Modified car in Switzerland

[MattW83]

Hi guys, wonder if anyone can help me with this one? Living in Geneva and just bought a golf R. I would like to change the intake and downpipe but understand that the paperwork can be a nightmare! Does anyone have experience with modifications or can suggest a good source of info? Any help really appreciated!

[MisterDJ]

can't really give a lot of detail as my mechanic took care of it, but when I put new suspension it was required that the importer sent some paperwork stating that the suspension was road legal. Then my mechanic scheduled the appointment with the local dvla and got it approved. In my case some extra rings were also required by the authorities. Of course all of the help by the mechanic does not come cheap, as they will charge you labour time for it.

My advice is to speak with a specialist in modifications to your model, and they will know what to do.

[Whitean3]

For any modification you carry out (an this would include something trivial, like aftermarket wheels for winter tyres...), you need a Swiss certificate of conformity. Very common for wheels, exhausts, suspension etc., and obviously dependent on the manufacturer.

This likely means that you'll have to buy the new parts from a Swiss source, and you'll only get a certificate for modifications that are approved. By way of example (as I've been looking)- Milltek make decent sports exhausts for my RS4; there are 2 types, resonated and non-resonated. Swiss approval only for the quieter option. You would be able to buy the approved version elsewhere, e.g. in the UK, but you wouldn't have the all important certificate!

Anything that would involve something like a decat pipe would be a no-no.

[chandrew]

The new BMW has a M performance kit on it that meant a trip to get the car re-registered. The dealer did it before delivery and it certainly wasn't a difficult process for them (given they fitted the kit and got it re-registered on the same day).

As noted above, if it's a Swiss sourced change I'd imagine it was quite easy. Anything sourced elsewhere might be difficult.

[MattW83]

Thanks everybody for the info. This is super helpful. So... no buying outside of Switzerland as parts need the Swiss certificate of conformity... and then what is required exactly, a trip over to the testing center where they do the controle technique?

Thanks,

Matt

[chandrew]

Yes, the car is taken to the control centre but I'm not sure they do the test - maybe it's just review the paperwork. My grey form now has the revised PS registered (I guess the numbers provided by BMW not a tested figure) instead of the 'stock' figure.

If you were to get something supplied and fitted in Switzerland I'd ask the garage to handle this.

[fvert]

You can get swiss certificates for many parts here: http://www.aerotechnik.ch/ae/index.php
Apparently this is the cheapest option for getting these certificates for wheels, springs, coilovers.... Never used them but read good critics on the swiss web.

Regards

[Whitean3]

fvert said:

You can get swiss certificates for many parts here: http://www.aerotechnik.ch/ae/index.php
Apparently this is the cheapest option for getting these certificates for wheels, springs, coilovers.... Never used them but read good critics on the swiss web.

Regards

That's a really helpful link, thanks for sharing!

[Giorgiomazza]

Hi guys, I have a question about modification I’m in Zurich and I would like to know if it is allowed for a card bodywork to be changed like shape of lights and numbers and wider body kit and so on?
Thank you