[pemifer]

Hi from Lisboa, Portugal!
I'm interested in importing a used Smart ED, I'm here to learn as much as possible about the car.
Best regards
Pedro

 

[OliverB]

Welcome!

 

[jwight]

Welcome to SCoA! smart fortwo Electric Drive - Smart Car Forums

 

[SuperSmartie]

Hi there!

Importing from where to where? I'm guessing to Portugal. Was the ED not sold there?

 

[pemifer]

My intention is to import from USA to Portugal.
Used Smart ED are sold here and in the rest of Europe but they are too expensive.
Even with transport and taxes is cheaper to import from USA.

 

[jimvw57]

Hope it is easier to import out of the USA than it is to import into the USA.

 

[SuperSmartie]

I'm sure you are aware of some of the basic differences:
-speedometer in miles per hour
-wrong color rear blinkers
-no headlight leveling

I'm sure there's more. Just the first things I can think of. But it's basic car stuff, nothing speciual.
How strict are the Portugese authorities about this kind of stuff?

The good news is the electric drivetrain doesn't need any regional adjustments. No emissions! And the US charger will work on European 230V just fine. You will need a "Type 1 Plug" to charge it, which might be a little less common in Europe than the Type 2.

Watch out that most used EDs offered in the US include BAP (i.e. the battery is owned by MB and not included in the price of the car). The sellers typically won't tell you that. Make sure to call MBFS with the cars VIN to make sure you are buying the battery, too!

 

[pemifer]

Already imported a Nissan Leaf, it is complicated...
I wish I had the money to not get in complicated processes...

 

[pemifer]

I'm sure you are aware of some of the basic differences:
-speedometer in miles per hour
-wrong color rear blinkers
-no headlight leveling

I'm sure there's more. Just the first things I can think of. But it's basic car stuff, nothing speciual.
How strict are the Portugese authorities about this kind of stuff?

The good news is the electric drivetrain doesn't need any regional adjustments. No emissions! And the US charger will work on European 230V just fine. You will need a "Type 1 Plug" to charge it, which might be a little less common in Europe than the Type 2.

Watch out that most used EDs offered in the US include BAP (i.e. the battery is owned by MB and not included in the price of the car). The sellers typically won't tell you that. Make sure to call MBFS with the cars VIN to make sure you are buying the battery, too!

Great information, I thought Smarts with rented batteries was an European thing. Must pay very good attention to that!

 

[jwight]

If the battery is rented from M-B Financial Services in the USA, once the car leaves the port the BAP is void. You don't pay the rental, but also give up the battery warranty.

 

[pemifer]

Thank you guys, I'm learning a lot from you!
Please confirm if I understood it right.
If I import a Smart ED from USA I will not pay rent for the battery but I will not have battery warranty.
Can you tell how often Smart ED have battery problems?

 

[SuperSmartie]

If the battery is rented from M-B Financial Services in the USA, once the car leaves the port the BAP is void. You don't pay the rental, but also give up the battery warranty.

Curious to see if the long arm of MBSF will reach from the US back to the motherland and still try to take the battery back...

Once BAP terminates, you're obliged to return the battery. Keeping it could be considered theft. The initial savings might not be worth the legal battles.

 

[jzchen]

When I bought my ICE smart I had to sign a no export form.....

 

[pemifer]

Just contacted 2 sellers, one told me the battery is not included and I could buy the battery for $5510, the other told me the battery is included.
I really just have to pay attention to this.
Thank you for the warning.