What a depressing day

[njg86]

It's no wonder I couldn't sleep last night, I sold my e34 yesterday:mad


http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/inutero11/STP62108.jpg

I am moving in 3 weeks across country to Mammoth Lakes,CA. My GF and I plan to consolidate down to one vehicle for the trip out there and it looks like a Jeep Cherokee will be our best bet. After I get settled in over there I will be looking for another E34.

Question to those residing in California, What do I need to check on a vehicle to ensure it will pass emissions? Is it just mainly a good working Catalytic converter?

[LouieD]

In CA (and maybe other states as well) the seller is responsible for having the car pass emissions testing. If you come across a person that refuses to do so, it's usually because they know it will not pass.
The testing is pretty thorough. The visual will fail you for anything aftermarket (without a C.A.R.B. #) attached to the motor ie: CAI and headers. The sniff test is more lenient for OBD1 (basically all e34's) but the machines are very smart. It's done on a dyno so the car may pass at idle, but under load it's a whole 'nother story. They even check the gas cap.

The good thing is we have quite a few rust free cars to choose from. Good luck on that trip. We road tripped from Orlando to SoCal 35 years ago.

[M5 Jed]

Just did a cross country from ATL to the OC, that was fun!!!

Also make sure that when you start the car, the check engine light turns on and then turns off. Otherwise, the smog test centers won't even bother doing the test. They will suspect engine light tampering.

[2turbo4u]

Louie D I think he's asking about his current vehicle the Jeep? He trying to make sure his jeep pass the Cali-nazi test

[brettholomew21]

Sorry about the car dude. It's never fun letting them go. Mammoth Lakes seems like it'll be a way fun place to live!

[mpaganr34]

Just make sure the seller gets it smogged, that's how I've always done it.

[LouieD]

Louie D I think he's asking about his current vehicle the Jeep? He trying to make sure his jeep pass the Cali-nazi test
My bad if this is the case. If the Jeep is OBDII and has no check engine light on, I'd bet you're ok. OBDII is a lot more sensitive than OBDI and will throw out codes for anything and everything. Loose gas cap=check engine light. Be prepared for a $300 fee above and beyond normal fees to register an out of state car in CA. I'm working on a 96 Explorer with a check engine light. It has nothing to do with emissions. It's trans/electrical related and yet the code will set off the CEL. PITA!

[Stir Fry A Lot]

California is a haven for clean E34s. I wouldn't lose too much rest over it.

[dansgt]

yea get a better e34 out there. i just moved to st louis and we drove the e34 and my discovery out here, both held up excellent, only had to stop at a shop once and that was for a leaky transfer case on the rover and to top off the brake fluid on the e34. the e34 is at somewhere around 185k and the disco is 179k miles, gotta love California cars haha.

[njg86]

My concern is for the Jeep we will be bringing with us. I don't know how long we will have before we have to get it registered in the state but Im guessing within 90 days.

If you are correct, LouieD, about the check engine light than that will be good news. Here in FL our DMV fee's just went up, $350 for a new plate,$70 for registration and $40 for a title. Should I be looking to spend around $700 out there between the emissions and registrations?

The purchase of the E34 will be in CA, I see these craigslist finds all the time on these boards and I will say, there are some nice deals over there. We have a family friend a couple hours from where we will be that owns 3 E21's, He said he will sell me one whenever I want. Ive been dying to get my hands on a E21 to put a M50 in. Whenever the time comes it will be another E34 or E21..

[SawheadE34]

In CA (and maybe other states as well) the seller is responsible for having the car pass emissions testing. If you come across a person that refuses to do so, it's usually because they know it will not pass.
The testing is pretty thorough. The visual will fail you for anything aftermarket (without a C.A.R.B. #) attached to the motor ie: CAI and headers. The sniff test is more lenient for OBD1 (basically all e34's) but the machines are very smart. It's done on a dyno so the car may pass at idle, but under load it's a whole 'nother story. They even check the gas cap.

The good thing is we have quite a few rust free cars to choose from. Good luck on that trip. We road tripped from Orlando to SoCal 35 years ago.

Not necessarily true. Cars 95 and older can have any kind of intake modification youd like as long as it did not come with a thermostatic air cleaner from the factory. Once you move into headers, cams, etc then carb numbers are required.