The other bit w/r to the OEM is...disclosure. To me, yes...ignorance of the law is on you however, the dealers should let folks know (or the OEM) that N mode *may* be out of compliance with local noise ordinances and folks should look into it or however you want to phrase it...most reasonable people wouldn't think this is a legal issue. I still can't believe someone can buy a new car and any part of that car's OE function puts you out of compliance...nuts.
We have "loud exhaust" rules here in VA however, it was removed as a primary offense a few years ago and for good reason with several other minor equipment-type infractions (tint is one too)...my opinion is that we need less interaction with LE for this crap that is often used as an abuse to get more out of the stop including searches etc. You can still get cited but only if you say got pulled over for speeding and hey, BTW, your exhaust is too loud. However, b/c we can't have nice things and b/c of the catless downpipe/straight pipe crowd, we are back to being able to be pulled for it. I get it...folks now have no concept of "reasonableness". Your Mustang with Flowmasters sounds great but the straight-piped bro-dozer squat truck that is as loud as a stock car is not. Your Subaru with catless downpipe and AK47 gunfire tune, also not ok. Seems it should be easy to find that magical middle ground. Both of my VWs have modified exhausts that are tasteful and won't be getting me pulled over but give me some nice sound. My neighbor across the street has a BMW X5 M and he coded the exhaust valves open all the time, sounds amazing and yes, I hear him fire it in the morning but it's not obnoxious.
We have "loud exhaust" rules here in VA however, it was removed as a primary offense a few years ago and for good reason with several other minor equipment-type infractions (tint is one too)...my opinion is that we need less interaction with LE for this crap that is often used as an abuse to get more out of the stop including searches etc. You can still get cited but only if you say got pulled over for speeding and hey, BTW, your exhaust is too loud. However, b/c we can't have nice things and b/c of the catless downpipe/straight pipe crowd, we are back to being able to be pulled for it. I get it...folks now have no concept of "reasonableness". Your Mustang with Flowmasters sounds great but the straight-piped bro-dozer squat truck that is as loud as a stock car is not. Your Subaru with catless downpipe and AK47 gunfire tune, also not ok. Seems it should be easy to find that magical middle ground. Both of my VWs have modified exhausts that are tasteful and won't be getting me pulled over but give me some nice sound. My neighbor across the street has a BMW X5 M and he coded the exhaust valves open all the time, sounds amazing and yes, I hear him fire it in the morning but it's not obnoxious.