Registration

[Pleepleus]

Why is the registration in California so expensive? Just because we drive more expensive cars, we should pay higher registration rates? My renewal for my E90 335i is due in a week and it's $330. Seriously??? $330??? Does anyone have any insight into why this is the way it is?

[maande10]

Why is the registration in California so expensive? Just because we drive more expensive cars, we should pay higher registration rates? My renewal for my E90 335i is due in a week and it's $330. Seriously??? $330??? Does anyone have any insight into why this is the way it is?

You have a lot of people who take advantage of government services but pay little to nothing in taxes.

[SkyDog]

In California, property tax revenue is crippled by Prop 13, so the state raises revenue by sticking it to you in creative ways -- like tying the price of registration to the value of your car. It's a screwed up system and one of the things I don't miss about living in California.

[Pleepleus]

So what are you out-of-staters paying for your registration for the E9x?

[tturedraider]

Texas - $60 + $10 county fee (in most counties) = $70

[SkyDog]

In New York, registration costs are based on the weight of the vehicle. HERE (http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/regfee.htm) is the fee schedule. Registering an E90 where I live in New York would cost $44 plus a $10 county fee, but since our registration lasts for two years, it would work out to $27 per year.

[qness335]

i just paid 397 for mine...ouch...and that was very expensive..i guess CA needs more money to run the state. does anyone if CA is the most expensive one??

[tturedraider]

In New York, registration costs are based on the weight of the vehicle. HERE (http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/regfee.htm) is the fee schedule. Registering an E90 where I live in New York would cost $44 plus a $10 county fee, but since our registration lasts for two years, it would work out to $27 per year.

Wow! I had no idea anything in NY would be that cheap!

[TLudwig]

Owners in Arizona, Nevada, and Indiana have it worse and DC is pretty close to CA. Here is an interesting chart of taxes and fees for all 50 states over 5 years of ownership.

http://www.kiplinger.com/features/archives/2006/04/cartax.html

[Gig103]

Wow, it's $36/yr in PA for registration! I had no idea some states were so crazy!

We also need a state inspection that costs $60 (local shop) to $90 (dealership)

[Chach]

I grew up in California, and feel your pain on CA registration fees. When I joined the military, I became a resident of Florida, which has much better ideas when it comes to registration. According to the Florida DMV web site: "Rates are based on vehicle weight and range from a base fee of $27.10 to $46.10 for standard cars and trucks." I think I'll be paying around 40 bucks for my E90 '08 335i. I've owned my 335i for about a week and a half and BTW, I didn't pay any tax on it because I live out of state, stationed in Virginia right now. For any of you other military guys out there that are Florida residents and stationed elsewhere, you should take advantage of this.

[Pleepleus]

Wow. I guess I had no idea that other states had such low registration fees.

You know, it would be one thing if the California's finances were in good or decent shape. But the idea that they charge these exorbitant amounts for registration and we are still in a huge deficit might actually bring me to vomit...

[saladina]

The CA fee is so high because the state's budget is, and has been, in serious deficit. With sky high taxes, blame overspending.
One of life's greatest pleasures is spending other people's money, and pols do it with style. :rofl:

[x986]

"Ya shoulda been here yesterday". Thank Arnie; yes, really thank him. When he took over CA, he LOWERED the fee about 2/3. I don't remember the exact numbers, but I think I was paying in excess of $1K per moderately expensive car.

[nhhiep]

330 is cheap. they robbed me $400 for my 325i in AZ, where I just paid $300 in CA 2 months before that.. I asked why and they said it's based on the car MSRP. I am glad that I am not driving a used 7 series..

[Bill-SD]

I grew up in VA. Their registration fees are/were fairly reasonable...but they killed you in property tax. Here in CA, they kill you on registration, but have no property tax (on cars). It all kind of equals out...but it still sucks.

[Kamdog]

My registration is cheap, but my property taxes are high, over 7Gs. For a typical 3 bedroom split.

[bmwKbiker]

In California you are paying personal property tax as part of the registration.

It is the VLF part, I'll bet it is close to $200 maybe more.
Other states have different methods to levy personal property tax on vehicles, or chose not to tax them.
You also paid this as part of your out the door for the first year.
If you itemize on your federal returns the VLF portion of the registration fee is a itemizable deduction.

[Bob D]

SC is high 325I 06 500 our Z4 06 this year was 700.

[AzNMpower32]

VA is $38,75 for cars and $43,75 for SUVs and such annual. Add to that the cost of annual inspection ($40 or somethin). But the property tax kills ya, it was like $1100 for the X3 this year.

[Bill-SD]

VA is $38,75 for cars and $43,75 for SUVs and such annual. Add to that the cost of annual inspection ($40 or somethin). But the property tax kills ya, it was like $1100 for the X3 this year.

That's what I'm sayin...

I have owned nicer cars in CA than what I had in VA, but that PP tax in VA was worse than what I pay for registration now. Of course, thae sales tax here more than closes that gap! But that's another story...

[Meiac09]

$650 to register my 325xi this year, $25 for reg fees, $15 for plate, and $610 Excise tax based off based off a percentage of original MSRP.