yesterday i was threatened by a cop in an unmaked car. we were sitting in traffic, i was feeling warm, opin the window midway, and he comes over the PA: "driver, next time i come across this car, you better have made the exhaust quiet."

not really news for me when i drive the M3 with a UUC exhaust and other exhaust mods, but i was in my 325. the exhaust is ALL ORIGINAL.

luck for me, he was probably on his way home to beat his wife, otherwise, he might have given me one of those handy roadside-trials. the ones you immediately lose when he has to get out of his car.

a little remeniscent of the late '30s and early '40s in land of the nurburgring.

ha ha, when I had mine stock I would rev on all the cops here in va... Never got pulled tho, no fun in that.

yes it's just like Nazi Germany.

some of the cops in our area are freaking stupid. what is a young cop?

Dammit just moved to fairfax...fml

The Gen3 is pretty quiet though.

Gotta love Fairfax cops.

I once got stopped mid day on 123 and he didn't pull me over to the side....He just signaled for me to roll down my window as we both slowed to a stop, blocking both lanes on the road and all traffic. Only to ask and say, "What's so funny?....If I ever see you again....I'm watching you...." and etc.

Funny times, I think he was having a bad day.

suprisingly, not a young guy.

M3zie, as for the gen3, take it off, tape off the tips, and paint the can with barbeque paint. polished exhaust=loud. paint the track pipe too. i have seen them on their knees on the side of the road with a light looking under cars.

a few years ago my friend got pulled over because the cop thought he had a problem with him. that was a young cop. probably fresh out of high school.

Fairfax County has some serious priority problems.

Cops will watch 3 SUVs run red lights and then ticket the 16 year old kid in the Civic that stopped with a loud muffler. Total BS.

Nothing worse than a cop on a power trip (self esteem issues lol) ... tsk tsk :nono

Got pulled over last weekend as well, Loud exhaust.....it is and was B&B with DTM tips and 3 cracks in it. Loud is an understatement, fixed now.

I feel they need to equally enfore noise laws on bikes as well but you know how that goes.

Ahhhh... and I could storm around in a loud V8 GM honker with glass packs through Fairfax County without a worry.

you silly riceburners!

I guess your not worth harrasing in an older GM as you don't have disposable income or out of state tags. All mine are tagged and registered in EX-wife's name, till divorce is finalized.

Exhaust was free and I needed a pipe so it was worth the risk of a warning...I have a nice shiny ne muffler on it now and it's as quiet as an S14 can be.

Fairfax County has some serious priority problems.

Cops will watch 3 SUVs run red lights and then ticket the 16 year old kid in the Civic that stopped with a loud muffler. Total BS.

Tell me about it.

I've had run in's with more of FFX Co's finest than I'd care to admit. Two have been human (and they both gave me tickets 1 for a wheelie on my bike the other for 43 in a 35) the rest were beat up in highschool.

Did he refer to you as "sir" and say "thank you" at the end of his public address? Were you in the middle of a felony stop or something? You pay taxes correct?

Bluntly, I have long time friends that are Fairfax officers and friends that are officers elsewhere and interactions like you just had torque them off to no end as it makes their lives more difficult. Remember Police are pulled from the general population and there are ass-hats in every occupation. That said, you are entitled respect from them until you do otherwise. Young, nice car, etc. is not a reason to be treated as a dirtball. Unmarked you are not going to have a cruiser number but they do have license plates which you can follow them and write down. Call your district supervisor and describe your encounter objectively then let him know how it made you feel towards his police force; like an adult if you want to be treated that way (sorry, had to put that last bit in). If you don't get satisfaction then call your state congressman; they are a bit more sensative to pissing off their voters...

The ex-FC police chief is a family friend and I have spent some time with him; he would not be pleased to hear of something like this. Thankfully he is now chief in my county where when I see a squad car I feel protected not potential for harrassment.

As a side FYI, these guys put up with a ton of shit from people pretty much all day long so they get a bit cranky sometimes as you would too. When interacting treat them respectfully person to person and if they are confrontational don't act the same way back and make things worse. You want a good trick to help you from the get go on a traffice stop? Car off, windows down, interior lights on and hands on top of steering wheel not ditching your radar detector or something. Don't be surprised if get asked "you or your family police?" The more comfortable they are the better things will go. Imagine rolling up on a tinted out car, loud music, ricer muffler, at night, alone and think what your initial disposition would be like.

