California Smog for Recently Purchased G Wagon- HELP!
I just had a 1986 280 GE shipped to Sacramento from Maryland and registering it has turned out to be quite a task! I've been to a smog station who sent me to a smog referee who has now sent me to a "lab" 200 miles away. This car has been through DOT and Fed EPA, but I guess that's not good enough for Cali?!? I was wondering if anyone has had some experience with getting a G Wagon through smog in California so that I can go to the "lab" prepared. It sounds as though this is going to cost me some $$$, but I thought there might be other mods I can do in this process that will simplify things when I get there. Has anyone converted one of these to alcohol? Any ideas or experiences that anyone can share are GREATLY appreciated.
Thanks,
Alan
RE: California Smog for Recently Purchased G Wagon- HELP!
Either you are going to have to register your G in another state (hence 49 state legal issue your car has if it does not have an Air Resource Board sticker from CA ARB).
or sell it.
sorry for the bad news, it will cost you half or more the value of the vehicle to make it CA legal, and many, many months without your car, and even then it's not a sure bet.
Here's what's most stupid, but if you solve it, LET ME KNOW!!!:
Once either a car is sold new in CA, or a non-gray market 49state car is sold into CA, it is eligible for smog (which is required) from a smog station.
Diesels however, are not required to have any inspections, so if you find a G that's never been registered in CA, it's no worry, bring it on.
Now what is stupid is that they don't seem to allow you to convert a Petrol chassis VIN on record as Petrol to a Diesel motor, and have it recertified as diesel (which would allow a 280GE chassis into CA at least, sans petrol motor)
The smog guys can't smog you without the sticker.
I have one on my 280GE that I can show you if you like.
So they send you to a ref, which is actually wrong, becuase the ref can't do anything for you either (as it seems you found out the hard way).
So there are two labs, that you can send your rig to, they won't give you any list of parts that are needed, but they will be happy to fail you for $1500 and send you back on your way still without the list!!!
Oh, and then to retest, another $1500!
it just gos on for months and months until you are crying for mercy (if not already)
RE: California Smog for Recently Purchased G Wagon- HELP!
Yes-- You have met "the California Smog Police"
If a car comes up as a grey-market version on initial registration into California, whether new, used, gas or diesel, California wants proof of California compliance. Yes, it is true there are no recurring smog tests for diesels once initially registered in California but if the car has not been previously California registered, and it is a grey market model, they want to see a California CARB approval certificate. That costs a whole lot to get from one of the conversion stations. You can check with G&K in Santa Anna- They do Mercedes Diesel conversions and will be able to give you a good feel of what is involved. Tel 714 545 9503
Do the California rules make sense, NO- Are they reasonable - NO, Do they care- No (After all it is California and they are proud of unreasonable!).
Now-- the bad news-- Probably it will be too expensive for the conversion. So- as much as no one wants to hear it, you need to consider selling the G you worked so hard to get. You should be able to get back in a close range to whatever you paid for it. Look for one that is already legally registered in California, has its approval papers, and has a clean record of legitimately passing California smog tests. If you buy a previously California registered diesel, then the smog test issue is not an issue. G-Wagons with legal California status are available. Be careful of vehicles with funny titles with strange stories of how they came to be registered. They may or may not work out.
Also a note-- California will not accept a diesel conversion if the vehicle does not begin with a California approval.
Clearly-- you get to decide, but selling and rebuying will add to your longevity and long term mental stability.
RE: California Smog- Anyone want to buy an '86 280ge LWB?!
Wow. This sucks. I just bought a ton of new parts for it and it's beautiful. This may be a dumb question, but I already signed the title... if I sell it do know if the purchaser will have trouble re-registering it elsewhere?
So, it's officially for sale. It's an '86 280 GE LWB with 133k miles. runs perfect for the time I've had it. 4wd feels good. I have recently purchased an '03 front bumper, '04 lenses for the front and side signals, all 8 body molding pieces, 5 oil filters, and an air filter. It came with a bunch parts in the back, but I don't have an inventory of what's there. The interior is nearly perfect. Paint is in great shape, but there are two small rust spots that need to be repaired - in front of the driver door and below the passenger rear door. The front bumper does need to be replaced... it was hit in a parking lot when the prevoius owner had it. I'll attach a picture. I live in near Sacramento, toward Lake Tahoe. Including parts purchased, I've put around 21k into it, but I'll start the price at $18,000 and take the best offer.
Thanks for your guidance, guys... I have no interest in engaging in a six month game of cat and mouse with California!
Regards,
Alan
RE: California Smog- Anyone want to buy an '86 280ge LWB?!
Though it sounds like a thought, CHP officers have specific instructions to pull over vehicles having out-of-state plates that they see more than once and appear to be used regularly inside the state. The intention is not to look for grey market cars, but it is to collect tax on vehicles registered out of California, but operated inside the state. As a side note, though grey market cars are not the intention, they do get caught in the process.
In order to avoid action, when you appear in court, you will be expected to show clear proof the vehicle is only temporarily inside the state and they will only start by wanting your residency information, tax forms, employment verification, etc. As a side note, after being stopped you must pay a fine, and additionally California assesses the tax on the estimated value of your vehicle, whether or not you try to re-register it, and then of course,if you do try to register it, you start all over with the whole smog circus. Keep in mind, they already have your vehicle information in the Calfornia DMV files and that information will only support their case.
I hate to sound negative, but my comments are based on years of experience with grey market and imported vehicles. I hope to save someone from going the route that I have seen many others go as once it starts, you will only get one headache after another.
You know, Nevada sounds like a nice place to move to and they do not have any state income tax. -- - -
RE: California Smog- Anyone want to buy an '86 280ge LWB?!
Ah well, skirting the law does come at a price.
Perhaps it would be worth your while to go to one of the California based registered importers and find out what they would charge to clear all the hurdles. The price of a phone call it seems worth it.
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