[70eldo]

Germany is a trap. There's absolutely no freedom in modding, because you have to get it certified by the TÜV (kinda German DMV). Even, by logic thinking, you know a dual exhaust is not gonna cause any differences in the exhaust gasses, bacause you mod AFTER the cats, you still have to get it tested. That's gonna cost! :banghead:

Now, I am not totally sure about this, since there are some rules on this. The body is already prepared for double exhaust and there are CTS types with dual exhaust, so there might still be some light.

But I have the same problem with the CAI. Though, I can simply havethe CAI replaced by the OEM again when I bring it in for the tests.

You even have to certify any different rim size! Even if it doesn't effect the outer diameter of the tires!:annoyed:

Well, learned another thing...

 

[TripleOught]

wait, how often do you have to get it certified?

situation: have it certified, then install the CAI. how are they going to know?

also, i see you have an 03. if you were to install a V exhaust or 3.6 duals and make a clean cut, i don't think anyone would know the difference. especially not a cop if you got pulled over or something...

i think there are always risks...but it seems to me there are always work arounds too, without breaking the law (to a resonable extent)

 

[RobertCTS]

Germany is a trap. There's absolutely no freedom in modding, because you have to get it certified by the TÜV (kinda German DMV). Even, by logic thinking, you know a dual exhaust is not gonna cause any differences in the exhaust gasses, bacause you mod AFTER the cats, you still have to get it tested. That's gonna cost! :banghead:

Now, I am not totally sure about this, since there are some rules on this. The body is already prepared for double exhaust and there are CTS types with dual exhaust, so there might still be some light.

But I have the same problem with the CAI. Though, I can simply havethe CAI replaced by the OEM again when I bring it in for the tests.

You even have to certify any different rim size! Even if it doesn't effect the outer diameter of the tires!:annoyed:

Well, learned another thing...

The CTS-V exhaust looks 100% OEM Stock as does the TonyA Mod CAI. You can't see it. They don't disassemble the car do they?

 

[pjohnesq]

Interesting - restriction on modding, but no speed restriction on the autobahn:hmm: ....Begs the question, why have the autobahn if you can't mod?

 

[MikeB066]

Interesting - restriction on modding, but no speed restriction on the autobahn:hmm: ....Begs the question, why have the autobahn if you can't mod?

Europe is a lot different from the US when it comes to environmental policy. One of the strongest parties in European politics is after all, the Green party. California CARB is not as bad, but it is getting there by neutering engines and mods to minimize exhaust. If the American environmental lobby had their way any modifications to an auto would be detected by the OBDII system and shut down the car or notify a roadside based system so you can be appropriately punished. Some mods do not produce additional emissions, some do. In places sensitive to such things, mods are eeevil!

On top of that, you don't just get your driver's license in Germany, you have to go through months of instruction including driving with the instructor in the car before you can attempt to take the test. It is not cheap, because the Germans are particular about who drives on their roads. They don't want just any moron to be able to get in a car and kill someone.

It sucks that the Germans are so rigid about things, but that is the nature of their society. Maybe they figure people will just buy a BMW M3 or MB AMG if they want to go fast?

 

[TripleOught]

well, i wouldn't necessarily be opposed to the stricter driving schools or road tests...the drivers out there are amazing and have NO conception of their surroundings. i was almost side swiped yesterday when somebody who was on the curb blitzed out while i was passing downt he road...i had to throw out the anchor pretty hard...i think i would have pulled them out of their busted ass 86 caprice and beat them.

 

[dqw1]

It's been a few years since i was in Germany. If you ship your car over, before you can drive your car off the compound it gets inspected: lights, under carriage, for leaks, wiper blades, everything. You even had to have a first aid kit with warning triangles! If your car fails anything you have to get it repaired before its released, no excuses- no arguments-their country-their laws. You would make a mistake if you shipped that hoopty that's barely runs and puts out smoke or drive around Germany with a broken headlight. Too bad mod's are tougher but the system there is better than ours. Do your mod after the inspection but I think you have to be inspected annually.
And they have much better drivers than us. Boy I miss the autobahn.

 

[dqw1]

I was there in the early 90's and we didn't have to take a road test-just the written test and the test on the signs. Not an easy test. A good portion of americans actually fail the test. Most fail the signs test. You have to study. It's nothing like our standard drivers test.

 

[70eldo]

I am not sure about it all. I just talked to a guy at a custom shop who had difficulties getting his cars certified.

Anyway, we have to have our cars checked on a yearly basis from 3 years and older. So my car is up next year. They do check the chassis number with the specs. And if it sais single exhaust, then they might not pass my car.

Those things are not that strickt in Holland. You see more mods over there, so i was totally surprised by the strickter German law.

True about the driver's license. You can get one when you are 18 years or older. Indeed you have to get intensive instruction from a driving school and the pass rate on driver's exams is about 33% in Holland. Because it's so damn strickt... But at least we have some decent drivers.

I have to add though, that drivers do have some arrogant attitude on the road over here. Since they passed the drivers exams, they all assume they are above average drivers. That shows... So we have road rage too! Can you imagine?

 

[haute_heir]

Europe is a lot different from the US when it comes to environmental policy. One of the strongest parties in European politics is after all, the Green party. California CARB is not as bad, but it is getting there by neutering engines and mods to minimize exhaust. If the American environmental lobby had their way any modifications to an auto would be detected by the OBDII system and shut down the car or notify a roadside based system so you can be appropriately punished. Some mods do not produce additional emissions, some do. In places sensitive to such things, mods are eeevil!

On top of that, you don't just get your driver's license in Germany, you have to go through months of instruction including driving with the instructor in the car before you can attempt to take the test. It is not cheap, because the Germans are particular about who drives on their roads. They don't want just any moron to be able to get in a car and kill someone.

It sucks that the Germans are so rigid about things, but that is the nature of their society. Maybe they figure people will just buy a BMW M3 or MB AMG if they want to go fast?

Thats odd... Every time I've been to Germany, I've driven. So they like to limit their own people from driving, but not tourists? When I lived in Munich for a year, all I remember seeing is all these Mercedes and BMW sedans on big rims and loud exhausts.... Most of the Turks I saw had super done up BMW's, so do you think all these cars are legal?

 

[70eldo]

Maybe they changed the laws? I just live here since last year December (almost a year). I don't know all the ins and outs here. I just learn along...

I have an appointment at the dealer next Monday on that malfunctioning television function and the leaking rear trunk part for the backup lights. I will ask them about the dual exhaust issue...

I will keep you posted.