Life in Europe - Page 2 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Cowboy from Hell · 08-14-2010, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coldpants

American car companies do not always move the steering wheel for the UK they do not for the Vette and did not for the Lightning so that may not be an issue. The DIC can be set to metric and the speedo is a bit redundant. But if it was an issue he could always get a Canadian speedo. Brittan mostly follows EU regs for car so there would be much less to change on a car coming from Brittan. Even with the wheel on the wrong side its my understanding that a car from here would have to be rewired to meet Eurospec.

Reports are that the UK spec Camaro will be RHD!!

There are certain differences with lights etc between Europe and the UK.... not as easy a change as it seems.

BOULI306 · 08-14-2010, 03:04 PM

Hey Zophet,

If i was you i would first see what the specific requirements are for american cars being imported in Europe.

It all changes when you can import the car as "moving goods". I can do as such and that means that it does not have to meet all the requirements such as, Lens wash on HID lights, Side direction indicator. But if you import it as a car and have to pay BPM that means it has to meet those requirements. A big one is that in Europe HID lights have to have a system to lower or raise the beam from inside the car. The Camaro does not have this. I must say i have imported a few cars and it very much depends on the guy doing the checks...If he likes the car (and what is there to dislike looking at a Camaro) he will be a little bit more relaxed. But if you meet a real precise and stuborn guy you will have to fix those things or get a statement that you can not meet the requirements but are still legal to drive...

Hope this helps a bit. And for the radio...no only odd frequencies..just listen to cd or IPod/IPhone and no RDS.

Also there are some guys that already imported Camaro's to the Netherlands, Germany, Spain....maybe they can help...

Zophet · 08-14-2010, 03:05 PM

LHD is the only way to go for me. England might be fine for warrany issues, but I think I may have to inport it from the other side of the big sea.

Coldpants · 08-14-2010, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BOULI306

Hey Zophet,

If i was you i would first see what the specific requirements are for american cars being imported in Europe.

It all changes when you can import the car as "moving goods". I can do as such and that means that it does not have to meet all the requirements such as, Lens wash on HID lights, Side direction indicator. But if you import it as a car and have to pay BPM that means it has to meet those requirements. A big one is that in Europe HID lights have to have a system to lower or raise the beam from inside the car. The Camaro does not have this. I must say i have imported a few cars and it very much depends on the guy doing the checks...If he likes the car (and what is there to dislike looking at a Camaro) he will be a little bit more relaxed. But if you meet a real precise and stuborn guy you will have to fix those things or get a statement that you can not meet the requirements but are still legal to drive...

Hope this helps a bit. And for the radio...no only odd frequencies..just listen to cd or IPod/IPhone and no RDS.

Also there are some guys that already imported Camaro's to the Netherlands, Germany, Spain....maybe they can help...

Intresting. Not to tread jack, but if I were to move to say Canada or England. Would I be forced to buy a new car?

BOULI306 · 08-14-2010, 03:17 PM

Depends if it will be permenantly or for a few years? When for a few years you will probably get a license plate stating that you may drive the car in that country. When moving pemenantly you would probably have to do the mods required to let the car meet specs... But most of them are pretty easy.

Zophet · 08-15-2010, 04:11 AM

Anyway, can these rear lenses work as turn indicators? I only found these kind of turn indicators, which don't seem to fit....?

SwedishMeatballs · 08-15-2010, 10:36 AM

Zophet: There are plenty of cars in Europe if you don't wanna go through the work of importing one for yourself. For instance in Sweden and Germany

It's alot closer, and typically these cars are approved for EU registry already.

From what I've heard, the car is being sold in the UK starting march 2011. I do believe it will be LHD cars, seeing the expected market share is very low and it would not be profitable to do a RHD convertion. So, you might wanna check that out closer to the launch date.

Also, you really don't need to worry about the octane levels here. Go for whatever you can find, I usually put 98 in the tank but if you can find 101-102 like the crazy Germans have go for it. All cars run better on that soup guaranteed.

iudexmaximus · 08-15-2010, 12:18 PM

Hi Zophet and welcome to the community!

