The wife and I are still debating on wether to move to Washington State or California when we leave here (Guam) in less than 2 years. Lots of factors will play in of course... Schools, economy, cost of living, cost of home ownership...

But that said, it looks like we're leaning towards California at the moment, whereas we were previously leaning towards Washington. So I'm curious if theres any experience out there with bringing a well modded Mini S to California from being registered in another state or Hawaii/Guam.

 

It depends on your mods really. Are the Cat & 02 still there? Has the engine management setting been flashed to run a more aggressive program? Is the EGR / PCV still in operation?

My '01 1.8T New Beetle has been in the "chipped" mode for 100,000 miles and has no problem with Smog Inspection. However, it's a Stage 1 mode. All components related to emission are still stock (Cat, 02 sensors, Intake, PCV/EGR, downpipe).

Cost of living depends on where you live in California. The coastal communities are very expensive while inland region property values are nose-diving right now. In SoCal for example, property values in the San Bernardino and Riverside counties have dropped 50-60% from the peek. LA, OC and SD dropped about 30-35%.

 

The property values might be nose diving....but the cost of living is still outragous. Time magazine just named L.A. the number one overpriced city in America! Just some food for thought.....home prices may have dropped but they are still overpriced in Southern California. That's one of the reasons I am moving BACK up to Washington state. Cost of living is much less, no income taxes, and less regulations on smog and things like that....right now there are only a few counties in Washington that require emissions testing. Which is a plus if you want to drop the cat and go wild with things including your tune. Depending on your job too....well Washington or California may be better.....not sure what it is you do, so I couldn't help ya out there. Public schools in California are hurting too....esp since they just laid off more teachers and the state is in debt up to it's eye-*****. All things to think about.
Good luck with your decision!!!

 

Kalfornia is expensive to live there. Also full of leftist knuckleheads.

 

I second that Juice!!! LOL.....I'm from conservative USAtown and this IS the land of Fruits, Nuts, and Flakes!!!

 

Yeah.... they make for good snacks for a hiking trip.

But it really depends on where you live CA. Though I don't fear God and believe moderate use of sins is actually good for the spirit, I have friends who believe that the Catholics are not Christians but a bunch left-over from the Roman Empire... and the universe began 5000 years ago. Whatever... there's room here for everyone.

I'm not wealthy but I think we Americans are a wasteful bunch. We are happy spenders and collect junk to no end. I and the GF lives on ~$2200/month in Orange County and save almost 60% on what we earn after taxes.

Now back on topic...

 

Modifications need to have a CARB number.
http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermk...es/amquery.php

Basically if it doesn't look stock it needs a number.

My CAI has a number, but my pulley does not. Looking at your performance page you may have issues. Also the Ca Highway Patrol is big on sending cars to see the referee if they suspect you have illegal parts.

 

Yah might not be cheap living here but gotta have some Cali love

 

When it comes to pulleys on the mini they don't actually have to be CARB.....and besides, it's what you said too....if it looks stock, which the pulleys are the one thing you can't see. If you have a JCW for example you already have a 14.8% pulley on your supercharger, and those pass smog. So no CARB needed there!
And I wouldn't say that you would have issues with what you've done to the car so far. If you haven't been throwing CEL codes cause the header so far then you should pass without any problems at all.
How's the decision coming? Making any progress?

 

Would love to see you here in SoCal, lol, and bringing a modded car isn't really a big deal. What will determine whether you can bring it in is whether it can pass smog (includes visual). If so, it should be fine. If it doesn't then you'll have to make the necessary mods so you can pass it.

My MINI was lightly modded..pulley and Alta intake when I bought it. It originated from Wisconsin and it passed smog just fine. Course now I have the RMW header an Invidia exhaust, and tons of "heavy" mods that aren't visible..and not sure if it will pass the smog...we shall see in a few years, lol.

As for the factors you mentioned...hmm they all suck! Maybe in two years it will get better...yes I'm the optimist.

Richard

 

And it's all the better for it!

Everything people are saying about modifications is probably true. The main thing is to have all the emissions pieces in place (catalytic converter, oxygen sensor, no "check engine" codes).

If you have a CAI you could spend a little time putting the stock intake on before smogging. Last I saw only the K&N is approved in CA (even if none of them really affect your emissions), and I think any of them would be a red flag to the smog tester to look for more trouble spots.