[Josh49]

Mods vs. Saving for the next car. Discuss...

I've been staring all morning at mods and the incredible things I can do to the car.. I would love the m-kit, some bbs ch's, aluminum foot pedals, black carbon fiber trim, any chips that come available for the 325, maybe an exhaust, that cf hood is sick.. The list goes on and on..

Or do I keep my car how it is, clean with a few subtle mods, and put that money towards the next car and buy a beast...

I'm sure other people must have this dilemna in their head as well...

[canucklion]

I'm having the same dilemma Josh

The list is endless

I hope to strike a balance, the next major mod for me will be tires + rims, and that's it!

[darkcloud]

I was in the same dilemna when I picked up my 325i. I decided already that I am not going to keep it once the lease is up, so I decided to go with mods I can either reuse, sell for not much less then I bought, or is so minimal that I'll just leave on the car at turn in. I highly doubt the body style will change in 2.5 years this is why I think a lot of stuff I will reuse.

1. Euro Xenons - My most expensive mod. Will reuse these on my E90 335xi, when or if I get it. If not they will still prolly fetch around $1,300 cuz their adaptives.
2. ///M steering wheel - May reuse if I get a manual but that is doubtfull. I'll prolly get between $600-700 if not more getting me very close to what I paid. I feel thats OK due to I got to use it for 3 years.
3. Aluminum pedals - I'll leave those in the car. I didn't pay for them anyways since they were a gift.
4. Interior xenons - Leave in the car as well. Also a gift.
5. Tint is always chalked up as a loss the day you get it.
6. Rims - If I even end up getting any will be reused as well. The bolt patterns deff won't be changing. If I do have to resell then it will be ok since I'm leaning towards CSL reps which aren't too expensive.
7. Sirius - Leave with car. Might help resale
8. Ipod kit - Leave with car. Might help resale

[Josh49]

Yeah it's tough. It really is. I'm trying to keep mods small, and not spend too much, but some of the stuff would look so damn good.. But it's a lot of money in the scheme of things. I wouldn't mind not spending this money, keeping it in my HSBC account earning 5+% and buy a monster next time.. But I wouldn't mind having my car look as good as some of the ones in the picture forum, and more importantly bumping up the performance.. Such a tough dilemna...

[Josh49]

darkcloud - I wish I didn't spend so much on tinting now. That is throwing money into the garbage at the end. I agree with you.

What is nice is these cars are so new, in two years when you get rid of this car, I'm sure you will still have a large demand of people who will want your euro xenons, m steering wheel, etc.

I feel about the same as you. It is one year in a few days. I think in ~2 years, I'm getting the next one...

[darkcloud]

Originally Posted by Josh49

darkcloud - I wish I didn't spend so much on tinting now. That is throwing money into the garbage at the end. I agree with you.

See thats why I only spent $160 on tinting. They didn't do a great job by any means, they did OK, but its tinted and I can live with it. I always say, "you get what you pay for". In this case I got 3 good windows, one slightly scratched window(you can only see the light scratches at certain angles and they aren't bothersome if you don't pay attention) and the worst was the rear window. Which I lucked out, I was rear ended and the shop broke my glass on accident removing it. Well they got it retinted and its 100% better:rocks:

Also don't do body kits even though they look oh so nice. I think you lose the most money there, cuz you really segment yourself with a kitted car when it's time to sell it.

[Josh49]

Originally Posted by darkcloud

Also don't do body kits even though they look oh so nice. I think you lose the most money there, cuz you really segment yourself with a kitted car when it's time to sell it.

Damnit!! I've been drooling over the e90's with the m-kit all morning. There's a gb going on right now and it'd be ~800 with painting and shipping. Again, that's a lot of money. But damn does that kit looks sooo nice..

Good advice though, thanks. I doubt if I parted the car out, I could get good money for it after being on the car for 2 years. And Mystic Blue isn't a very popular color.

[darkcloud]

Originally Posted by Josh49

Good advice though, thanks. I doubt if I parted the car out, I could get good money for it after being on the car for 2 years. And Mystic Blue isn't a very popular color.

That's the issue with any color. A $800+ body kit will go for maybe $300 and you know the buyers are going to want that price shipped, which it isn't easy to ship bumpers haha. Kits are cool if they come on the car factory which isn't offered here yet. That way everyone knows its a genuine BMW part that is on the sticker. Otherwise kits are for people keeping the car for the long haul or have a money tree out back

[Josh49]

Originally Posted by darkcloud

... or have a money tree out back

Yeah I need to find one of those..

[Marven]

Originally Posted by canucklion

I'm having the same dilemma Josh
The list is endless
I hope to strike a balance, the next major mod for me will be tires + rims, and that's it!

DITTO - you have to stike an balance..remember a car is a depreciating asset, but it's also an expression of you..Let's face it if we all were so concerned about money we'd be driving a Hyandai, which these for the price and warranty isnt bad...

I personally like mine stock with the sport package..probably the only thing I would add is a M kit...lowering and modifying the internals is ALOT of work and will always ending costing b/c it isnt the way the car was orignially set up like that from the manufacturer..I am talking about suspension and things like that..I went through this nightmare with my 535 (sig pic)...it looks nice but I had a number of hasseles after I lowered it...will never do that again - well ok NEVER say NEVER..

I've said this many times...I going return mine and get a E92 335, MT, BT and Sport Package..that's all..will probably add the E92Kit..

M.

[just4kickz]

yeah i've been thinking about this for a while... i really want an A3 as a next car... and the only things i'm considering on doing are tinting, clearbraing, BBS, and maybe suspension + sway+strut bars. and thats at least 6k right there... my paint on my e90 isn't too good and i have scratches everywhere cause of friends n' the train tracks across the street which put dust and dirt onto my car and i cant wash it till i get home....