Few months ago I tried to find your same informations about getting a road legal camaro here in Italy and I found a very nice dealer in Munich (Germany).
They perform all the changings you need to get the TUV and provide you the one day german license plates. (In this way, you can get "very" quickly italian license plates).
In my opinion, these are the main points you have to focus on:

You don't need to have red lenses for the tail lights: you need to have amber light, even if using a red lense. So you need strong bulbs.
I think that you need to rewire the front side markers and the parking light in order to have turning lights
Then you need to have rear fog lights: you can have them by making red one of the small white rear light and rewire it
You also need to have the chassis number (VIN) punched on the frame, usually on the suspension dome
About HID headlights, you must install an headlight washing system AND an automatic level adjustment unit
The tachometer can be switched to KPH, but while the digital one has "no limits", the analog one has its own limit (i.e. 180 mph for the SS): so, if you're driving at 220 KPH, the digital one will tell you the real speed but the analog one will show you 180 KPH this time. Canadian specs car are more expensive to get than USA ones, but you can have them: the IOM car in the showroom was canadian specs.
Be careful: the 19" tires are not available in Europe in the camaro size, at least thery were until this spring. The 20" tires size is not so common. Try to have a look at delticom tire shop online.

Finally, Bouli306 may be right about guys at the check station, but remember that envy from their side could be strong. They may even be annoying about the "E" marks on lights & glasses and safety belts..
At least, they are in Italy..

EvolutioN · 08-16-2010, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zophet

Dear Forum readers, fans!

How do the high octance numers affect the car? The lowest octain no. available in Hungary is 95. Can it have any drawbacks?

Zophet.

One more remark. I saw an incorect remark up higher in this thread about octane levels.
Europe does not have "super fuel". Me being from Sweden originally. I looked this up a while ago.

Europe measures Octane in RON. Versus the U.S measures in AKI.

AKI = Anti-Knock Index ( often written on pumps as (R+M)/2) )
is the average of the RON and the MON.

Here's a comparsion:

"SuperPlus" in Germany, Great Britain and Slovenia, "SP98" in France
RON: 98
MON: 89-90
AKI: 93-94

Just don't want you to buy a Camaro, add a supercharger, and run it on 95 RON and blow your engine..

Link: For supporting the above mentioned ..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octane_rating

Best Regards // Chris

Blade · 08-16-2010, 09:59 PM

You should talk to these guys..........
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100820

SwedishMeatballs · 08-17-2010, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EvolutioN

One more remark. I saw an incorect remark up higher in this thread about octane levels.
Europe does not have "super fuel". Me being from Sweden originally. I looked this up a while ago.

Europe measures Octane in RON. Versus the U.S measures in AKI.

AKI = Anti-Knock Index ( often written on pumps as (R+M)/2) )
is the average of the RON and the MON.

Here's a comparsion:

"SuperPlus" in Germany, Great Britain and Slovenia, "SP98" in France
RON: 98
MON: 89-90
AKI: 93-94

Just don't want you to buy a Camaro, add a supercharger, and run it on 95 RON and blow your engine..

Link: For supporting the above mentioned ..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octane_rating

Best Regards // Chris

Well actually Chris, your own link also contradicts you, sort of. I understand from it that the common spread in the U.S. is 87 to 91 AKI.

In Sweden you won't find anything less than 95 RON (90-91 AKI) where I myself prefer 98 RON (93-94 AKI) and sometimes also >99 RON (AKI ??).

By U.S. classification, I would consider that "super fuel".

LostInMoscow · 08-17-2010, 02:28 AM

I live in Russia and have an American spec. car. I wouldn't do it again. Any time something goes wrong, it's bad news. Some jerk broke my passenger side window last month. It's going to take 6 weeks to get the window to replace the broken one.

I understand how much you want a Camaro. I want one too! However, I don't think it's practical over here personally. You need to have dealer support to use the car as anything more than a toy. My next car will be purchased from a local dealer with local specifications. I don't need the hassels that go along with owning an American spec. car over here.

I hate to be negative, but I would hate to see you spend so much money and end up with a car that you can't service or repair properly or in a timely manner.

I'm looking at selling my present car. If I was going to buy a sports coupe similar to a Camaro over here, I'd probably buy an Audi S5, BMW M3 or Cadillac CTS-V. Why Cadillac has such good support for European cars I don't know, but they do. A CTS-V coupe is about as close as you are going to get to a Camaro (a Z28 Camaro at that) with real dealer support.

