I live in Connecticut and I am moving to France in one month. I own a great 2004 RX 330 with only 7700 miles on it and want to take it to France. Does anyone have any advice? in particular are there certain restrictions/conversions from the French Government i.e. emissions, bumper, headlights, brakes etc... that I should consider.

+ Has anybody done something similar?
+ How long is the process? Is it very expensive?
+ Any automovile movingcompanies recommended?
+ Can you ship other belongings inside car?

Any input will be much appreciated.Thank you in advance.


J'habite au Connecticut et je vais demenager pour la France dans un mois. J'ai une 2004 RX330 avec seulement 11000 km de rouler. Je voudrais l'amener avec moi en France. Est-ce quelqu'un peut me dire si ceci est une bonne idee? Est-il difficil de passer les restrictions francaises ou faire des conversions necessaires que le gouvernement Francais demande? On m'a dit que peut etre il faudra changer les lumiered devant, baisser le parshock de devant, mettre un pau catalique pour les emissions, faire des choses avec les freins. C'est vrai? Est-ce que ce difficile a faire ou couteux?

+Quelq'un a fait quelque chose comme ceci?
+Est-ce que ca prendre beaucoup du temp ou coute beaucoup?
+Recommendez vous une agence de demenagement particulier?
+Est-ce que l'on peut mettre des autres choses dans la voiture pour le voyage?
Je vous remercie


Florencio
magsslopezm@yahoo.com

 

I live in Connecticut and I am moving to France in one month. I own a great 2004 RX 330 with only 7700 miles on it and want to take it to France. Does anyone have any advice? in particular are there certain restrictions/conversions from the French Government i.e. emissions, bumper, headlights, brakes etc... that I should consider.

+ Has anybody done something similar?
+ How long is the process? Is it very expensive?
+ Any automovile movingcompanies recommended?
+ Can you ship other belongings inside car?

Any input will be much appreciated.Thank you in advance.


J'habite au Connecticut et je vais demenager pour la France dans un mois. J'ai une 2004 RX330 avec seulement 11000 km de rouler. Je voudrais l'amener avec moi en France. Est-ce quelqu'un peut me dire si ceci est une bonne idee? Est-il difficil de passer les restrictions francaises ou faire des conversions necessaires que le gouvernement Francais demande? On m'a dit que peut etre il faudra changer les lumiered devant, baisser le parshock de devant, mettre un pau catalique pour les emissions, faire des choses avec les freins. C'est vrai? Est-ce que ce difficile a faire ou couteux?

+Quelq'un a fait quelque chose comme ceci?
+Est-ce que ca prendre beaucoup du temp ou coute beaucoup?
+Recommendez vous une agence de demenagement particulier?
+Est-ce que l'on peut mettre des autres choses dans la voiture pour le voyage?
Je vous remercie


Florencio
magsslopezm@yahoo.com

 

is your company moving it? or are you simply moving by yourself?

i would ship it UPS

seriously,

go here:

http://www.internetmovingdirectory.com/Overseas.aspx

 

I would take it only if the company is paying to transport it and gives a gas allowance. You do know that gasoline is >$6/gallon in Paris.

 

Conversion could be a real big hassle and expensive. Most issues on the car would be OK, but little things like required side marker lights could add up real quick for the conversion. On the positive side, you could make a few bucks selling it there once you convert it. An RX that's worth 30K in the US might be worth 50K in France.
Don't put anything in the car you don't mind getting stolen.
Bon chance.

 

I don't think think the changes will be that big.
I think only the lights will need changing.

We do not get the 330 engine here so parts could be a problem.

 

Are you moving to France permenently or temporarily? If temporarily, I don't think there would be any problems, but if you're going to be registering the car with a French license plate, as many have mentioned there are a few things you may need to do with the lighting, etc. Emissions wise, to the best of my knowledge, US emissions standards are tougher than that of European ones, so that won't really be much of a problem. As far as lighting goes, it's pretty simple really, especially since equipment like side blinkers, etc. are readily available for the European RX 300. Another thing it may need could be a fog light on the rear bumper...but I'm not too sure on that one. The side blinkers would be a must though, like the one in the pic:

 

http://www.info-france-usa.org/intheus/customs/5000.asp

That should have all u need. Good luck!

http://www.lexus-europe.com/forms/de...asp?country=fr

That is where you can pick the Lexus dealers in France by city and region.

 

Let's be straight forward, it may be long, not that expensive and may NEVER succeed. The major problem being that the RX330 is NOT imported in France. Here we have the RX300. Slight but huge difference. Complying with European regulation may not be that difficult. The European RX300 should be pretty close from the US RX330. The major point is to get the car 'homologuée', which means getting the authorization to drive it on open roads.

Sellling your RX330 over there and buying an RX300 over here may turn to be a very expensive experience because the prices are very different.

My first advice would be to get in touch with Lexus France and ask for help. If they can deliver a 'certificate', then your are almost done. If not it may be worthwhile to get in touch with a specialized import service company.

Contact me if you need any more help.

 

I've taken the liberty of moving your post from rx300 classifieds to car chat. One because you have no items for sale and I think your post will generate better response in this section.

thank you

good luck

 

I think the easiest would be to sell the car and buy a euro spec RX300 in France.
Since the 330 isn't sold in Europe you could run into some problems with legalising and parts supply.

 

I just merged.

 

Since your RX was built for the American market, it obviously has a state-of-the-art calalytic converter and the OBD-II (on-board-diagnostic) computer system....standard since 1996.

Try and find out if the part of France you are moving to has unleaded gas available that is comparable to at least U.S. 87-octane, though for most Lexus products 91-93 octane is best. If not, you may have to remove the converter before you fill up in France. If you use leaded gas in ANY catalytic converter, but especially the more modern ones with the OBD-II system, you can ruin it very quickly. There MAY also be other modifications to the OBD-II system needed for European gasoline...such as the oxygen sensor, although I don't know that for a fact.

One thing I DO know for a fact. A major change will be required in the size of your wallet when you gas up in France, or anywhere else in Europe....it will need to be MUCH larger.

Good Luck.

 

We don't have leaded gas anymore in Europe, and the minimum is 95 octane.
You are right about the gas prices though, more the $6 a gallon over here in Holland, France is a little bit cheaper.

 

Thanks, Richie....looks like that is just one less problem he has to deal with during the move.

I didn't know that the Euro gas was 95 Octane. I guess your gas engines over there might have higher compression and more advanced spark timing than ours. Of course, probably 50% of the Euro market is diesel fuel anyway....good clean low-sulfur fuel that we will finally be getting here next year.