What happened to you was completely uncalled for. If he suspected you were breaking a law he should have pulled you over and spoken to you politely like you are an actual person. Thing is, next time you get pulled it may be one of my buddies so if you act well and respectfully you would be amazed how pleasant interaction with the police can be. Again, yours just sucked and I would have been pissed. Actually I'd still be pissed... :)

-Matt

i see all kinds of people run red lights with a cop sitting in the turning lane. If it's some lady in an SUV then never go after them.
i live right off lee hwy and ffx cty parkway. there is at least 1 accident a week on the overpass for ffx cty parkway. and at least an accident at lee hwy and piney branch light.
cops need to stop worrying about tint and exhausts. i think an out of date inspection sticker doesn't quite have the priority of someone running red lights in a 6000 lb tank of a vehicle.

i think they like to harass kids in civics because so many of them get stolen in Northern Virginia. so they will follow you and run your tags to see if anything is suspicious.
Though if you have a stupid ass RICE can with 10" tip that is annoyingly loud, i think you deserve to get pulled over.

i see all kinds of people run red lights with a cop sitting in the turning lane. If it's some lady in an SUV then never go after them.
i live right off lee hwy and ffx cty parkway. there is at least 1 accident a week on the overpass for ffx cty parkway. and at least an accident at lee hwy and piney branch light.
cops need to stop worrying about tint and exhausts. i think an out of date inspection sticker doesn't quite have the priority of someone running red lights in a 6000 lb tank of a vehicle.

i think they like to harass kids in civics because so many of them get stolen in Northern Virginia. so they will follow you and run your tags to see if anything is suspicious.
Though if you have a stupid ass RICE can with 10" tip that is annoyingly loud, i think you deserve to get pulled over.

Just to be clear.

My Son-in-Law was driving and old lowered Honda Civic with race seats and STOCK exhaust and he got ticketed twice a month for a "loud" muffler untill he sold it. We are unfortunate enough to live 2 miles from the FFX CNTY Police Acad and they turn those jokers loose to write tickets once a week it seems.

I can't prove it but it sure does seem the Cadets are told to target youngsters with moded cars.

Joe

I never have been pulled over in Fairfax but it could be that I drive the old land yachts/7 series. Just stay away from the Ox road and Fairfax county parkway areas and you should be fine.

Also be glad the huge fines have been thrown out.

I know the feeling Dave, that is such crap! Some FFXCo cops love to give anyone with "modified" cars a very hard time. i've had my share of both unneccesary harrassment and "friendly warnings" after getting pulled over about 20 times in my time behind the wheel. And I am 100% of the time respectful, using "sir", "yessir", and like mjOlson said, I always roll all windows down and turn on interior lights and have my hands in view on the steering wheel (this reduces their anxiety to know they wont get shot or attacked).

Its definately dependant on the officer, and no doubt they have thankless jobs. Im guessing they get tired of being threatened by a$$hats in expensive SUVs who have "connections" with the "head of the FBI, ATF, Chief of Police", etc in NOVA, so the cops take out their anger and frustration on the "ricer" kids who they can push around. Just my opinion, and again not all the cops have this attitude.

Anyway, as for me I gave up trying to have a loud car. I had mr. OmegaRaceShop build me a custom exhaust, and we painted the tip and muffler flat black, and the tip is only a single 2.5" tip, looks like a weak ass 318. :D

But I live in Fairfax County:(. At least we have one of the best public school system in the country.

But I live in Fairfax County:(. At least we have one of the best public school system in the country.

That's not much consolation when a) you're out of high school, and/or b) you realize that all your tax dollars are being funneled into what may be the best public school system in the country, which is still a pathetically inefficient disgrace of said.

Don't take this the wrong way but if you don't drive like a moron then the cops should leave you alone. Just today there was a Silver E46 M3 that went flying down Gallows Rd right past cop central or the fairfax hospital. That guy needed a ticket because I know I was doing 5 to 10mph over and he flew by me.

