Modifying Cars, yay or nay?
Discussion
The OEM Z4M wheels are rather heavy and provided your brakes are standard they don't require the extra size (18 inch) so I would buy some better wheels of the correct size and the best rubber you can.
Steering wheel does add to the experience but I should imagine the cost wouldn't enhance the experience that much but as others have said it's your money but bear in mind the extra money you will be spending on buying, fitting and declaring your mods to the insurance.
Steering wheel does add to the experience but I should imagine the cost wouldn't enhance the experience that much but as others have said it's your money but bear in mind the extra money you will be spending on buying, fitting and declaring your mods to the insurance.
I reckon if insurance is an issue then modifications are probably going to increase the cost of it.
Some of the comments here about modifying a vehicle are bizarre. Where do you draw the line? OEM brand/model tyres only? No upgraded disks or pads, no remaps, upgraded bushes or suspension components, lighter alloys etc etc?
Personally I'm all in favour of performance enhancing modification if it's done using high quality components or adds something to the car ie cruise control stalk modification to a vw product.
Some of the comments here about modifying a vehicle are bizarre. Where do you draw the line? OEM brand/model tyres only? No upgraded disks or pads, no remaps, upgraded bushes or suspension components, lighter alloys etc etc?
Personally I'm all in favour of performance enhancing modification if it's done using high quality components or adds something to the car ie cruise control stalk modification to a vw product.
warcalf said:
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!
Make sure to check the effect of the modifications on your insurance. I wouldn't be entirely surprised if the mods you're proposing push your insurance higher than if you'd bought a Z4M in the first place. kambites said:
Make sure to check the effect of the modifications on your insurance. I wouldn't be entirely surprised if the mods you're proposing push your insurance higher than if you'd bought a Z4M in the first place.
Really?I would be staggered if the things listed raised his insurance much at all let alone more than a Z4M premium
Something like this... although personally I'd rather black or carbon dash insert to the silver
Would make the car more desirable to me than black on black .
The Z4m steering wheel is a nice addition to. I think those who say you should have bought a Z4M are getting a little carried away.
Would make the car more desirable to me than black on black .
The Z4m steering wheel is a nice addition to. I think those who say you should have bought a Z4M are getting a little carried away.
Motorrad said:
I reckon if insurance is an issue then modifications are probably going to increase the cost of it.
Some of the comments here about modifying a vehicle are bizarre. Where do you draw the line? OEM brand/model tyres only? No upgraded disks or pads, no remaps, upgraded bushes or suspension components, lighter alloys etc etc?
Personally I'm all in favour of performance enhancing modification if it's done using high quality components or adds something to the car ie cruise control stalk modification to a vw product.
It's well defined what constitutes a modification, use of non equivalent parts. So pirelli tyres in lieu of Michelin is like for like, as is ferodo for BMW brakes. But fit high performance alternatives like pagid or minted 1144, that's a mod. So is fitting wheels that were M3 fit only to a 318i. Will you get caught? Who knows?Some of the comments here about modifying a vehicle are bizarre. Where do you draw the line? OEM brand/model tyres only? No upgraded disks or pads, no remaps, upgraded bushes or suspension components, lighter alloys etc etc?
Personally I'm all in favour of performance enhancing modification if it's done using high quality components or adds something to the car ie cruise control stalk modification to a vw product.
I have a Z4 and I fitted a GROM BT3 adapter to the standard stereo. I can now pair my phone for Spotify, calls etc. It also uses the steering wheel controls which makes it look and feel pretty much OEM. I have the DSP stereo which makes it slightly more complex (read: costs more) but non-DSP should be easier and pretty affordable.
Just highlighting in case you want to avoid an aftermarket head unit.
Just highlighting in case you want to avoid an aftermarket head unit.
CrouchingWayne said:
I have a Z4 and I fitted a GROM BT3 adapter to the standard stereo. I can now pair my phone for Spotify, calls etc. It also uses the steering wheel controls which makes it look and feel pretty much OEM. I have the DSP stereo which makes it slightly more complex (read: costs more) but non-DSP should be easier and pretty affordable.
Just highlighting in case you want to avoid an aftermarket head unit.
thought the same thing , you can get bluetooth / aux boxes that plug into the back of the oem unit ( where a cd changer would be) and they ad bluetooth, usb and aux. less than 60 quid on ebay too. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Z4-Bluetooth-Hands-F...Just highlighting in case you want to avoid an aftermarket head unit.
I've always modified my cars, I like tinkering with them.
But I concur with most others here. Either keep the old pets and change back when you sell, or do them in a way which only enhances it. No fibreglass bits stick on tat etc.
I've changed my wheels for Vw racing wheels still OEM, swapped the stereo for a kenwood, but it's a very good bit of kit.
It's been remapped by a decent company so I've probably narrowed my customer base when it comes to selling but I like it.
I probably would think twice it if I saw it for sale as it is due to the mods, but I like doing these bits myself, could save about £1500 buying it done already.
Do what you want to your z4 enjoy it, forget about the next buyer for now.
But I concur with most others here. Either keep the old pets and change back when you sell, or do them in a way which only enhances it. No fibreglass bits stick on tat etc.
I've changed my wheels for Vw racing wheels still OEM, swapped the stereo for a kenwood, but it's a very good bit of kit.
It's been remapped by a decent company so I've probably narrowed my customer base when it comes to selling but I like it.
I probably would think twice it if I saw it for sale as it is due to the mods, but I like doing these bits myself, could save about £1500 buying it done already.
Do what you want to your z4 enjoy it, forget about the next buyer for now.
Kitchski said:
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?!
Well, I'm going to be using BMW parts for everything, so it'll all look original and like it came out of the factory that way... That said, I have a Hillman Imp with a Saxo VTR engine in the back, so what the hell do I know?!
Grebby said:
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.
I don't think I'd bother calling the insurance company over things like that. Only performance mods FWIW I would only modify to enhance functionality/performance but it's your car and money and choice.
The answer to this is to buy a French car. I replace stuff with upgraded/modified stuff as and when it breaks as it's usually cheaper and the original parts is often complete s
te which is why it failed in the first place. After a couple of years you end up with a fairly extensively modified car whether you want one or not.
te which is why it failed in the first place. After a couple of years you end up with a fairly extensively modified car whether you want one or not. I tend not to buy cars based on how easy they might be to sell on. I buy them so I can enjoy them. It also depends what you qualify as modifying.
I've not modded the C6 at all (unless fitting bluetooth receiver and towbar counts), but I'm currently dropping a V8 into my MX5, and it was supercharged before that.
I'm sure I could have bought something as quick or quicker for the money I've spent on the MX5, but where's the fun in that? Anyone can buy a car. It takes a bit more involvement, skill and vision to -properly- mod a car i.e. not just sticking some tat on, and then it becomes your car, not just an item that you own.
I'd do it.
I've not modded the C6 at all (unless fitting bluetooth receiver and towbar counts), but I'm currently dropping a V8 into my MX5, and it was supercharged before that.
I'm sure I could have bought something as quick or quicker for the money I've spent on the MX5, but where's the fun in that? Anyone can buy a car. It takes a bit more involvement, skill and vision to -properly- mod a car i.e. not just sticking some tat on, and then it becomes your car, not just an item that you own.
I'd do it.
warcalf said:
I don't think I'd bother calling the insurance company over things like that. Only performance mods
It's highly likely you'd be breaching the contract of your insurance, then. There may be companies which don't demand to be informed about non-performance mods like wheels, but I've never come across one. Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff