Relocating to NC - guidance: Inspections, CA, SA.

[GaoKS]

We will be relocating to Charlotte in a month or so. Have done research online and have come to see that inspections/automotive regulations are quite tight in NC. I've got 20% tint on all 4 windows on our accord and 20% on the the rear on our M4. The accord is illegal here in TX but have never ran into an issue.

For someone moving to the area for those locally:

1. Is it true around inspection being incredibly strict regarding tint? If so, do you guys have a "guy" who passes your vehicles?

2. I noticed 2 BMW dealers in the area - both Hedrick apparently. Do you guys have recommended CA/SA for future purchase and service needs?

3. Fun driving roads - any recommendations?

Thanks all!

[RoundelM3]

Welcome to NC!

1. You'll need to remove your 20% tint and replace with 35%. The troopers here check with a meter, and they can spot it from a pretty good distance. I relocated here from TX and had 30%, which would not pass inspection. "Passing" a non-compliant tinted car would result in a big penalty for the inspection place operator.

2. Hendrick - too far away from me, but Rick Hendrick has a good reputation at all his dealerships. My dealer/CA/SA is in Wilmington, just north of where I am.

3. Nothing specific, but the more rural the county, the more fun the roads can be. You'll need to stay outside the "loop" around Charlotte to find some. Some of the best are in the mountain areas from Asheville to Boone, including the Blue Ridge Parkway, although that's scenic and has a max speed limit of 45 MPH. The Outer Banks over here on the coast has Highway 12 running from Corolla in the North all the down to the tip of Hatteras Island, then a ferry ride to Ocracoke, and from there another ferry over to the mainland, not far from Beaufort. Lots of beaches, dunes, and several lighthouses.

There is also the Charlotte Area of Tarheel Chapter, BMW CCA - you can log on to bmwcca.org and get more info and some contacts who can provide better local information than me over here at the southern tip of the state. They do a lot of fun drives on the back roads.

[IB M]

I'm in Charlotte. PM your phone and we can talk through the ins and outs. Hendrick has a monopoly here in town. They are good at service but the SA matters.

Tint is tough with annul inspection but lots of people run darker than 35% legal limit.

Depending where you will work you might consider a SC address to live. My house is 1 mile from the state line and I've thought of moving just to avoid the annual car inspection headache. Definitely lower taxes and less regulation in SC and you are literally on the doorstep of Charlotte so you get the nice roads, and big city life and all that for pennies on the tax dollar.

[lgiambalvo540]

I would only recommend Hendrick for warranty service. If you are out of warranty then I would recommend A&M Auto Service in Pineville. They do excellent work and are less expensive then Hendrick.

If you choose to live in South Carolina then I would pick York county over Lancaster the schools are significantly better.

[M3REALTOR]

Welcome to Charlotte, NC! I was born and raised here pm your info I can give you some more information about Charlotte.

1. The tint law of North Carolina is
-Front side windows must allow 35 percent light in.
-Rear side and back any darkness tint can be used.

2. There is a Hendrick BMW north of Charlotte and Hendrick BMW east of Charlotte. Depends on where you're staying let me know and I can help you find the closet one to you! There's also other shops too that work specifically on euro cars such as eurowise, MP motorwerks, MBV European ltd... etc

PS- Im also a licensed NC/SC real estate agent if you need help relocating here I can also help you with your real estate needs!

[RoundelM3]

Originally Posted by M3REALTOR

Welcome to Charlotte, NC! I was born and raised here pm your info I can give you some more information about Charlotte.

1. The tint law of North Carolina is
-Front side windows must allow 35 percent light in.
-Rear side and back any darkness tint can be used.

2. There is a Hendrick BMW north of Charlotte and Hendrick BMW east of Charlotte. Depends on where you're staying let me know and I can help you find the closet one to you! There's also other shops too that work specifically on euro cars such as eurowise, MP motorwerks, MBV European ltd... etc

PS- Im also a licensed NC/SC real estate agent if you need help relocating here I can also help you with your real estate needs!

Check your state laws again - the rear windows cannot be darker than 35% unless your vehicle is a limo, truck, or SUV:

[FAKE__NEWS]

Originally Posted by RoundelM3

Check your state laws again - the rear windows cannot be darker than 35% unless your vehicle is a limo, truck, or SUV:

Can confirm. And a bored trooper WILL pull out his meter and get you on your windows.

Get a sunshade for the windshield and you'll be fine in the summer.

[watm3]

In Charlotte - call way ahead of time for service!