Don't take this the wrong way but if you don't drive like a moron then the cops should leave you alone. Just today there was a Silver E46 M3 that went flying down Gallows Rd right past cop central or the fairfax hospital. That guy needed a ticket because I know I was doing 5 to 10mph over and he flew by me.

I bet that was the same one I saw. When I saw him, he was coming out of the Merrifield post office, or at least that side street.

Made me wish for my car back even more, too. :( Mine is pretty much identical.

Don't take this the wrong way but if you don't drive like a moron then the cops should leave you alone. Just today there was a Silver E46 M3 that went flying down Gallows Rd right past cop central or the fairfax hospital. That guy needed a ticket because I know I was doing 5 to 10mph over and he flew by me.

5 to 10 mph over the speed limit?

If so, that really isn't much at all. Even the big bully Fairfax cops do at least 5 over. I've always felt like a cop won't even glance at you if your doing 5 over, possibly 10. Where you get in trouble is the 15 mark and obviously above.

Then again, if you drive a BMW with mods, especially louder exhaust then normal. Your just eye candy to all law enforcement, just waiting to be taken. In this case, maybe 5 to 10 is too fast lol.

5 to 10 mph over the speed limit?

If so, that really isn't much at all. Even the big bully Fairfax cops do at least 5 over. I've always felt like a cop won't even glance at you if your doing 5 over, possibly 10. Where you get in trouble is the 15 mark and obviously above.

Then again, if you drive a BMW with mods, especially louder exhaust then normal. Your just eye candy to all law enforcement, just waiting to be taken. In this case, maybe 5 to 10 is too fast lol.

No he said he was going 5-10mph and the guy flew past him.

And it depends on the zone. If it's a 55 zone you can usually do 65 no problem. If it's a 25 or 35, 10 over will get you a ticket every time.

I bet that was the same one I saw. When I saw him, he was coming out of the Merrifield post office, or at least that side street.

Made me wish for my car back even more, too. :( Mine is pretty much identical.

Did it have LED tail lights and dark window tint because the car that flew by me had that? There are 3 or so Silver E46 M3s that fly down Gallows every time I see them.

M3zie, no I said that I was doing 5 to 10mph over the limit so that would be 40-45mph in a 35 zone and he had to have been doing 50+mph.

i was going up route 234 after work at 11pm during the holiday season. i see a car tailgating me then the lights turn on. i pull over, the cop says that i was swerving all over the road(but i was driving perfect). when i told him where i am coming from he asked if i was drinking or doing drugs at work. when i told him no he started yelling at me telling me to drive normal because a kid might be on the side of the road...wtf....then he focused all his anger on the fact that my license plate was on my dash board and not mounted on the bumper...he gave me a warning but told me that he will always be looking for my car and he will give me a ticket next time if the plate wasnt on the bumper..

and literally the next 2 nights, 2 of my coworkers told me the exact same thing happened to them in the exact same spot....

it was a fresh out of high school prince william cop

wow, prince william is much more mellow, generally speaking.
i used to go to those DragVA meets once or twice a year for a few hours. when they were in fairfax, there was a cop every ten feet in his cruiser, with the windoes closed, giving everybody dirty looks, randomly disprsing crowds over the PA. when they were don in Prince William, there would be a total of 2 cop cars parked near the top. the cops would be out walking in the crowd talking to people and being friendly human beings.
in fairfax, i say the bad 99% make the good 1% look bad. in the PW, i say it leans far more to the good side.

Did it have LED tail lights and dark window tint because the car that flew by me had that? There are 3 or so Silver E46 M3s that fly down Gallows every time I see them.

It may have; I do believe it had LED tails, didn't see the windows too well.

One of those silver E46 M3s flying down Gallows might just be mine. :devillook

Well one M3 has white business stickers in the rear window and is usually driven by a mid 30's asian guy who seems cool when I have talked to him and the one that I was talking about earlier was driven by a white guy on the phone. No offense intended but I personally don't know their names and that is what I remember.

oh noes theyre after us!
http://patriot.net/~cary/fairfaxunderground/cop1.jpg

Nothing worse than a cop on a power trip (self esteem issues lol) ... tsk tsk :nono
Is that an oxymoron?

