CA Smog Testing on ECU Tunes Starting 07.19.2021

BzsBimmer · 07-19-2021, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvq

I think all of this hinges on the idea that one can flash back to stock in order to get the checksums to be the same as what oem provides. Is that even truely possible? Isn't this the same technique bmw uses to detect tunes in the first place?

This is my concern as well but I just got my DMV renewal and no smog needed so at least for another year, I won’t have to worry!!

jpy1980 · 07-19-2021, 09:44 AM

We will see in the next couple of days as I need to get the new buyer of my car a smog certificate and I will go get tested. This makes me think that selling the car privately is a big headache and I'd rather lose a bit of money and just sell it to a dealer. ugh.

BzsBimmer · 07-19-2021, 10:05 AM

^ well thanks for being the canary in the coal mine!!

hellokitty · 07-19-2021, 10:39 AM

Good luck!

Tangent · 07-19-2021, 03:15 PM

Well, looks like I'll be sticking with the piggyback on my M4 until I can get the hell out of this state...

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZBLOOM3

This has already been effect for over 3 years years now

Are you sure? I've gotten my Z4 with an MHD Stage 1 tune smogged in that time and it passed with no problem.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpy1980

Darn. I am actually selling my car and apparently in CA the Seller needs to provide the buyer a smog certificate that the car can pass smog.

...

I've sold several cars here and never once done the smog check myself. Sell it "as is" and the buyer will need to smog it when they go to register it in their name. Just be sure to let them know it's tuned so you aren't setting them up for anything unexpected.

pitkin_g · 07-19-2021, 04:37 PM

I have also sold many cars without smog "as is". BUT, this does not really protect you in CA as a seller. By law, you are responsible to smog the car before you sell. If, at any point the new buyer has any smog related issue/s after they buy "as is" from you, you will still be legally responsible. I am not a lawyer therefore please do your own research.
Nowadays, I would smog any car I sell for a peace of mind in order to be 100% done with it when its gone. Otherwise its an uneasy feeling.
So in short - in CA - "As is" sale does not protect you smog wise. Just my experience with this topic.......

Tdog86 · 07-22-2021, 12:32 AM

Now I'm wondering if it's a good idea to have a second dme and have it tuned with bm3 or something like that and one stock. Does anyone know if it would work fine? Also swapping back and forth with no problems if you had it reprogrammed for your car?

hellokitty · 07-22-2021, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tdog86

Now I'm wondering if it's a good idea to have a second dme and have it tuned with bm3 or something like that and one stock. Does anyone know if it would work fine? Also swapping back and forth with no problems if you had it reprogrammed for your car?

I don't think this approach is very feasible. The dealer would not likely program a second DME for you.

Tdog86 · 07-22-2021, 10:19 AM

Can't you reprogram it on ista?

XnogarD · 07-22-2021, 12:34 PM

In theory, BM3 flash should be fine as long its reverted back to stock before smog. I flash back to stock before I take my car in for work at the dealership, no issues yet. So I assume that should work the same for smog?

But with California Smog Law also, I won't have to smog for a long time anyways. Something like 8 years for new cars. So unless you plan to get a new car every 8 year :P.

Dirty Harry · 07-22-2021, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XnogarD

But with California Smog Law also, I won't have to smog for a long time anyways. Something like 8 years for new cars. So unless you plan to get a new car every 8 year :P.

Do you know what year they started that 8 year window? I have MY 2018 and I thought it was 6 years before a smog. I get a carfax report update every month and it says I have a little over 2 years left before emissions inspection.

Wanted_M · 07-23-2021, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirty Harry

Do you know what year they started that 8 year window? I have MY 2018 and I thought it was 6 years before a smog. I get a carfax report update every month and it says I have a little over 2 years left before emissions inspection.

As per DMV:
Starting January 1, 2019, if your vehicle is less than 4 model years old, you can pay a smog abatement fee instead of getting a smog inspection for the first 8 years that your vehicle is registered.

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicl...g-inspections/

petar7408 · 07-23-2021, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wanted_M

As per DMV:
Starting January 1, 2019, if your vehicle is less than 4 model years old, you can pay a smog abatement fee instead of getting a smog inspection for the first 8 years that your vehicle is registered.

