I ordered a C Class sport coupé while living in Germany in April 2001. Shortly after ordering it and paying a 10% deposit, I got sent to France by my company. As I couldn't cancel my order without losing the deposit, I was forced to import my new MB to France shortly after delivery in August 2001. I had to pay the VAT difference (19.6%-17.5%) then a whole load of other bureaucaratic charges.
That was just the start of the hassle!
Almost two years down the line, I have given up on this car. Endless nightmare hassles which I can't be bothered to write out here.
If I had still been in Germany, I would have qualified for an exchange car (Wendelwagon) long ago. But because I cross-border imported, I have no chance. I have even got a fax from the factory confirming this. They won't give any form of lemon-law compensation because I cross-border imported.
Anyway, I'm entirely fed up with Daimler Chrysler, so have just decided to accept that I made a mistake buying MB and sell the car. But if there are any EU lawyers here, I would be happy to forward the fax from MB because I'm fairly sure it would be illegal to penalise EU citizens like this. Any body know for sure?