Well one M3 has white business stickers in the rear window and is usually driven by a mid 30's asian guy who seems cool when I have talked to him and the one that I was talking about earlier was driven by a white guy on the phone. No offense intended but I personally don't know their names and that is what I remember.

Yeah, the one I saw yesterday was driven by a mid 30s Asian guy. But I find (and no offense intended here, either, though now we're likely treading on thin ice :stickoutt) that there are a lot of mid 30s Asian guys who own nice cars, especially M3s. :lol

I've actually met quite a few laid back FFx county cops.
i remember one back in the day. we were skating at Kaiser Permanente. someone called the police. he strolled in, and said we had to leave cause someone actually called. he then spent about 10 minutes with us trying to help us figure out good spots to go skate where he knew nobody was patroling, or where he was patroling himself and would not bother us.

of course there are quite a few douche bags. as long as you are polite though i think they go a bit easier on you.
i only was pulled over once in my civic. the exhaust isn't that loud. very deep though. hidden, with a turndown out the rear bumper, painted black. I went about 6 months on a dead inspection sticker (cracked windshield) . i'd tap the wipers so one wiper would just cover the numbers on the inspection sticker. finally got nailed by a motorcycle cop on Westfields/Lee hwy after 6 months. he was curious why i had no rear seats and wheels in the back. asked if I "raced". when i told him that i autocrossed he actually backed off with the questions.

Hopefully i won't get pulled over with my M3. the aftermarket exhaust is pretty quiet. But right now the tint is 20% (bought from MD) and i have to take care of that before it gets inspection.

I like most of the fairfax cops. They seem to have a soft spot for military. I do what has been said in this thread already, windows down, car off, inteiror lights on, hands in view. I also be respectful. I learned those tips from being assigned to CID units in the military, so you get to talk with many guys who are civilian cops. I've never been pulled for loud exhaust (I have the Rogue DMS also), I have been pulled for "failure to maintain proper control of vehicle" and speeding. :)

On the interstate, go 14 over and you shouldn't get pulled. I've had many cops use "14mph over" as their magic number. They say once you hit 15+ then you're into pulling range. I generally get impatient on the interstate and am 20+, that is neither here nor there though.

funny thing is that they cant technicaly give you a ticket for tint or exhaust if they dont have a meter to show that they are in violation!

funny thing is that they cant technicaly give you a ticket for tint or exhaust if they dont have a meter to show that they are in violation!

I'm not positive on the laws up here, I know in Florida, if they don't have the meters, they can just write it up as noise pollution. If they can hear it from X distance away, they can write you up.

That is because your vehicle should "remain stock" so if they really are having a bad day they can write you up for anything that is not stock or a "stock replacement."

giterdone, I have noticed that too but that is on 495 so I don't do that much highway driving in VA. In town depending on the number of people 9mph over seems to be the magic number for being let off.

good thing most aftermarket cat-back systems for our cars are "stock replacements"

local governments are not allowed to requre factory parts for replacements or repairs.

Well the law is very vague and can be interpreted in many different ways. I will get the exact text later today if you are interested. Here is a link to a site trying to change the law by petition. (http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/Vehicles/)

Well the law is very vague and can be interpreted in many different ways. I will get the exact text later today if you are interested. Here is a link to a site trying to change the law by petition. (http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/Vehicles/)

thanks. if you have better luck than i do, could you also find the federal wording that prevents local governments from requiring factory replacement parts for automotive repairs.

funny thing is that they cant technicaly give you a ticket for tint or exhaust if they dont have a meter to show that they are in violation!

Even funnier is a lot of Fairfax County police have those meters in their cars.

Here is an interesting note, a lot of the Fairfax county police have mustangs and camaros. My friend has a mystic cobra that is fairly well known, and he is friends with a lot of the police and a he is former marine. He rarely gets pulled over and when he does, he gets let go. (He is asian, by the way).

He bought a ricer honda that he was going to fix and flip. He went to Ashburn to pick it up -- and was pulled over two times on the way home! LOL

He was pulled for exhaust one time, and tint the other. His Cobra has an off-road x-pipe, and his windows are definately beyond legal tint on the mustang.

