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Tesla Model 3 potential export to NZ from UK

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Hello everyone,

I'm considering planning to export my UK Tesla Model 3 Performance to New Zealand and am seeking advice from anyone who has experience or knowledge in this area. My primary concern was around the cellular data connection functionality after the move.

Tesla UK informed me that the cellular data connection in my car would not work in New Zealand. However, Tesla NZ mentioned that they could swap the SIM card and load maps, but they haven't directly addressed the compatibility issues of the cellular hardware with the NZ region, as pointed out by Tesla UK.

Additionally, I am aware that my remaining one-year warranty will not be valid in New Zealand. Beyond these concerns, I am also open to hearing about any other potential challenges or considerations that I might not have thought of. Specifically, I'm interested in:

1. Has anyone successfully transitioned a Tesla from the UK (or a similar region) to NZ, and how did you manage the cellular connectivity issue?
2. Are there any technical modifications or regulatory compliances I should be aware of?
3. Any insights on the impact of such a move on the car’s software updates or serviceability in NZ?
4. Other logistical or technical challenges that might arise during or after the import process.

And here's my current pros/cons list:

Pros:
- Save a couple thousand GBP (maybe)?

Cons:
- Insurnace in NZ? Dificulty insuring?
- No warranty on battery (8 years)
- Lose 1 year left on warrent
- Have to change MCU cellular hardware maybe?
- Resale value of import lower?
- Cant’ change to bigger car
- No car for first couple months
- Maybe something wrong with battery - 12v dead upon import
- Stress of the shipping process

Some quotes I found on this forum:

>> Personally, IMHO, you would have to save a fair chunk of money before it would be worth the hassle. It is really only worth it for specialist collector/performance vehicles.

> Thank you for taking the time to respond Adam. Your points are well taken and understood. For me it's a little emotional having waited so long for the car originally (never waited for a car before) and now with only 14K kms on the clock, it seems almost impossible to give it up.....but you're probably right. Thanks again.

I appreciate any insights, experiences, or advice you can offer. Your input will be invaluable in helping me navigate this process smoothly.

Thank you!

Tesla UK said:

> Hi Antony, thank you for your message. Unfortunately, the cellular modem fitted to your car is EU specific to the vehicle and after exporting to an APAC country, will not function. We are unable to retrofit different configuration modems to your vehicle.

Tesla NZ said:

> Data will work. You need to provide a NZ sim card, which we install. We can't do the radio as it is not compatible. We can also change the Maps to NZ so you have the NZ navigation on your screen.
 
Re your "Pro" item: you will take a resale hit on an imported vehicle, probably best to flog it in the UK.
Also depends a little on your timing - a LR Model 3 can be had here for NZD70k or so, but you have to order soon as the 7k govt. rebate will likely go.
Delivery for Mar 2024.
 
NZ has a lot of imported Model S/X from Japan but also the UK. Tesla has helped those owners and changed over their SIM cards and changed the map locations for them so you should be fine there. You will give up any warranty that you might have remaining though - Tesla does not transfer warranties from other regions. Insurance shouldn't be an issue - they're used to insuring imports.

Honestly, how attached are you to the car? Depending how much you could get for it by selling it in the UK along with all the import related costs, you could pick up another Performance here, like this 2022 with 9k km on the odo for $79k
 
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I remember seeing a post listing import issues and car arriving dead as battery flat out and needed some replacement and more to even get it moving.

Drive EV, sells imported cars.. might help you with import process.

Personally I would cut my loses, sell back at home... book latest highlander at NZ and collect it in new year....

NZ 7K grant is ended... as grant only paid on registry and nothing getting delivered before new year for fresh order....

driving performance, I am sure you are not buying to get 7K free... so ignore those deadlines... otherwise just pick one from existing inventory to receive early: