Failing Emissions

A common occurrence with late model BMWs (such as E36 M3s) is failing emissions in state run inspections.  Whereas it may be an indication that emissions equipment needs to be replaced, it could also be as simple as a chance for letting the catalytic converters to do their job.

The worst thing that you can do, when going to a state inspection facility is to go first thing in the morning, before the car has a chance to warm up.  Idling into the inspection facility is exactly what NOT to do, when bringing in your late model E36.  You are almost guaranteed to fail some portion of the emissions test.

Instead of heading straight over to the emissions facility, the factory catalytic converters have to be EXTREMELY HOT in order to do their job properly.  An easy way to heat them up is to put them under load before testing.  This can be done by simply driving a few miles in only 1st and 2nd gear, keeping the RPMs at a high level.  We caution using the phrase "beat the piss out of your car" because high engine RPMs will load the catalytic converters sufficiently enough to have them pass extremely clean.