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syncro
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: May 2007
Location: Orinda, CA
Vehicle(s): '84 280GE LWB > 300GD, '75 240D
Posts: 477
| Where's the "G" in California Friendly?
Hi, I'm a newcomber to the forum and am researching and looking to buy a 460 G wagen in the coming year.
So seeing all those great specimens across the States and in Canada, makes me wonder what criteria should I be looking at to bring one to California?
I gather EPA and Dot papers are a must but beyond that are certain engines, models etc. not allowed?
or if it takes some fiddling (such as adding a catalytic converter), what sort of things would have to be done?
- thanks, Christan
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4x4abc
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: La Paz, Baja California, Mexico
Vehicle(s): 02 G500
| RE: Where's the "G" in California Friendly?
find one that's already here - easy: http://www.clubgwagen.com/classifieds/ads.php
import your own - very complicated: http://www.clubgwagen.com/classifieds/import.htm
http://www.clubgwagen.com/classifieds/dot.htm |
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clubgwagen.com
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: gwagenpreserve.com
Vehicle(s): 300GE Cabriolet
Posts: 736
| Re: Where's the "G" in California Friendly?
If it is gas powered, you need to make sure it has been BAR certified and has the sticker to prove it. Only then will you be allowed to smog the car.
If it is diesel, then no matter at all, bring it in with out of state title, get VIN verification, make sure DMV staff notes it is DIESEL on the VIN verification form, and then transfer the title / reg. with that form included with your reg form and bill of sale.
-mserpe
www.clubgwagen.com
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syncro
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: May 2007
Location: Orinda, CA
Vehicle(s): '84 280GE LWB > 300GD, '75 240D
Posts: 477
| Re: Where's the "G" in California Friendly?
Thanks guys! the europa FAQ page also had good info on california legality.
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jcaine
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| RE: Where's the "G" in California Friendly?
no matter what, it's HARD to get an older out of state G registered in Cali... The DMV workers are not always familiar with what is required and you can end up with a whole lot of back and forth, especially if you have a european vin #... I waited until I found one already registered in CA. |
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clubgwagen.com
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: gwagenpreserve.com
Vehicle(s): 300GE Cabriolet
Posts: 736
| Re: Where's the "G" in California Friendly?
spot on! certainly the easiest route (and most likely not to be rusty either)
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syncro
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: May 2007
Location: Orinda, CA
Vehicle(s): '84 280GE LWB > 300GD, '75 240D
Posts: 477
| Re: Where's the "G" in California Friendly?
Ok, to recap:
California friendly:
- G's that have been previously registered in CA (but not necessarily in CA now; also implies it has proper California BAR certification in addition to the USDOT)
- Out of state deisel G's that have proper DOT certification
- Out of state petrol G's that go through a laborious change to make them ok in CA
Not California friendly:
- Any G w/o proper DOT certification
- Any petrol G without BAR certification
Still fuzzy in my mind are:
- Petrol G's that have been converted to diesel
- Also in G350DT's for sale thread, I thought someone said his TD would not be CA legal though I wasn't clear why. (looks like the thread was pulled).
thanks for all the info
-C |
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Ducks
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| Re: Where's the "G" in California Friendly?
syncro - 5/15/2007 7:27 PM Petrol G's that have been converted to diesel
I didn't think these were legal in California either. Perhaps someone else could also comment. I thought the VIN was registered as a gasser and although it's a diesel and won't be smogged it still needed the BAR sticker. That's what I remember from the last time I looked at this option.Chad
Edited by Ducks 5/16/2007 12:43 PM
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jcaine
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| RE: Where's the "G" in California Friendly?
mine is a converted diesel... I didn't do the import but the guy I bought it from said he had to jump through MANY hoops including having the car impounded... |
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clubgwagen.com
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: gwagenpreserve.com
Vehicle(s): 300GE Cabriolet
Posts: 736
| Re: Where's the "G" in California Friendly?
its hard to do the conversion.
yes, they impound your car, do expensive tests that seem to have no purpose, and run you around.
it's all doable, but I think the general consensus by those who have tried (including myself) is that it is so much easier and cheaper to just wait it out if you have to go pertrol, and find a good one in CA that has the BAR sticker already, or a diesel.
Note that Europa claims only their 99-2000 G500s were certified when sold for CA US, and any previous ones they imported were not sold for use in CA.
CA has "referees" and "labs" and other bizarre places that take your car away from you for ever, and then give it back with a "NO" and please pay $$$$$$!
Norm Keiser truly knows, and so does Wallace Labs, becuase they successfully and legally put Alan's and 2 other 463 diesels on the road in CA and all three were fresh off the boat from Germany.
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