Modifications

Moomah · Post by **Moomah** » Fri 24 Jun, 2011 11:54

I have been reading through the site and something stands out quite a bit.....modifying your Z3.

Being a newbie to not only the Z3 but also BMW, I am curious

..... how many of you modify your car, how many of you have tried to retain the original concorse condition, and why?

Wolverine_1999 · Post by **Wolverine_1999** » Fri 24 Jun, 2011 13:15

I think the majority would enjoy modifying their BMW, however, keeping only original BMW accessories.

Most of the aftermarket items usually don't compliment the car at all so it is better to keep away from. There are instances however, such as for headlights, where aftermarket are just much cheaper than the original.

BonBon · Post by **BonBon** » Fri 24 Jun, 2011 14:17

It's really a matter of taste......and there is no right or wrong (although sometimes downright disgusting

)
I for one like some non OEM mods, for example; halo fogs, bigger diameter twin exhaust pipes, 17" alloys, the fine spoiler and the grill (in my avatar).

Boysie · Post by **Boysie** » Fri 24 Jun, 2011 15:28

Hi

I feel original is best

I always wanted an M///
As I felt it had a high spec and most extras on it
But theres nothing wrong with a mod, in Moderation

My original Car

Ray

Ian_C · Post by **Ian_C** » Fri 24 Jun, 2011 16:44

Boysie wrote: I feel original is best
My original Car

Magnetic stoneguards?

Mac The Tank · Post by **Mac The Tank** » Fri 24 Jun, 2011 19:08

Agree with keeping it standard.

But saying that, I wouldn't hesitate on fitting a strut brace and a SS exhaust!

pingu · Post by **pingu** » Fri 24 Jun, 2011 19:13

I see that you have a 2.8.

The first mod has to be an M badge

.

TitanTim · Post by **TitanTim** » Fri 24 Jun, 2011 19:31

I've stuck with the expensive AC Schnitzer accessories, alloys, interior bits as I feel they compliment the Zed, but I could'nt resisit the dirt cheap boot spoiler

Tim.

Badman gee · Post by **Badman gee** » Fri 24 Jun, 2011 19:35

keeping mine standard, people generally like that.

Naeem.m · Post by **Naeem.m** » Sat 25 Jun, 2011 12:09

Mines the same as when it came off the production line

shantybeater · Post by **shantybeater** » Sat 25 Jun, 2011 12:23

As long as you don't have bad taste (which I don't think i do?!

) then modifying is a good thing in my book.

For the easily offended even you cant argue 'upgrading' OEM parts improves a car, adding bigger and better alloys off higher spec cars (so sticking with factory equipment), ///M wing mirrors, perhaps M suspension to improve arch gap etc.. modernizes a car massively.

For me my aim is not for an OEM+ look but for a car with more purpose, I can see how this could be seen as a bad thing to purists

GazHyde · Post by **GazHyde** » Sat 25 Jun, 2011 12:27

Naeem.m wrote:Mines the same as when it came off the production line

That would be the Leicester BMW production line then would it?

reddyzeddygo · Post by **reddyzeddygo** » Sat 25 Jun, 2011 12:54

When I purchased mine last year, found out it was exactly the same as at original purchase in 2001, so made a decision straightaway to keep it just like that - but admit I love all the mods I see others doing and sticking to my decision gets harder with every new post I see......

Canman · Post by **Canman** » Sat 25 Jun, 2011 20:18

When purchased new, the buyer had so many options / trim packages and colour combo's to choose from then mix in the difference's BMW made to the Z3 variants. then BMW design houses like ACS , Hartge and Hamann had style options too.
So is there such a thing as a standard Z3 ?

There all different and thats one of the joys of Z3 ownership for me.

Jamezee · Post by **Jamezee** » Sun 26 Jun, 2011 08:08

Standard for me, well apart from the BMW dust caps x 4 (replica) I sourced from a very cheep (rgf that's for you) fleabay site. They just finish it off

Jonttt · Post by **Jonttt** » Sun 26 Jun, 2011 09:08

Erm, I'll keep quiet

Ok then I'll bite

All of the mods to my car are fully reversible (as most are) and the majority are OEM as the AC Schnitzer parts were all available through the BMW parts department (with BMW part numbers) at the time my car was new (in fact I have a brand new Schnitzer alloy still in the BMW box) so in my view my car is only slightly modded from OEM

Modding is purely down to personal taste and you do need to recognise the fact that you are more likely to limit than widen a cars appeal to others by modding it (especially when you come to resell).

