After a year with my MINI in Virginia, it looks like I'm moving to southern California. I know the MINI is a 50-state car, so there should be no problems. But will the emissions testers give me a hard time for having an aftermarket Cold Air Intake (viz. the BMP one)? I'll switch to a K&N filter insert if I have to, but I can't find out anywhere whether the physical modfication will be a problem. (I'm not concerned with the warranty issues, just the emissions).

thanks!

 

CA can be a pain. I'd say take the 20 minutes and swap back to stock at emissions time.

 

I agree with Andy....As easy as they are to change out they'll never know. From one coast to another?? That's along way to move. Good Luck.

 

If the BMP intake has an exemption number then you will be fine for sure but if you take it to the right shop as long as you past the smog test you should be fine.

 

Thanks everyone. Sounds like it will be well worth a few minutes of my time to swap in the old air box.

Hey, does anyone who has moved to CA know if I'll have to pay sales tax (again) on my MINI. I know some states do this, but before I pay 8% sales tax on a car I've already paid sales tax on (bought it a year ago), I may consider buying a new car in CA. I've searched the CA DMV and it's not clear.

thanks again!

 

Dunno about CA, but when I moved to MD, they made you pay tax if the car was under 6 months old. Call someone at the DMV to check the specifics. If they have a rule like that, and you are still under the timeframe, it might be less expensive to get a ticket than it would be to pay the tax!

 

Yep, I've put a call to the CA DMV down on my ever-lengthening todo list.

Thanks again for the help. This move is going to be a big one in terms of cars: my other two cars besides the MINI (75 BMW 2002, 78 Porsche 911SC) will not be considered emissions legal in CA. I'll probably have to sell them. ugh.

 

Most of the time when a state charges sales tax for a sale occuring elsewhere, it's on a sale in which no tax was charged by another state (i.e. you bought out of state to avoid tax.)

Though it wouldn't surprise me if they tried, you should be able to avoid this problem altogether by demonstrating that you've already paid sales tax. (Legally, they have no claim on you, but that's never stopped a state before, eh?!)

Jeff

 

>>Most of the time when a state charges sales tax for a sale occuring elsewhere, it's on a sale in which no tax was charged by another state (i.e. you bought out of state to avoid tax.)
>>


I agree with this but just want to add that CA and NV will charge you the "difference" in the tax that you should have paid if bought in-state.

I moved to CA many years ago from AZ with a "new" car. I can't remember for sure but at that time I think that if I had purchased the car 75 days before the move then there was no sales tax issue.

 

Conversely, when I lived in New Hampshire (no sales tax!) I bought a car in Connecticut. I needed to sign a special form stating that I was not trying to rip off the state of CT.

 

Hi,
The way the CA tax works is this:
If you buy a car out of state and bring it into CA you pay CA tax if...You bought it in a no tax state, you pay full tax in the county you register it in (about 6.25%-7.5%)
If your state has a sales tax... and it is less than the CA tax for your new county you pay the difference.
If the tax you payed originally is more than the new tax would be...you pay no tax at all!!!
Additionally if you have owned the car more than one year you have no taxes comming into CA reguardless (pretty sure on this, but the others are for sure)

Also, when you register a car in CA from out of state you'll have to Smog the car for sure. but the car is a 50 state car and will pass with no problem. not sure of the new intake though.

Enjoy CA!! I do (live in SF)
Cheers, Paul

 

>>Additionally if you have owned the car more than one year you have no taxes comming into CA reguardless (pretty sure on this, but the others are for sure)

Yup that part is correct as well. Buddy of mine bought a car in CO and kept it registered at his parents place in Denver for 1 year then reregistered here in CA. He paid no CA sales tax.