Cars that don’t need modifying
Discussion
Probably not as I understand most stuff can be improved. However I am in the opposite camp to you and don’t really modify. I have an Exige 410 and on my eyes it doesn’t need anything changing. It has fancy seats, brakes, suspension and is definitely fast enough for me. However lots of people mod them as well.
Katzenjammer said:
There’s always someone who thinks they know better than the manufacturer, even with their 1000s of engineers and designers, and £multi-billion Supercomputers and R&D budgets
Don't forget the accountants making the engineers screw every component down to the lowest price, and the stylists pushing looks over engineering, and the need to compromise features for different markets/roads/fuel quality etc...I'm not saying all modifications are good (some are very much not), but there are plenty of situations where modifications can improve things that were compromised by the manufacturer for cost savings, or just optimise for the use of that individual car/owner rather than having to balance thousands of different peoples priorities.
sunnyb13 said:
Every car I seem to get; has a huge following for mods. Whether it benefits from a remap, lowering springs or even an exhaust system.
Are there any cars that’s are near enough optimum straight out of the factory?
Volvo V90, they haven't got into the hands of the paupers yetAre there any cars that’s are near enough optimum straight out of the factory?
swisstoni said:
I suppose you need to define what ‘optimum’ means.
Something lowered, mapped and with an aftermarket exhaust may not be optimal to everyone.
Some want comfort and silence.
Some want tedious economy.
Some want to set records around the ‘ring.
Etc, etc
Something lowered, mapped and with an aftermarket exhaust may not be optimal to everyone.
Some want comfort and silence.
Some want tedious economy.
Some want to set records around the ‘ring.
Etc, etc
Exactly.
Modifications are most often about personalising / optimising to a certain individual's use for a car IMO - most cars are probably 'close enough to optimum' for the average Joe Bloggs that the majority of owners don't bother modifying in any significant way.
Internet forums etc skew towards the other end of the spectrum because most of the majority who don't modify their cars also don't care enough about it to tell everyone what they didn't modify.
Edited by GravelBen on Monday 9th October 22:28
GroundEffect said:
I've never seen a car that is actually overall better after modifying.
Well, and I’m sorry to be a bore, but we now get into the definition of ‘better’.Personally I’ve seen plenty of modified cars that seem a heck of a lot better to me. But that was just my opinion.
I actually really enjoyed ‘modifying’ cars when I was younger.
I doubt I made them any better objectively. But they made me happy.
swisstoni said:
GroundEffect said:
I've never seen a car that is actually overall better after modifying.
Well, and I’m sorry to be a bore, but we now get into the definition of ‘better’.Personally I’ve seen plenty of modified cars that seem a heck of a lot better to me. But that was just my opinion.
I actually really enjoyed ‘modifying’ cars when I was younger.
I doubt I made them any better objectively. But they made me happy.
1) Put the transmission at risk due to torque
2) Probably introduces some NVH issues that weren't there
3) Probably puts clutch life right down
4) Will make the fuel efficiency worse
Is it worth it when an engine is £30k and the base car is already 0-100mph in under 9 seconds?
sunnyb13 said:
Every car I seem to get; has a huge following for mods. Whether it benefits from a remap, lowering springs or even an exhaust system.
Are there any cars that’s are near enough optimum straight out of the factory?
If you start with a car that isn't highly performance focussed, but you want more performance focus, then modifications are obviously going to be almost inevitable. But there are some greats which are near enough optimum from the factory. Stuff like 205 GTI, Clio 182 Trophy, R26.R Megane, Cup Elises, most Exiges, E30 M3, Alfa Giulia QV, Porsche GT3s, Ferrari Stradale/Speciales etc.Are there any cars that’s are near enough optimum straight out of the factory?
I'd like to add the E46 M3 CSL to the list but it needs front brakes and a manual gearbox.
And then away from pure performance there are loads of cars that 100% fit for purpose - Skoda estates as family cars, S-Class Mercs as luxury cars, E-Class Mercs as German taxis, Priuses as minicabs
etc.Hmm, I have gone to town on my Fiesta ST, and I wouldn’t say it’s ruined but it has been changed.
Gearchange, short shift, can’t fault it.
Hybrid turbo, again it’s added a lot of power, it’s properly quick for what it is now. Power delivery changed, more noise from under the bonnet. Been reliable so far and if it breaks I will fix it. Matches with intake, mapping, intercooler, sports cat.
Limited slip diff, Ford offered one on the mk8, much better, on road and track. No downside, apart from being expensive.
Suspension, no loss in ride quality, as it was crap before, actually better than it was, less harsh but then £600 worth of Bilstein dampers vs the OEM ones was never going to be an issue as much higher quality. Mountune springs are also less harsh.
Poly bushing added a little precision but didn’t make a huge difference. Full geometry setup made a good difference.
Dot 5 brake fluid and yellow stuff pads, need replacing, one track day and ruined
So all good news,
Well, not quite.
The mongoose exhaust, even with some dynamat and an extra silencer it’s still too noisy for me.
So some mods considered at length have enhanced the car for me, apart from the sodding exhaust, and that isn’t even the most obnoxious one you can buy by a long shot. Don’t do that much driving and have other cars, great when in the mood, tiresome drone otherwise.
Gearchange, short shift, can’t fault it.
Hybrid turbo, again it’s added a lot of power, it’s properly quick for what it is now. Power delivery changed, more noise from under the bonnet. Been reliable so far and if it breaks I will fix it. Matches with intake, mapping, intercooler, sports cat.
Limited slip diff, Ford offered one on the mk8, much better, on road and track. No downside, apart from being expensive.
Suspension, no loss in ride quality, as it was crap before, actually better than it was, less harsh but then £600 worth of Bilstein dampers vs the OEM ones was never going to be an issue as much higher quality. Mountune springs are also less harsh.
Poly bushing added a little precision but didn’t make a huge difference. Full geometry setup made a good difference.
Dot 5 brake fluid and yellow stuff pads, need replacing, one track day and ruined
So all good news,
Well, not quite.
The mongoose exhaust, even with some dynamat and an extra silencer it’s still too noisy for me.
So some mods considered at length have enhanced the car for me, apart from the sodding exhaust, and that isn’t even the most obnoxious one you can buy by a long shot. Don’t do that much driving and have other cars, great when in the mood, tiresome drone otherwise.
dunc69 said:
GroundEffect said:
I've never seen a car that is actually overall better after modifying.
A reputable Stage 1 map on my car has made it better. Its driveabilty is much improved - 272 to 350bhp and 350 to 470nm.
It is (and therefore looks) standard in every other way.
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