Emissions controls in the Netherlands

[Andrew]

So I am new to the forum and am in desperate need of some assistance.
I live in South Africa and have just spent a couple bucks on forging the engine of my Gen1 Mazda3 MPS (Mazdaspeed 3). Basically just finished this build and now I got the opportunity to relocate to the Netherlands.

I have spent so much time, money and effort that I definitely want to take the car with me.

My question is... Does anybody know what tests the car will have to go through in order to be registered in the EU and specifically the Netherlands.
I am pretty sure the car will fail an emission control test currently since it has no cat converter installed at the moment.

I am trying to figure out what I would have to build back on the car in order to pass any possible tests during the importing process.

I am thinking of installing a CPE high flow cat downpipe. Would this get me through the emissions control test?

The turbo is currently a Garret GT3071. Would the CPE high flow cat downpipe bolt straight onto the after market turbo?

Any advise would greatly be appreciated.

[Bulgsta]

not sure about the Netherlands. But if they do not stick a pipe up the exhaust to read the emissions I think a extension piece on your secondary O2 sensor on the downpipe will do the trick.

Here in NY they only plug the computer in to pass emissions so I pass emissions no problem with a 3" catless turbo back exhaust.

Hope this helped

[frothy]

@Snip; is from the Netherlands. He might have some insight...

[Snip]

I'm sure you will need a cat to pass emissions here, i'm not sure if a high flow cat will do the trick.
If things didn't change to much over the years, they do stick a sensor up the end of your exhaust to measure some stuff.

On the first check on getting the car here, they tend to be very specific that everything is correct according to emmision rules and the carmodel specific approvals.

I know that the owner who imported my mazdaspeed, replaced his COBB exhaust by the original one, including dp, and ran a safe map for the test, but he was running the stock k04.

How long will you be in the netherlands?
If you want i could do some research for you to try to gather some info about the emission and importing your car here, what will be checkes and what is approved and what is not.

If your dutch is good enough, you could contact the RDW (official bureau for road traffic vehicles or so)

Particulier

Otherwise let me know, if i can help you with something.

[Andrew]

Thanks Bulgsta, Frothy and Snip.

I have been in contact with the RDW and they sent me a this reply.

"Dear Sir,
Thank you for your e-mail. You have questions concerning the registration of a vehicle as removal goods.

The RDW can issue a Dutch registration certificate for a vehicle that is registered earlier in a foreign country and will be imported in the Netherlands as removal good. The vehicle has to comply with the Permanent Requirements. These are the requirements in regard to the road traffic safety like they are applied by the implementation of the general periodical inspection (APK) completed with for instance requirements in regard to the sound, milieu and lightproof of the windows. This applies (since 1 January 2010) for a personal vehicle which is taken into use after 31 December 1995 and for commercial vehicles which are taken into use after 31 December 1997 both with the fuel petrol, LPG or natural gas. The vehicles must be provided of a good working emission combating system that consists of a catalyst and a lambda probe. A lambda probe is a sensor that is located in the exhaust. The permanent requirements are part of the Regulation Vehicles. You can consult the Regulation Vehicles via wetten.nl - Zoeken.

Inspection
If the above-mentioned applies to your vehicle you can offer the vehicle for a registration document at an RDW inspection and testing station. Addresses and opening hours can be found on: http://www.rdw.nl/nl/overrdw/contact/locaties/. If you want to receive a one-day registration certificate (gratis), valid to drive to the inspection station, you have also to contact an RDW inspection and testing station.
On working days from 8 am till 12 noon you can go to an inspection station without an appointment.
For a commercial car with a weight above 3500kg. you must make an appointment.
If you want advise about possible dates and time of settlement you can call the RDW inspection station at the central telephone number 0900 0739 (from abroad +31 598 39 33 30). Addresses and opening hours can be found on: http://www.rdw.nl/nl/overrdw/contact/locaties/.

You can also make an appointment via the RDW-site. Here you can find also an outline off the average waiting time per RDW inspection station. You must have at the hand the Vehicle Identification Number.

The inspection station gives you by e-mail an answer within one and a half day.

Technical state, Permanent Requirements and APK
At the import of a passenger car from an EU member state the car will not be judged on the technical state. However when a car in view of its age has to have a General Inspection (APK) it has be approved. There are tree options to have an APK on a vehicle:
- You can submit an APK report of an EU member state or EVA-country or
- You can let do an APK inspection at the RDW inspection station or
- You can let do an APK inspection at an APK inspection station of your own choice, directly after you have received the registration certificate and the vehicle has been provided with the number plates.

Vehicles from a country outside of the EU will be judged by the RDW inspection on the Permanent Requirements. If a vehicle must have an APK the RDW will issue an APK testing report. After you have received the registration document and the vehicle is equipped with licence plates you are allowed to drive with it.
"

Snip I would appreciate your help very much.

I am immigrating to the Netherlands permanently! I move the end of October 2014. So very soon.

I need to know the following.
1. Does the car have to be 100% original in order to get exempt from BPM import tax?
2. May it have the after-market front mounted intercooler? Like in the attached photos.
3. Do the RDW or the APK testing stations plug into the OBD port to check anything on the car?

I can put the original cat back on and run a safe map. I can also have the car's emission tested here in South Africa before shipping it.

Can you maybe find out what emissions specifications it must pass at the APK test?

Here is a list of the main modifications the car has.

Garrett GT 3071R Turbo (Testing station would not be able to see this)
76mm Intake pipe with K&N filter (Testing station can see this)
76mm downpipe and exhaust with with no Cats. (can build the cat back in)
Front mount intercooler (Is visible through the front grill)
Front mount oil cooler (Is visible through the front grill)
Cobb access port
James Barone aftermarket engine mounts (Can't see this unless you really look for it)
Snow performance water-methanol injection system (Can see the water bottle in the boot of the car)
I still want to put after market velgen (mags) and Eibach lowering springs with Koni sport shocks.

Thanks for all the help Snip and guys.