Why is modifying high-end cars looked down upon in Europe?
Discussion
t.aaron-j9c9a said:
Because we are boring and judgemental, just have a look at the number plate thread. A lot of people don’t like rich people showing their riches.
This is probably one good reason. Americans tend to celebrate and compliment other people's success whereas for many Europeans being rich is sinful. Americans don't have a guilt complex about being successful. So if they have the money they will use it. And a far from cheap industry that is capable of putting out perfectly decent modifications and improvements on the inevitable compromise that is every factory produced car, to suit the exact requirements of their drivers, steps in. Gash is more the amateurish hideous styling of several home grown low volume manufacturers in Europe than what a decent shop in the US will put out. Obviously there are exceptions.rallycross said:
Probably because you are not going to improve any top end car with after market mods will end up less good than when it left the factory.
I don't think that true at all. modding cars isn't always about smashing them into a halfords window and driving off as quick as possible.For example I've got an amg gt. imo the suspension set up isn't great, its good but no where near what it could be, its crashy an not that compliant.
I would love to stick some kw v3 or 4 on there but it would devalue the car i imagine, or might make it harder to sell so i leave it.
ironically what suspension does the amg gtr pro come with?
kw v4
same sort of thing with the exhaust, brakes (cooling is notorious on these).
rallycross said:
Probably because you are not going to improve any top end car with after market mods will end up less good than when it left the factory.
Depends what you mean by worse? Mines modded and is vastly better performance wise, and goes down a bumpy road far better. Possibly not as reliable now I suppose but it’s been faultless so far so who knows. 
Glenn63 said:
Depends what you mean by worse? Mines modded and is vastly better performance wise, and goes down a bumpy road far better. Possibly not as reliable now I suppose but it’s been faultless so far so who knows.
You need to update the garage in your profile, there’s no high-end cars listed in there.I’m not sure you can make such massive generalisations.
I see many modified expensive cars in the hotbed of nonconformism where I live (the Cotswolds).
Done right, high end modded cars look terrific: I love the Liberty Walk F40. Maybe local modders just aren’t as good as the US / Japanese ones.
I see many modified expensive cars in the hotbed of nonconformism where I live (the Cotswolds).
Done right, high end modded cars look terrific: I love the Liberty Walk F40. Maybe local modders just aren’t as good as the US / Japanese ones.
I think there might be reasons:
1) Financed - not theirs to modify and very few will allow significant modification (one AM dealer I know quoted financed ones being as high as circa 95% of them, and why put funds at risk on anything other than a limited edition model that is more likely to increase in value).
2) As I am in groups with Americans and Candadians for my model, I do question the definition of "improve" in performance terms on them. A number of the Americans on said group are fairly difficult and won't listen to opposing views in any context (and tend to in general turn to personal insults rather swiftly) and in some cases the impractical nature of said changes.
3) The European market in certain countries is far more complex to remain road legal than the US in certain circumstances. The US guys barely understand the concept of OPF/GPFs anything after that is pretty much lost on them.
4) Vested interests - I won't say much, but certain parties don't always have the groups interests first, just there to support their product covertly. Having been in a debate with one founder of a Candaian performance parts manufacturer he was simply unwilling to listen. I did think originally of ironically if I do consider a complete purchase of my current vehicle using him, his attitude though changed it (and so did chatting with a contact I know that works for AM at Gaydon).
5) Got to be honest, in a number of cases any looks modification of them tends to rarely result in improvements.
6) Cost differences - AM in the US specifically charges outrageous money for servicing and warranties, the UK gets a sweet deal in comparison. AM US don't even give 5 yrs free servicing and the warranty costs are eye watering. Extended warranty in the US for 2 years $10k (£7.8k), UK for 2 years is £3.5k.
The extended warranty in the UK also covers more, includes recovery and hire cars. US does not (from what I have heard).
1) Financed - not theirs to modify and very few will allow significant modification (one AM dealer I know quoted financed ones being as high as circa 95% of them, and why put funds at risk on anything other than a limited edition model that is more likely to increase in value).
2) As I am in groups with Americans and Candadians for my model, I do question the definition of "improve" in performance terms on them. A number of the Americans on said group are fairly difficult and won't listen to opposing views in any context (and tend to in general turn to personal insults rather swiftly) and in some cases the impractical nature of said changes.
3) The European market in certain countries is far more complex to remain road legal than the US in certain circumstances. The US guys barely understand the concept of OPF/GPFs anything after that is pretty much lost on them.
4) Vested interests - I won't say much, but certain parties don't always have the groups interests first, just there to support their product covertly. Having been in a debate with one founder of a Candaian performance parts manufacturer he was simply unwilling to listen. I did think originally of ironically if I do consider a complete purchase of my current vehicle using him, his attitude though changed it (and so did chatting with a contact I know that works for AM at Gaydon).
5) Got to be honest, in a number of cases any looks modification of them tends to rarely result in improvements.
6) Cost differences - AM in the US specifically charges outrageous money for servicing and warranties, the UK gets a sweet deal in comparison. AM US don't even give 5 yrs free servicing and the warranty costs are eye watering. Extended warranty in the US for 2 years $10k (£7.8k), UK for 2 years is £3.5k.
The extended warranty in the UK also covers more, includes recovery and hire cars. US does not (from what I have heard).
Edited by Ninja59 on Monday 21st August 09:16
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