Also,

That is better too bc the bottom line is how much pollutants come out of the exhaust.
And they only way to test that is to hang the sniffer in the tail pipe.

Had my smog test yesterday. Passed. No issues.

Did they (California) open the hood to look at your "art work"?

Yes, they did. The guy was even looking under the car with a mirror. Assuming to confirm downstream 02 sensors were in place. :dunno:

Closed the hood, gave me my paperwork and I was on my way.

Update re smog test...

So E46 2003 325i with 100K with this CCV mod in San Jose CA.
I installed the beauty cover on top of the fuel rail.

- First shop is somewhat familiar with BMW. Checked error codes: none.
Opened the hood: saw the CCV Mod, decided to fail me and said it cost some $700
to install the stock CCV...Guys were smoking something, I said no thanks...lol

- Second shop (mostly Japanese cars). Checked error codes: none.
Used another fancier computer (another level above the basic OBD-II readers): no codes.
Never checked the tailpipe emission. He said tailpipe testing for pollutants such as NOx and CO etc. is for cars before OBD-II, such as cars before 1996 or so.
Opened the hood: did a quick visual check.
Passed with flying colors, zero codes.

The Smog station has a special computer that sends data directly to California DMV computers.

$700 to replace the CCV? Ridiculous.

Just did my 04 3.0 after a hydro lock(at idle -25c)
Had to remove plugs to suck oil out ,fortunately no damage.After two weeks
Noticed drastic decrease in oil consumption . Surprised since I had previously
run an 02 for two winters with same mod(done byP.o)as it was consuming
quite a bit of oil.My E46s seem less subject
to CCV freeze ups,all have cold weather kits
As Did the x5.Maybe tighter engine compartment has slower cool of for more
Drain time? Anyhow I am pleased one less
winter issue.

Hi all,
Just returned from a smog check. Tech plugged in OBDII and test took 5 mins, no underhood check or anything. Passed no prob. Been 3 or 4 years with mod, getting smogs…..never failed. I live in LV, NV.

I need to do this before next winter. I installed the catch can and it's constantly getting filled. Maybe it was just in the winter.
I'd drive like 500km and it'd be full.
Yesterday I drove about 500km in super warm weather, and the catch can is almost empty.

I've also been in the waiting list for the GAS system but nothing is happening on there.