool, Leamington, Rugby - 29.3 litres to refill tank = 90.35mpg. I've also had 102 mpg (brimmed tank check) on a return run from Bristol to Norwich - at max speed permitted on all roads.
During long journeys the car’s DIS instantaneous fuel consumption readout has a powerful effect on my right foot! Current average fuel con readout 93.7 mpg - and is usually about 3 mpg optimistic compared to actual 'brimmed tank' measurement.
Nil oil added to engine, except at service; compared to my 1.4 TDI that’s needed 1 litre every 6-7000 miles from new. I’ve checked the 1.2 TDI engine sump oil level via the dip stick every 1000 miles or so, and still am surprised at the lack of oil use.
As with my 1.4 TDI, the service indicator calls for routine service interval above 30,000 mile maximum recommended by Audi. This no doubt is driven by my A road/motorway use pattern and single stage journey lengths rarely below 32 miles.
• Anything I really like about 1.2 TDI Tiptronic?

Yes – Seat heating on cold mornings, freewheel system and minimum 550 miles between refuelling stops that the no cost option 34 l tank allows.

• Anything gone wrong?

Yes – @11000 miles tailgate lock stopped locking in St Ives, Hunts. Audi dealer in Kings Lynn replaced it next day – brilliant service, as I’d dropped in on spec.
Yes - @ 29,000 miles front n/side wheel bearing replaced. Got progressively noisier from 27,000 mile point. Bit of a struggle to get job finished - Audi Cardiff dealer had relocated and got a load of ex VW/Ford/Vauxhall mechanics that weren't up to scratch. FoC labour 30,000 service and bottle of 'pop' in compensation.
Yes - tyres worn out at 41,000 miles (less than 2.5 mm all four corners). Not too bad mileage really. Replacement 145/80R14 Bridgestones sourced from German internet tyre supplier - £34 each, delivered to Wales!

• Anything that I’d change from car I bought?
Inside: Sports front seats, Cruise control and Audi SatNav Plus installation. These were not factory fit options on any 1.2 TDI models, but I've retrofitted RNS-E Satnav Plus (incl dash change to DoubleDin type!). Cruise control needs an 'inelegant' electromechanical solution on the 1.2 TDI - so I'm trying to avoid this. Sports seats - eBay permitting, a red leather heaven will greet me one day.
Outside: Metallic black colour, OK...... but I’d prefer Silver or Yellow!

• Anything I regret?
Yes – not ordering my A2 1.2 TDI early enough to have got a factory order build standard that included every option available and a body colour I really liked.
- I miss the front fog lamps that my 1.4 TDI has.
- Not having a Symphony audio head also meant the dash only had single DIN cage. This meant retrofit of Audi SatNav RNE system not just a simple head swop, plus a few cables and car computer reset.
- Not having a factory supplied winter wheel and tyre set meant I couldn’t get any. 145/80R14 winter tyres rarer than rocking horse droppings and used alloy wheel sets on eBay have been way above €500 Audi new car option price. Now in second winter and I'm still trying to get an A2 1.2 TDI OEM 'winterradsatz' - eBay may provide one day!

So I’m a very happy A2 owner/driver, content to drop his 54 year old 6’4” frame into its comfortable environment for 5 hour sessions at the wheel. 30,000 miles of commuting is something I still enjoy – no small part due to it being in an A2.
It's great driving an 86g/km car, exempt from RFL, at 70mph on the M4......musn't get too smug though, I might need to get a bigger car one day when I've worn both the 1.2TDI tiptronic and my ability to walk out!

Ciao,

Erling
 
Thanks for the update Erling!

Glad she's performing as planned.

On the winter tyre front have you tried Continental 145/80R14 s via www.mytyres.co.uk ? You will have to email them becuase the site doesn't list this size. I bought a set of 4 not long ago.

Happens to be the same size as the Lancia Fulvia S1 Coupe - so another option would be rally tyres!

How did you notice the wheel bearing had gone? Was it very noisy?
 
Is there much difference in performance between the 1.2 and the 1.4

especially when it also has an automatic attached to it

I also like the a2 a lot, but would have prefered the automatic

Left hand drive is no problem for me, as iam back and forward between germany and the Uk and most of the time drive a LHD
 
ecoangel said:
Thanks for the update Erling!

Glad she's performing as planned.

On the winter tyre front have you tried Continental 145/80R14 s via www.mytyres.co.uk ? You will have to email them becuase the site doesn't list this size. I bought a set of 4 not long ago.

Happens to be the same size as the Lancia Fulvia S1 Coupe - so another option would be rally tyres!

