Transferring from Japan to NL / Introducing ER34 Skyline and E90 325I

[GoHashiriya]

For most exclusive cars a valuation (taxatie) is preferred, this way you can insure your car for the value of the taxation (taxatiewaarde).
There are several insurance companies specialized in insuring these kind of exclusive cars. Exactly like your friend told you.
Most of these insurers do have specific conditions: must have another (daily) driver, max. 10k km's per year, etc.

My car is insured with VLC&Partners. You can get a quote here:
https://www.youngtimer-verzekering.nl/premie-berekenen

First of all, condoleances for your move to this place

For your insurance; it depends on how you want it insured, you can insure it the regular way, filling in your licenseplate on independer.nl for example and choose what kind of coverage you want (WA, is by law the minimum, only pays for damages to other party if its your case, WA+ which is the same as WA, but extras mainly include theft, vandalism and weatherdamage like hail, or all risk where they cover your own damages also. But for older cars tends to be very expensive.

Another option that you have, is insuring it on the appraisal value. a appraiser will come by (or you go to them) they make an appraisal, and you send that along to the insurance compan, that appraisal is 3 years valid, and if something happens thats what they will pay. Ive insured my Ferrari that way, and i think most people with special cars tend to do it that way. I did it through www.sportwagenpolis.nl. They respond quick (i had a quotation within 30min of filling in the form on their website) and 2 days later after i had all documentation insurance was done. Even if you dont have dutch plates yet, they will also insure it on the vinnumber at sportwagenpolis. unde the pretence that you will insure it lateron on dutch plates. worked perfectly for me during my import process this way and im still amazed at "how cheap" the monthly costs are for my car!

Hope this helps you out in your search for insurance!

Thank you both so much for this, this is extremely helpful, especially with the links.

I normally insure the Nissan for everything, theft, fire, my own damages. Just to be sure if anything were to happen I wouldn't be at a loss. For the BMW I don't really care so much, not yet, anyway, so it will be just the difference in cost of the insurance that I will consider. One thing that does concern me is how expensive a replacement 325i is in the Netherlands: 10-20K EUR.

Either way, covering the Skyline fully is the most important. I will get the taxatie, and also get in contact with sportwagenpolis.nl.

[Dimitri]

For most exclusive cars a valuation (taxatie) is preferred, this way you can insure your car for the value of the taxation (taxatiewaarde).
There are several insurance companies specialized in insuring these kind of exclusive cars. Exactly like your friend told you.
Most of these insurers do have specific conditions: must have another (daily) driver, max. 10k km's per year, etc.

My car is insured with VLC&Partners. You can get a quote here:
https://www.youngtimer-verzekering.nl/premie-berekenen

First of all, condoleances for your move to this place

For your insurance; it depends on how you want it insured, you can insure it the regular way, filling in your licenseplate on independer.nl for example and choose what kind of coverage you want (WA, is by law the minimum, only pays for damages to other party if its your case, WA+ which is the same as WA, but extras mainly include theft, vandalism and weatherdamage like hail, or all risk where they cover your own damages also. But for older cars tends to be very expensive.

Another option that you have, is insuring it on the appraisal value. a appraiser will come by (or you go to them) they make an appraisal, and you send that along to the insurance compan, that appraisal is 3 years valid, and if something happens thats what they will pay. Ive insured my Ferrari that way, and i think most people with special cars tend to do it that way. I did it through www.sportwagenpolis.nl. They respond quick (i had a quotation within 30min of filling in the form on their website) and 2 days later after i had all documentation insurance was done. Even if you dont have dutch plates yet, they will also insure it on the vinnumber at sportwagenpolis. unde the pretence that you will insure it lateron on dutch plates. worked perfectly for me during my import process this way and im still amazed at "how cheap" the monthly costs are for my car!

Hope this helps you out in your search for insurance!

Thank you both so much for this, this is extremely helpful, especially with the links.

I normally insure the Nissan for everything, theft, fire, my own damages. Just to be sure if anything were to happen I wouldn't be at a loss. For the BMW I don't really care so much, not yet, anyway, so it will be just the difference in cost of the insurance that I will consider. One thing that does concern me is how expensive a replacement 325i is in the Netherlands: 10-20K EUR.

Either way, covering the Skyline fully is the most important. I will get the taxatie, and also get in contact with sportwagenpolis.nl.

You're welcome! Since you're moving to Brabant, I did my taxatie at https://www.auto-expertise.nl/. They are located near Breda. They weren't to quick to respond via e-mail so if you want to contact them I suggest calling them.

