Hello-ing everyone.

Currently driving a 25T XE and saving up for the R-Sport/S. Only problem is they range from $25k to $40k to even a whopping $44k for 30-78 thousand miles! For only 13 RWD R-Sports and 10 RWD S (S’s, S’?) nationwide.

However, on the other side of the pond. There are plenty of RWD XE-S in the UK and for cheaper than here in the US. There’s some for £18k to £25k (~22k-32k USD). With more color options available and significantly cheaper even for having less miles. There’s one for only £20,000 (~$25,262) with only 46k miles! Compared to an XE-S here with the same amount of miles for around $38,000.

Can anyone confirm if it’s possible to import one to here in the states.

From what I found on this forum: https://www.xeforums.co.uk/threads/xe-s-in-usa.3974/ the only difference between the two are loosely just cosmetics (and rhd, which would be pretty cool to own in the states) but I don’t know if it fully meets US standards.

Thank you in advance.

 

I believe there are different lighting standards between the USA and the UK. This relates to sidelights, and colour of indicator lights. Don't forget to add in the costs of shipping and possible import duty to pay. Other thing to bear in mind is Jaguar have withdrawn the XE from the US market, presumably because of poor sales.

 

I know for the 2021 models and newer have been removed from the US market and lights do have amber sidelights, but I’ve seen many XF owners and german car owners switch their headlights to the euro spec ones. Even if it requires amber, it shouldn’t be that hard to add or even replace them to meet US spec.

Shipping and import cost on the other hand should be pretty manageable, I’m assuming. The actual process and procedures of doing so will be difficult because I’ve never had to import a car before.

 

Swapping lights should not present too much difficulty (other than a sharp intake of breath on seeing the parts cost) but you will have the reverse problem facing those who have imported from US to UK or mainland Europe - Type Approval. European and US Type Approvals are not identical. US members report increasing difficulty obtaining verification from JLR that a particular vehicle they wish to import/export meets equivalent approvals. I don't see this as an insurmountable problem but one you need to investigate at an early stage to avoid disappointment or very lengthy delays getting clearance once the vehicle lands in the US.

One factor I've never seen discussed is the difference in frequency on security systems. We use 433 MHz but US is 315 MHz. This could be a show stopper.

Graham

 

That’s a thing? I didn’t even know that was a thing. I’m not that big brain in radio frequency so I wouldn’t have the slightest clue.

 

In general, even if a car was sold in both the US and Europe, importing it to the US privately is prohibitively expensive. Once its 25 years old you can import it as a classic and that's pretty easy.

There's lots of crash and emissions standards, that even if they're the same, they're not going to just take your word for it.