Exhausts vs Police

[jonytek]

So I am speaking with JCFW about getting one of their flapped systems at the moment, the same as Faisal's.. They are telling me it's 107db which is almost 40db louder than the UK limit. I wanted to see what peoples experiences were with Police and loud systems. Who's been pulled over? How often and what do they do about it? In Australia they would pull you over and give you a yellow Sticker which means that you would need to go over the pits and get it approved by some grumpy old asshole with no appreciation for mechanical marvels, which is obviously a pain in the ass and could cost a bunch.

It probably won't change my mind about getting a system but just thought it should be something to consider.

[MikeFish]

I used to get stopped regularly, not for the exhaust per se but obviously the noise of it drew their attention to me and my driving. They'd always mention it though. In the UK it is illegal to modify the exhaust in any way which makes it louder so definitely an illegal exhaust. 2 days after getting the noisy exhaust fitted I was stopped by the police for my driving and issued with a section 59 warning. 6 months later I was stopped again and when he noticed I was on a section 59 he confiscated my car. Was pulled over other times too. None of these were because of the exhaust but I didn't have any trouble before it was fitted or after it was removed.

[rs user]

i dont think many manufacturers complied with this

for example the sva limit used to be 101db,scince reduced to 99 and probably further....and have you heard a tvr...lol or a new gt3 porker etc

[jonytek]

I used to get stopped regularly, not for the exhaust per se but obviously the noise of it drew their attention to me and my driving. They'd always mention it though. In the UK it is illegal to modify the exhaust in any way which makes it louder so definitely an illegal exhaust. 2 days after getting the noisy exhaust fitted I was stopped by the police for my driving and issued with a section 59 warning. 6 months later I was stopped again and when he noticed I was on a section 59 he confiscated my car. Was pulled over other times too. None of these were because of the exhaust but I didn't have any trouble before it was fitted or after it was removed.

Interesting! So how long does the section 59 last for, is it permanent? And how long did they confiscate the car for? How long did you have the system for?

My car is really just for weekends, road trips with the gf and those sort of things. Its not a daily driver so based on that my chances of being pulled over are reduced.... But now I'm just coming up with excuses.....

[MikeFish]

My exhaust was valve less and louder than the jcw though.

Section 59 lasts a year on you and your car.
Car was confiscated until I could stump up the recovery costs and get to the impound. Unfortunately for me it was a Sunday so I couldn't collect it until they opened on Monday.

[Surrey Sam]

I've had a section 59 warning for just the OEM system with the valves locked open. PC was fresh out of cop school though and being a total peenarse, trying to impress the even younger lady cop with him.

What annoyed me the most, is that you can't even appeal against the damn warning.

[MikeFish]

This is true. And my 1st one was issued by undercover police which is not allowed.

[MikeFish]

They can get away with it as there is no police fine and no conviction.

[jonytek]

Just reading about it now. What a ball ache!!

Where a constable in uniform has reasonable grounds for believing that a motor vehicle is being used on any occasion in a manner which—

is causing, or is likely to cause, alarm, distress or annoyance to members of the public,

Yep, sounds about right.....

[Surrey Sam]

Yes, it's certainly a power that is open to abuse.

[Ian_C]

I've had a section 59 warning for just the OEM system with the valves locked open. PC was fresh out of cop school though and being a total peenarse, trying to impress the even younger lady cop with him.

What annoyed me the most, is that you can't even appeal against the damn warning.

Surprised to read this Sam - especially as you are the poshest, most well spoken gent on the forum!

(Bam response - was the 'younger lady cop' a hottie?)

Personally, I wouldn't want to go any louder than a cat back Milltek non resonated. Even Milltek themselves now say they don't recommend this system for road use, having rebranded it from non-res to 'race'. The less opportunity to give the police to pull you over the better! When I got pulled for speeding, the last thing I would have wanted is an even louder exhaust for them to have added to the tally!

(police came down M1 slip road and latched onto my tail at night, I was on cruise control - noise definitely not a factor!)

[Starry]

And here's me thinking by buying a RS4 I'd be surrounded by sensible middle aged law abiding citizens

[FaisalJ]

I think it's fair to say that the 60 dB law is well and truly ignored by the manufacturers!

OEM Jag F-type R anyone? Or any supercar...

At least with the JCWF you have the option to shut it up with the valves. On more than one occasion I've switched it to normal when spotting a police car ahead of me, then cruised past while they're still trying to work out where that nascar they heard has gone

Also very surprised Sam got a section 59! Next you'll be telling us you got an ASBO!?

[jonytek]

JCFW tell me that its actually around the same volume as the cat back non resd milly.. Im starting to hope some people jump in to tell me that they've had no issues..

[jonytek]

So no real issues for you yet Faisal? How long have you had it for?