what mods are required to make a US version S4 legal in Canada

[PassatB5]

Ive been looking to buy an S4 for a while now and i really like the 2000-2002 S4 biturbo models. Not only they are rare here in montreal, most of them are way overpriced. Since this models are inadmissible to import what mods do i need to make on the car so they are legal here in Quebec? The cars i see even here on this forum are way cheaper than the ones we have here. I know i should consider delivery charges and everything but id like to know first what needs to be changed?

[Silver streak]

Canada does not allow those cars up period.

[PassatB5]

but is there a reason why?

[Flash]

What do you mean why? They clearly imply they do not owe us a proper explanation. You'll notice the "subject to change without notice" on the RIV website. Some of the later inadmissible models give a reason; "The vehicle cannot be modified to meet CMVSS 215 (bumpers)", so I'm guessing it's a bumper issue as it's all safety related as RIV thinks their standards are better than the US.

[PassatB5]

Alright, i thought maybe if i buy it and change the front end or whatever i have to do to make admissible was possible. I guess not, whata stupid dumb law.

[Silver streak]

Alright, i thought maybe if i buy it and change the front end or whatever i have to do to make admissible was possible. I guess not, whata stupid dumb law.

I know it sucks, but if there was a way around it I know 5 people right now that would be doing this as-well. I can't believe there is such a big difference in the 2 cars?

[Tanner]

US has xenon lights and fogs for DRLs. Low speed front end crash testing of the US-spec B5 S4 doesn't meet the requirements here in Canada (higher speeds compared to the US) as the DRLs (fog lights) becomes non-functional, but the headlights continues to work fine, hence why you see B5 S4s in Canada with projector halogen lights instead of xenons.

[archimense]

They are just plain inadmissible.

I paid $35K for mine two and half years ago, when they were in the low $20K range in the US.

Now in Vancouver you seem to be able to get one for around $18K. I won't even mention what they cost in the US. :(

That, and we don't get Avants...

[Tanner]

That's the problem, Canada's test requirements is a bit more stringent vs other countries, and the number of cars we sell here is a dime a dozen in the grand scheme of things. To federalize a vehicle just to see a couple dozen doesn't make any financial sense unfortunately.

If the US could adopt Canada's testing requirements would be nice.

[PassatB5]

I might try another route for this one, my dad is a US citizen and he lives in virginia. I could just buy the car and plate it there and i guess then im aloud to drive it here.

[gervi]

I remember reading that Transport Canada is changing the bumper regulations to match the US to alleviate the price difference incurred from having a higher crash standard.. I wonder if that would eliminate alot of the bans on these restricted cars.

[Tanner]

I remember reading that Transport Canada is changing the bumper regulations to match the US to alleviate the price difference incurred from having a higher crash standard.. I wonder if that would eliminate alot of the bans on these restricted cars.

Yep it would. What they should do is standardize the requirements globally so we don't have these problems. Well, standardize to levels not like China's!

[pr0digy30]

I might try another route for this one, my dad is a US citizen and he lives in virginia. I could just buy the car and plate it there and i guess then im aloud to drive it here.

Sure you could. But then a false declaration would have to be made to the Customs Inpsector when it is brought in.

The vehicle would only be here as a "temporary admission". If anybody decided to report you to CBSA about having a US plated vehicle permanently in Canada... you would be up dung creek, prosecuted under the criminal provisions of the Customs Act and forfeiture of vehicle to the Crown.

[xpl0sive]

Sure you could. But then a false declaration would have to be made to the Customs Inpsector when it is brought in.

The vehicle would only be here as a "temporary admission". If anybody decided to report you to CBSA about having a US plated vehicle permanently in Canada... you would be up dung creek, prosecuted under the criminal provisions of the Customs Act and forfeiture of vehicle to the Crown.

the only real danger of having a US plated and insured vehicle is your insurance company in virginia not covering you in canada if you have an accident. It is really simple for them to check where you permanently work and reside, and if they find out that you live in canada, but insure ur car in virginia, they'll deny your claim. Unless of course your dad doesn't mind insuring the car under his name, then you should be fine to drive it in Canada. On that note, does he mind insuring me an Evo?

[pr0digy30]

The real danger is you made a false declaration, evaded duties & taxes on the vehicle all in an attempt to contravene TC regs. If the D & T evaded are over a certain threshold, then it gets criminal.

How do I know this? Let's just say I've seen it happen to a few folks after investigation.

Check out D Memo 2-1-1

[PassatB5]

the only real danger of having a US plated and insured vehicle is your insurance company in virginia not covering you in canada if you have an accident. It is really simple for them to check where you permanently work and reside, and if they find out that you live in canada, but insure ur car in virginia, they'll deny your claim. Unless of course your dad doesn't mind insuring the car under his name, then you should be fine to drive it in Canada. On that note, does he mind insuring me an Evo?

well i was going to insure it under his name but now prodigy scared the shit out of me.

[archimense]

You guys all need to check this thread I just made:
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2655646

[PassatB5]

honestly after reading the thread im sure it only applies to new cars.

[archimense]

honestly after reading the thread im sure it only applies to new cars.

If you read the info on the RIV website you will see it applies to all cars.

[archimense]

The B5 Audi S4 is no longer on the inadmissible list!

http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/impor...list/VAFUS.pdf

[darrennelson12]

Does anyone know of any companys that can do the importing?

[pr0digy30]

Do it yourself. It's pretty straightforward....

24 (or is it 48) hours before you intend to bring the vehicle across the border, fax a copy to US Customs (CBP) on your intent to export the vehicle. Then I believe you get it stamped at your port-of-exit from the US.

Then when entering Canada.. *declare* the vehicle, go inside and pay the taxes (as long as it is admissible). They look at your US export certificate and stamp up some documentation for you. Next you have to take it for a RIV inspection (Crappy Tire, etc) and they make sure it has all the requisite things like child safety restraint points, French airbag stickers, etc.

Once that is stamped up, take it to your provincial licensing body for plates and Canadian registration.