05-23-2019, 12:08 PM | #1 |
Enlisted Member
69
Rep 45
Posts |
MPE w/ no other mods - noise ticket and DID NOT PASS state referee
Just got back from a state referee inspection after getting a noise ticket last week (driving downhill with the valves closed going no more than 30mph and not exceeding 2500rpm), and was told that my car is too loud. The state referee told me that an M performance exhaust is not compliant with California law, regardless of the new legislation (since that just affects correction and fine amount). He said that the exhaust has a bypass, which is not allowed, and allegedly emits over 95db with the valves closed and in comfort mode at 3/4 maximum rpm. I have no other modifications on the car.
Has anyone else ran into this issue, or have any insight as to how I should proceed? The officer who ticketed me works in the town I am working in and driving around regularly, if I get a ticket again for the same problem what punishment/fine can they give me? My M Performance Exhaust came on my car when it rolled into the dealer with 6 miles on it. I recognize that it was port-installed and is technically not what the manufacturer had installed when it rolled off the assembly line, but BMW does sell an "M Performance Edition" M2, which DID come with the M Performance exhaust from the factory, so I don't see how this is any different. I paid good money (over $3k) for this setup under the pretense that the exhaust is street legal with the valves closed. I am wondering if I have recourse at either my dealer or BMWNA in general for selling me a car with a non-compliant exhaust. P.S. There is no way that several sports cars sold today are compliant with this exhaust law. Ghibli's, F-types, AMG's, not to mention any exotics. They're all running around Orange County all the time, do we just have to "pay to play"? I thought I had enough reasons to move out of this god-forsaken state.... Last edited by flyboy385; 05-23-2019 at 12:09 PM.. Reason: adding emphasis |
05-23-2019, 02:22 PM | #3 |
Captain
371
Rep 743
Posts |
Yeah thats BS as listen to any amercian muscle car or exotic and tell me they pass and the little M2 w/MPE doesn't... you must be the unlucky 1% that has to deal with that nonsense
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-23-2019, 04:05 PM | #4 |
First Lieutenant
266
Rep 307
Posts |
Man, how incredibly unlucky. Is there another ref you can go to? This one seems to be out to get you. No way MPE emits over 95 decibels with valves closed...Laguna Seca has a 92 decibel limit...Pretty sure those race cars are much louder than M2 with MPE, granted you can lift off throttle where they measure decibels.
I've rolled by tustin police with a downpipe no less (stock cat-back) and haven't been pulled for exhaust. Volume should be pretty similar to MPE. |
Appreciate
0
|
05-23-2019, 08:18 PM | #6 |
Brigadier General
4947
Rep 4,976
Posts |
The MPE is CARB compliant. They are full of shit and trying to shake down people for money. I would have them test the decibels in front of you and provide you documentation. Then I would do an independent test with a decibel reader, and bring your window sticker to the court date for the ticket and fight it.
__________________
Wife's Car: 2020 X4M Competition, Alpine White on Black Alcantara and Biege
Current Car: 2018 F80 M3CS, SMB, DCT, ZEC, MPE Recently Departed: 2020 F87 M2C, LBB, ZEC, 6MT (Euro Delivery Aug. 29, 2019, totaled by an idiot in a Camry who then ran from the scene) Wife's Prior Car: 2018 F80 M3, Yas Marina Blue, DCT, Black 19s, Carbon Structure Anthracite Cloth/Leather Combination, Driving Assistance Package (Euro Delivery Oct. 9, 2017) |
Appreciate
0
|
06-12-2019, 09:49 AM | #7 |
Major
521
Rep 1,485
Posts |
i would say call BMW corporate and let them know the state is trying to fine owners of their products they sell in california.
The state loves to fine the little guy...but usually when big corporations start putting pressure on them...they usually step back. i know the porsche gt3 guys getting tickets are getting porsche corporate involved to put more pressure on the state government regarding the exhaust law. |
Appreciate
1
Killed by Death12462.50 |
06-12-2019, 05:53 PM | #8 |
Second Lieutenant
230
Rep 254
Posts |
Did this happen in Irvine? Passed by a cop recently and purposely got off throttle, despite driving slow, to avoid any issue. Funny enough at the stop light he pulls over the audi in front of me for what I think, not having any plates (still had audi of mission viejo paper plates)
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-13-2019, 03:21 PM | #9 |
Major General
4207
Rep 5,728
Posts
Drives: 2019 M2 Competition
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Orange County, CA
|
I would fight it. Bring your paperwork to court to show it was an OEM part and installed at the factory. If you can bring a decibel test to show it's under the required Db's even better. I bet it'll get dismissed.