Once they saw it was him, they laughed--asked what he was doing in the 'ricer', and let him go.

Anyway, do as mentioned above, roll down the windows, interior lights on, hands on the steering wheel. License and registration readily available, and you should be ok.

Something to think about...

.

Anyway, do as mentioned above, roll down the windows, interior lights on, hands on the steering wheel. License and registration readily available, and you should be ok.

Something to think about...

.
when i was in the driving class in high school, they said not to move or anything when you get pulled over. if the officer sees you going into the glove box for your registration, that may not be a good thing.

when i was in the driving class in high school, they said not to move or anything when you get pulled over. if the officer sees you going into the glove box for your registration, that may not be a good thing.

True.

I meant know where it is so when he asks for it, you go right to it, versus fumbling around in your glove compartment, between your seats, visor, etc.

No, I don't suggest reaching for your wallet as he comes walking up to the car.

Either have it ready when he walks up (and your hands are clearly visible with the license and registrationi n hand on the steering wheel) or wait until he asks for it. So you know exactly where the registration is, so you may spook him for a second, but he'll sit in his cruiser and run your plates, so you'll have time to get your registration out and license, and THEN leave both hands on the steering wheel.


.

I'm currently running no exhaust living in Fairfax.. no surprise, i've been pulled so many times in the past. Most of these "officers" have issues, so it is essential that you are respectful when you get pulled. I'm on my like 10th exhaust warning ticket over 3 years/ 2 bimmers.

I'm currently running no exhaust living in Fairfax.. no surprise, i've been pulled so many times in the past. Most of these "officers" have issues, so it is essential that you are respectful when you get pulled. I'm on my like 10th exhaust warning ticket over 3 years/ 2 bimmers.

brave man.

brave man.

Maybe he likes getting roughed up by men in uniform--the only explanation for running a straight pipe in FFX county.


.

They must be scared by 7 owners because I have never had a problem with the police. :D

funny thing is that they cant technicaly give you a ticket for tint or exhaust if they dont have a meter to show that they are in violation!

Sorry not the case in VA. If the officer feels your car is louder than stock he hands you a ticket. Yes I recieved $90 ticket from a VA state trooper because the officer thought my car SOUNDED louder than stock. Wasn't speeding. I recieved no other citations. Just the exhaust. What a joke.

I tell you my car is quieter than all my neighbors trucks and I don't see them getting tickets.

This is not the first time I have heard this about FFX county cops. I have heard this from a lot of people. Most FFX cops are real a$$hole. Always try to make a quick buck by pulling people over for stupid stuff like exhaust, and tint.

Hey for tint you can go get a prescription from a doctor for it but you just have to be sensitive to light, medically proven at least.:rolleyes

heh, my friend in was in FFX the other day. cop pulls him over because his registration sticker is expired, but my friend provided the temporary print out from when he renewed it online. so the cop is like "OK" and walks around his car. "sir, your tint is illegal, ill have to give you a ticket"

The ticket should not hold up in court if the copm did not use a light meter to determine the tint %. Also the meter has to have a recent calibration certificate. This use to happen alot in Pa, until people started fighting the ticket and the above comments were the end result.

The ticket should not hold up in court if the copm did not use a light meter to determine the tint %. Also the meter has to have a recent calibration certificate. This use to happen alot in Pa, until people started fighting the ticket and the above comments were the end result.

You are probably right. However, with the processing fee and lost pay for a day off work, you will end up paying more than the initial ticket cost.

You are probably right. However, with the processing fee and lost pay for a day off work, you will end up paying more than the initial ticket cost.

"Sick" days ftw. :buttrock

If only more people would stay out of Fairfax, too many cars on the roads now

If only more people would stay out of Fairfax, too many cars on the roads now

That would be nice!:buttrock:D

yes it's just like Nazi Germany.

The italics are key, here. I lol'd.

i still haven't had my front license plate on, should probably do that soon....ffx cty cops are notorious for getting people for plates and tint. It just looks so much better w/out the plate on the front!

i still haven't had my front license plate on, should probably do that soon....ffx cty cops are notorious for getting people for plates and tint. It just looks so much better w/out the plate on the front!

