I had to do a smog check on my 2006 E90...

[Emory]

As a "gift" from those wonderful folks known as the California Department of Motor Vehicles, I was required to do a smog check on my 2006 325i. Despite my protestations that the car was California Emissions certified and just one year old (California law excludes cars six years or younger from the test), the delightful clerk informed me that any out of state car (I purchased it from Washington) had to be tested.

(A little background - I have a 1995 325i. It failed the smog check in 2002, due to a bad oxygen sensor. It failed in 2004, and I was able to get it to pass, with the slimmest of margins. It failed twice in July 2006, but a very good mechanic diagnosed the problem. So, I'm a little gunshy re: smog checks and BMWs.)

I took in my E90 four days ago. The results?
15 MPH HC 1 ppm NOx 0 ppm!
25 MPH HC 1 ppm NOx also zero!

These numbers are consistent with an ULEV (ultra-low emissions vehicles) of Honda (I do have an Odyssey, our family car, and it does get HC in the 1 range.)

So, if anyone ever gives you grief about buying a BMW over a hybrid, remember the emission numbers above. Not only that, when I drove my car back to California, I got 32 MPG on the last 300 mi leg.
I think this purchase was a little more satisfying than a Prius ;)

[TheRealMadDog]

You had to do a smog check because you previously registered it in another state, irregardless of the age or type of emission certification of the car.

Feel lucky - CA used to charge people $300 if their out-of-state cars didn't have CA emission certification listed on the EPA sticker - even if it passed the CA smog check !!

TRMD