Part of the fun for me has been sourcing the rarer, originally mega expensive, original parts second hand for comparatively bargain prices over the past couple of years. and the best bit is I know I could resell them for what they cost me so win win all round.

I love original cars, I love cars subtedly modded and some of the heavily modded cars so its whatever works for you that counts

There are however 2 distinct courses of modding, purely for performance (engine, brakes, suspension, etc...) and purely cosmetic but some do cross noth "camps" eg dropping suspension can both improve appearance and performance if done well

Bench · Post by **Bench** » Mon 27 Jun, 2011 12:03

modded for me, upgraded suspension, bushes and strut braces are a must imo. The standard Zed isnt the best handling car but with a little help can be quite impressive.

Moomah · Post by **Moomah** » Tue 28 Jun, 2011 20:04

It makes for interesting reading.... and certainly I will probably go down the line of little tweaks but I think in general I will keep her as she is.... (partly because unless its a change of brake pads, top up of oil and windscreen wash...I am lost

Mac The Tank · Post by **Mac The Tank** » Tue 28 Jun, 2011 20:32

Moomah wrote:(partly because unless its a change of brake pads, top up of oil and windscreen wash...I am lost

I'm glad thats sorted; I wouldn't want to explain how to remove engine oil from the washer bottle...

pingu · Post by **pingu** » Tue 28 Jun, 2011 20:39

Moomah wrote:(partly because unless its a change of brake pads, top up of oil and windscreen wash...I am lost

As I said, just stick on an M badge

Moomah · Post by **Moomah** » Wed 29 Jun, 2011 11:34

I have been told that the only dumb question is the one that isn't asked....so I am asking a question. PLEASE do not laugh...

You mention the M Badge. I thought the M was a later model, not the 2.8 1997 reg. Is that what the M button is next to the E and S button on the console? LOL

pingu · Post by **pingu** » Wed 29 Jun, 2011 12:17

Twas said in gest.

To some, sticking an M badge on a non-M car is the worst thing that can be done.

You've lost me on the E and S buttons thing, though

.

Bill- · Post by **Bill-** » Wed 29 Jun, 2011 12:23

pingu wrote:
To some, sticking an M badge on a non-M car is the worst thing that can be done.

.

I'll second that

loads of that goes on on older 3 & 5 series, looks utterly stupid on a 520i

Moomah · Post by **Moomah** » Wed 29 Jun, 2011 19:06

pingu wrote:Twas said in gest.

To some, sticking an M badge on a non-M car is the worst thing that can be done
You've lost me on the E and S buttons thing, though .

LOL....so glad you explained it

With it being auto, on the console it had a switch, E (economy) S (sport) and M which I though could be manual but....

Hard Top · Post by **Hard Top** » Wed 29 Jun, 2011 19:12

pingu wrote:To some, sticking an M badge on a non-M car is the worst thing that can be done.

Yep.

pingu wrote:You've lost me on the E and S buttons thing, though .

Economy & Sport (Auto)....

Edit :- Moomah beat me to it.

jayson f · Post by **jayson f** » Wed 29 Jun, 2011 21:18

People have been modding cars since cars first rolled of the production line of Henry Ford , This gives the average person a chance to stamp there own identity on a mass produced item. Its like moving into a new house and not painting the walls or changing the curtains , i like the house so i brought it but i want to stamp my own identity on it !!!! Viv la mods.

Twin exhaust and supercharger next watch this space.

markrnorton · Post by **markrnorton** » Thu 30 Jun, 2011 09:29

jayson f wrote:People have been modding cars since cars first rolled of the production line of Henry Ford , This gives the average person a chance to stamp there own identity on a mass produced item. Its like moving into a new house and not painting the walls or changing the curtains , i like the house so i brought it but i want to stamp my own identity on it !!!! Viv la mods. Twin exhaust and supercharger next watch this space.

Hit the nail on the head there, i agree.

Not that i would ever modify anything

Wolverine_1999 · Post by **Wolverine_1999** » Thu 30 Jun, 2011 09:39

Hard Top wrote:
pingu wrote:To some, sticking an M badge on a non-M car is the worst thing that can be done.
Yep.