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicl...g-inspections/

yes, we "pay" not to do smog.. This state is out of control.

new cars need smog on the 5th year and then every other after that.

Also you can't sell a car anymore without smog, that is the law now in CA

Wanted_M · 07-23-2021, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petar7408

Also you can't sell a car anymore without smog, that is the law now in CA

If you sell a car that's <4yrs old no need to smog, new owner just pays the smog abatement fee when he registers the car. Years 4-6 you continue to pay fee and years 6-8 the fee goes a bit higher then biannual testing after that. Not to get political but its all about the $$.

lvevo · 07-23-2021, 11:52 AM

If you buy a car new, you don't have to "smog test" the car for 8 year.

I have been told if you buy a car that is 1 or 2 years old, then you don't have to "smog test" the car for 5 years.

I didn't ask if the car was bought new in California or out of state. I'm not sure that makes a difference?

BzsBimmer · 07-23-2021, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wanted_M

If you sell a car that's <4yrs old no need to smog, new owner just pays the smog abatement fee when he registers the car. Years 4-6 you continue to pay fee and years 6-8 the fee goes a bit higher then biannual testing after that. Not to get political but its all about the $$.

I thought it was for the environment 🤣

Wanted_M · 07-23-2021, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lvevo

If you buy a car new, you don't have to "smog test" the car for 8 year.

I have been told if you buy a car that is 1 or 2 years old, then you don't have to "smog test" the car for 5 years.

I didn't ask if the car was bought new in California or out of state. I'm not sure that makes a difference?

As per DMV:

Your vehicle does not need a smog inspection if your:
Gasoline-powered vehicle is a 1975 year model or older (This includes motorcycles and trailers.)
Diesel-powered vehicle is a 1997 and older year model OR with a Gross Vehicle Weight of more than 14,000 pounds.
Powered by natural gas and weighs more than 14,000 pounds.
An electric vehicle.
Gasoline-powered and less than eight model-years old.

petar7408 · 07-23-2021, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wanted_M

If you sell a car that's <4yrs old no need to smog, new owner just pays the smog abatement fee when he registers the car. Years 4-6 you continue to pay fee and years 6-8 the fee goes a bit higher then biannual testing after that. Not to get political but its all about the $$.

yes, no car under 5 years needs a smog- I was thinking if you sell a used car that is older then that.

Someone said 8 years? I'm pretty sure its 5 years

J_Spool · 07-26-2021, 10:54 AM

My understanding is 6yrs smog exempt along with biannual which throws you to 8yrs if you lucky before you need to smog. Aka a 2016 will need to do smog 2024. I've seen these with some.of my older cars.

XnogarD · 07-26-2021, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petar7408

yes, no car under 5 years needs a smog- I was thinking if you sell a used car that is older then that.

Someone said 8 years? I'm pretty sure its 5 years

It says 8 years on the DMV website. As to when that was implemented, I do not know exactly.

Quote:

Gasoline-powered and less than eight model-years old.

src: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicl...g-inspections/
src: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/file/18vin19-pdf/

Bimmer07 · 07-27-2021, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N1rve

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtecnik

Anyone heard about this?

https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a3...m=social-media

I thought flashing back to stock was normal protocol before getting a SMOG?

Is flashing back to stock has to be done by a pro tuner or its a sinole thing?

MisterF80M3 · 07-27-2021, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SheaButter

I learned this the hard way with my old M3. I was unaware that you couldn't sell it as is, without a smog before selling (not all states have this law). Shortly after selling my M, I get a message from the buyer threatening legal action if I didn't refund $3000. I was given the choice to refund $3000 or buy the car back (and assume he didn't damage anything)... Basically he did this to get a free TA upgrade services (E9X).

Was the M3 not able to pass smog?

