Importing Lincoln Town Car

[eaglevision993]

Hi,
I just purchased my first Town Car and therefore I want to introduce myself.

I live in Germany, near Heidelberg and just bought the 99 Town Car Signature from the link below.I did not buy it on ebay, I called the seller and he sold it directly.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=320090075598&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=011

I hope the car arrives in the condition it looks like now.
As I assume from the engine compartment pic I think it still has the plastic intake....that shouldn't be a problem to replace.I plan to use the PI intake.

Furthermore, I hope is doesn't leak water on the passenger side....

As I am aware of these are the only 2 known problems many TCs have.But I will of course do a complete tune up.

I also ran a Carfax and it turned out ok.That was all I can do being 5-6000 miles away from the car ;-)

So what do you think about this car? I hope it was a good deal, I paid 7700$ for it and can't wait for it to arrive.

Benny

[DaKat]

Welcome to Lincolns OnLine - enjoy your time with us!

[nailfoot]

Welcome eaglevision! I have bought two cars from eBay sight-unseen. $7700 for a 1999 sounds like a good deal, of course it comes down to details. As long as you didn't get hosed on the importation fees you did okay.

[eaglevision993]

Yes of course, there are some additional fees: Shipping is 1600 $insured, and I have to pay 10% EU-Import tax and 19% Germany sales tax.

It won't be cheap, but still about half the price a TC would cost at a dealer overhere.And I couldn't find a single one overhere that I liked.There are only abou 5 for sale in the whole country at the moment so no chance for a good deal.

On the other hand the $/Euro exchange rate is pretty low right now, so it is quite affordable if I go the self-import way.

So I will go through the whole import thing rather than just buy an overpriced from a dealer here.

I can do all repairs by myself, I have a 1992 Continental right now so I'm used to Lincoln.I already downloaded the service manual.

I just hope it won't be a lemon....

Benny

[pro-five-oh]

As I assume from the engine compartment pic I think it still has the plastic intake....that shouldn't be a problem to replace.I plan to use the PI intake.

Its not that easy, you need PI heads to make a PI intake work. Just get the replacement Dorman intake if you only want a more durable replacement.


Furthermore, I hope is doesn't leak water on the passenger side....

Easy fix with some silicone, fingers crossed. :)

So what do you think about this car? I hope it was a good deal, I paid 7700$ for it and can't wait for it to arrive.


Congrats, it sounds like a nice car, especially for the price. You'll be the envy of the Autobahn, now that there is speed limits most everywhere. :)

[eaglevision993]

Oh I thought the PI intake can always be used as a replacement for the all-plastic one....

I read somewhere that it would bring about 20 hp?

Benny

[pro-five-oh]

Oh I thought the PI intake can always be used as a replacement for the all-plastic one....

I read somewhere that it would bring about 20 hp?

Benny

Not true. PI intake and heads will add approx 20hp, if your car has dual exhaust and gets tuned with a computer re-program. More importantly, it will net you a lot fatter powerband...

You should do this, if you want that American V8 sound to really shine:

http://www.lincolnsonline.com/tech/00149.html

[eaglevision993]

Thanks for letting me know, I though I just had to swap the intake.But I think I will just change to the newer intake version and do the Intake Tube Mod.

I don't know if the car has a dual exhaust, but I don't think so.

I don't want the car loud at steady speed, but I want to hear the V8 when I hit the gas and maybe a lil growl at idle.

Benny

[v8_dave]

Oh I thought the PI intake can always be used as a replacement for the all-plastic one....

I read somewhere that it would bring about 20 hp?

Benny

You will get 10 or so out of the swap. Its worth it considering you need a new intake anyway. Its an easy swap and no you DONT need new heads, just a FORD PI intake, not Droman. http://www.redpulsar.us/~coldfusion/intakeswap.html

[eaglevision993]

Hmm...well I guess I will stick with the improved standard intake then....I don't think 10 Hp is a real big deal on that car and I read that there is a loss in low end response also.
I am not revving the engine past 3k usually so I better stick with the sock intake and the intake tube mod.

