[jjl5508]

Hello y’all,

I picked up my car from the performance center and I’m looking to get my front windshield tinted and possibly 200 cell downpipes done. Is there any places that y’all would recommend for any safety inspection?

[slow_g82]

The best hope is to just find a gas station that does them and hope they dont care. The dowpipes arent a big deal but the tinted windshield definitely will be. My wife had hers tinted and she failed 3/3 places she went to in NOVA before she just decided to have it removed.

[jjl5508]

Originally Posted by Cristobal09

The best hope is to just find a gas station that does them and hope they dont care. The dowpipes arent a big deal but the tinted windshield definitely will be. My wife had hers tinted and she failed 3/3 places she went to in NOVA before she just decided to have it removed.

I’m planning to get my safety inspection before I get my window tinted so I’d have a year to find a place willing to overlook the window tint. Did she happen to visit some of the places in Arlington/Alexandria? Places don’t care about whether you have an aftermarket downpipe?

[slow_g82]

Two of them were in alexandria that failed her.

Ive had downpipes on many cars in the past and safety inspection places never cared.

[jjl5508]

Originally Posted by Cristobal09

Two of them were in alexandria that failed her.

Ive had downpipes on many cars in the past and safety inspection places never cared.

Okay. Alexandria is a place to avoid, thank you. I’ll end up trying Fairfax/Springfield and see if they’re a little more flexible.

Perfect. Can I ask if you had catted or catless?

[slow_g82]

I was catted downpipe but this was years ago. It really depends on the inspector. I dont think anybody here would publicly post up who they go to for fear of getting that inspector in deep trouble.

[MrSmileyDC]

New cars are exempt from emissions inspections for the first four years in VA. Window tint isn’t part of the inspection either.

[jjl5508]

Originally Posted by Cristobal09

I was catted downpipe but this was years ago. It really depends on the inspector. I dont think anybody here would publicly post up who they go to for fear of getting that inspector in deep trouble.

Found a guy that has the connections to get me the sticker even if I go with my windshield tint and downpipes.

[jjl5508]

Originally Posted by MrSmileyDC

New cars are exempt from emissions inspections for the first four years in VA. Window tint isn’t part of the inspection either.

Is windshield tint not a part of the safety inspection?

[MrSmileyDC]

Originally Posted by jjl5508

Is windshield tint not a part of the safety inspection?

I’ve never had mine done. If you’re talking something like air 90 then nobody would notice imo. You can also get a medical authorization from the dmv.

https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/drivers...sunshading.asp

[slow_g82]

Originally Posted by MrSmileyDC

New cars are exempt from emissions inspections for the first four years in VA. Window tint isn’t part of the inspection either.

So thats half correct.

Technically, window tint isnt part of the inspection, true, but I have seen first hand here in Gainesville a car failed because it was too dark and the inspector said it was a safety issue. The guy wasnt too thrilled lol.

[MrSmileyDC]

Originally Posted by Cristobal09

So thats half correct.

Technically, window tint isnt part of the inspection, true, but I have seen first hand here in Gainesville a car failed because it was too dark and the inspector said it was a safety issue. The guy wasnt too thrilled lol.

What percentage tint are we talking about? Sub 30% is obvious. I’ve had one not inspect because I didn’t have a front plate at one time, which really has nothing to do with safety. I just drove to another gas station.

[TillyM]

Originally Posted by Cristobal09

The best hope is to just find a gas station that does them and hope they dont care. The dowpipes arent a big deal but the tinted windshield definitely will be. My wife had hers tinted and she failed 3/3 places she went to in NOVA before she just decided to have it removed.

Seriously ?! you can fail for tinted window ? never knew that. Mine is 30 or 25 and had inspection done at the Alexandria BMW and not a single word on tinted window

[Mp3Supply]

Originally Posted by TillyM

Seriously ?! you can fail for tinted window ? never knew that. Mine is 30 or 25 and had inspection done at the Alexandria BMW and not a single word on tinted window

I had BMW of Fairfax take my car back for inspection, and then 10 minutes later they brought it back to me and said "Nope, we cannot inspect it due to have no orange side markers". I left and went to my other gas station and was done in 10 minutes.

[slow_g82]

Yeah definitely dont go to the dealership, any of them for that matter. I knew somebody who got failed for their car being too low....

[jjl5508]

Originally Posted by Mp3Supply

I had BMW of Fairfax take my car back for inspection, and then 10 minutes later they brought it back to me and said "Nope, we cannot inspect it due to have no orange side markers". I left and went to my other gas station and was done in 10 minutes.

BMW of Fairfax is not the place to go for anything. I went there to lower my car and they told me that it’d take a day. A day turned into 5 extra days.

[Southern]

Lincolnia Garage:

7833 Loisdale Rd, Springfield, VA 22150

Inspection takes 3 minutes and you're out - $20

[Mp3Supply]

Originally Posted by jjl5508

BMW of Fairfax is not the place to go for anything. I went there to lower my car and they told me that it’d take a day. A day turned into 5 extra days.

I figured I’d kill two birds with one stone while there, but nope. To your point, I don’t take it there for anything but service.

[jjl5508]

Originally Posted by Mp3Supply

I figured I’d kill two birds with one stone while there, but nope. To your point, I don’t take it there for anything but service.

Yeah. BMW of Fairfax isn’t the best dealership to get anything done. I’ve noticed that BMW of Sterling is better in regards to service and quality, overall. I’ve started going there instead.

[TillyM]

Originally Posted by jjl5508

Yeah. BMW of Fairfax isn’t the best dealership to get anything done. I’ve noticed that BMW of Sterling is better in regards to service and quality, overall. I’ve started going there instead.

BMWFairfax, would never do business with them. Their pride on BMW is up the roof. I remember my previous F82, guy was giving me a lecture on M, no discount ( this was prior to pandemic where getting good deal wasn't too hard if you know your way around) and how much longer I would need to wait blah blah blah,, walked away and went to Silver Spring BMW and got something like 3k + discount and allocation within a week

Other day when I went to sterling BMW for oil change, I was quite shocked how quick the service finished while I waited. Not to mention customer service was awesome. I drove away at Alexandetia BMW after no one care to assist me while standing for almost 40 minutes.
Glaf I went to sterling BMW afterwards.

[Grumpy514]

Originally Posted by MrSmileyDC

New cars are exempt from emissions inspections for the first four years in VA. Window tint isn’t part of the inspection either.

I know this is old but this is incorrect. Tinted windshield WILL fail unless you have sunshading on your registration (need a drs note) With Sunshading on the registration you are only allowed 70% full windshield or 35% upper 5"/AS-1 line.

https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/license...cal/sunshading