How did you notice the wheel bearing had gone? Was it very noisy?
Lukas,
Thanks info on winter Continentals @ mytyres - I'll try them.
Wheel bearing wasn't noisy at first - tuned ear, however a couple of thousand miles later via a summer run to Norway certainly made it very audible!
 
Hi Erling, can I just say it was a brilliant write up and I enjoyed reading it! Glad you like the 1.2 Tdi and gave me a very good insight into this particular model. In truth, I would have prefered auto consider where I drive (central London). Quite right, the 1.2 is probably closest to the original design concept of the A2! Had it been introduced to market properly in the last 2yrs when so much emphasis is on economy and being environmental friendly, I think 80mpg, build quality, great design would probably win it car of the year!
 
Havank said:
Is there much difference in performance between the 1.2 and the 1.4

especially when it also has an automatic attached to it

I also like the a2 a lot, but would have prefered the automatic

Left hand drive is no problem for me, as iam back and forward between germany and the Uk and most of the time drive a LHD
Hi Havank,
Performance is at two levels - eco and normal (35 vs 45). Tiptronic gearbox is not conventional auto with torqueconverter or van doorne variomatic type -its really a conventional manual/clutch system with electro mechanical change and clutch operation. Therefore, there are no additional efficiency losses in the drive system once its engaged a gear.

The only time a 1.2 TDI is quicker than a 1.4 TDI is downhill!

Eco mode brings in freewheel and auto engine off at stop, plus lower turbo pressure and remapped fuel delivery - slow pick up, but still cruises very happily at 85 mph if wanted. Normal mode pick up more sprightly, probably similar to A2 1.4 Petrol.
The 1.2 TDI is a lot lighter than other A2's - all alloy suspesion, less sound proofing, lighter engine (alloy block), thinner windscreen etc - circa 100 kg less than 1.4 TDI.

Every A2 Drivers handbook has all the 1.2 TDI info in it, including details on Tiptronic box and eco mode system use and spec info on engine, tyres, capacities, mass, etc etc.

Ciao,

Erling
 
humps said:
Hi Erling, can I just say it was a brilliant write up and I enjoyed reading it! Glad you like the 1.2 Tdi and gave me a very good insight into this particular model. In truth, I would have prefered auto consider where I drive (central London). Quite right, the 1.2 is probably closest to the original design concept of the A2! Had it been introduced to market properly in the last 2yrs when so much emphasis is on economy and being environmental friendly, I think 80mpg, build quality, great design would probably win it car of the year!
Hi Humps,

Yes - fully agree with you that UK view of A2 1.2 TDI would be far more positive today - oh well, everyone can't be right!

Compared to my 1.4 TDI SE, suspension is far more compliant and better suited to city roadscapes (humps, bumps and general decay). Eco mode engine stop/start function might drive me nuts if I was confined to London without an open road escape from time to time - it interferes with the cut and thrust of city traffic, especially annoying to the black cab community!

Dear Ken doesn't exempt 1.2 TDI's from his congestion charge either - a bloody great dual fuel Range Rover or Lexus hybrid qualifies though! Why running a 4.4 litre petrol engined leviathan on LPG exempts it from 'congestion' charges when a dinky A2 1.2 @ 86 g/km emissions has to pay is beyond my simple logic. End of rant!

Anyway, there's lots of 1.2TDI's still around in Germany, Holland etc - and a cheap buy to import, so maybe the Uk population will expand beyond 2?
Ciao,
Erling
 
lyndonbuck said:
Ooooooh John F - BMW Z8 - very nice - hasn't that got an aluminium floorpan or something really tweaky too. Nice big V8 from the M5 I think too wasn't it? Helpful comments about importing - my BMW only has km/h on the speedo and has passed 5 MOTs - now what does that say about consistency of MOT testing? It does make me very good at converting kmh to mph though in my head though.

On a separate, but interesting note, when the Euro launched, its value against Sterling was €1 = 62p.

People going over to the continent to buy vehicles were using the kmh/mph speedometers as ready reckoners to help them convert the price they were paying.
 
Never heard that one before! Now I just think of 45 as 30mph, 60 as 40, and 120 as 70, 160 as 100, and so on, its about right, and touch wood I've never been caught speeding so it must be good enough. Guess I wouldn't need to worry so much about speeding in a 1.2tdi though, oh god please don't let me offend diesel drivers again, I'll never live it down.
 
If 60 is 40 and 120 is 70, you have lost 10mph by the time you get to 70!

The motorway speed limit in Ireland is 120. About 72 -74 mph.

I just usually multiply by six and divide by 10.

So 45 is 27, 60 would be 36 etc.
 
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