aftermarket

[yeaJBL]

I cannot stand those companies that heavily mod cars (alpina, hartge etc). I think they WAY over do everything. Like they couldn't make their own cars so they have to take already great cars, and add all this crap that makes the cars look bulky, heavy, fat, non flowing. Then they put their name all over it and remove stock emblems and things like that when they didn't even build the car. they just added a few things that didn't need to be there in the first place, otherwise the people that actually BUILT the car would've added on to it. this is venting, and this is all IMHO but it really annoys me.

[The__J__Factor]

well we could all drive the same standard cars, but wheres the individuality in that?
Some companies do a good job and some dont.

[yeaJBL]

yea I like individuality, I just don't like how some companies try to redo the whole car and in the process make it look way overdone. Simple mods can make it individual and look good

[PINeely]

If people hear about a special edition of a car, especially in a market like BMW where your customers are fairly well-to-do from the get go, they'll buy it. It makes them feel special and better and higher in society because humans are basically pack animals anyway. It would be nice to live in a world where everyone appreciated the curves of a car or its legacy or its pedigree, but the reality is that 90% of people don't give a shit. A car to them is just like a house; its a large investment and an opportunity to live large and display wealth, and the more "special" the better for that.

Some of these companies do a really good job though.

[pmeloche]

To each his own. What is beautiful to one person is ugly to another. Personally, I have never found anything that Hartge did any good but others seem to like it. I like what Alpina does except for their wheels.

[NFS13]

I bet BMW loves aftermarket, the more choices the better as long as it starts with their cars! Now lets vent on stupid ringtones that are louder than my stereo : )

[lesha]

i couldn't agree more with you and same goes for individuals who mods their cars with after market parts, many people would disagree with me but I personally like very subtle mods where a non car person would not be able to tell that the car is modded. tints, OEM or replica wheels, maybe OEM body kit, reflectors and that's about it for me, otherwise the car just looses its classic look

[fatjoez]

i'd like a replacement badge for my 135i hood/trunk
something black like haman but a bit better looking design

any suggestions?

[graider]

i like the "keep it classy" moto

[UltimateBMW]

Those cars are usually showcase cars that show off all their product lineup for the series. I only know of 1 person on these boards that ever recreated a car solely after one company.

[rsjean]

The philosophy behind the business of aftermarket customization is a sound one. It's based both on 'individuality' and 'no compromise'. Individuality as already stated allows you to further differentiate your car versus the assembly line of sameness coming off the dealer’s lot.

But it also is based on the no compromise attitude that runs counter to your statement that the manufacturer would have done it if they wanted to...

The renderings and show models previewed for virtually any new model are a far cry from the final product after it has gone through 'committee' at the manufacturer. Cost engineering, safety engineering, operations, parts, process etc. Final product is most often a dumbed down version.

Aftermarket companies allow you to take yours up a few notches - back closer to what you imagined and hoped the final production issue would / could have been in comparison to that rendering or auto show car...

To each, his own.

[b0bab0i]

Originally Posted by yeaJBL

yea I like individuality, I just don't like how some companies try to redo the whole car and in the process make it look way overdone. Simple mods can make it individual and look good

I see you own a Porsche, so you must be familiar with Techart.

The Techart kits look way better than any stock Porsches.

[MisterSkiMask]

Originally Posted by benmoooon

I see you own a Porsche, so you must be familiar with Techart.

The Techart kits look way better than any stock Porsches.

You are wrong.

[b0bab0i]

Originally Posted by MisterSkiMask

You are wrong.

[Red Bread]

Those are definitely busy, I'd say that Ruf has understated Porsche styling down a little better. That last shot of the white one looks like it has the Panamera front fenders.

[UltimateBMW]

Originally Posted by benmoooon

I see you own a Porsche, so you must be familiar with Techart.

The Techart kits look way better than any stock Porsches.

[ptack]

Better??? That first pic shows a crappy fit between the bumper and the front fender. That's better?

[MisterSkiMask]

Originally Posted by benmoooon

Thank you for proving my point, those are ghastly.

[NFS13]

Techart wheels are very nice, but the body kits are a little too extreme, Maybe on the track they fit in better.

[MediaArtist]

I don't like what TechArt does with the 911 personally, but I do like their Cayman kits for some reason.

[Year's_End]

Truly great aftermarket companies are rare and should be applauded when they come out with something impressive, but I've given up hating on companies such as Lumma, Hartge, WALD, ACS, etc. simply because they're not going to change their style and certain people will always be attracted to the individuality that their parts offer.

Over a short period of time I've started to understand the whole point of the aftermarket tuner world, which is based upon unique ideas and a lack of compromise just as the other users have stated. While I don't prefer the garish look of most aftermarket parts, I'm not against individuality, and it's sometimes refreshing to see what some companies come up with.

I totally understand the OP's point about the poofy parts with poor fitment and a complete lack of flow, though. Gemballa is one of the few tuners I can think of that offer sharp taught looking parts with lines that usually flow to an extent, even if they're a bit cluttered at times. Too bad the owner of the company is MIA, but supposedly a press conference is being held soon and they'll be back in business.

[Cdnrockies]

Originally Posted by yeaJBL

I cannot stand those companies that heavily mod cars (alpina, hartge etc). I think they WAY over do everything. Like they couldn't make their own cars so they have to take already great cars, and add all this crap that makes the cars look bulky, heavy, fat, non flowing. Then they put their name all over it and remove stock emblems and things like that when they didn't even build the car. they just added a few things that didn't need to be there in the first place, otherwise the people that actually BUILT the car would've added on to it. this is venting, and this is all IMHO but it really annoys me.

Imo, the Alpina B7 is one of the classiest, most understated upgrades available for any car.

Originally Posted by MisterSkiMask

Thank you for proving my point, those are ghastly.

+1 Agreed....definitely not better than stock. Those front ends are atrocious.