Modifying Cars, yay or nay?
Discussion
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?
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?
BMW bits - I wouldn't lose any sleep over it, won't put anyone off, nobody's ill really know that it didn't come like that from the beginning & keeping to OEM bits tends to ensure a fairly classy looking final finish. Just don't go in expecting to make your money back at the end, you'll get very little extra sale price if any. Even stripping the tasty bits off and selling them separately, I've found even bits that should easily make their money back later, often don't.
Non-BMW bits, you narrow your market of buyers considerably, I wouldn't advise it unless you're happy to put it completely back to standard when you want to sell. I speak as someone who has done loads of non-OEM modifying in the past and got fed up of the hassle of trying to flog the things after I'm bored.
Non-BMW bits, you narrow your market of buyers considerably, I wouldn't advise it unless you're happy to put it completely back to standard when you want to sell. I speak as someone who has done loads of non-OEM modifying in the past and got fed up of the hassle of trying to flog the things after I'm bored.
Edited by Venturist on Friday 24th March 08:37
Unless it's tasteful mods or adds to the overall functionality of the car (i.e. adding items of a higher spec model to a lower spec) then usually you won't really get much more money if selling. Barry boys think otherwise. In the past I've taken mods off my older cars before I sold them, then sold these separate
Imo, the trick with subtle mods is not to really mention them. If they truly to enhance the interior, then its almost like a factory option..
If you start listing every minute mod in your advert, it just sounds very chavvy...
"**NEW LEDS*** , INTERIOR SWAP, MODDED STEERING , etc"
I usually walk away from those types of adverts because it puts a bigger emphasis on the amount spent on cosmetic things rather than actual maintenance and upkeep.
For cosmetic things let the pictures do the talking..
If you start listing every minute mod in your advert, it just sounds very chavvy...
"**NEW LEDS*** , INTERIOR SWAP, MODDED STEERING , etc"
I usually walk away from those types of adverts because it puts a bigger emphasis on the amount spent on cosmetic things rather than actual maintenance and upkeep.
For cosmetic things let the pictures do the talking..
Personally everything you listed seems fine to me and wouldn't negatively impact future resale...
I think the only point to remember is although you will probably spend a fair bit of cash making the changes (seats door cards etc) it will likely not add value to your car or increase saleability.
The mantra I live by is something is only worth what someone will pay for it. You might be lucky and the next potential owner of your car wants exactly what you create and it is worth every penny and more to them.
For me I'd say if it's what you want, you can afford it and you will enjoy it why not.
I think the only point to remember is although you will probably spend a fair bit of cash making the changes (seats door cards etc) it will likely not add value to your car or increase saleability.
The mantra I live by is something is only worth what someone will pay for it. You might be lucky and the next potential owner of your car wants exactly what you create and it is worth every penny and more to them.
For me I'd say if it's what you want, you can afford it and you will enjoy it why not.
The first 'mod' I would do on yours (assuming it's the 3.0) is update the VANOS with the aftermarket kit for about £40. It's a huge ballache with the bulkhead in the way, but I did it over the course of 2 days using some very detailed online guides and the engine responsiveness and performance was night and day. Buyers appreciate that sort of thing when it comes to sale time.
Do the suspension with Bilsteins springs or similar and replace the bushes with poly ones. The ride on the Z4 is so firm anyway that the upgrades aren't all that noticeable but it feels much more solid. After all that lot you have a Z4 that drives and rides as good as (if not better) than new.
There's not much you can do with the electric steering, which has a tendency to "stick" after longer periods of use, but there are some further online guides on lubricating it.
Aesthetic mods generally look s
t.
Do the suspension with Bilsteins springs or similar and replace the bushes with poly ones. The ride on the Z4 is so firm anyway that the upgrades aren't all that noticeable but it feels much more solid. After all that lot you have a Z4 that drives and rides as good as (if not better) than new.
There's not much you can do with the electric steering, which has a tendency to "stick" after longer periods of use, but there are some further online guides on lubricating it.
Aesthetic mods generally look s
t. It's your car so do what you want to it 
Having said that, avoid the cheap and nasty mods that look good in pictures but awful in real life (think headlight tints), aftermarket rear lights that look like candles, interior spray paint.
Things like seats personally i'd avoid and put that money in a kitty to spend on your next car and move up the ladder as they will add zero value to your car and the appeal of new seats wear off pretty quickly.
Plenty of other things you can do to improve the car whilst not spending/losing a fortune. Alloys and getting rid of the run flat tyres are a good start for a 3.0 Z4. Removing the foam bung (air or cabin filter from memory - it was a long time ago) helps it sound better.
Having said that, avoid the cheap and nasty mods that look good in pictures but awful in real life (think headlight tints), aftermarket rear lights that look like candles, interior spray paint.
