I am very close to ordering a P85 from Europe and shipping it to the UAE. I think I will be the 3rd or 4th person here that will get one, and unfortunately I have not been able to contact other owners.
For you intrepid Model S owners in non-Tesla countries, how did you deal with the following:
• Engine number. The local registration authority will ask for an engine number. Does Tesla provide such a thing?
There is an engine number, it is placed on a sticker inside the trunk lid.
• Getting a 3G Sim card installed from your local provider. Did you send it to Tesla before delivery? What kind of card should you get?
Tesla has confirmed that I will get a Sim that will work in Europe, and that they will not install one I provide. So long as I have an internet hotspot (e.g. via a USB dongle), all of the regular internet connectivity will work including Internet Radio.
• Getting Insurance. Can you get full comp insurance when there is no locally available authorized body shop, agent, or dealer to repair the car?
No insurance company or broker based in the UAE is willing to sell me full comp. for this car. 3rd Party no problem.
• XM Radio: would this option work/is it available outside Europe/US? I’ve never seen a car here with satellite radio.
XM Radio is not provided. Instead they provide DAB; and this won't work in non-DAB broadcasting countries such as the UAE, but it will work while I'm in Europe.
• Payment: can we pay the balance of the car cost via online bank transfer?
Yes, and I can pay over a few installment to overcome any daily allowance limitations, e.g. pay 5 installments of EUR 18,000 over 5 days. The only requirement is that the full amount is paid before I take delivery of the car.
• Delivery: will I be able to drive the car in Europe for a few days prior to having it shipped?
Yes, a temporary registration can be arranged so I can drive it before it gets shipped. My 2014 European Supercharger Vacation is in the works . The validity of the temporary registration is 14 days.
• Shipping: is there anything special I need to tell the shipping company or is it just the same as shipping any other car?
Tesla gave me a PDF called "Lithium-Ion Battery Emergency Response Guide, Model S". Just give that to the shipping co. PM me if you would like a copy; I can't attach it to this post.
Note: I will be asking Tesla to help me with some of these questions so I’ll update the post when I have answers. I think I have nailed down my configuration which is a European P85, MC Red/Tan with all options except:
• P+: no twisty mountain roads, don’t want staggered wheels, more inclined towards luxury, the later production P suspension is much better.
• 21” because I’m going to get aftermarket TSPORTLINE Silver 21’s (see pic) and add Michelin PSP (not PS2).
• Performance Seats: for Tan I didn’t like the suede inserts or colored piping.
• Rear Facing Seats: I don’t have children.
• Dual Chargers: they will never be used. Cannot get enough amps in my garage, and there are just 2 public charging stations in the whole country, daily driving is about 70 km / 43 mi.
• Security Package: car theft not a problem here.
• Subzero: +10 C / 50 F is about the coldest it gets here.
• Prepaid Service: no service center.
For you intrepid Model S owners in non-Tesla countries, how did you deal with the following:
• Engine number. The local registration authority will ask for an engine number. Does Tesla provide such a thing?
There is an engine number, it is placed on a sticker inside the trunk lid.
• Getting a 3G Sim card installed from your local provider. Did you send it to Tesla before delivery? What kind of card should you get?
Tesla has confirmed that I will get a Sim that will work in Europe, and that they will not install one I provide. So long as I have an internet hotspot (e.g. via a USB dongle), all of the regular internet connectivity will work including Internet Radio.
• Getting Insurance. Can you get full comp insurance when there is no locally available authorized body shop, agent, or dealer to repair the car?
No insurance company or broker based in the UAE is willing to sell me full comp. for this car. 3rd Party no problem.
• XM Radio: would this option work/is it available outside Europe/US? I’ve never seen a car here with satellite radio.
XM Radio is not provided. Instead they provide DAB; and this won't work in non-DAB broadcasting countries such as the UAE, but it will work while I'm in Europe.
• Payment: can we pay the balance of the car cost via online bank transfer?
Yes, and I can pay over a few installment to overcome any daily allowance limitations, e.g. pay 5 installments of EUR 18,000 over 5 days. The only requirement is that the full amount is paid before I take delivery of the car.
• Delivery: will I be able to drive the car in Europe for a few days prior to having it shipped?
Yes, a temporary registration can be arranged so I can drive it before it gets shipped. My 2014 European Supercharger Vacation is in the works . The validity of the temporary registration is 14 days.
• Shipping: is there anything special I need to tell the shipping company or is it just the same as shipping any other car?
Tesla gave me a PDF called "Lithium-Ion Battery Emergency Response Guide, Model S". Just give that to the shipping co. PM me if you would like a copy; I can't attach it to this post.
Note: I will be asking Tesla to help me with some of these questions so I’ll update the post when I have answers. I think I have nailed down my configuration which is a European P85, MC Red/Tan with all options except:
• P+: no twisty mountain roads, don’t want staggered wheels, more inclined towards luxury, the later production P suspension is much better.
• 21” because I’m going to get aftermarket TSPORTLINE Silver 21’s (see pic) and add Michelin PSP (not PS2).
• Performance Seats: for Tan I didn’t like the suede inserts or colored piping.
• Rear Facing Seats: I don’t have children.
• Dual Chargers: they will never be used. Cannot get enough amps in my garage, and there are just 2 public charging stations in the whole country, daily driving is about 70 km / 43 mi.
• Security Package: car theft not a problem here.
• Subzero: +10 C / 50 F is about the coldest it gets here.
• Prepaid Service: no service center.
Last edited: