How many points are deducted for replacing the antenna with a shark fin?
4 Answers
Replacing the antenna with a shark fin does not result in any point deductions. Introduction to Shark Fin Car Antennas: Shark fin antennas are very common on BMW cars. This type of antenna receiver can enhance the car's appearance and also offers some additional functionalities. Shark fin car antennas utilize internationally advanced electronic technology, making them look more dynamic and aesthetically pleasing. They come with various powerful automotive electronic functions such as FM, GPS, and GSM. Types of Shark Fin Car Antennas: Shark fin car antennas can be categorized into functional antennas and decorative antennas. Functional antennas need to be connected to the car's internal wiring, replacing and surpassing the capabilities of the original rod-type antennas. Decorative antennas can only release static electricity and enhance signal reception.
I've been into car modifications for five years, and honestly, shark fin antennas barely affect annual inspections. The inspection mainly focuses on hard indicators like headlights, brakes, and emissions. Minor exterior modifications are fine as long as they're not excessive. However, there's a prerequisite: your shark fin must be from a legitimate manufacturer and shouldn't protrude too much from the car body. I've replaced the antennas on all three of my cars with shark fins and never had issues during inspections. Remember to keep the original antenna—if you encounter a strict inspector, you can always swap it back temporarily. This modification is actually quite practical; it's not just about looks but also reduces wind noise and improves fuel efficiency by at least 0.5% compared to traditional antennas. Of course, enforcement standards vary by region—some cities in the north might be stricter, so I recommend checking with local car clubs before making the change.
When I worked at the repair shop, I often encountered this issue. Modifying the antenna into a shark fin style basically won't result in point deductions. There's no specific inspection item for antennas during the annual inspection, unless you go overboard with the modification, like installing a half-meter-high shark fin with lights. However, pay attention to the modification process – it must be secured with both 3M adhesive and internal clips, otherwise it might fall off at high speeds. I've handled over twenty cars with shark fin modifications, and all passed the annual inspection on the first try. Here's a little-known fact: shark fins can affect radio signals. It's best to buy a version with a signal amplifier, which only costs about a hundred bucks more than the original antenna.
A friend in traffic law enforcement told me that vehicle exterior modifications are not considered violations as long as they don't exceed 5% of the body dimensions. Shark fin antennas are usually shorter than traditional ones, well within the safe range. During annual inspections, they mainly look for illegal strobe lights or exhaust modifications—no one pays attention to small parts like antennas. Just to be safe, remember to take photos and upload them to the traffic management app 12123 for record after modification. My car has been modified for three years, and during three roadside checks, the police didn't even notice the antenna. With the new policies becoming more lenient, such reasonable modifications might not even require filing next year.
