How long did it take

[Stronghammer]

for you guys that modify your car to cross the line ? Specifically I mean going from superficial cosmetic mods to warranty voiding performance mods. I have owned my M3 for 17 months and have test pipes ready to install and a supercharger on the way. Full steam ahead and no looking back for me.

[M3SQRD]

I purchased ALL of my mods while my car was being built. All parts were installed before I had even completed the 1200 mile break-in...

[///M Ryder]

Most were done prior to delivery..............Phil

[Cingulus]

It has been a process for me, over 2 years, but that had more to do with finding what I wanted than any questions about doing the modifications. Most of mine have been mechanical first.

[Pontrelli]

Not planning to void my warranty anytime soon

[Chriskm3]

I think it starts with one single purchase then its downhill from there

[S65NAPWR]

I got the basics and the car isn't even here yet! I think if you visit this forum more than once a month, you're probably going to do one or two mods at minimum right away.

[6spdg37s]

the day i sign the final papers and drive away in the car I will click "order" for my exhaust

[LarThaL]

Originally Posted by Stronghammer

for you guys that modify your car to cross the line ? Specifically I mean going from superficial cosmetic mods to warranty voiding performance mods. I have owned my M3 for 17 months and have test pipes ready to install and a supercharger on the way. Full steam ahead and no looking back for me.

I'm fairly certain I'm done with that. After over $100k spent in mods alone on assorted cars, big ticket mods aren't in my future any more. The reason is simple. You get absolutely no money back on them. In fact, it can make your car that much harder to sell even compared to stock. I think I have decided that if I feel the need to mod a car to that degree, then I should just switch to a different car. This could be different if I find a "forever" car, but as nice as the M3 is, it is not quite that car for me.

[S65NAPWR]

Sometimes you get caught up in modding that you forget how good the original packaging was to begin with. I recently drove a standard ZCP for a couple of weeks (coming from another modded M3) and it was a dream to drive stock - totally forgot how nice it was as-is. It's making re-think what I want to do the car beside the standard visual mods (i.e. reflectors, grills, spacers).

[LarThaL]

Originally Posted by Team Plutonium

Depends on the mods, some hold their value pretty well, and can be sold very fast... anything Brembo, Akra, KW, etc... But you are right, selling the car, or trading it-in becomes a lot harder. Dealers would never touch it, and you really need to find the "one" right buyer.

Yes, you can certainly sell back some of your mods, but the problem is this: Installing your mods is a joy. Removing them and re-installing the stock parts is just an added pain and expense again.

Kudos to all of you who have really built up your M3s. I do know how much fun this can be. I just hope that you all plan on keeping it for some time. There was a post in the classifieds from a guy who has put over $60,000 in mods into his M3 and is now selling off everything after only 1500 miles with the mods !!!!! I don't care how much money one has, this is nuts.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=773222

[Stronghammer]

Certainly I agree that modifying a car is a financial loser. Having said that many things have made that OK with me. If I sell the M3 and get into something new I lose money. Paid cash for the car when I bought it. It would be difficult for me to spend money on a supercharger if I still owed 40 K on the car. The car has been rock solid since I have owned it and I trust it is not going to blow up tomorrow. Thanks to this board there is an ability for a "rookie" like me to make informed choices. I have come to trust companies like IND to give me honest answers and great service so I am not afraid of being ripped off. Finally Modding keeps me entertained and occupies my addictive needs. In the end its likely much cheaper than getting a DUI or sleeping with your secretary.

[S65NAPWR]

Originally Posted by Stronghammer

In the end its likely much cheaper than getting a DUI or sleeping with your secretary.

I couldn't agree more and great analogy. Those damm secretaries get pricey!

[LarThaL]

Originally Posted by Stronghammer

Certainly I agree that modifying a car is a financial loser. Having said that many things have made that OK with me. If I sell the M3 and get into something new I lose money. Paid cash for the car when I bought it. It would be difficult for me to spend money on a supercharger if I still owed 40 K on the car. The car has been rock solid since I have owned it and I trust it is not going to blow up tomorrow. Thanks to this board there is an ability for a "rookie" like me to make informed choices. I have come to trust companies like IND to give me honest answers and great service so I am not afraid of being ripped off. Finally Modding keeps me entertained and occupies my addictive needs. In the end its likely much cheaper than getting a DUI or sleeping with your secretary.

My wife is a lot hotter than my secretary, so no worries for me on that front.

[HeartMD]

I bought my Lux H8 angel eyes and my IND kidney and side gills before I even had the car. It took me 17months of ownership before I got my Akra slip on. Now Ive upgraded to full evo but kept my stock pipes in order to swap them out when smog time rolls around in 2 years. I love this car and wanted to change the exhaust abit. I definately wont be making any further performance mods as I feel the car has the perfect ammount of power for me ( alot more than I can handle). I really wanted to get a brembo BBK but with a new house, a third child on the way and 12 more years of 2k per month school loans I just cant justify spending any more. In total my mods add up to about 8k (which my wife only thinks cost me 1k)
Just an FYI: I definatety plan on holding on to this car for a long while and at some point will probably succumb to the modding virus once more.

[Superfly_M3]

Originally Posted by LarThaL

My wife is a lot hotter than my secretary, so no worries for me on that front.

I bet she also read these forums ... bonus brownies for you

[Powerbeast]

300 miles it all started

ESS VT2-600 at 300 miles

Wheels/tires/brakes/suspension at 650 miles

CF roof replacement at 1000 miles

[classic6]

about a year and half...thats when i realized i have a problem!!!

[Kenny@VS]

modding is a great sickness to have

[CBS]

I plan to show my Wife this Thread! I thought I was nuts, glad to see I have Good Company!
Modd'ing is indeed a sickness. However, much, much cheaper than a DUI or sleeping with your Secretary....

I started modd'ing at 192 miles on the odometer. SC at 6,000 miles.

[Stronghammer]

I picked my car up today from the shop after having a supercharger installed. As I sat there looking at it my first thought was "what's next ?". I just hope this "fix" lasts till my next bonus.