to modify or not vs resale value ?

[Ralf*]

Now I look at all the various photo's and modifications, and sometimes I just look confused as to why would somebody do that to their cars, and at other times I drool over the resultant outcome.

Now I have for a long time held my own opinion that the car is best in its original form as delivered by the manufacturer, I don't understand the whole lowering of the suspension thing, the carbon wrapping thing, and I have always wondered if a lowered suspension or after-market rims or a decat/freeflow exhaust or carbon wrapping or a fancy sound system with sub-woofers etc etc would hurt the resale value or enhance it.

My main reason for asking, is that after following the crowd down in CapeTown and the modifications that they did to a customers E38 740i, made me take a look at my own E38, and it looks rather bland...although still elegant....but I am itching at doing a minor exhaust modification to get a double tailpiece on each side, instead of the current "clean" single under the body exhaust

what would be the net result w.r.t. value ?

what say the fanatics ?

seeing that I own my own fitment centre now, I can more closely watch what is being done, and the cost could also be kept under my own control.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...120.1073741834.465971326791996&type=1&theater

it was whilst my car was getting a free wheel-alignment check, that I ambled around under my car and the itch was created

then wondering around the shop looking at all the odds and ends lying around, I discovered these upstairs and started wondering how these pipes, possible fitting a double tailpipe end would look on my "bland E38 740i"

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...805.1073741838.465971326791996&type=1&theater

the itch needs scratching....or it needs medication !!
:fencelook::fencelook::fencelook::fencelook::fencelook::fencelook:

 

[RowenS]

It’s an age old dilemma. There are a number of factors that could influence the numbers either way. Do what makes you happy.

 

[badaz87]

I say doooo eeeeet!!









If you dont follow through with the exhaust, please bless your e38 with this:

 

[Fraser]

Never mind what other people think.
Do what makes you feel happy.
But be warned. You'll start with the exhaust, then it will be something else....
It's addictive.
:thumbs:

 

[Twinz]

Good thread.
Its your car. Enjoy it.

 

[Ralf*]

Good thread.
Its your car. Enjoy it.

:thumbs::thumbs:

mine is the "bland...yet elegant" E38 on the wheel alignment lift at my workshop.....and the rear silencers I discovered lying around discarded ACScnitzer for a 6 series.

 

[msm]

Enjoy your car and mod it how you want :thumbs:

If you're really concerned about resale, just keep all the original bits stashed somewhere. That way you can always offer it to the seller if/when you sell.

Sometimes the biggest issue buyers have with any mods is the risk that it was accident damaged and the seller used cheap/pirate parts instead of OEM. Hence, if you keep all your original stuff you can prove otherwise.

 

[Rommies]

Never mind what other people think.
Do what makes you feel happy.
But be warned. You'll start with the exhaust, then it will be something else....
It's addictive.
:thumbs:

+1

I don't know about you guys...but I'm always in the mood for modifications. It is who I am....I like to be different.

It also depends on the market. 90% of the time you don't get your money back for modifications. When people sell their cars they tend to put OEM stuff back on. And then sell off their aftermarket parts.
The people's minds always see OEM as "clean" and have the peaceful mind that the car hasn't been abused and still in great condition. Meanwhile the car has been modified.

I found this with my GTi....everything looked new and untouched....but after getting under the car...doing close inspection...taking out the OEM exhaust system etc...we found that the car was modified already by the previous owner.

To put it simple...I'll rather buy a car with its modifications...where the seller is honest and looked after the vehicle....

That is just me...I always find that you can get a bit extra out of every vehicle and do tasteful/quality modifications. There is a lot of companies out there doing extensive research on aftermarket parts. Some of the parts is better quality than OEM.

In my eyes..if you have something very special...like a collectors item...try and keep it OEM...but come on...a G6 GTi isn't a collectors item...I tend to keep the car for long...So I might as well mod her tastefully and enjoy every bit she can offer.

It is your car bud...do what pleases the crowd...(that's why you are here, to hear the opinions of the fanatics)...and most importantly...do what pleases your heart! :thumbs:

Ps: I'm sure there is modifications I do to my cars that people would do differently...but I don't care. Its my car, my money. They can go buy their own and modify it to their liking hehehe!

 

[OppositeLockMT]

I doubt you can ever get money back on modifications, unless they are major. My E46 used to look pretty bland aswell, blended in with all the other E46s around. Starting modding and got an M-Tech II kit, got rid of the aged amber lights, changed the wheels, had the mouldings colour coded and now the car honestly looks 5years younger (see thread in my sig).

It's all about personal satisfaction, if resale value is a concern then I agree that you should keep all the OEM bits and bobs.

 

[Pho3niX90]

I think depending on the mods done, the car can become way more attractive and maybe fetch a higher selling price when selling personally, my dad had the twin exhaust done at powerflow in margate to his 740, and WOW what a sound that v8 made, it was more attractive and later on became more attractive and head turner for everyone around.

I would say do it, like OLck said, it makes the car look younger doing the mods, and most of the time a stock car looks too old and not well maintained from the eye.

 

[Budleigh]

I'm personally not a fan of the quad-pipe mod on E38s, but it can look good. Go ahead.

 

[Ralf*]

I'm personally not a fan of the quad-pipe mod on E38s, but it can look good. Go ahead.

it was a reply like this that makes me apply the brakes to my "itch" ?

 

[OppositeLockMT]

Do what you please, I don't mod my car to impress others...should be what you find attractive. It's what makes as all unique in our own way.

