[cle2600]

Soon to be new owner of a 228i and new to modding. I don't plan on doing anything but I was curious and starting reading up on modding BMWs.

Why do these companies refuse to ship mods to California? No other state seems to have these restrictions. And what do people in California do?

[Sypher]

From what I understand, California has much stricter smog restrictions

[BarryJI]

Very strict emissions laws which have definitely improved the quality of life here over the last twenty five years but, yes, they impose a ceiling on more aggressive car performance modding. Having said that, the legal mods I've done (below) have given my 228i all the performance I can use on the street and even if I could do more, legally, the value for money in street driving would start to form a steep downward curve.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by cle2600

Soon to be new owner of a 228i and new to modding. I don't plan on doing anything but I was curious and starting reading up on modding BMWs.

Why do these companies refuse to ship mods to California? No other state seems to have these restrictions. And what do people in California do?

CARB

[CalCarNut]

As Mike stated, CARB (California Air Resource Board). It's expensive for an aftermarket company to produce a component that affects the manufacturers. Anything that changes how a car runs (mechanical or software) and changes emissions is required to be extensively tested and be given an EO exemption number. Even Dinan has trouble getting those for certain products.

That being said, 1970 you couldn't breathe in L.A. It's so much better now it's worth all the headaches. Had they not stepped in, we'd be walking around with masks like China........

You can buy lots of other components in CA though..handling, tires/wheels, interior, etc pretty easily if you want to customize any car.

[cle2600]

Thanks! Very informative. Hypothetically speaking, I suppose you could remove the mods or somehow disable them before taking it in for testing, but then you'd be pulling a VW move.

[BarryJI]

Originally Posted by cle2600

Thanks! Very informative. Hypothetically speaking, I suppose you could remove the mods or somehow disable them before taking it in for testing, but then you'd be pulling a VW move.

I don't want to be pulling mods out before SMOG tests (which are further down the road as my car is new) or before scheduled services at the dealership. Also, I have the emissions-friendly version of the 228's engine, the SULEV N26. OP, if you are really keen to mod aggressively (and maybe bust the emissions regs) it is VERY important that you try to get an N20 equipped 228i as there are many more tuning products available for this non-SULEV version of the engine. For me, the Dinan S1 is legal, refined and makes as much power and torque as I can use in street driving. S3 and S4 tunes from Dinan are not street-legal in CA and not available for the N26 but IMO these are really only fully usable on the track. The most transformative mods I've done are the suspension and shock tuning ones anyway, which radically improve the car's driving dynamics under load in everyday street driving and obviously these are not affected by emissions regs.

[cle2600]

I haven't really given it a lot of thought. It's a brand new lease so I'm afraid of modifying the car anyway. And I did get the N26, so I guess it doesn't matter anyway.

The only thing I was considering is putting different tires on than the factory installed run flats. I can put the run flats back on it when I return the car at the end of the lease. Suspension and shock tuning sounds a bit interesting. Improving the dynamics is always good. Where can I research more about them?

[Smallm]

If a person was in need of some "unapproved" devices , one would need to know somebody in another state to use for shipping and then either pick it up there or have them reship it to you. That's the way ......um .... people I know get by with it.

[BarryJI]

Originally Posted by cle2600

I haven't really given it a lot of thought. It's a brand new lease so I'm afraid of modifying the car anyway. And I did get the N26, so I guess it doesn't matter anyway.

The only thing I was considering is putting different tires on than the factory installed run flats. I can put the run flats back on it when I return the car at the end of the lease. Suspension and shock tuning sounds a bit interesting. Improving the dynamics is always good. Where can I research more about them?

As I said, you CAN mod the N26 pretty aggressively and stay legal, there is just a lower ceiling and a smaller range of products. Thank goodness Dinan mods (and indeed races) the 228i.

As yours is a lease I would not advise any suspension mods unless you really don't care about throwing $4-6k on a car you don't own. Tuning the shocks is of limited value without replacing the springs. A Stage 1 tune might be the best thing to do, and leave it at that, if you want more power and torque.

[cle2600]

I was thinking of getting the Dinan Sport mod since it look easy to install / remove. But I'll wait until I've past my break-in period and it's legal in CA.

Does 30HP really make the car feel very different?

[dalrx]

with the current liberal government in Canada and in most populace Provence OntariOWE ...a major anti-carbon push is underway. I believe this type of thing will appear here.

[BarryJI]

Originally Posted by cle2600

I was thinking of getting the Dinan Sport mod since it look easy to install / remove. But I'll wait until I've past my break-in period and it's legal in CA.

Does 30HP really make the car feel very different?

I think that's a very good option for a lease and a 30 HP gain, even at the crank, will certainly be noticeable in a 228i.

[CalCarNut]

Originally Posted by cle2600

I was thinking of getting the Dinan Sport mod since it look easy to install / remove. But I'll wait until I've past my break-in period and it's legal in CA.

Does 30HP really make the car feel very different?

Yes, its over a 10% power bump. Plus its the torque you're going to feel and thats usually well over 30lbs with these piggybacks, etc.....

[Shayan55]

lol, if ur in cali, and u want anything from burger legally just cross that off your list right about now

[mike@x-ph.com]

Legally, all parts (tunes, intercoolers, intakes, downpipes, fuel ignition,etc..)that do not have Carb exemption order are not legal for street use ( this includes all states not just Cali)

[Maynard]

I never lease, so I'm not fully uptodate, but in the past there were stories of manufacturers using the presence of excessive mods (engine/turbo/exhaust) as a way to void the lease terms and force you to take the buyout at their terms (I think the argument was that you did s/t illegal and 'ruined' the car for their resale - total BS, but who wants to hire a lawyer).

[fancyfl1ght]

Originally Posted by cle2600

Soon to be new owner of a 228i and new to modding. I don't plan on doing anything but I was curious and starting reading up on modding BMWs.

Why do these companies refuse to ship mods to California? No other state seems to have these restrictions. And what do people in California do?

California just annouced that it is now called the Union of the Socialist Republic of California.

You see, here in California, most if not all folks don't know what they are doing, so they legislate almost everything, including car mods. It's kinda like I have no personal responsibility so I'll the state tell me what I can and can not do.

Seriously, though, google "package fowarding service".

[Tpeterson]

California: too many people,too many cars. Regulation is inevitable if you like clean air.

[BarryJI]

Originally Posted by fancyfl1ght

California just annouced that it is now called the Union of the Socialist Republic of California.

You see, here in California, most if not all folks don't know what they are doing, so they legislate almost everything, including car mods. It's kinda like I have no personal responsibility so I'll the state tell me what I can and can not do.

Seriously, though, google "package fowarding service".

Please keep your bonehead politics out of this. Emissions controls have been very effective in dealing with smog in the L.A. basin over the last thirty years, resulting in much better air quality and a higher quality of life, especially for children. It's good public policy even if it inconveniences performance car enthusiasts and aggravates a few right-wing nutjobs.

[Benandluna]

Use Dinan. I moded my exhaust it meets 50 state restrictions but won't pass smog visual.

I at least feel good about not polluting the state and getting more power.

I wouldn't risk using a cat bypass straight pipe.

[fancyfl1ght]

Originally Posted by Benandluna

Use Dinan. I moded my exhaust it meets 50 state restrictions but won't pass smog visual.

I at least feel good about not polluting the state and getting more power.

I wouldn't risk using a cat bypass straight pipe.

Year 1 - Setup Package Forwarding Service. Order and Install Burger. Install Catless Downpipes.

Enjoy thrilling performance, noise, and fuel smell.

Year 6 - Remove Burger and Install Factory Downpipes. If its made it this far, you might as well keep it.