[Yungsta]

My warranty will expire in about 6k miles on my 2016 435i. Looking forward to doing a flash tune (considering BM3). Still debating whether stage 2 is worth it for me in California with smog test req. If not stage 2, is stage 1 "good enough" and worth it by itself? I know the basics, need a new chargepipe and intercooler, maybe an intake. I already have a catback exhaust. I don't think I can go catless downpipe, but im reading stage 2 needs a DP. If anyone in California is in the same dilemna as me, pls share some thoughts.

[McLaren720s]

I think Stage 1 by itself is absolutely worth it. The power increase quite significant (60-70hp at the crank) and adding an intercooler will improve it further.
I do believe there are some catted downpipes that will not throw a CEL and still comply with emission regulations, and will allow you to then flash Stage 2, but maybe other users can chime in more on that.

[Phyrexia]

Some counties in California will perform visual inspections and catted downpipes will fail those. If you just get sniff tested, you'll probably be good to go with a catted downpipe. You might want to look into the legal penalties for being caught with CA-illegal equipment a la a downpipe. Not finger wagging, just saying.

I can't speak to BM3 but MHD Stage I is definitely worth it for me with an otherwise stock car. I can get 93 octane here though.

[sspade]

The first year your car will require a smog test is 2022. Worry about it then.

For now... go catless and flash BM3.

[mlev]

Originally Posted by sspade

The first year your car will require a smog test is 2022. Worry about it then.

For now... go catless and flash BM3.

This year they actually changed it to 8 years, so he really doesn't have to worry about it until 2024. Plenty of time (if you still even have the car by then)

I have all installed components to run BM3 Stage 2 (except gapped plugs) and I'm more than happy with BM3 Stage 1 at the moment.
Running CG Catted DP + CP + FMIC + Catback in Los Angeles. I chose catted for a less raspy note with my AWE + minimal smell (and no CEL is nice)

[Yungsta]

Originally Posted by mlev

This year they actually changed it to 8 years, so he really doesn't have to worry about it until 2024. Plenty of time (if you still even have the car by then)

I have all installed components to run BM3 Stage 2 (except gapped plugs) and I'm more than happy with BM3 Stage 1 at the moment.
Running CG Catted DP + CP + FMIC + Catback in Los Angeles. I chose catted for a less raspy note with my AWE + minimal smell (and no CEL is nice)

I just looked it up and yes we will be paying a smog abatement fee instead of a smog test. So first one will be 2024. That changes everything lol. Definitely considering a catted DP now. Thanks for the info everyone!

[Poochie]

Originally Posted by mlev

This year they actually changed it to 8 years, so he really doesn't have to worry about it until 2024. Plenty of time (if you still even have the car by then)

I have all installed components to run BM3 Stage 2 (except gapped plugs) and I'm more than happy with BM3 Stage 1 at the moment.
Running CG Catted DP + CP + FMIC + Catback in Los Angeles. I chose catted for a less raspy note with my AWE + minimal smell (and no CEL is nice)

CA doesn't have an annual OBD2 inspection and readiness check like say NY state?

[upsidedownfunnel]

Originally Posted by Poochie

CA doesn't have an annual OBD2 inspection and readiness check like say NY state?

California recently increased the time before the first smog inspection to 8 years. This was 6 years prior to 2019 and I think used to be 4 years sometime before.

We pay a smog abatement fee every year of $20 but for years 7 & 8, that was raised to $25. So basically we pay $5 more per year to skip years 7 and 8. Fine by me. Probably bad for mechanics that do smog checks.

I think everyone who wanted to modify their cars are finding ways around the smog checks and everyone who doesn't really don't have emissions issues the first 8 years of a modern car's life. So the smog checks are kind of pointless. California would need to increase enforcement efforts if they wanted to make a difference so they're just making it easier for the honest people, basically, by not requiring a smog test when new cars really don't need them if kept stock.

[deezeedee335]

I am FBO and BM3 stage 2 in Nor Cal.

If you are very hands on with your car it should not be an issue.

It roughly take me 30 minutes to change the down-pipe out of the car. Takes me longer to get the car on jack stands and remove the bottom engine cover. I have done it numerous times when I had to take it in for dealer service and recall work when I was under warranty.

[_bdiddyb_]

Keep your OEM downpipe and just swap it in when time for smog check. bm3 catless all day.

[nicksam5]

I an a little confused about bootmod3. I have a 330i G20 and want a bootmod3, but I live in Cali. So would a stage 2 not be able to pass smog? or what is the best way to go at this.

[thejeremyman9]

Originally Posted by nicksam5

I an a little confused about bootmod3. I have a 330i G20 and want a bootmod3, but I live in Cali. So would a stage 2 not be able to pass smog? or what is the best way to go at this.

