I'm picking up my 05 CDI at the factory on May 24th. I was wondering if someone in California could tell me at what point a California resident could buy a used 05 diesel?
I have been going to Stuttgart twice a year and could afford to pick up another car at the end of this year if my CDI would bring top dollar at that time.
Please let me know what the law allows.

California is waiting on the new, reduced sulfer diesel fuel mandated by the feds. The new diesel fuel will be available in the U.S. by 2007 (or 06) at which time CA will likely embrace diesels.

Having said that, I am not completely certain how laws would treat a resale 'today' in the state...

Buy and register in another state then re-register in CA.

As far as I know that's the only way (for now).

In NY state 320CDI sales prohibited (same as in CA), so people are planning to buy then in NJ then reregister in NY.

Once the car has 7500 mi on it registration will be possible. Trick is to get the car registered somewhere and get the mileage then bring it to one of the states inflicted with California-ism. You might check the forums @TDIclub.com for all the details.

check with your local dmv about it.

i know there are ways around it... for CA residents, you can buy it in another state (NV or AZ) but you have to first register it there... and there are special restrictions, for example, if it is a replacement for a vehicle thats beyond repair, then you can register it directly as a CA vehicle.. etc.

another way to get one in CA is to buy it used, with over 7500 miles on it.. i think that's what I'm gonna try to do

Is it only reaching 7500 miles or can it also be purchased after 6 months? If it is 6 months then I will be selling mine at that time. For me 6 months would be Nov 24th. I'm planning to be in Stuttgart in December and would like to pick up another car than if my CDI is sold. I might get the E350 if it becomes available.

I bought my '03 model in Arizona last November with 4200 miles on it. The DMV gave me a little bit of problems, but after all was said and done I was able to register it in California. I don't really think its much of an issue nowadays because most cars are 50-state emissions legal.

The problem is the CDI is NOT 50-state emissions legal. That's what we're all worried about. It won't pass the CA based emissions requirements that CA, NY and a few other states have adopted. Since the emissions restrictions are just gonig to get stricter, I dunno if waiting for the new lower sulfur gas in 07 is gonna do any good. Prolly have to do that buy used after 7500 miles route.