Who keeps their BMW's stock, moddified, cosmetic, or both

[SUB-ZERO]

Originally Posted by SUB-ZERO

Man, I was in the same boat with my 2005 G35 Coupe and came to the same realization. Currently, my M3 is stock (except for a filter and a few interior bits) and I have had problems with changing anything on it because it is soooo good out of the box. I would hate to throw off my ///M's balance and ruin such a great car.

Once you take you ///M out on a few spirited drives, you will begin to see how good it really is. Currently, there is nothing I would change for the sake of performance. However, a simple intake and exhaust won't hurt and will serve to accentuate the engines roar.

-SZ

Okay, I just got in on the RAC Monolite GB. These wheels are actually an upgrade to the factory 19" in terms of performance. While subjective, I think they are pure sex; especially bright silver on my Jet Black.

These wheels are 20(F) and 21(R) pounds, which is about a 3 pound improvement per corner over factory 19" and will provide more traction due to a 9" front and a 10" rear.

I always assumed they were like $5k but at $3750 for a race quality wheel from RAC, I couldn't pass this up.


Keep in mind, these wheels have been custom designed for our M3s from feedback received by members of this forum. It doesn't get much better than this.

-SZ

[TLud]

Originally Posted by SUB-ZERO

Okay, I just got in on the RAC Monolite GB. These wheels are actually an upgrade to the factory 19" in terms of performance. While subjective, I think they are pure sex; especially bright silver on my Jet Black.

These wheels are 20(F) and 21(R) pounds, which is about a 3 pound improvement per corner over factory 19" and will provide more traction due to a 9" front and a 10" rear.

I always assumed they were like $5k but at $3750 for a race quality wheel from RAC, I couldn't pass this up.


Keep in mind, these wheels have been custom designed for our M3s from feedback received by members of this forum. It doesn't get much better than this.

-SZ

SZ, the first RAC group buy was precisely how I got sucked into modding my M3 after keeping my car stock for 7 months. You've been warned.

You will love your RACs. The stock 19"s are nice (I've kept mine), but like you said, the RACs are better in every single way.

[graider]

totally agree with tlud. great post.

I think for m3 though, all you need is a good set of coil, bbk, rims, and exaust to complete the car. I wouldn't put lip, trunk, unnecessary add on, but that just me.

[SUB-ZERO]

Originally Posted by TLud

SZ, the first RAC group buy was precisely how I got sucked into modding my M3 after keeping my car stock for 7 months. You've been warned.

You will love your RACs. The stock 19"s are nice (I've kept mine), but like you said, the RACs are better in every single way.

I haven't purchased aftermarket wheels because nothing really comes close to the factory forged 19"s.

When I first saw the RAC GB I was disappointed to miss it because I finally found a wheel worthy of my M3. Now that the GB is open again, I have to get in!

I debating the brushed or the super silver for my Jet Black..leaning more towards the brushed. Have you seen the posts of the latest RAC delivery?

What an amazing wheel!

-SZ

[TLud]

Originally Posted by SUB-ZERO

I haven't purchased aftermarket wheels because nothing really comes close to the factory forged 19"s.

When I first saw the RAC GB I was disappointed to miss it because I finally found a wheel worthy of my M3. Now that the GB is open again, I have to get in!

I debating the brushed or the super silver for my Jet Black..leaning more towards the brushed. Have you seen the posts of the latest RAC delivery?

What an amazing wheel!

-SZ

I agree. Just about all of the aftermarket wheels I saw suffered from one or more of the following problems: (1) too expensive; (2) too heavy (i.e., little to no weight savings over stock); (3) not a 1-piece design; (4) unpublished or bad sizing/offset specs for the M3; (5) no improvement in appearance over OEM 19"s (some are downright ugly); (6) lower quality construction (cast, not forged); (7) lower quality finishes that bubble or chip too easily; and/or (8) sold by a disreputable vendor. When you first open the boxes containing your RACs, you'll realize that pictures don't do this piece of art justice. When you wax your RACs before they are mounted, you'll see firsthand the quality of the wheels you purchased.

Brushed and silver are both surefire wins on Jet Black, but having seen in person the beauty of the brushed RG63s on a black M3, it is hands down the one I would choose.

[linsm3]

Originally Posted by TLud

Hahaha, the mod bug does not descriminate on the basis of gender. As I've mentioned before, I love the way your M came out.

Hey, thanks and actually its probably worse for a girl, we never know where to stop!

[Day Laborer]

Originally Posted by Kyosho

I did the same exact thing with my G35. What a waste of time and money. So far I only have a front lip and axle back exhaust. I just dont have any desire to change anything else anymore =\

BTW what set up did you go with for your G35?

I had cp pistons, pauter rods, power enterprise twins, hks fcon, etc on 15 psi.
Again... Fast but not pretty; what a waste of money.

[Day Laborer]

Someone post up pics of these wheels!

[feroce]

I used to own a WRX and then an EVO and I have customized both before I sold them. I feel in the end it is a complete waste of time and money. As some aspect of the car "improves", I felt other were "lagging behind" or have gotten worse as a result. This is like a never ending cycle that causes me resentment towards my cars (both of which were really great even stock) as I am searching for the perfect balance that is pretty much unachievable based on my unrealistic expectations. So no modding for my M3.

[rav7ks]

Originally Posted by URBAN LEGEND

I will NEVER modify another car. I learned that the hard way after Procharging a car and wasting over 60,000.00 on the domino effect. Leave well alone for me.

