Modifying Cars, yay or nay?

[Drew106]

Just don't mod it expecting to add value, that's rarely the case.

If the parts you add are worth much, then when coming to sell you can sell those separately.

But I'd say definitely enjoy the car how you like. Worrying about resale values is pretty depressing.

You limit your market, but there will always be some people that will want to buy a car with modifications they like already fitted.

[TurboHatchback]

Any modifications would put me off buying a car whether they are OEM parts or not. Parts from more expensive models are just as tragic as aftermarket Halfords bits IMHO. Personally I would suggest spending the money on the absolute best quality tyres available and maintaining the car to the best level possible. If you want a better/faster car then buy one, don't waste your money sticking bits to the one you have.

[corozin]

I think it's a good thing. If there are things you can do voer time to update your car or improve it, then no reason why not to as long as you can afford to. For example the Alpine OEM Nav/Entertainment on my 330ci was not only really dated but the nav was starting to fail. Replaced with a top end Pioneer which has transformed travelling in the car and is a lot nicer than what was in there.

Obviously there are taste limits but if you don't go silly then you should now adversely affect the sale value of the car. Things like better seats can add value, but adding one of those exhausts with 6 exits not a great idea. If you change to different wheels it's always a good idea to keep the originals, pop them back on at sale time and sell the aftermarket jobbies seperately.

[AshBurrows]

TurboHatchback said:

Any modifications would put me off buying a car whether they are OEM parts or not. Parts from more expensive models are just as tragic as aftermarket Halfords bits IMHO. Personally I would suggest spending the money on the absolute best quality tyres available and maintaining the car to the best level possible. If you want a better/faster car then buy one, don't waste your money sticking bits to the one you have.

This is very stupid.

Oem stuff is designed and manufactured with NVH, cost and production volume in mind. 99% of cars are VASTLY improved with low volume, high quality parts.

I built a 550hp M3 with a CAE shifter setup and Intrax suspension because I wanted something exciting, quick and visceral. Your idea is to buy a GT3RS for hundreds of thousands of pounds more. Engage your brain.

This forum sometimes, Christ.

[Vitorio]

Yay, its your car, and you bought for you to enjoy

Sure, there might be some sense it not making it entirely unsellable, but you bought it for you to enjoy, not to resell right?

[Garybee]

It all sounds fine to me except for the stereo. Aftermarket stereos always look awful so well worth keeping the original for when you sell.

I'd like to change the stereo in my Z4 to add bluetooth but can't bring myself to replace it with something that's bound to be covered in bright blue LEDs and flashing displays.

[SonicShadow]

Your car, do with it as you please. Modding is fun, resale value doesn't come into it for me.

[TurboHatchback]

AshBurrows said:

TurboHatchback said:

Any modifications would put me off buying a car whether they are OEM parts or not. Parts from more expensive models are just as tragic as aftermarket Halfords bits IMHO. Personally I would suggest spending the money on the absolute best quality tyres available and maintaining the car to the best level possible. If you want a better/faster car then buy one, don't waste your money sticking bits to the one you have.

This is very stupid.

Oem stuff is designed and manufactured with NVH, cost and production volume in mind. 99% of cars are VASTLY improved with low volume, high quality parts.

I built a 550hp M3 with a CAE shifter setup and Intrax suspension because I wanted something exciting, quick and visceral. Your idea is to buy a GT3RS for hundreds of thousands of pounds more. Engage your brain.

This forum sometimes, Christ.

Not really. Supercharger kits, expensive suspension etc are one thing when applied to the fastest model in the range to begin with, they can deliver quantifiable improvements above what can be bought from the showroom. Slapping some wheels and a steering wheel from a Z4M onto a regular Z4 won't make it go any better, they just look like he's trying to pretend it's faster than it is. That money would be better spent actually buying a Z4M instead, if the M turned out to be not enough then by all means go crazy with the performance mods.

My point about mods putting me off stands though, your M3 may be great but if I was in the market for one I still wouldn't buy it as I'd have no idea as to the quality of the work, the consequent effect on reliability, longevity and driveability and for my purposes the mods would almost certainly make it worse.

[warcalf]

Nanook said:

If you want the Z4M seats, wheels and steering wheel, why not just buy a Z4M?

Personally I found the 3.0 with the open diff a little bit boring.

Because I'm 22 and can't afford a Z4M... 2.5si is the limitation I've been dealt insurance wise and car cost wise for now I'm afraid!

[ryan1684]

Surely modifying a car should be about getting it to a specification that you want, so you can enjoy the car whilst in your ownership, rather than worrying about how much the next owner is going to worry about whether it left the factory with that aerial or not?

If the modifications are fitted well, and in keeping with the OEM styling etc then surely theres no harm? the posters giving off with 'if you want a z4m spec why not buy a z4m' Surely not all of us can afford to own, run and insure the top model of a car, so we buy what we can afford and theres no issue with upgrading a specification a little. Isn't imitation the most sincerest form of flattery?

[warcalf]

ryan1684 said:

Surely modifying a car should be about getting it to a specification that you want, so you can enjoy the car whilst in your ownership, rather than worrying about how much the next owner is going to worry about whether it left the factory with that aerial or not?