But there are many of these companies, so maybe you can find someone who is more local to your new location.

[Elise]

So question for all, how do I get insurance for the Skyline in the Netherlands? Are there companies that will specialise in this type of car? I would like for it to be valued at a fair amount.

Like Dimitri said, valuation is the way to go, for example here https://www.steijntaxaties.nl/

Send Carel Jan van Loon ( careljan@clemententromph.nl ) an email as he offers also insurance with track use.
(He's quite known in the Lotus community).

[MartijnGizmo]

Just be aware that appraisals don't get valued automatically if a third party hits you...

[GoHashiriya]

Thank you all for your input, as long as the pricing is not outrageous, this is the route I'll be going. For the BMW, I'll probably just get the bare minimum insurance - will analyse the pricing at the time.

As far as tax and insurance the car goes: I will only want the Skyline on the road from April to September, is that an option for tax and insurance, hopefully with some cost benefits? I saw that you guys seem to be paying quarterly for tax.

As of August 1st my company will start the contract for the apartment I will live in - provided there are no issues with the visa. It's in Maastricht and has some kind of private parking area with a keycode entrance which means hopefully I don't have to get a separate garage for the Nissan in the meantime. The BMW can be parked in the gutter for all I care.

Another thing is, working on your car. I've got to raise the car to some unattractive level of 15cm minimum ground clearance for shipping - it's currently 7cm at the exhaust. I'm going to measure everything up and then return it to its current height when it arrives. Now, In Japan, it's pretty common for people to go to a large parking area, say a hardware store or similar, and work on their cars in the day. I don't remember this being acceptable in the UK and I figure NL is pretter similar, so what are my options to do some work on the car owing to my situation? I don't want to irritate the neighbours. Rental garages (workshops) are also common in Japan which is incredibly convenient.

[Nivek]

Welcome, I can't imagine leaving Japan. I haven't been there yet, but everything I see, including your pictures, make me kinda jealous.

Working on your own car might not have to a problem at the parking lot in front of you house or on the driveway. I've done quiet a lot on the street in front of my house. Playing with fluids how ever could possibly get you in trouble.

[Baboulah]

As far as tax and insurance the car goes: I will only want the Skyline on the road from April to September, is that an option for tax and insurance, hopefully with some cost benefits? I saw that you guys seem to be paying quarterly for tax.

Insurance wise no, but roadtax wise yes, but i believe there are rules about how long the plates have to be "suspended" before you can activate them without a fine... ive never done it, the few 10's of euros you safe, just doesnt add up to the inconvenience you can have then (as the car is not allowed to be on public road/pavement/parking) so the money you safe on tax, you spend double to triple on rent for a garage spot if you dont have your own garage etc

As for working in a shops parking lot, you wont need to, as we dont have big car hardware stores, and they definately dont have the space for you to take uo to wrench on usually.... ive never ever seen it happen here

[Nivek]

Keep insurance trough the whole year, even when parked. Don't take the risk.

You can suspend the car from road tax pretty easy but the fee that comes with it depends on the car's age if I recall correctly. You'll have to look at that to see if it's worth it for a couple of months. If the car is in a private parking spot it shouldn't be an issue.

[Martijn M]

Another thing is, working on your car. I've got to raise the car to some unattractive level of 15cm minimum ground clearance for shipping - it's currently 7cm at the exhaust. I'm going to measure everything up and then return it to its current height when it arrives. Now, In Japan, it's pretty common for people to go to a large parking area, say a hardware store or similar, and work on their cars in the day. I don't remember this being acceptable in the UK and I figure NL is pretter similar, so what are my options to do some work on the car owing to my situation? I don't want to irritate the neighbours. Rental garages (workshops) are also common in Japan which is incredibly convenient.

In the Netherlands we have some 'Doe het zelf garages' which basically is a workshop where you can rent a lift. Some of them have tools and others you have to bring them yourself. I would always bring my own, just to make sure you have everything you need.

[GoHashiriya]

Welcome, I can't imagine leaving Japan. I haven't been there yet, but everything I see, including your pictures, make me kinda jealous.

Working on your own car might not have to a problem at the parking lot in front of you house or on the driveway. I've done quiet a lot on the street in front of my house. Playing with fluids how ever could possibly get you in trouble.