I haven't done any more mods to my car since you saw it last....lol

[dhoggm3]

How could you be on this list and leave well enough alone!? Even if it were my DD I'd still do at least the pulley. Mine is not, so...

[niterider]

I need MA classes, Moddingholic Anonymous

Its a drug Ive been addcited to since I got my first power wheel at 5 yrs old. By the time I had a year with it I had a custom paint job (used markers, white out, stickers etc.) a removed front end to give it a t-bucket look and expose the engine (plastic engine of course) and a custom exhaust (i used the inside cardboard roll thing of a finished x mas wrapping paper roll, cut, colored and tapped it on both sides of the power wheel to give it a side exhaust look.)

So anyways, sometimes I hope I will some day change and stop touching things that arent broken but I dont think that will ever happen. I guess thats why I ended up being a tech, not something I wanna do for the rest of my life but I def. really enjoy my job.

[jml]

Originally Posted by TLud

While I see what you're saying footie, I respectfully disagree to some extent. The engineers tuning the M were faced with certain design constraints, including driveability (as defined by some average person) and price. If you're not so restricted (i.e., you have the money to burn and/or you don't need or want the softer drive that BMW gave the stock M3), there is room for improvement without compromise. Good examples are the brakes. Installing a BBK does not compromise the operation of the car at all. Another good example is exhaust, which for most of us improves the sound, improves the appearance, improves performance, and loses weight.

For other changes, the compromise can be largely or entirely mitigated by planning and executing your mods in a holistic fashion. For example, if you add some power with bolt-ons, increase your grip with slightly larger tires and improve your braking with a BBK or other mods. I've done all of the above and I don't feel that the overall balance of my M3 has been compromised in the least. In fact, I'm even happier with my M3 now than the day I bought it.

That said, I'll be the first to say that certain performance mods will create greater wear on the car, and every performance mod will affect the car's warranty, some more than others. However, if you plan and research your mods well, have them installed by professionals, and don't do anything drastic, this shouldn't be a major issue. In my case, other than having to be more careful with steep inclines, my car feels just as comfortable and is an even better daily driver than it was stock.

EDIT: I'm not sure why all the comments are being posted about "disrespecting" M. For most of us who mod our cars, it's not about disrespect, but rather tailoring the car to fit our individual needs and desires. The M engineers didn't know exactly what I'd want when they designed this car, and even if they did know, they'd still need to design the M around their perception of the target enthusiast. Modding is definitely not for everyone, and no one should criticize someone who keeps their car stock. On the flip side, however, someone who tastefully and purposefully modifies their car to fit their own needs or personality also should not be criticized.

+1

I modded my previous E46 to within an inch of remaining a street car, entirely for road-track performance and fixed the curiously crappy sound system. With that path came a few compromises that everyone will experience, but each person's tolerance/ability to cope will vary. The compromises are in 4 buckets. 1) Time spent battling the dealer and warranty issues, 2) Time you spend tweaking, kinda like a mini R&D investment on your part, some people have the time and like it so not always a compromise, 3) The counter effect of increased performance on drivability and NVH. The ///M engineers picked a balance, if you change that balance you can't have your cake and eat it too. And finally, 4) the hassle of selling a modded car. Pulling the mods off is both a financial and a psychological burden.

So, in modding the E46 I discovered my tolerance, especially now that I have kids, has changed. I don't plan to aggressively mod my E90 beyond tweaking it to suit my needs. Track mods are brake pads and fluid, data aq., wheels and tires, the critical stuff really. The Individual audio was designed by bass-phobic germans/dutch, so had to fix that. V8 needs to be heard, so fixed that with cutouts and an air filter. No plans to go further other than removing secondary cats from the spare mid-section I grabbed from a fellow forum member at some point.

I am fighting a very strong urge to get Motons and a front PF BBK...we'll see how that goes over the years.

[TLud]

Originally Posted by Day Laborer

Someone post up pics of these wheels!

Click my sig for some pics of them in gunmetal on my car.

Originally Posted by jml

+1

I modded my previous E46 to within an inch of remaining a street car, entirely for road-track performance and fixed the curiously crappy sound system. With that path came a few compromises that everyone will experience, but each person's tolerance/ability to cope will vary. The compromises are in 4 buckets. 1) Time spent battling the dealer and warranty issues, 2) Time you spend tweaking, kinda like a mini R&D investment on your part, some people have the time and like it so not always a compromise, 3) The counter effect of increased performance on drivability and NVH. The ///M engineers picked a balance, if you change that balance you can't have your cake and eat it too. And finally, 4) the hassle of selling a modded car. Pulling the mods off is both a financial and a psychological burden.

So, in modding the E46 I discovered my tolerance, especially now that I have kids, has changed. I don't plan to aggressively mod my E90 beyond tweaking it to suit my needs. Track mods are brake pads and fluid, data aq., wheels and tires, the critical stuff really. The Individual audio was designed by bass-phobic germans/dutch, so had to fix that. V8 needs to be heard, so fixed that with cutouts and an air filter. No plans to go further other than removing secondary cats from the spare mid-section I grabbed from a fellow forum member at some point.

I am fighting a very strong urge to get Motons and a front PF BBK...we'll see how that goes over the years.

Man, I couldn't agree with you more. If you ever see my car on one of the tracks here in Texas, feel free to introduce yourself. Enjoy your ride!

[jml]

Originally Posted by TLud

Click my sig for some pics of them in gunmetal on my car.



Man, I couldn't agree with you more. If you ever see my car on one of the tracks here in Texas, feel free to introduce yourself. Enjoy your ride!

What track and which club do you frequent?