If you have a G20 then you have quite a while until you need to worry about getting a smog check.

"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/

So you won't need one until 8 years after the vehicle was originally registered. You should be aware however it is technically still illegal to do any modification (except those CARB approved) that affects the emission control system (as all the disclaimers on websites state), but you wont have to actually go get checked unless you get pulled over and get a state ref or something. Typically not a concern people worry about, but just so you are aware.

So basically, do whatever you want for now, and if you still own the car when it is 8 years old, be prepared to swap back in the OEM DP or get one that will get your emissions monitors into ready state.

[14F30Daily]

BM3 stage 1 is a great amount of fun. Im basically waiting to go stage 2 until I get the sport cat downpipe next year. Also cool with BM3 is that you can buy one map then all maps for only $50 additional.

[nicksam5]

Originally Posted by thejeremyman9

If you have a G20 then you have quite a while until you need to worry about getting a smog check.

"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/

So you won't need one until 8 years after the vehicle was originally registered. You should be aware however it is technically still illegal to do any modification (except those CARB approved) that affects the emission control system (as all the disclaimers on websites state), but you wont have to actually go get checked unless you get pulled over and get a state ref or something. Typically not a concern people worry about, but just so you are aware.

So basically, do whatever you want for now, and if you still own the car when it is 8 years old, be prepared to swap back in the OEM DP or get one that will get your emissions monitors into ready state.

Oh did not know that. That's huge probably going to go for stage 2 then thanks.

[NewCarGuy335i]

Stage 2 all day, Im in Nor Cal and just swap the DP back to stock, flash it back to stock, drive for about 100 miles so everything can reset and bam, easy smog test done. then put the DP back on flash, and your back to having fun. Smog is every 2 years so its not much of an issue, and the fun is worth it. You might even start craving more and better to already be catless when that itch hits

[thejeremyman9]

Originally Posted by NewCarGuy335i

Stage 2 all day, Im in Nor Cal and just swap the DP back to stock, flash it back to stock, drive for about 100 miles so everything can reset and bam, easy smog test done. then put the DP back on flash, and your back to having fun. Smog is every 2 years so its not much of an issue, and the fun is worth it. You might even start craving more and better to already be catless when that itch hits

Correct, but he wont even need to do this for a while with a new car.

[NewCarGuy335i]

Originally Posted by thejeremyman9

Correct, but he wont even need to do this for a while with a new car.

True, all the better to do this now and enjoy it even longer

[itsrichierich]

So I think I got flagged by state ref because of my tune? Maybe it was random?

Took all my parts off and tuned the car back to stock but I didn’t relock it, thinking it would be fine. Went to get the car smogged and it got flagged to get inspected by state ref. Swapped the tune to stock but this time relocked it, hopefully this won’t be an issue...

[n55david]

Originally Posted by itsrichierich

So I think I got flagged by state ref because of my tune? Maybe it was random?

Took all my parts off and tuned the car back to stock but I didn’t relock it, thinking it would be fine. Went to get the car smogged and it got flagged to get inspected by state ref. Swapped the tune to stock but this time relocked it, hopefully this won’t be an issue...

random dumb luck is likely

[BMW DRIVEN]

Originally Posted by sspade

The first year your car will require a smog test is 2022. Worry about it then.

For now... go catless and flash BM3.

Agreed. Power gains and sound of a catless dp is definitely worth it. I'm in California and have a guy in SD who smogs for me.

[thejeremyman9]

Originally Posted by itsrichierich

So I think I got flagged by state ref because of my tune? Maybe it was random?

Took all my parts off and tuned the car back to stock but I didn’t relock it, thinking it would be fine. Went to get the car smogged and it got flagged to get inspected by state ref. Swapped the tune to stock but this time relocked it, hopefully this won’t be an issue...

Interesting, they didnt say why? I wont have to get smogged until 2023 but knowing this, i will probably play it safe and flash back to stock and relock the DME when the time comes.

[GAB0]

Originally Posted by itsrichierich

So I think I got flagged by state ref because of my tune? Maybe it was random?

Took all my parts off and tuned the car back to stock but I didn’t relock it, thinking it would be fine. Went to get the car smogged and it got flagged to get inspected by state ref. Swapped the tune to stock but this time relocked it, hopefully this won’t be an issue...

CA has begun to verify the check sum of DME's (ECU's) and comparing them to a database compiled over the years. The database is populated using information provided by the OEM manufacturers, in this case BMW. In other words, just like the dealership. California can now detect the DME was tampered with.

In my opinion, if relocking the DME keeps the dealership from being able to detect tampering, then technically CA smog test stations wouldn't be able to either.

Can anyone confirm relocking the DME keeps the dealership from detecting tampering?