Japan is beautiful, yes, amazing for car culture also. But unless you want to become Japanese, it's a very difficult place to live long term. Ideally I want to be able to come here once a year for 2-3 months and just drive the circuits and then store the car. It's expensive but possible if you have a remote work job. Then you can enjoy the best part of living in Japan and not deal with the bullsh*t.

That sounds similar to the UK, so good to know. I think the private parking lot will be okay but I do want to lower the car again before using it on European soil, so I may do it at the import shop's car park.

Insurance wise no, but roadtax wise yes, but i believe there are rules about how long the plates have to be "suspended" before you can activate them without a fine... ive never done it, the few 10's of euros you safe, just doesnt add up to the inconvenience you can have then (as the car is not allowed to be on public road/pavement/parking) so the money you safe on tax, you spend double to triple on rent for a garage spot if you dont have your own garage etc

As for working in a shops parking lot, you wont need to, as we dont have big car hardware stores, and they definately dont have the space for you to take uo to wrench on usually.... ive never ever seen it happen here

Yeah that seems normal for insurance companies. I should be grateful that you can intermittently tax the car. I've calculated the tax at at around 250 EUR p/quarter so would be worth it for 500 EUR savings each year. Seeing as I have no intention of driving the car between October and April.

Keep insurance trough the whole year, even when parked. Don't take the risk.

You can suspend the car from road tax pretty easy but the fee that comes with it depends on the car's age if I recall correctly. You'll have to look at that to see if it's worth it for a couple of months. If the car is in a private parking spot it shouldn't be an issue.

Thank you for your input, as mentioned above, suspending the tax seems like something to consider.

In the Netherlands we have some 'Doe het zelf garages' which basically is a workshop where you can rent a lift. Some of them have tools and others you have to bring them yourself. I would always bring my own, just to make sure you have everything you need.

That's great news! I'll look for one of these around Maastricht for when I arrive. This will be useful for the BMW too as I will be shipping my tools via sea from Japan so won't have much for the first couple of months.

[Roy RS]

I live and work in and around eindhoven and I think I can say I’m well introduced in the local carcommunity. Happy to take you along some times or point you in the right direction.

i’ve owned my dose of jdm (3sti’s, EVO II RS, gtr r35 and now on my third Type R engine in a lighter package)

Love the Nissan! Bimmer not so much, dont understand the urge a lot of people have to make a trackday car out of a very bad basecar. Its not fast and not light, has no natural track ingredients…have fun with that anyway, I’m the minority here with that opinion

[GoHashiriya]

I live and work in and around eindhoven and I think I can say I’m well introduced in the local carcommunity. Happy to take you along some times or point you in the right direction.

i’ve owned my dose of jdm (3sti’s, EVO II RS, gtr r35 and now on my third Type R engine in a lighter package)

Love the Nissan! Bimmer not so much, dont understand the urge a lot of people have to make a trackday car out of a very bad basecar. Its not fast and not light, has no natural track ingredients…have fun with that anyway, I’m the minority here with that opinion

Thank you, I will likely take you up on that offer.

I appreciate that, and honestly, recently I’ve been eyeing Caterhams, Ariel Atoms and Ginettas as a track car option. I love the Skyline but the amount of time I’ve spent under the car just to get it ready for the track is significant. The BMW will stay for now, as the best thing about it is I don’t care much for it. But whether I go for an M539 restorations approach and just daily it, or end up putting a cage in it and going the try-to-be-track-car route is up for debate. It will come down to what I see as most cost effective in the end. Spending €25-30k on a road-legal Ginetta seems feasible but the perks of modifying the BMW are that I can do it slowly over time, though it could surpass the €40k mark.

I’m also in the market for an SUV as we do a lot of outdoor activities in the wilderness but I’ll try and shift that cost responsibility over to my girlfriend.

[Roy RS]

Hmm, I could guide you in the lightweight department

[GoHashiriya]

I've been doing a lot in the way of preparations recently. I've bought a whole load of parts from Nissan to get the car in good shape before shipping. I'll update my car's thread once I've collated enough pictures and have done the headlight / fog lamp conversion.

In the meantime, what are people's thoughts on these seats? They're Recaro SR3 Le Mans Confetti. I have two pairs, one from the Skyline (and previously my 350Z) and I bought a pair for the BMW but I'm really not sure I need two sets anymore - I'll keep the BMW stock for now and the Skyline will be shipped with BRIDE seats.

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[BartMS]

Are they colapsable?

[GoHashiriya]

They’re reclining seats but it’s very easy to separate them into two pieces, which I’ll do to ship them.