Converting US Prius to European standard

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Karin from San Diego @ Mar 17 2007, 06:47 AM) [snapback]407350[/snapback]</div>

I saw this post and knew I had read something on here about someone modifying their car with these side turn signals. Not surprisingly, it was theforce, one of the top Prius-modders on here. Take a look at this thread:

http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=18616

You might also want to consider PMing him to get more details.

 

The radio may have to be changed. At least the AM channel spacing is different. I'm not sure about FM. You'll get some stations, but miss a few others with a US spec radio in Europe.

 

So far I haven't heard of anyone having luck getting the odo changed to metric. Dealers appearantly can't do it.

Sell your Prius before you leave and get a full metric one in Europe. You will also get all the "Touring" stuff and rear disk brakes.

 

Odometer can be changed to metric. I don't remember how, but there is a simple process.

Nate

 

Well, I think I agree, it is probably better to get a new one here in Sweden.
So if you don't have any special emotional bands o your car, sell it in the states and get a new one here back home.

It costs to import cars,
if you have had your car for more than a year in the states and plan to keep in sweden for more than another year you can bring it in as "flyttgods",and you do not have to pay all taxes and customs fees, but it is still pretty expensive.
And insurance will probably be more expensive than for a car sold here (insurance companys really do not like all private imprted cars from germany, stolen and crashed etc etc, so all types of private imprted cars have to pay for that)
And for that reason the value of the car, would be alot less than for a car sold here (even f you can fix all hard and software to match the specs for a car sold here)

Another thing would be if it was a car that are not sold here, or at least a very exclusive car,

So my guess it that is a lot more economical to sell it and get a new one.

Välkommen hem då!

/Per

 

Karin,

I'm in a similar current situation and came to the conclusion it's better to sell my US prius than be uncertain about the modifications needed for Europe.

I posted a question for the Belgique Prius group http://priuschat.com/index.php?act=ST&f=13&t=23442 but no response yet if there is any idea on what the modifications to a US 2004 Prius might be for registration in Belgium.

My first thought was if the modifications were minor, the loss in selling a fairly new, but used car would about equal the shipping cost. In the interim, I determined my 100K warranty has no value in Europe but helps the sale here. And, the extra costs are not just a one-time event; they will probably lead to higher tangible and intangible operating costs such as higher insurance, time and aggravation every time there is a technical inspection, surprises about what doesn't work, etc. So, there will be a gently used 2004 Prius (22K miles) for sale in Albuquerque real soon.

It is probably heresy to post here, but if a late model Prius is not available in Belgium, I am thinking a Smart car would be fun.

lucky

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Karin from San Diego @ Mar 17 2007, 12:47 PM) [snapback]407350[/snapback]</div>

If you have nav, it will be useless here. Your car will be hard to sell in Europe (definitely worth less than a regular Euro Prius) when you decide you want to get rid of it. Keep that in mind and calculate if it's worth the money and trouble (shipping, modifications, missing features and depreciation).

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Karin from San Diego @ Mar 17 2007, 06:47 AM) [snapback]407350[/snapback]</div>

Sell it. We have prius-es in sweden too !
Apart from a huge cost in transporting you will have problems with spareparts and possibly service since
the car is spec-ed for US . Brakes, lights engine control and instruments will need modification, you might
get into trouble with radio reception, you might have trouble with spares. And you will
not get as much for it when finally selling in sweden. Rust protection migt be an issue.

And yes, we have no bladder in swedish models, so it's easier to fill with gas !

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Karin from San Diego @ Apr 3 2007, 07:22 AM) [snapback]416862[/snapback]</div>

Check up "flyttgods"
http://www.vv.se/templates/page3____703.aspx

If you can get it calssed as that, them maybe there is a point.

/Per

 

Hi Karin
I brought mine over to Germany from California (shipping: 950$ no insurance). Now I have to deal with German/EU regulations. Try to get the most technical information on your model (VIN) from Toyota USA (data sheets, specs,...).
I have to add rear fog light(s), all other light "issues" (yellow colored lights in front, missing head light leveling function,...) will hopefully get exemptions. I don´t have to put in side blinkers.
I have to get new tires with EU labeling.
In terms of mileage and emissions the US model is designed for much stricter regalations, so i hope they will give me a good emissions rating, without having to get (expensive) expert opinion.
i will hopefully be going through with this in the next 2 weeks, I will let you know how it goes.
My fear is that although most parts are identical, they don´t have the "complies with EU regulation..." label on them (brakes, fm remote key, catalyst,...)
Also, make sure you can proove that you lived, owned (and drove) the car long enough (at least 6 months for germany) in the states to be able to declare the car as personal moving good, to avoid high cusom charges and taxes.
Good luck!!

PS: if anyone can provide official statements of emissions data, or of conformity of US and EU Prius parts, and could provide those to me, that would be great!
Thanks, Jon.

 

Hallo Karin,

I brought mine over to STuttgart, Germany last May. i have had only one problem. I cannot get a European DVD for my GPS to work. I don't know where all the talk about adding/changing lights comes from. I did not need to make any changes at all.

Tim in Stuttgart

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(berlin_j @ Apr 4 2007, 07:10 AM) [snapback]417531[/snapback]</div>

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Stuttgart Tim @ Apr 6 2007, 09:53 PM) [snapback]419160[/snapback]</div>

...the talk comes from the TÜV and the Registration Office (Zulassungsstelle). Where did you get yours checked? Mabe I´ll make a trip to Stuttgart soon;-)

Thanks!

 

Tim in Stuttgart:

Did you go through the TUV and get German tags or get US military in Europe tags? I'd expect no problem if there was only the perfunctory check that's given to vehicles brought in by US military members. I'd expect more scrutiny such as indicated by berlin_j if the vehicle was to get full German registration and licensing.