Just my opinion of course.

SwedishMeatballs · 08-17-2010, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LostInMoscow

I live in Russia and have an American spec. car. I wouldn't do it again. Any time something goes wrong, it's bad news. Some jerk broke my passenger side window last month. It's going to take 6 weeks to get the window to replace the broken one.

I understand how much you want a Camaro. I want one too! However, I don't think it's practical over here personally. You need to have dealer support to use the car as anything more than a toy. My next car will be purchased from a local dealer with local specifications. I don't need the hassels that go along with owning an American spec. car over here.

I hate to be negative, but I would hate to see you spend so much money and end up with a car that you can't service or repair properly or in a timely manner.

I'm looking at selling my present car. If I was going to buy a sports coupe similar to a Camaro over here, I'd probably buy an Audi S5, BMW M3 or Cadillac CTS-V. Why Cadillac has such good support for European cars I don't know, but they do. A CTS-V coupe is about as close as you are going to get to a Camaro (a Z28 Camaro at that) with real dealer support.

Just my opinion of course.

I get your point. However that depends on where you live too I guess. Here we won't have any problem getting the car serviced / repaired, but surely some parts may be harder / more expensive to get a hold of.

Surely the dealer warranty going up in smoke is a biatch but it's nothing I would wanna pass up my dream car for.

Zophet · 08-17-2010, 09:00 AM

Yeah, thats right. There is much to consider. Hopefully, when UK start selling the Camaro in early 2011, it will lead to better parts availability in the whole EU.

I still don't get the octaine thing...can the 95oct petrol have any drawbacks for a Camaro?

Million tahnks.

08-15-2010, 12:18 PM	#22
iudexmaximus Drives: BMW Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Italia Posts: 34	Hi Zophet and welcome to the community! Few months ago I tried to find your same informations about getting a road legal camaro here in Italy and I found a very nice dealer in Munich (Germany). They perform all the changings you need to get the TUV and provide you the one day german license plates. (In this way, you can get "very" quickly italian license plates). In my opinion, these are the main points you have to focus on: You don't need to have red lenses for the tail lights: you need to have amber light, even if using a red lense. So you need strong bulbs. I think that you need to rewire the front side markers and the parking light in order to have turning lights Then you need to have rear fog lights: you can have them by making red one of the small white rear light and rewire it You also need to have the chassis number (VIN) punched on the frame, usually on the suspension dome About HID headlights, you must install an headlight washing system AND an automatic level adjustment unit The tachometer can be switched to KPH, but while the digital one has "no limits", the analog one has its own limit (i.e. 180 mph for the SS): so, if you're driving at 220 KPH, the digital one will tell you the real speed but the analog one will show you 180 KPH this time. Canadian specs car are more expensive to get than USA ones, but you can have them: the IOM car in the showroom was canadian specs. Be careful: the 19" tires are not available in Europe in the camaro size, at least thery were until this spring. The 20" tires size is not so common. Try to have a look at delticom tire shop online. Finally, Bouli306 may be right about guys at the check station, but remember that envy from their side could be strong. They may even be annoying about the "E" marks on lights & glasses and safety belts.. At least, they are in Italy.. __________________ I'm only interested in the future, as that is where I wish my life to end

08-16-2010, 09:59 PM	#24
Blade Drives: 2016 Camaro 2SS BVM Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Charlotte Posts: 4,689 View My Garage	You should talk to these guys.......... http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100820 __________________ Formerly owner of: 2012 2SS/RS Build Thread - Totaled by red light runner 2010 LT/RS Build Thread - Traded in for 2012 2SS 2007 Acura TSX 1992 Oldsmobile Achieva V6 1992 Mercury Sable

