cowie165

Thanks Gary, thanks Abflug Online eh? I guess that's why they also charge for 'Customs Attendance'. I wish I had the time to do it myself. : ( Cheers to you. Mark

I had organised CGL for when the car was coming to Sydney via NGK. Geoff emailed last week saying that it should be on the Kiwi leaving on the 20th, arriving 12 Jan. I asked whether I now need a Brisbane agent, and he replied with no, the same agent [CGL] "will assist you". Hey we should see about finding someone on SAU that knows what they are doing and pay them to do paperwork for both cars and split the fee! j/k I have yet to speak to CGL about the Brisbane thing. I'll actually be in Victoria when it arrives and I'm thinking of having it trucked down there...? The agent I use has no consequence, as the vehicle will have to be cleared by remote control anyway - no chance I'll be able to attend. Mark

More info, unsure of which thread to put it in.... I wasn't sure about which import duty rate was applicable as my car (should) ship this year, and arrive next year. Actually, it sounds like mine is parked next to Richard's and leaving on the same Kiwi vessel. They are from the same supplier so I guess it makes sense! Anyway, I digress... The Customs information officer replied with: The rate applicable is the rate applicable at time the vehicle is entered for customs clearance ie if you enter the car after 1 January then the rate will be 10%. Giddy up. Mark

As a Medowie boy, may I second (or third) the motion to go to the central coast instead? I won't be there, but I've ridden the ZXR down the old Pacific a few times, and whilst soldiers point is very scenic, it's snoozer driving. I guess it depends on the purpose of the cruise. Old Pacific > Nelson Bay Rd! Big time. You can actually drive/ride a decent track, rather than just set the cruise control and go to sleep. It's all sub-speed limit, watch out for motorcyclists cause there are always LOTS on the weekend.

Hi Richard. The car is still in Kawasaki, which means I have lots of time to harass people like CGL and the DEH. CGL fully intend to charge the fee if they have to arrange it. As I understand it, if you just give the letter to customs yourself you'll be right. I'm going to call customs before the car finally arrives and just confirm they'll be happy if I mail the letter and all the other info. That's the understanding I have from the DEH email. The Customs website http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=4371 and the .pdf file http://www.customs.gov.au/webdata/resource...es/Mvguide3.pdf are pretty clear. I assume it just depends on how much time you have and whether you can attend the docks easily. There are quite a few guys that do it themselves, but searching for posts might be tough. The customs site is reasonably comprehensive, and if you've got the time, I'd give it a go. When the car arrives I will be interstate, so I'll need someone else to do the paperwork for me. I agree with you, $500 is $500. If you took the sum out of context ($500 as part of a $22000ish car) and look at it as being paid $500 for a day's (perhaps two) work, it looks much more inviting! Mark Sorry about the long post.

Thanks Marcus, info saved in my (now getting very large) word doc of useful stuff! Cheers Mark

Quick burst from my correspondence with the DEH. You will need to provide to your Shipping Agent/Freight Forwarder (or Customs Broker) to provide to us:- § A copy of your identification/information page of your passport. § A statement saying that the vehicle is a one-off import that is for personal use and is not for trade or commerce and that you will not be bringing in any other vehicles. § A copy of the Customs Entry/Nature 10, DOTARS import approval and the Bill of Lading. Your shipping agent/freight forwarder/customs broker or yourself will need to provide this information to the Australian Customs Service who will contact our office for verification and clearance. So, short version. Copy your photo ID (D/L I assume is ok), write your letter, and make sure Customs has a copy of your IA and B/L (which they will already hold). It appears it is that simple. The chap at CGL (who shall remain nameless) argued that the $150 fee they charge is due to "all the running around they [CGL] have to do, and all the people at the DEH they have to talk to". Hrmmmmm. I hope this info helps other guys out there in SAU land. Mark

Hi guys Have been informed that the car 'should' be shipped with Kiwi (to Brisbane of course) (was NYK to Sydney) leaving around 20 Dec. To anyone that has used Kiwi, did you have the car complied in Brisbane or your home state? Where do they deliver the car to? A storage yard somewhere? I imagine you need an agent in Brisbane too. As trade for this valuable info, I've posted an excerpt from the latest email in the DEH saga. For those CGL-using guys, let's save ourselves $150... Mark

Sprinta, thanks for the pics. Silver looks very nice. Lucien, thanks for the link.

