I don't think your PZ was made in Germany. It was made here, shipped to Europe then shipped back.

Reimports can be just fine, its all about condition. I just wouldn't suggest buying any machine sight unseen.

There's jumpers on the CPU board that configure the default language, that's why it always resets back to German when you restore it. The pinrepair.com site has more info...

http://www.pinrepair.com/wpc/index1.htm (do a find for "default language" to get to the section with the right info)

Your game was produced at the US factory for export to Germany. Most re-imports will have a different coin door, but I hear the ones that went to Mexico had the US coin door.

Here's some more good info:

http://www.pinrepair.com/de/index3.htm#convert

Here's a recent discussion on re-imports:

http://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/are-there-cons-to-buying-a-re-import#post-21030

Basically, any full sized pinball machine other than Zaccaria was made in the US. Specifically, Chicago.

My STTNG is a re-import. Other than the coin door, you would never know it without lifting up the playfield and looking at the electrical system. The machine is in great cosmetic and mechanical condition, so it just goes to show that there is nothing inherently bad about a re-imported machine. I know sellers will often mention that a game is NOT a re-import, and I think they are merely playing off the common misconception that re-imports are somehow inferior. The bottom line is that you should always judge each pin on case by case basis.

This is all second hand information, so don't shoot the messenger!

I heard imports were abused more and more prone to wiring hacks.....

I heard imports were abused more and more prone to wiring hacks

Thats why you need to look the game over before buying. I've found hacks on domestic games and reimports alike.

I'm looking at one this weekend which I suspect may be a re-import because of the single coin slot. It looks pretty clean in the pics, and I'm told it's very nice throughout. Looking forward to checking it out in person, because it's one I really want!

I don't believe it was anyone's intention to shoot the messenger in this conversation...

My Centaur was a re-import also. When I dug into it and realy started cleaning it out, I found a bunch of tokens inside with German writing on it. I looked it up on the internet and had it translated. It was for a coin laundry. I also found some old Score / Instruction cards inside the cabinet that were in German.

I saved the tokens. Still have them in a bag somewhere.

G

Don't let that word sway you away... Reimport vs. domestic to me ====== I don't give a rats bottom end where it's been as long as it's a solid machine.. I've heard all the reimport hype and it all comes down to the bottom line = what condition is it in???? I've seen reimports that would make a domestic look like an 80yr old hooker!!!!

I've seen reimports that would make a domestic look like an 80yr old hooker!!!!

I hate to see what a 80 year old hooker looks like!

It's the same thing with HUO. Just because it is HUO doesn't mean it is in great shape. I've seen routed pins that were in phenomenal condition and HUO pins that were not well cared for at all.

Is a HUO hooker better that a re-imported hooker?

Is a HUO hooker better that a re-imported hooker?

Depends alot on the home the hooker was in, what the hooker looks like, where the hooker was re-imported from etc. etc.

Does it matter how much home use the hooker got? Needs a little cleaning and waxing on where you put the quarters in!!!

If you are dealing with a re-import hooker, I highly recommend using those little condom things that go over the bulbs.

Half (5 of 10) of my machines were actually purchased by me in Europe. Actually 7 of 10 were bought in Europe but 2 were US spec on a US base. I did a lot of research before I brought them back. The only thing I could find that was different was the wiring on teh power transformer. It is the same one, just swap a couple wires around. That is what I did when I brought them back. I have taken pictures of the coin doors to post on the imports. I think the metal stamped part of the door is the same on the machines, it just has holes in different places for different coin mechs. I may be wrong, just what it looks like to me. Study the pics for yourselves.

I do second the thoughts on pruchasing sight unseen. My ID4 was purchased from mainland Europe when I was in England. I just send the money and had it shipped based on pics. I do not think I will do that again. Everybody has a different idea of what "shopped" for "mint" or "90%" means.

Centaur_Europe.JPG Xenon_Europe.JPG

If Europe is in the file name, That is where I bought the machine. The white labels on some of the doors are the key number that opens that door. Makes it easier to find the correct key for the machine.

ID4_Europe.JPG WWF_Europe.JPG

The four previous pics were European machines. Police Force was from England and LW3 is a US machine. You can see that the basic metal is the same on many of the machines. Looking at the pics, I really need to get my Centaur and Xenon rebuilt.

Police_Force_Europe.JPG LW3_US.JPG

Hi, Guys.. I know this is an old thread but fingers crossed you can help me.

I stupidly factory reset my The Getaway: HS 2. The machine was originally in German, then to English.. but after the factory reset it's now back to German.

Any ideas how to get it back to the Queens language (English)?

Thanks in-advanced.