550 - Converting gauges from Miles (UK) to Kilometres | FerrariChat
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550 - Converting gauges from Miles (UK) to Kilometres

Discussion in '456/550/575' started by andrewkirkby, Apr 17, 2012.

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  1. andrewkirkby

    andrewkirkby Karting

    Jan 9, 2010
    51
    Sydney, Australia
    Full Name:
    Andrew...... Kirkby
    #1 andrewkirkby, Apr 17, 2012
    So, i'm in the process of looking for and buying a 550 from the UK and will be shipping it to Australia once everything is sorted.

    The only thing i'm not sure about is the speedometer/odometer. A 550 delivered in the UK has miles in large lettering and kilometres in quite small lettering.

    Is it possible to change the speedometer dial fascia over to a kilometres only OR kilometres in big text, miles in small text?

    I really don't like the idea of a complete odometer replacement (at $725.84 + shipping & tax) when it is really only a matter of changing a small piece of plastic overlay material.

    I guess i can deal with the miles dial but if i ever want to sell the car, it may cause some confusion...

    Your advice and comments area greatly appreciated.

    Andrew
     
  2. 308 GTB

    308 GTB F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Feb 7, 2002
    11,719
    New Jersey
    Full Name:
    Barry Wolinsky
    #2 308 GTB, Apr 17, 2012
    Andrew,

    I hope you've found a good one!

    Here in the United States, many rely on Palo Alto Speedometer Repairs for conversion. I'm sure they can convert the other way around too.

    http://www.paspeedo.com/

    Barry
     
  3. andrewkirkby

    andrewkirkby Karting

    Jan 9, 2010
    51
    Sydney, Australia
    Full Name:
    Andrew...... Kirkby
    #3 andrewkirkby, Apr 18, 2012
    Barry, thanks for your reply.

    I'm looking at a few. I really like the dark blues (Le Mans, Blu Pozzi) but have not been able to find a suitable car. The others are Argento Nurburgring and black leather with some differences (wheels, rear shelf carpet, mileage). I'm considering whether to just bite the bullet and buy one of the ones currently available or wait it out. The exchange rate is great at the moment so it would make sense to buy now. It's strange, all the cars are within a few thousand pounds of each other - some with high miles and others with relatively low miles.

    I have sent Palo Alto Speedo an email with a request - hopefully they can assist :)

    Thanks again,

    Andrew
     
  4. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

    Dec 8, 2004
    12,665
    South East
    Full Name:
    Jimmie
    #4 greyboxer, Apr 18, 2012
    There must be local folk who can do them for your compliance - ask in the Oz section ?

    I'm fairly sure there are sources in the UK too - maybe Speedy Cables in Wales
     
  5. Comm.Thought

    Comm.Thought Rookie

    Mar 25, 2012
    2
    #5 Comm.Thought, Apr 18, 2012
    Hi there.

    There are places in Australia that will sort out all the ADRs (Australian Design Rules) issues for you.

    Google "Ferrari RAWS" (registered automotive workshop scheme) and you'll find them. For Sydney there is a place in Artarmon called Scuderia Imports.

    I don't know anything about them but have been thinking - make that dreaming about importing a 456 from the UK.

    Good luck and let us know how you get on.
     
  6. andrewkirkby

    andrewkirkby Karting

    Jan 9, 2010
    51
    Sydney, Australia
    Full Name:
    Andrew...... Kirkby
    #6 andrewkirkby, Apr 18, 2012
    I'm very much aware of the ADRs and RAW/SEVS.

    It's funny you should say that, but i've already spoken at length with Lido (of Scuderia Imports) and will definitely be using their services for getting the car here and complied. I don't believe it is a requirement to change the odometer to a kilometres only one... I'm waiting for the government department to call back regarding a few queries.

    PS: If anyone else is thinking of importing a car similar to this under the SEV scheme, Lido at Scuderia Imports is the person to speak to. Very knowledgeable and extremely helpful.

    I'm sure there are other great RAWS as well... however i work just down the road from them :)
     
  7. Trabots

    Trabots Formula Junior

    May 15, 2011
    500
    Perth, West Aust
    Full Name:
    Willy Stobart
    #7 Trabots, Apr 18, 2012
    I have been through the process, bringing a 575 from UK to Oz which I received in Jan. There is a lot more to it than the speedo which gets the face changed but no alteration to the odometer. You need a licensed compliance workshop. You need cats which are less than 5 years old. You need new tyres sourced in Oz with a UV rating on the sidewall. etc. etc. If you PM me I will be happy to assist. 089 582 2398 Better yet ring Peter Vas at Sports and Leisure Vehicles 0419 331 332 who complianced my car. He organised the lot after I had paid for the car. I highly recommend him.
     
  8. Comm.Thought

    Comm.Thought Rookie

    Mar 25, 2012
    2
    #8 Comm.Thought, Apr 18, 2012
    Sounds like you guys are way ahead of me.

    So roughly how much does the whole exercise cost - assuming the car is a good one from the get go?
     
  9. Trabots

    Trabots Formula Junior

    May 15, 2011
    500
    Perth, West Aust
    Full Name:
    Willy Stobart
    #9 Trabots, Apr 18, 2012
    A good 550 is 50,000 quid. On the road here is $130,000 Oz all in at current exchange. If you PM me I can send you an easy Excel calculator with purchase price and exchange rate variables which gives you everything. Rego and stamp duty of course depend on the state you live in.
     
  10. andrewkirkby

    andrewkirkby Karting

    Jan 9, 2010
    51
    Sydney, Australia
    Full Name:
    Andrew...... Kirkby
    #10 andrewkirkby, Apr 18, 2012
    I'd be interested in this spreadsheet also. [email protected] - thanks

    I have already done the numbers based on 20ft container ex Southampton and new parts (catalytic converters, tyres etc) and it doesn't come near $130,000... so i'm curious to know how you got to that figure :)

    The cars i've seen in the UK are advertised between 43,000 and 51,000 quid... with the majority somewhere in the middle of that.
     
  11. Condor Man

    Condor Man F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 8, 2006
    4,938
    Los Angeles
    #11 Condor Man, Apr 20, 2012
    I would be super careful!

    Make sure that you go over and check the car before you purchase.

    I bought what I thought was a good car and ended doing the following;

    Clutch.
    Engine mounts
    Brakes
    Aircon
    Brake lines
    Suspension
    Tires
    Exhaust system
    And heaps of other bodywork items.

    All totaling $30k+++ and this was after I had a bogus PPI from some dodgy morons in Scotland.

    Not to mention it has been 7 months and I still am not even close to getting the car registered.

    Also Pre-2000 cars have to do special emmission tests and mine has failed twice at $5k a test.

    So the long and short of it is, think very hard before you purchase.

    I also bought a 575 which I didn't even collect, I ended up selling it as I couldn't be arsed going through all the b/s hassles!

    Regards

    Aaron
     
  12. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

    Dec 8, 2004
    12,665
    South East
    Full Name:
    Jimmie
    #12 greyboxer, Apr 20, 2012
    Sorry to hear of your troubles : should a post-2000 car eg 575 have an easier time getting complianced ?
     
  13. Condor Man

    Condor Man F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 8, 2006
    4,938
    Los Angeles
    #13 Condor Man, Apr 20, 2012
    Apparently so, however I didn't want to deal with all of the red tape so that's why I off loaded the 575.

    Having state this I did just buy a 458C from Europe which is a straight race car. No road registration required and therefore no red tape.

    So this has 100% made my heart not feel sad about selling the 575.
     

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