If the modifications are fitted well, and in keeping with the OEM styling etc then surely theres no harm? the posters giving off with 'if you want a z4m spec why not buy a z4m' Surely not all of us can afford to own, run and insure the top model of a car, so we buy what we can afford and theres no issue with upgrading a specification a little. Isn't imitation the most sincerest form of flattery?

I do intend to keep all mads to OEM styling, I don't like most mods done outside OEM. With regards to not worrying, well that's Dad's for you! I think he doesn't want me to spend loads of money on things I won't be able to get back when I sell. Which as a Dad trying to advise, I do get. But I do want to make the car more me and I think with all the mods stated I'd certainly be doing that... I think I might not bother with the steering wheel and I've been deterred from the leather interior change. But I'm feeling pretty positive about most of the others!

[Herbs]

ryan1684 said:

Surely modifying a car should be about getting it to a specification that you want, so you can enjoy the car whilst in your ownership, rather than worrying about how much the next owner is going to worry about whether it left the factory with that aerial or not?

If the modifications are fitted well, and in keeping with the OEM styling etc then surely theres no harm? the posters giving off with 'if you want a z4m spec why not buy a z4m' Surely not all of us can afford to own, run and insure the top model of a car, so we buy what we can afford and theres no issue with upgrading a specification a little. Isn't imitation the most sincerest form of flattery?

Completely agree although having been in that situation, its trying to get the right balance as instead of spunking £1,000 on a set of seats (E36 Vaders back in my day) which will be worth nothing when the car is sold, put it towards the next car, makes moving up the car ladder a whole lot easier. I used to work on a percentage of the cars value - a Z4 is probably ~£4-5k so spending 20-25% of the cars value on seats would be prohibitive for me.

NB - using the above as examples and I know the OP hasn't mentioned this.

[battered]

Go for it, if they are BMW parts then why not? It's all reversible.

[HannsG]

warcalf said:

I've recently acquired my new car, a Z4.

I've had ideas of doing mods to it, mainly aesthetic things, not performance related as that's not my style. The mods I've thought of that I'd like to do, in no order of importance; Change of tyres from flat runs, change alloys to Z4M alloys, same for the steering wheel, get a full alcantara Z4M version, change the floor mats to BMW all weather, change the interior panels and seats from my black heated leather to red heated leather. As the car itself is black, and I think red on black would look amazing!

And I think that was about it, I fancy getting an aftermarket stereo so I can use my phone, wouldn't mind changing the aerial to a smaller one, read about somebody who changed from standard Z4 to a 5" S2000 version.

But I've been deterred by my father who says such modifications would make it unappealing when I come to sell. As these mods aren't changing performance and for the best part, I'm using original parts (for the best part) I didn't think that would put anyone off buying.

Anyone have any insight or opinions they'd like to share from their experiences selling modified cars?

When I had a 3.0i a few years ago it had a Remus catback exhaust and was lowered on Eibachs.

Transformed the car! Still miss that car. It was very reliable

[The Surveyor]

Make the modification but keep the original parts, then enjoy your new red leather interior and wheels.

When you come to sell, just put it back as original then sell on the 'modification' parts.

Then both you and your Dad are right

[austinsmirk]

when you get older (like yr dad and me) you'll realise all of what you suggest is pointless.

unless you are making yr car handle better, go faster or use less fuel- all you are doing is decorating basically.

BUT BUT its yr money- do as you wish


in hindsight, I'd quite like back all the £10,000's I've blown chucking into playing with cars for really not a lot of point, looking back.

[Kitchski]

Mostly, I'm an original bloke. Not so much for newer cars like the Z4, but for older cars. I like to see them preserved how I remember them. I also think it's much, much hard to improve on what a manufacturer achieved than people realise. I get a lot of modified cars in at work, and it's rare that I drive one I think that it's actually better than a standard one.

That said, I have a Hillman Imp with a Saxo VTR engine in the back, so what the hell do I know?!

[battered]

austinsmirk said:

unless you are making yr car handle better, go faster or use less fuel- all you are doing is decorating basically.

So I take it that your car has no metallic paint, no fancy trip options, and no leather seats then? There's nothing wrong with decorating.

[Grebby]

warcalf said:

I do intend to keep all mads to OEM styling, I don't like most mods done outside OEM. With regards to not worrying, well that's Dad's for you! I think he doesn't want me to spend loads of money on things I won't be able to get back when I sell. Which as a Dad trying to advise, I do get. But I do want to make the car more me and I think with all the mods stated I'd certainly be doing that... I think I might not bother with the steering wheel and I've been deterred from the leather interior change. But I'm feeling pretty positive about most of the others!

Phone up your insurance co and mention what you are thinking of doing. Ask them if/by how much it will affect the price?

FWIW I would only modify to enhance functionality/performance but it's your car and money and choice.

[Winky151]

Your car, your rules.

Unless you're selling on the bits you intend to take off, stick them in the loft (if there's space) so you can put the car back as it was if/when you come to sell & if the buyer prefers them.