07-19-2021, 09:44 AM	#24
jpy1980 Lieutenant Colonel 1582 Rep 1,976 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW M3 -Smurfy Blue Vinyl Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (3)	We will see in the next couple of days as I need to get the new buyer of my car a smog certificate and I will go get tested. This makes me think that selling the car privately is a big headache and I'd rather lose a bit of money and just sell it to a dealer. ugh.
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07-19-2021, 10:05 AM	#25
BzsBimmer Major General 3270 Rep 6,723 Posts Drives: '23 G80 FO M3, M3 & MY Tezzy's Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Nor. Cal iTrader: (32)	^ well thanks for being the canary in the coal mine!!
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07-19-2021, 10:39 AM	#26
hellokitty Brigadier General 2896 Rep 3,726 Posts Drives: '17 M3 ZCP DCT Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Southern California iTrader: (2)	Good luck! __________________ 2017 F80 M3 ZCP / AA GESI DPs / Akrapovic Evo / BBS FI-R 19" / Bend Calibration ECUTEK Flex Fuel \| Bilstein B16 DDC + CS EDC / BMC Filters / BMS OCC / CSF HE / ESS CP / Nitto NT555R2 / PD Crank Hub / SPL Suspension / Uniden R7 / Wagner Top Mount IC 2021 Mini GP3 / BMC Filters / BM3 / Cary Jordan E30 / Wagner IC / Remus Race
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07-19-2021, 04:37 PM	#28
pitkin_g Enlisted Member 27 Rep 49 Posts Drives: 2015 F80 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0)	I have also sold many cars without smog "as is". BUT, this does not really protect you in CA as a seller. By law, you are responsible to smog the car before you sell. If, at any point the new buyer has any smog related issue/s after they buy "as is" from you, you will still be legally responsible. I am not a lawyer therefore please do your own research. Nowadays, I would smog any car I sell for a peace of mind in order to be 100% done with it when its gone. Otherwise its an uneasy feeling. So in short - in CA - "As is" sale does not protect you smog wise. Just my experience with this topic.......
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07-22-2021, 12:32 AM	#29
Tdog86 Private First Class 68 Rep 149 Posts Drives: BMW M3 Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (1) Garage List 2016 BMW M3 [9.50] 2016 bmw m3 [0.00]	Now I'm wondering if it's a good idea to have a second dme and have it tuned with bm3 or something like that and one stock. Does anyone know if it would work fine? Also swapping back and forth with no problems if you had it reprogrammed for your car?
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07-22-2021, 10:19 AM	#31
Tdog86 Private First Class 68 Rep 149 Posts Drives: BMW M3 Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (1) Garage List 2016 BMW M3 [9.50] 2016 bmw m3 [0.00]	Can't you reprogram it on ista?
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07-22-2021, 12:34 PM	#32
XnogarD Private First Class 71 Rep 175 Posts Drives: TOO FAST Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Irvine/Newport iTrader: (1) Garage List 2019 BMW F82 M4 CS [0.00] 2010 BMW E92 M3 [0.00]	In theory, BM3 flash should be fine as long its reverted back to stock before smog. I flash back to stock before I take my car in for work at the dealership, no issues yet. So I assume that should work the same for smog? But with California Smog Law also, I won't have to smog for a long time anyways. Something like 8 years for new cars. So unless you plan to get a new car every 8 year :P. __________________ Daily - '19 Sapphire Black F82 M4CS Garaged - '10 Jet Black E92 M3 6MT Garaged - '03 Silverstone AP1 S2000
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07-23-2021, 11:52 AM	#37
lvevo Private First Class 76 Rep 151 Posts Drives: Evo 9, Focus RS Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: IE, CA iTrader: (0)	If you buy a car new, you don't have to "smog test" the car for 8 year. I have been told if you buy a car that is 1 or 2 years old, then you don't have to "smog test" the car for 5 years. I didn't ask if the car was bought new in California or out of state. I'm not sure that makes a difference? __________________ Passively looking for a F80 M3 Competition & Executive w/ manual trans in all colors but black. Prefer 2018 and Carbon Cloth seats.
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07-26-2021, 10:54 AM	#41
J_Spool Private 11 Rep 59 Posts Drives: E92 335i E60 535i Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	My understanding is 6yrs smog exempt along with biannual which throws you to 8yrs if you lucky before you need to smog. Aka a 2016 will need to do smog 2024. I've seen these with some.of my older cars.
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