Do any of you M3 leasers, Mod your car's?

[platinumpapi]

I know the majority of m3 owners finance their cars. But, to all of the few who do lease their cars, do you guys mod your car, or do you leave it as it is?

[e.n335]

It's not super-clean to mod a leased car, it does not belong to you. If you are willing to buy the car after the lease and keep it or sell it by your own, you might be good though.

Eugen

[cpiguy]

Yes, leasing is nothing more than an alternative financial vehicle. However, when the lease is over, and if you decide to return the car, you may be obligated to put some of it back to stock, such as wheels and exhaust.

[SoreHead]

My dealership were giving me contacts to get work done so it doesn't bother them. Not sure what they would expect when it comes time to give it back if I don't hang onto it. I probably will as the buyout is only 34k and I think I'll get more than that for a 3 year old M3 with only 45000km on it

[OMID INC]

The car is yours to do whatever you like. You are paying for that. Do what you want to do and return the car the way you received it.

Several dealerships have told me this word for word.

[SoreHead]

Only thing is I wouldn't want to spend several thousand dollars that I will lose if I decide to hand the car back.

[Ctm309]

Originally Posted by SoreHead

Only thing is I wouldn't want to spend several thousand dollars that I will lose if I decide to hand the car back.

The parts sell pretty quickly, the ratio of enjoyment to the little less return is worth it.

[platinumpapi]

sounds good, so basically i can mod it all i want, but if i decide not to keep the car at the end of the lease, ,i will have to return it in the same condition i received it.

[ooowowizstev]

I am on a lease.

[OMID INC]

Originally Posted by platinumpapi

sounds good, so basically i can mod it all i want, but if i decide not to keep the car at the end of the lease, ,i will have to return it in the same condition i received it.

in my experience, this is true. i have leased several cars and never had an issue with modifications.

[platinumpapi]

Originally Posted by ooowowizstev

I am on a lease.

What current mods do you have? can you share with us some pics?

[ooowowizstev]

Originally Posted by platinumpapi

What current mods do you have? can you share with us some pics?

I'm on H&R springs, eis race exhaust, tecnocraft chargepipe, wheels, and vorsteiner goods. I currently do not have an updated pic. But really, the only thing I wouldn't do due to the lease is probably a supercharger only because it would be an extreme hassle to remove. Other than that, I would mod away.

[platinumpapi]

sounds like you have lots of mods lol , so once it comes down to the removal of all the mods, you'll be taking the out yourself, or letting someone else do it for you? I have yet to mod any of my cars, that's why im asking

[ooowowizstev]

Originally Posted by platinumpapi

sounds like you have lots of mods lol , so once it comes down to the removal of all the mods, you'll be taking the out yourself, or letting someone else do it for you? I have yet to mod any of my cars, that's why im asking

We all start somewhere . Yes, I'll be removing most of my mods on my own if I decide to return at the end of the lease. But as of right now, my plans are to buy out at the end of my lease.

[platinumpapi]

I want to start of with kidney grills , and probably some angel lights. Are those easy to install with the help of some instructions , or would you recommend i get some help from someone?

[CATCH_M3]

If you have never modded you should probably get a friend who is knowledgeable to help you, supplemented by the DIY Guides on this website. If you are uncomfortable/get completely frustrated maybe bring it to an Indy shop you trust.

Mods are ok as long as you return to stock.

I have heard of only 1 instance where a person modded their car to bits, (supercharger, the works), and was denied return @ lease end because of it. But I am very sure this is the EXCEPTION. And as long as you're not giving ur N/A car boost, alcohol injection, stroker, etc. this won't happen 99.9%. If it's a leased car, I would do any and all bolt-ons .

[ooowowizstev]

Originally Posted by platinumpapi

I want to start of with kidney grills , and probably some angel lights. Are those easy to install with the help of some instructions , or would you recommend i get some help from someone?

Grills and angel eyes are very simple so you should be able to do those on your own with the help of the DIY's in the DIY section.

