Hi from Germany!

[Oli B.]

Just wanted to say HI to you guys!

I'm from Cologne, Germany and had searched a place like this for a long long time.

There is no such bord for German drivers.
Well, I guess most of them are too much into their BMW and Mercedes.

They don't know what they are missing !!!

Hope to find lots of help for future mods.
Although it seems to me that I can forget 90% of the mods described here because I'm not allowed to.

We have very strict rules for mods here in Germany. The
Association for Technical Inspection/Technical Control Board called TÜV will take a very very close look to any modified car

BTW: Greetings to Spider another German XP driver that found his way home (!) to this board.

C.U.

 

[leenjen]

Originally posted by Oli B.
Although it seems to me that I can forget 90% of the mods described here because I'm not allowed to.

We have very strict rules for mods here in Germany. The
Association for Technical Inspection/Technical Control Board called TÜV will take a very very close look to any modified car

that's terrible. what isn't allowed? are emissions regulations in Germany stricter than California?

 

[NoBoundaries]

Welcome to the site!

Glad to see you were able to find your way here! Your X looks good as well. I like the grille guard. I am also curious to hear what some of the regulations are in Germany too. Welcome and happy postin'!

 

[Oli B.]

Excuse me when my termonology concerning technical terms may not be correct...

First of all there are some general rules of mods not permitted, like wheels may not be wider then the car body itself, but only measured from the tread.

Every modification to a car has to be prooved that it complies to safety regulations. So every mod has to be presented to the Technical Control Board... and you guessed it - this is not free of charge. If they say it's O.K. they give you an "Operating Permission".


For many mod parts/kits sold here Germany the manufacturer will proove the compliance to safety regulations and will provide "General Operating Permissions".

But that's if you drive a VW, BMW, Toyota or other. In most cases not for US cars!

I will browse this forum and pick out some mods I find and try explain what's not allowed and why.
(It might not be that 90% I mentioned before - but that's not the point!)

 

[leenjen]

thanks Oli B. are american vehicles uncommon in Germany? obviously there are many more european cars, but is it rare to see an american vehicle?

 

[Oli B.]

No, not so rare that people would turn their heads.

I see about 10 - 15 every day. Most of them are Chrysler Voyagers and Ford Explorers, some Chevy Pickups.

But most of them are not modified and probably will not be.

So the supply for mod kits/parts (with operating permission) is rather poor.

In Cologne (4th biggest city in Germany) I only know 2 shops for US car parts and most of the stuff I might be interested in has to be mail ordered in the States.

Sure, we have car clubs here in Germany, but most people use their car to get from point A to point B.

My previous posts may have sound a bit dramatic but you don't drive a US car here by chance:
You have seen it somewhere, you want it, you know that you really want and you get it.
So I don't mind the "problems" I may have with my car - I just love my Explorer [*biggrin*].

Greetings,
Oli B.

 

[Spider]

Hi guys,

Yep ... modyfying an american car in Germany can get really frustrating. My 'motor vehicle registration certificate' is 2 pages thick. EVERYTHING needed approval by the German TÜV . Turn signals (German cars have orange signals front and back), brakes (don't match EU regulations), seat belts and so on. Even the number plate caused me a headache as the TÜV wanted me to install it somewhere else because of the limited space in the bumper !! It cost me 2 (!!) hrs and $40 to convince those guys to give me the permission for a smaller one with specially printed letters (Oli - Fette Engschrift = 80 DM). It's really a PITA. Parts are quite expensive over here. I get all my stuff at Mike & Frank's and they are somewhat expensive.



Take care !