08-17-2010, 02:28 AM	#26
LostInMoscow Exiled Speed Junkie Drives: None Join Date: May 2010 Location: Moscow, Russia Posts: 803	I live in Russia and have an American spec. car. I wouldn't do it again. Any time something goes wrong, it's bad news. Some jerk broke my passenger side window last month. It's going to take 6 weeks to get the window to replace the broken one. I understand how much you want a Camaro. I want one too! However, I don't think it's practical over here personally. You need to have dealer support to use the car as anything more than a toy. My next car will be purchased from a local dealer with local specifications. I don't need the hassels that go along with owning an American spec. car over here. I hate to be negative, but I would hate to see you spend so much money and end up with a car that you can't service or repair properly or in a timely manner. I'm looking at selling my present car. If I was going to buy a sports coupe similar to a Camaro over here, I'd probably buy an Audi S5, BMW M3 or Cadillac CTS-V. Why Cadillac has such good support for European cars I don't know, but they do. A CTS-V coupe is about as close as you are going to get to a Camaro (a Z28 Camaro at that) with real dealer support. Just my opinion of course. __________________

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
FREE Mail Order Tunes for LIFE!!!	Meister@Torq	V8 Bolt-Ons & Tunes	0	12-23-2009 05:37 PM
GM expands in Europe	Emher	5th Gen Camaro SS LS LT General Discussions	6	01-18-2008 08:43 AM
Lutz says U.S., Europe could share small crossovers	KILLER74Z28	General Automotive + Other Cars Discussion	1	04-12-2007 03:10 PM
New Camaro also to be offered in the UK in 2009	KILLER74Z28	5th Gen Camaro SS LS LT General Discussions	30	01-14-2007 11:25 AM

08-14-2010, 03:04 PM	#16
BOULI306 Drives: 2011 CGM 2LT/RS black stripes Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Tucson Posts: 137	Hey Zophet, If i was you i would first see what the specific requirements are for american cars being imported in Europe. It all changes when you can import the car as "moving goods". I can do as such and that means that it does not have to meet all the requirements such as, Lens wash on HID lights, Side direction indicator. But if you import it as a car and have to pay BPM that means it has to meet those requirements. A big one is that in Europe HID lights have to have a system to lower or raise the beam from inside the car. The Camaro does not have this. I must say i have imported a few cars and it very much depends on the guy doing the checks...If he likes the car (and what is there to dislike looking at a Camaro) he will be a little bit more relaxed. But if you meet a real precise and stuborn guy you will have to fix those things or get a statement that you can not meet the requirements but are still legal to drive... Hope this helps a bit. And for the radio...no only odd frequencies..just listen to cd or IPod/IPhone and no RDS. Also there are some guys that already imported Camaro's to the Netherlands, Germany, Spain....maybe they can help...

08-14-2010, 03:05 PM	#17
Zophet Drives: Opel Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Hungary Posts: 14	LHD is the only way to go for me. England might be fine for warrany issues, but I think I may have to inport it from the other side of the big sea.

08-14-2010, 03:17 PM	#19
BOULI306 Drives: 2011 CGM 2LT/RS black stripes Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Tucson Posts: 137	Depends if it will be permenantly or for a few years? When for a few years you will probably get a license plate stating that you may drive the car in that country. When moving pemenantly you would probably have to do the mods required to let the car meet specs... But most of them are pretty easy.

08-15-2010, 04:11 AM	#20
Zophet Drives: Opel Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Hungary Posts: 14	Anyway, can these rear lenses work as turn indicators? I only found these kind of turn indicators, which don't seem to fit....?

08-15-2010, 10:36 AM	#21
SwedishMeatballs Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sweden Posts: 47	Zophet: There are plenty of cars in Europe if you don't wanna go through the work of importing one for yourself. For instance in Sweden and Germany It's alot closer, and typically these cars are approved for EU registry already. From what I've heard, the car is being sold in the UK starting march 2011. I do believe it will be LHD cars, seeing the expected market share is very low and it would not be profitable to do a RHD convertion. So, you might wanna check that out closer to the launch date. Also, you really don't need to worry about the octane levels here. Go for whatever you can find, I usually put 98 in the tank but if you can find 101-102 like the crazy Germans have go for it. All cars run better on that soup guaranteed.

08-17-2010, 09:00 AM	#28
Zophet Drives: Opel Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Hungary Posts: 14	Yeah, thats right. There is much to consider. Hopefully, when UK start selling the Camaro in early 2011, it will lead to better parts availability in the whole EU. I still don't get the octaine thing...can the 95oct petrol have any drawbacks for a Camaro? Million tahnks.