Things like seats personally i'd avoid and put that money in a kitty to spend on your next car and move up the ladder as they will add zero value to your car and the appeal of new seats wear off pretty quickly.
Plenty of other things you can do to improve the car whilst not spending/losing a fortune. Alloys and getting rid of the run flat tyres are a good start for a 3.0 Z4. Removing the foam bung (air or cabin filter from memory - it was a long time ago) helps it sound better.
Make the mods and keep the original stuff safely tucked away. If it becomes a nightmare to sell after your mods, you can turn it back to standard over a weekend and the concerns are gone.
I did this with my E46 M3. It had 90k on the clock but all the standard parts came off at 40k so when I put them back on, it drove tighter than one would expect. Happy next buyer.
RW
I did this with my E46 M3. It had 90k on the clock but all the standard parts came off at 40k so when I put them back on, it drove tighter than one would expect. Happy next buyer.
RW
Steven_RW said:
Make the mods and keep the original stuff safely tucked away.
this is probably the best solution even if the modifications don't make it hard to sell because the mods certainly wont increase the value of the car by anything like what they cost... when you come to sell the car I'm sure you'd be better off returning it to standard then selling on the M-bits separately. It doesn't sound like anything you're planning will make it unsellable. As it's mainly standard BMW parts most people won't know it's been modified. You might also get a bit of money back selling on your old parts as well. When it comes to selling the car it should hopefully make it more desirable, although as others have said, you won't necessarily get much extra for it.
When it comes to modifying cars, take on board other peoples advice/opinions, but don't let anyone put you off if that's what you want to do. Owning a car is not purely a financial calculation, you also have to consider the amount of time and enjoyment you'll get from the car, and put your own personal price on that as well. If you feel you'll appreciate the mods and are prepared to lose (some) money on them then go for it.
When it comes to modifying cars, take on board other peoples advice/opinions, but don't let anyone put you off if that's what you want to do. Owning a car is not purely a financial calculation, you also have to consider the amount of time and enjoyment you'll get from the car, and put your own personal price on that as well. If you feel you'll appreciate the mods and are prepared to lose (some) money on them then go for it.
I agree that everything should be reversible and you should keep the original parts.
You often see people getting aftermarket wheels, and then sell their OEM wheels on eBay to get some money back. Actually, when it comes to resale, they've probably devalued their car far more (and made it harder to sell) by having aftermarket wheels on it.
I personally think your plans seem very sensible! I wouldn't personally do the leather unless yours is already quite worn. Otherwise i'd be looking at the man maths to simply get a car closer to what you want in the first place.
You often see people getting aftermarket wheels, and then sell their OEM wheels on eBay to get some money back. Actually, when it comes to resale, they've probably devalued their car far more (and made it harder to sell) by having aftermarket wheels on it.
I personally think your plans seem very sensible! I wouldn't personally do the leather unless yours is already quite worn. Otherwise i'd be looking at the man maths to simply get a car closer to what you want in the first place.
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?
Hi, sounds all fine to me.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?
I've got an 09 Z4 - changed to a stubby aerial from ebay (which works just as well), changed tyres to non run-flats.
I've changed the stereo to a high end head unit, 3 speaker components and a small sub. Nothing makes the car unsalable as I can remove it and put it back to standard if a buyer wishes.
I had an S2000 - with modified exhaust, stereo etc and the old boy who bought it loved it but then he was an enthusiast. On the Z4 I feel that anything which is non-bmw may detract or put off buyers as your dad suggests.
Only thing worth saying is that you will most likely not get all or even a lot of the money you spend back on re-sale.
Modifying and whether it devalues the car seems to be very dependent on the car.
I do think some cars don't need to be messed with as they're pretty spot on from the factory. When I see M cars or AMGs deliberately made to be louder or more lairy it puts me off them a bit and I'd steer around them if I was looking to buy.
Some cars though, with a better set of OEM style wheels or better stereo etc. can be enhanced. Sounds like the bits and pieces you're intending OP wouldn't devalue the car as such anyway.
I do think some cars don't need to be messed with as they're pretty spot on from the factory. When I see M cars or AMGs deliberately made to be louder or more lairy it puts me off them a bit and I'd steer around them if I was looking to buy.
Some cars though, with a better set of OEM style wheels or better stereo etc. can be enhanced. Sounds like the bits and pieces you're intending OP wouldn't devalue the car as such anyway.
The trick here, surely is to add bits you want that might have been optioned on the car originally. So all the bits of an M Sport pack (for example) would look smart (and might enhance desirability at resale, if not the actual selling price).
Stuff that's obviously not meant to be there (angel eyes on BMWs that didn't come with them, silly wheels etc) don't really strike the right tone for selling.
Stuff that's obviously not meant to be there (angel eyes on BMWs that didn't come with them, silly wheels etc) don't really strike the right tone for selling.
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