Mark (and others) would you happen to have an 'after' pic? I've seen them advertised, but never on a car.

As a long time fan of the airbrush, I'd like to emphasise heiress' excellent point. THIN coats. I know you really really really want it to look good right away, but please resist the temptation to do only one or two big (read:thick) coats. A large number of very thin coats will serve you well, avoid paint runs, and produce a smoother finish. I'd also suggest that after a few coats, let it dry completely (at least 24h, longer if it's enamel), then use some 1200 or preferably 2000 grade wet'n'dry (make sure you're using lots of water) to smooth out the finish and to avoid any 'orange peel' or other surface imperfections. Mark

I think our cars must be parked next to each other at the dock in Kawasaki... Geoff tells me that a number of cars made it onto the last NYK vessel. I guess that wasn't us! Mark

IMO crap drivers are the reason speed limits are 110km/h. I remember when it was 120km/h. Cars have increased safety features, and have also increased their performance considerably. The lowest common denominator here is the driver. Substandard drivers are out there. You've seen them. Now they have kids, and have 50hrs to make their kids just as substandard as they are... Licences should require professional training IMHO. Nothing too serious/expensive, just a few hours to set the standard. Pilots, motorcyclists and heavy-vehicle drivers have to pay for proper training. If you cannot afford it, get a job within walking distance. We'd all feel a lot safer if we knew every driver we could see had been professionally trained and regularly examined by the RTA. [/RANT] My 2.2c Mark

:werd: Try finding a Japanese word that is six letters. It means more to you than the guy behind you at the traffic lights...

Ok I can see why someone would buy 350ZED. That'd be ok, for the right price. But the funniest thing I read in an ad was "genuine buyers only!" Nice. WARNING: NUMBER PLATE TEST PILOTS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED :tool:

Well done for passing on the thumbs up Chris, the guys have been equally helpful whenever I've dealt with them. They'll arrange just about anything. Great quotes on towing from Hobbs, compliance, and whatever servicing you'd like, they seem to look after you. Agree, big thumbs up. Mark

5K? Far out. Great price, I hope you took it! I think it'd have to be the highest markup on any product I've ever seen Out of interest, why did you go for personalised plates? Just tailoring the car to how it suits you? Just seems like a big expense.

I'm sorry. I don't get it. Why do people advertise plates for insane prices? Do they actually sell or are these guys in some alter-universe where they think there are buyers that pay the same for the plate as they do for a car?? SIKR33 = $4000, offers considered. and so on... They are always in the SMH Drive section. There is one in the SAU Classified for $10,000... So you want me to pay 50% more for two sheets of pressed aluminium that I would for a used RB26? :bs!: Has anyone here at SAU actually purchased plates from someone? Sure, having 96GTR might be nice, but why the huge prices??? If you have bought one or more, I mean no disrespect, I honestly just don't get it. Mark Note: I am all for choosing unique plates when you go to the RTA, it's the whole deal of guys trying to sell them for thousands afterwards...

Any other punters out there hoping for a ship before Christmas, the window of opportunity is rapidly closing. At best guess, it'll need to be on a ship within seven to ten days... Well here's hoping for a Christmas present, though it seems reduced import duties is going to be the only present we'll see. Hey NGK, I look forward to you charging me wharf fees because you decided not to load my booked vehicle. Please feel free to increase shipping charges 15% to Australians who would really like to see their car. Thank you gentlemen Cheers guys, I hope those that have cars booked get them onboard. Mark edit: Good news Gary. It's good to hear that some vehicles are actually moving

:werd:

Sitting here eating my cornflakes and the seven news shows an overnight car accident. I saw this big FMIC hanging out the front of the wreck, and looking at the headlights guessed it to be a modded XR6t. Then... "...the car was an imported Nissan Skyline GT-R..." that split in two, killing all three occupants... in a 50kmh zone. You do the math. Be safe out there guys.

Guys, I'd like to propose chipping in together to buy Lucien one of the boost controllers. It'd work out around $10-12 each, and I think a nice way to say thanks for all the stuffing around he has/is/will go through. Any thoughts? Mark

An answer within 60 minutes of posting - nice work funky :headspin: Mark

Lucien, chalk me up for one pls. It'll go on one day and worst case as P1E said I could sell it on ebay! Thanks mate Mark