But so far I'm still waiting for the car and this will take some weeks....

I will let you know when it arrives.

Best regards
Benny

[pro-five-oh]

You will get 10 or so out of the swap. Its worth it considering you need a new intake anyway. Its an easy swap and no you DONT need new heads, just a FORD PI intake, not Droman. http://www.redpulsar.us/~coldfusion/intakeswap.html (http://www.redpulsar.us/%7Ecoldfusion/intakeswap.html)

I seriously question this article.

PI heads have a larger, more square intake port. There's a matching intake manifold to go with. Going to a PI intake on an older Town Car is like ramming a big square peg in a small round hole.

I don't think its a good idea and neither does the 4.6L Guru, Mr. Sean Hyland.

[Dereck]

Hi Eaglevision993

Welcome dude :cheer:

You should have done some more reasearch dude a friend of mine has a 2001 Town Car (http://www.silvercrosscars.com/11.html) for sale at $8000, he can even get you a good deal on shipping.

Will you be taking the Town Car to The American Power on Wheels meet in Antwerp, Belgium? If you are then I will see you there :)

http://www.apow-meeting.be/flyer%20apow%202007%20VOORklein.jpg

Regards

Dereck

[eaglevision993]

Don't know about the meet in Belgium yet.

Concerning the Townn Car in the link, that for sure is a great offer....but to late for me.The car is already paid and ready to ship.

But thanks for the link, I will keep it for maybe future cars.

Benny

[AZLincolnMercury]

Das ist sehr gut!

http://carad.ebayimg.com/i8/02/a/000/77/5f/c429_4.JPG

[eaglevision993]

Danke! :-)

I hope it really looks as good and clean as on the pics.
If it does it really was a good deal I think.

I will keep you updated when the car arrives.

Benny

[eaglevision993]

Oh I have another question:

The TC has the Alpine stereo system, but I quess it has no CD changer.
Does anyone know if it already has the wiring in the trunk for the CD player.

And if so, which CD changers do work.
I know there are lots of types with different model numbers, but they obly differ in their mounting bracket.
The mounting is not so important, I just need to know if the player itself is compatible.

I found lots on ebay with the same connector but I do not know which model years are compatible with the 1999 Alpine system.

Thanks in advance
Benny

[AZLincolnMercury]

Oh I have another question:

The TC has the Alpine stereo system, but I quess it has no CD changer.
Does anyone know if it already has the wiring in the trunk for the CD player.

And if so, which CD changers do work.
I know there are lots of types with different model numbers, but they obly differ in their mounting bracket.
The mounting is not so important, I just need to know if the player itself is compatible.

I found lots on ebay with the same connector but I do not know which model years are compatible with the 1999 Alpine system.

Thanks in advance
Benny

Many Ford model/years will work with your radio. It doesn't make a difference if your radio is a factory Alpine, JBL, Mach, etc.

If it is pre wired, you will find the connector under the trunk carpeting near the driver's side frame rail. Most of the Ford units are made by Clarion and use a square 12 pin connector. It is a plug and play operation and all the steering wheel controls will work properly.

I would wait on ordering anything unit you receive your vehicle and determine if it is pre-wired. At that time I can send you a few eBay links.

Believe it or not I secured mine with heavy duty Velcro.
3005
http://www.autotoys.com/pics/fordmate.jpg
http://www.chaching.info/~kjsonly/021907030.jpg

[eaglevision993]

Hi,
The car finally arrived in Germany 2 weeks ago.
It's in even better shape I thought it would be.

Nothing wrong with it so far, execpt it still has the plastic intake which will be replaced BEFORE it breaks.

Now I just need a CD changer and I'm good to go. The wiring is already in the trunk so this should also be an easy upgrade.

I did not find the time to take some pictures but I will post them when I have some.

Best regards
Benny

[v8_dave]

You will enjoy it!