Look out UK!
- Thread starter Aebous
- Start date
If it's already jailbroken you just need to ensure get a 3G sim card from your chosen UK provider (assuming it's the Iphone 3G). Otherwise anyone will do. O2 are the only official Iphone stockist for the UK so if you go with them, you won't have any issues in the future regarding upgrading software/firmware etc.
Anyway, all you need to know is that cricket and rugby are sports played by gentlemen and that Scotland play in blue and white. We're generally the underdog (think a little like US vs Canada) however it's much more exciting to back the underdog!
I've driven in Vegas a few times (in silly Ferraris hired off the Strip) and you'll find the biggest difference here is that we don't have as much space to build roads. This means they're generally much more narrow than US roads and therefore great to drive on! You'll get used to it.......and if you don't, you're insured!
Anyway, all you need to know is that cricket and rugby are sports played by gentlemen and that Scotland play in blue and white. We're generally the underdog (think a little like US vs Canada) however it's much more exciting to back the underdog!
I've driven in Vegas a few times (in silly Ferraris hired off the Strip) and you'll find the biggest difference here is that we don't have as much space to build roads. This means they're generally much more narrow than US roads and therefore great to drive on! You'll get used to it.......and if you don't, you're insured!
Yeah I figured handguns were illegal there. I think Germany required military to leave it on base in the armory. Probably the same for Lakenheath.....
Sixspeed, I am very very very much looking to visit all those tracks that you guys do. Also, I will for sure be hitting up the 'Ring.....although I would like someone to go in front of me as a pace car as I am very very intimidated by the 'Ring.
What's the average time to get to the 'Ring? I'm curious because I'll probably make several trips to that area (work/time permitting) to visit buddies that are in Spangdahlem, GE...
Sixspeed, I am very very very much looking to visit all those tracks that you guys do. Also, I will for sure be hitting up the 'Ring.....although I would like someone to go in front of me as a pace car as I am very very intimidated by the 'Ring.
What's the average time to get to the 'Ring? I'm curious because I'll probably make several trips to that area (work/time permitting) to visit buddies that are in Spangdahlem, GE...
HI Aebous, just found this thread thanks to Mike. As you know having been in Germany, the German SOFA doesn't require US personal to modify their cars to meet EU regs. In the UK, US personal need to not only have their cars conform to UK regs, but also they receive a UK title (known here as the V5). You still keep your original State title allowing re-importation into the US. Road tax for our 2003 Z4 is 185 pounds a year, I think that being an import into the UK is why it may be priced different than UK Z4s.
Here's what my Zed needed for the MOT (MOT= annual safety inspection for cars 3 years old or older):
Rear foglight (I wrote a 'how to' but I have not yet submitted it as a post, still working on it).
Front clear marker lights (AKA Parking lights).
Headlight: During the first MOT the garage aimed the lights low and passed me while during the second MOT, the garage told me the 'kick-up' of light toward the right was too high and the lights were aimed too low. After fitting some stick on 'light deflectors' (found at Halford's, a store similar to PepBoys in the US) they eventually, and somewhat reluctantly, passed it. I'm currently looking to buy UK Z4 headlight projector inserts to replace the US version (my headlights are non-Xenons FWIW).
Before moving to the UK I did some research on the MOT requirements (view these two sites; http://www.ukmot.com/index.asp http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_910.htm) I then done the changes in the US before I arrived in the UK. I was able to do them without interfering with the CAN-BUS or car's electrical settings, didn't need to visit the BMW dealer for any reprogramming and the rear fog light looks/is OEM without any obvious add-ons (except the LED front marker lights) all the while costing me a measly $50 or so. It took a weekend of work (after a couple of weeks of deciding how to add the rear fog light), but if you're handy with a wrench and patient you can do it no prob. Alternatively one could go to a UK BMW garage, where they would reprogram your Zed, add needed wiring, headlight switch, new headlights etc. Obviously this would be quite expensive not the mention of undoing this in a few years when returning to the US.