[quality_sound]

This was my old variant and it was a lease.

http://www.arcaudio.com/productpics/...ews-8.08-2.pdf

[saeedg48]

If I was bound by a lease I'd do rims and and ECU b/c you can always bring the rims w/t you and the ECU Isn't an arm and a leg. But no bumper /lighting /stereo /and other major engine mods.. (maybe exhaust) So you can sell it, buy it. The ECU being the exception but maybe you can work something out whoever you get it from.

[MN M3]

I'm surprised that people are advocating modifying a car that someone doesn't own. By definition, a lease means renting a car. Yes, you can purchase it at the end of the lease, assuming you want to, can afford to, and are willing to take the deal the dealership is offering. But, unless you know with 100% certainty that you're buying the car (in which case, why did you lease it?), then you shouldn't modify it. First, with the exception of some minor cosmetic mods that are easily reversible (and, yes, you'd have to return the car to 100% stock state to return it at the end of the lease), mods will usually permanently alter the car. Tune? Nope....the ECU will show it, even if you return it to a "stock tune." Springs? You can reverse it to stock if you're willing to pay hundreds of dollars for a 4-wheel swap + alignment. Brakes? Same thing. Exhaust? If you want to keep the stock exhaust in your garage for 3+ years and then monkey around with reinstalling it (assuming no pipes were cut in installing the aftermarket unit), okay. Wheels? Same thing. A s/c is out of the question - permanent modifications are made when you install that thing.

Bottom line - unless you wish to pis* away thousands of dollars in labor and the parts (used performance parts aren't worth much - anyone who says differently is lying), don't mod a leased car.

[BMdblU]

Originally Posted by MN M3

I'm surprised that people are advocating modifying a car that someone doesn't own. By definition, a lease means renting a car. Yes, you can purchase it at the end of the lease, assuming you want to, can afford to, and are willing to take the deal the dealership is offering. But, unless you know with 100% certainty that you're buying the car (in which case, why did you lease it?), then you shouldn't modify it. First, with the exception of some minor cosmetic mods that are easily reversible (and, yes, you'd have to return the car to 100% stock state to return it at the end of the lease), mods will usually permanently alter the car. Tune? Nope....the ECU will show it, even if you return it to a "stock tune." Springs? You can reverse it to stock if you're willing to pay hundreds of dollars for a 4-wheel swap + alignment. Brakes? Same thing. Exhaust? If you want to keep the stock exhaust in your garage for 3+ years and then monkey around with reinstalling it (assuming no pipes were cut in installing the aftermarket unit), okay. Wheels? Same thing. A s/c is out of the question - permanent modifications are made when you install that thing.

Bottom line - unless you wish to pis* away thousands of dollars in labor and the parts (used performance parts aren't worth much - anyone who says differently is lying), don't mod a leased car.

Not sure I understand your point. Tons of people finance these cars and mod them. The car is not yours in this situation either until it is paid off. People also buy the cars out right and keep them for short time periods of 2-4 years and mod. Inevitably, whether you lease, finance, or purchase the car needs to be parted out and you've 'wasted' your money. It's a money pit regardless. Pick your poison.

I lease because it makes more financial sense for my situation/business. I keep all my stock parts in the garage and will return the car to stock when the time comes. Sure it's a bit of a pain taking everything apart, but it's worth every penny/minute for me. High demand mods, especially OEM ones usually sell quickly and I've never had a problem selling.

Not to nit pick, but the S/C is a bit extreme regardless of your purchase option. How many guys have one on here, a handful?

[bunnn]

Is there a real difference between modifying a leased/financed/bought out car? When you sell/return your car, the mods are probably coming off anyways. I mean, mods rarely ever improve the price of your car anyways...if one cared enough about the money they would have to part it out, just like a leased car. The real difference may be that the purchased cars may be kept longer, so you get to play with your parts longer. But that's really only for those who opt to keep their car for a longer period of time.

However, I do agree on using fully replaceable parts..not a real fan of hacking/welding oem parts. And I think it's safe to say most of the parts/mods that are done here is fully reversible.

Also, the S/C..isn't the only kit that requires "permanent" modification the G-POWER kit, which requires drilling into some OEM parts?