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-28-2019, 02:47 PM | #11 |
Private First Class
122
Rep 170
Posts |
Rape, murder, theft... perfectly ok. Loud exhaust, OMG national state of emergency, calling all cars, call the coast guard, call the swat!!!! We have an emergency over here!!!!
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-28-2019, 05:54 PM | #12 |
Lieutenant Colonel
1717
Rep 1,899
Posts |
It's the typical California knee jerk reaction to everything else. So many non sensical laws here
|
Appreciate
4
|
07-29-2019, 12:33 PM | #13 | |
Second Lieutenant
467
Rep 291
Posts
Drives: 2023 BMW M2
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Bay Area
|
Trade or sell?
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-14-2020, 11:04 PM | #15 |
Enlisted Member
69
Rep 45
Posts |
I ended up contesting it in court. Officer brought bodycam footage of the car starting up after the officers let me go (they waited around for me to start the car) and I brought receipts and paperwork showing my M Performance Exhaust was a factory BMW part, installed as an option when I bought the car, along with a letter from a mechanic stating the exhaust itself was in functioning condition with no leaks.
The judge ruled that the loudness heard over video was subjective, and ruled that since I wasn't speeding or endangering anyone at the time of the pullover he dismissed my case. My refund check from contesting the ticket is now framed in my home office. |
Appreciate
23
jkoral1023.00 akkando5864.50 BigHunk269.50 CSBM52721.00 nioh_lbbm21716.50 Daytona_550463.50 larry.beck217.00 M2OG400.00 CLOUT49.50 BallHog5873174.50 Altra265.50 Fabb228.50 Davil6524.50 cncmastr1590.00 VisualEcho6636.50 omasou2088.00 AndrewC198910931.00 chiefsubjugator90.50 ried791.50 jefe2000739.50 lax01792.50 HomoPirate84.00 to_riffic3023.50 |
08-15-2020, 10:00 AM | #16 | |
Lieutenant Colonel
1717
Rep 1,899
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
08-15-2020, 09:45 PM | #17 | |
Always +10MPH
1004
Rep 626
Posts |
Quote:
I have no problem with legitimate traffic tickets, but this kind of ticket is just government over reach and harassment. Good job!! |
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-22-2020, 11:39 PM | #18 |
Captain
761
Rep 786
Posts |
I feel like the state ref was just trying to shake you for money or something. 95db is actually alot louder than most people realize. 95db is equivalent to a jackhammer 50' away from you. Thats REALLY loud. Our exhaust is not even remotly close to being 95db
|
Appreciate
1
cosmicamnesia1.50 |
08-26-2020, 04:15 PM | #20 | |
Banned
6637
Rep 4,145
Posts
Drives: '18 M2 6MT
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Missouri
|
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-03-2020, 12:15 AM | #21 |
Lieutenant Colonel
403
Rep 1,620
Posts |
Thats BS... id fight that if I were you
__________________
2023 G80 M3 2020 F87 M2C 2011 E82 BMW 1M Series Coupe Check me out at Point.Shift.Drive (YouTube) |
Appreciate
0
|
03-30-2023, 08:52 PM | #22 |
Private First Class
78
Rep 153
Posts |
So I’ve been wondering about this same issue a LOT recently. I live in Newport and drive an m4 with a valved exhaust. My midpipes are non resonated so valves open it’s super loud and I actually had a very close call a few weeks ago on a pch cruise where a sheriff definitely pulled over the wrong guy. Anyways that part I don’t understand is that the MPE is a bmw part and it can be legally sold in CA. Usually anything that is illegal can’t be sold here and the even more sketch part is that bmw sells it and huge corps are usually very strict w state laws. However, the part that confuses me even more is that literally ALL new bmws come with valved exhausts… x3s, all Ms, even Porsches, lambos, etc. what CA really needs to do is truly define the exhaust law and not make up all this bs just to ticket ppl
|
Appreciate
1
cosmicamnesia1.50 |
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|