Insurance: I would go with USAA or Geico and not a UK firm. Nothing against UK firms it's just that we do not have a full UK driving license and I have not yet found a UK firm that will insure a driver without a full UK license. As US personal under the SOFA in the UK we get a supplement to our Stateside license (make sure your Stateside license doesn't expire before you leave the UK).
We'll keep in touch,
Mark
Here's what my Zed needed for the MOT (MOT= annual safety inspection for cars 3 years old or older):
Rear foglight (I wrote a 'how to' but I have not yet submitted it as a post, still working on it).
Front clear marker lights (AKA Parking lights).
Headlight: During the first MOT the garage aimed the lights low and passed me while during the second MOT, the garage told me the 'kick-up' of light toward the right was too high and the lights were aimed too low. After fitting some stick on 'light deflectors' (found at Halford's, a store similar to PepBoys in the US) they eventually, and somewhat reluctantly, passed it. I'm currently looking to buy UK Z4 headlight projector inserts to replace the US version (my headlights are non-Xenons FWIW).
Before moving to the UK I did some research on the MOT requirements (view these two sites; http://www.ukmot.com/index.asp http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_910.htm) I then done the changes in the US before I arrived in the UK. I was able to do them without interfering with the CAN-BUS or car's electrical settings, didn't need to visit the BMW dealer for any reprogramming and the rear fog light looks/is OEM without any obvious add-ons (except the LED front marker lights) all the while costing me a measly $50 or so. It took a weekend of work (after a couple of weeks of deciding how to add the rear fog light), but if you're handy with a wrench and patient you can do it no prob. Alternatively one could go to a UK BMW garage, where they would reprogram your Zed, add needed wiring, headlight switch, new headlights etc. Obviously this would be quite expensive not the mention of undoing this in a few years when returning to the US.
Insurance: I would go with USAA or Geico and not a UK firm. Nothing against UK firms it's just that we do not have a full UK driving license and I have not yet found a UK firm that will insure a driver without a full UK license. As US personal under the SOFA in the UK we get a supplement to our Stateside license (make sure your Stateside license doesn't expire before you leave the UK).
We'll keep in touch,
Mark
MarkC, looks like good advice 
Are you at Menwith Hill?
Are you at Menwith Hill?
Aebous said:I will be staying with USAA, they are about the same amount of money for the same coverage I'm paying over here. I'm annoyed that I can't get cheaper rates with them though
Wait until you drive over there for the first time, then ask yourself why they did not triple your rates for the first year. :wink:
BTW, USAA was the only American company that would insure me during my 3 years in Italy, and I survived without a single incident.
EdButler said:Ahh September - you'll have about a month of ~18C/64F and its all down hill from there! Will be a bit of a shock coming from around LA (Im guessing!)
Do they honestly let you container your car over?? That's rather cool i must say! Give us all a shout closer the time, ill be up for popping down to a meet from Sheffield
Ed, i would also like to welcome Aebous to the UK, so please let me know if you do, as you know i wouldn't be able to find my way all the way down there on my own :lol:
Lucy said:EdButler said:Ahh September - you'll have about a month of ~18C/64F and its all down hill from there! Will be a bit of a shock coming from around LA (Im guessing!)
Do they honestly let you container your car over?? That's rather cool i must say! Give us all a shout closer the time, ill be up for popping down to a meet from Sheffield
Ed, i would also like to welcome Aebous to the UK, so please let me know if you do, as you know i wouldn't be able to find my way all the way down there on my own :lol:
No worries Lucy, I could figure out a way to come to you. I don't mind getting lost on a road trip.
OH I could say I'm house hunting. Us active duty types get extra days off for that!
Giving a slight update.
ATM I'm planning on arriving in the UK mid september. That might change a little bit earlier depending on my leave days (vacation). Unfortunately the car will take around 60-90 days to get there, and probably won't be able to be shipped out until August sometime. So the car most likely will not be waiting on me when I get there.
ATM I'm planning on arriving in the UK mid september. That might change a little bit earlier depending on my leave days (vacation). Unfortunately the car will take around 60-90 days to get there, and probably won't be able to be shipped out until August sometime. So the car most likely will not be waiting on me when I get there.