Miracles of miracles is I didn't get pulled over for no plates. But then again, I was pulling out of my neighborhood which is pretty nice, and just got a second glance as the FFX policeman drove by. I'm just assuming thats why I didn't get pulled over, but could be wrong. No front plate, but I did have it in my car. Just put the new front bumper on, so that was going to be my argument. :)

.

Just put the new front bumper on, so that was going to be my argument. :)

Trust me, that won't work. Many of them are assholes and don't give a crap what your explanation is. Might as well not waste your breath, in my experience. That said, I have not been pulled over for no front plate since having my M3 (knock on wood)--about seven months. The PO (datax on Bf.c) was also never pulled over in his three years of owning the car here (and never in SoCal, where his bro bought it in 2002).

I was, however, pulled over and subsequently ticketed for a) no front plate, and b) no inspection sticker with my E30 325iS in high school. My friendly wave to the cop in the bushes was probably a major factor, though.

I was, however, pulled over and subsequently ticketed for a) no front plate, and b) no inspection sticker with my E30 325iS in high school. My friendly wave to the cop in the bushes was probably a major factor, though.

:lol

Ya think???!!! :cool


.

Did he refer to you as "sir" and say "thank you" at the end of his public address? Were you in the middle of a felony stop or something? You pay taxes correct?

Bluntly, I have long time friends that are Fairfax officers and friends that are officers elsewhere and interactions like you just had torque them off to no end as it makes their lives more difficult. Remember Police are pulled from the general population and there are ass-hats in every occupation. That said, you are entitled respect from them until you do otherwise. Young, nice car, etc. is not a reason to be treated as a dirtball. Unmarked you are not going to have a cruiser number but they do have license plates which you can follow them and write down. Call your district supervisor and describe your encounter objectively then let him know how it made you feel towards his police force; like an adult if you want to be treated that way (sorry, had to put that last bit in). If you don't get satisfaction then call your state congressman; they are a bit more sensative to pissing off their voters...

The ex-FC police chief is a family friend and I have spent some time with him; he would not be pleased to hear of something like this. Thankfully he is now chief in my county where when I see a squad car I feel protected not potential for harrassment.

As a side FYI, these guys put up with a ton of shit from people pretty much all day long so they get a bit cranky sometimes as you would too. When interacting treat them respectfully person to person and if they are confrontational don't act the same way back and make things worse. You want a good trick to help you from the get go on a traffice stop? Car off, windows down, interior lights on and hands on top of steering wheel not ditching your radar detector or something. Don't be surprised if get asked "you or your family police?" The more comfortable they are the better things will go. Imagine rolling up on a tinted out car, loud music, ricer muffler, at night, alone and think what your initial disposition would be like.

What happened to you was completely uncalled for. If he suspected you were breaking a law he should have pulled you over and spoken to you politely like you are an actual person. Thing is, next time you get pulled it may be one of my buddies so if you act well and respectfully you would be amazed how pleasant interaction with the police can be. Again, yours just sucked and I would have been pissed. Actually I'd still be pissed... :)

-Matt
I completely understand your sentiment that we should support and appreciate those who work so hard to make our cities safe. However in practice, particularly in Fairfax county Virginia, I have great difficulty in not having complete contempt for the local police. I drive I-66 daily and can't remember the last day that I didn't witness the local cops demonstrating their belief that they are "special" and above the law. In particular, the HOV enforcement is specially reserved for those that are not directly part of the law enforcement family. Every day, I see several (many not one!) cars that are clearly law enforcement of one kind or another driving in the HOV lane in clear violation of the law. When the police officers that are on duty to enforce the laws simply wave at the violators I can't help but feel increasing contempt with each day. This is but one example of the general attitude that is present within the law enforcement community. The laws for for the mere mortals but they are above all but the most serious crimes.

I understand that you submit that the attitude problems are limit to only a few and generally young officers, but I think you are wrong. The attitude I mention clearly spans the majority of the police organization as supported by the evidence.

I for one appreciate the job they are doing but when I see the daily demonstration that they are special and the laws don't equally apply to them, my contempt and anger grows.

As a side note, I have not been ticketed or even pulled over for anything related.