 

[Ralf*]

Do what you please, I don't mod my car to impress others...should be what you find attractive. It's what makes as all unique in our own way.

but every day we (or at least I) quietly judge/approve/disapprove of other cars we see in the traffic, and their sense of taste or not w.r.t. to their choice of mags/body kits/exhausts etc

and so just now I do some mods...which according to me look good....and then I get "BANNED" from ever appearing at a BMW get-together/run/event, because the other members don't want to be associated with my style and taste...someone even deliberately tearing of the "BMWfanatics" logo on my rear windows......I know this sounds a bit far-fetched, but deep down inside we all actually judge others sense of taste.

which is why I have always refrained from modifications to any of my cars owned up till now....even my first BMW, an E36 325i still had the original two tone colours of bumpers/mirrors/skirt...I coudn't bring myself to accept the colour coding that some people were doing.


but I do feel like experimenting with my E38 a little bit

 

[OppositeLockMT]

Do what you please, I don't mod my car to impress others...should be what you find attractive. It's what makes as all unique in our own way.

but every day we (or at least I) quietly judge/approve/disapprove of other cars we see in the traffic, and their sense of taste or not w.r.t. to their choice of mags/body kits/exhausts etc

and so just now I do some mods...which according to me look good....and then I get "BANNED" from ever appearing at a BMW get-together/run/event, because the other members don't want to be associated with my style and taste...someone even deliberately tearing of the "BMWfanatics" logo on my rear windows......I know this sounds a bit far-fetched, but deep down inside we all actually judge others sense of taste.

which is why I have always refrained from modifications to any of my cars owned up till now....even my first BMW, an E36 325i still had the original two tone colours of bumpers/mirrors/skirt...I coudn't bring myself to accept the colour coding that some people were doing.


but I do feel like experimenting with my E38 a little bit

You definitely sound like someone who knows his motors. I love seeing modifications that are tastefully done and look like they could have with the car straight out of the factory. As long as you don't plan on putting neon lights, chrome spinners, a luminous two-tone paint job etc on your E38 I think you'll be safe.

Your car would look great with a set of OEM clear lights and M-Parallels for example, isn't really much but it's the little mods like these stay true to the car's personality...just with an enthusiasts touch.

 

[Andy1GP]

Do what you please, I don't mod my car to impress others...should be what you find attractive. It's what makes as all unique in our own way.

but every day we (or at least I) quietly judge/approve/disapprove of other cars we see in the traffic, and their sense of taste or not w.r.t. to their choice of mags/body kits/exhausts etc

and so just now I do some mods...which according to me look good....and then I get "BANNED" from ever appearing at a BMW get-together/run/event, because the other members don't want to be associated with my style and taste...someone even deliberately tearing of the "BMWfanatics" logo on my rear windows......I know this sounds a bit far-fetched, but deep down inside we all actually judge others sense of taste.

which is why I have always refrained from modifications to any of my cars owned up till now....even my first BMW, an E36 325i still had the original two tone colours of bumpers/mirrors/skirt...I coudn't bring myself to accept the colour coding that some people were doing.


but I do feel like experimenting with my E38 a little bit

To answer your first question, No. You probably won't add value by doing virtually any mods to the car. However a well maintained car with documented history does.

Then I have to agree with what has been said. Do the mods that make you happy, it's for yourself only. Not fanatics not anyone.

But since you're concerned of "what others think" this is my take on it.

You say your E38 is an elegant car. So doing elegant mods will gain approval from everyone. like the M parallels for example (what ^he^ said) They are OEM BMW wheels and will look great.

As for the exhaust I am very much FOR it. That M62 motor's sound needs to be heard So modifying that will be a win win. You could save weight and even gain some power.

Unless you do the quad pipe thing. Some Anal anoraks might not approve since the "quad pipe" thing is an ///M only designation.

So if you want to play it safe do the exhaust for more power and weight saving and everyone will love you! They sound awesome!

---

PS Even if you go bananas with neons and spoilers and chrome mags etc... you won't ever be unwelcomed by any fanatics events, that's just how nice the guys here are :thumbs:

 

[OppositeLockMT]

The E53 X5 4.4i and 840ci had quad pipes so there's nothing wrong with non-Ms having them :rollsmile:

 

[Andy1GP]

The E53 X5 4.4i and 840ci had quad pipes so there's nothing wrong with non-Ms having them :rollsmile:

Thanks! Now you have permission to :thumbs:
I've just heard it being mentioned in conversation, totally forgot about those cars. The 850 also not being an M did have quad pipes, but the motor had an S designation

 

[OppositeLockMT]

The E53 X5 4.4i and 840ci had quad pipes so there's nothing wrong with non-Ms having them :rollsmile:

Thanks! Now you have permission to :thumbs:
I've just heard it being mentioned in conversation, totally forgot about those cars. The 850 also not being an M did have quad pipes, but the motor had an S designation

The big NO NO is quad pipes on a non-M 6 cylinder :fencelook:

 

[Ralf*]

Ok....

My E38 is not in 100% condition anyways, and I doubt it will be something I intend to sell any time soon, as I bought it out of luv :inlove::inlove:

even though there are some issues with it....so I might just start thinking about the exhaust mods soon

My E39 530d(apart from a bit of damage to the skirting near the right rear (result of my placing the jack incorrectly to change a puncture), is otherwise in immaculate condition, and it will remain so...

but the E38 is "BEGGING" for some attention, and the resale is not so much of an issue...I suppose I can only improve its appeal (at least to me)