Quick Rant Continued, Need Help!

[Malc]

Well my "fight" with UK Customs and Excise continues... Having been lead a merry dance they now want the following questions answered the first they should know......

1) Please confirm the exact engine size
2) Estimate the cost to repair the engine to make it mobile!
3) Cost to repair the body/interior to "normal" condition

What a laugh.... not
Anyway lets assume that the fuel pump is ok (Please)
So that's a full service, new points and plugs, filters, oil, change the anti-freeze. throw in a gallon of petrol.....

Question 3 OHMYGAWD how am I supposed to estimate that :x  It needs the whole interior rebuilding and the floor is somewhat religious (holey)

I am in the UK so lets say it costs me £100 in service parts to get the engine running
But the body and interior? Does anybody know the cost of a retrim, a rough guide will do, Body I can repair myself, but hoe much for panels like the floor, sills etc
Appreciate the help
Malc

[DaveB]

Dear Malc,
The thing I'd like to know is what's their purpose in asking for those repair estimates - do you think you'll be taxed more or less if you give high estimates for repair? Question 2 and particularly 3 could be open-ended expensive!

I didn't face any questions like this when I imported my car (from California to Australia), they only wanted to know the purchase price + the shipping bill, and taxed me 10%. Simple in comparison to your ordeal.

DaveB

[DaveB]

Dear Malc,
The thing I'd like to know is what's their purpose in asking for those repair estimates - do you think you'll be taxed more or less if you give high estimates for repair? Question 2 and particularly 3 could be open-ended expensive!

I didn't face any questions like this when I imported my car (from California to Australia), they only wanted to know the purchase price + the shipping bill, and taxed me 10%. Simple in comparison to your ordeal.

DaveB

[DaveB]

Dear Malc,
The thing I'd like to know is what's their purpose in asking for those repair estimates - do you think you'll be taxed more or less if you give high estimates for repair? Question 2 and particularly 3 could be open-ended expensive!

I didn't face any questions like this when I imported my car (from California to Australia), they only wanted to know the purchase price + the shipping bill, and taxed me 10%. Simple in comparison to your ordeal.

DaveB

[mdsalemi]

Malc,

I have a "worksheet" estimate provided by Bruce Adams of 190SL fame, when he used to own Sports Leicht Restorations...I think it is in the USD $70,000 range and details the kind of work to be done in a restoration.  I'd be happy to provide it to you if you like, if you think a high number will help.


Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored

[Malc]

UPDATE: 21/September
Finally have got C&E to admit that they look up the value of a car quote "based on the value in the grey guide for a vehicle that is running and in presentable condition" and that "an officer probably did not physically inspect the vehicle"

Now the have the pictures I sent they have admitted that "we may of overvalued the car" but will "have to make further enquires"

Oh Boy

Malc

PS: Thanks Michael In a long discussion with C&E I estimated it would cost me about 25,000 pounds to get the old girl back into shape thanks god it will be spread over a few years, my bank balance couldn't hack it!