[gangzoom]

Just read CH's article on modding a car on PH, and makes loads of sense, I know there's a few people with nicely modded cars on here...

I've spent 7k on mods in 3 years on my 335i I paid 20k for. It's now currently worth <10k px. I have absolutely no regrets. I work in a hospital and everyday I see ordinary people have their lives turned upside down by life changing illness that comes out of the blue, and it makes you realise life is short and you need to enjoy it whilst you can. So I appreciate/love the fact I have opportunity to pursue a hobby I love it really affecting my lifestyle (still go on holidays etc). In a few years time I'll have a kid to feed so my disposable income will no doubt take a massive hit....So am enjoying my hobby now before family commitments force my hand into going down the OEM route

But in essence YES, I agree 100% tunning/modding a car is a complete waste of money but it's my money so and I can choose to waste it how I want Just wondered what others thought on the matter/how you justify the money you waste on mods...

[SSW]

Originally Posted by gangzoom

I've spent 7k on mods in 3 years on my 335i I paid 20k for.

<snip>

But in essence YES, I agree 100% tunning/modding a car is a complete waste of money but it's my money so and I can choose to waste it how I want Just wondered what others thought on the matter/how you justify the money you waste on mods...

+1

LOL!! I've already spent over $7k on mods on the 2008 E90 that I bought just over 3 months ago for $16k, which was only "worth" $19k at that time BUT that's less money than some people spend on a 1-2 week cruise or vacation for just one person.

Nothing I've done to the car is particularly noticeable, which has been entirely intentional, BUT the car looks and performs much better than when I bought it and I'm quite happy w/it.

Don't expect to spend much more on it, except for maintenance and repairs, which, if I'm lucky, won't be extraordinary. And, since I plan to keep the car at least 5-7 years, the amortized cost of the mods works out to just $1k to $1.4k per year, which to me is quite reasonable.

[Desmondo]

Modding cars has never really been worth the outlay, it's pretty much always cash down the drain. But then most hobbies are and it's about the enjoyment you get from it. Modding isn't my thing at all but I spend my money on other things I enjoy that many would see just as much as a waste probably.

[Kerr]

Was it Chris Harris that wrote it?

Didn't he spend quite a bit of money on a S4 and show us how it could beat the RS4?

Modifying has always been dead money. I think it is alright within certain levels when you don't go too mad. Just worthwhile mods.

[gangzoom]

Originally Posted by Kerr

Was it Chris Harris that wrote it?

Didn't he spend quite a bit of money on a S4 and show us how it could beat the RS4?

Modifying has always been dead money. I think it is alright within certain levels when you don't go too mad. Just worthwhile mods.

Come to think of it he did do a video about a modded S4 an against the new RS4....Main difference between him and us I suspect is the fact he probably didn't pay a penny getting those mods fitted.

[zltm089]

For me "modding" means upgrading.

For me it means replacing oem parts with better parts! i.e NOT Halfords or fake ebay replica made in third world country stuff.

[zltm089]

And in answer to the OP, yes I'm all in for good performance tuning mods!

Someone sticking a plastic fake M badge with a cheap plastic max power gear knob is not what I would call modding per se....it's just some tight ass cheapskate trying to be different!

[DanTheManc]

Originally Posted by gangzoom

Come to think of it he did do a video about a modded S4 an against the new RS4....Main difference between him and us I suspect is the fact he probably didn't pay a penny getting those mods fitted.

The only mod he did to the S4 was a remap.

It's common knowledge modding makes no financial sense. Modding isn't about adding value, it's a way of personalising your car to your tastes and/or making it perform better for you needs.

[mowflow]

I've just bought £600 worth of Bilstein suspension for a car that cost me £1000. Do I give a fuck?

[gangzoom]

Glad to hear it's not just me who wastes £££ on cars I was getting worries I was just been completely mad....time to carry on planning pointless mods

[Kerr]

Originally Posted by DanTheManc

The only mod he did to the S4 was a remap.

It's common knowledge modding makes no financial sense. Modding isn't about adding value, it's a way of personalising your car to your tastes and/or making it perform better for you needs.

I'll need to watch the video again, but I thought he put huge brakes on too?

The remap was also very expensive from memory? Doesn't the S4 need a new pulley on the charger?

[Nick the Greek]

Life is too short. Get modding if that's your thing! Hang the expense, enjoy. Show me a man with a full bank account on his deathbed, and I'll show you a wasted life!

[SteveC]

Hobbies aren't supposed to be sensible....they're supposed to be fun. That's the return on investment. Spending a ton of money on a car that gives you no pleasure is wasteful. Spending it on a set of brakes and an exhaust that puts a smile on your face is IMO money well spent.

Recently I've invested quite a bit of money into fly fishing. My family and I would need to eat trout for the next 50 years before that would show a return

[SSW]

Originally Posted by DanTheManc

Modding isn't about adding value, it's a way of personalising your car to your tastes and/or making it perform better for you needs.

+1

[litxus]

I agree to a point. Slight mods which give you best bang for the buck can be recouped somewhat when sold later, but major customization (think crazy paint colors / interiors) usually adds 0 value as far as resale goes and hinders value in some cases. It is an age old question, should I get a fast car initially or mod slower one to make it fast. You can get by cheaper by modding + saving on insurance, but when sell time comes nobody will pay for your mods (that's why most part out).

[TeinBMW]

Cars are generally a waste of money since most cars depreciate in value. But hey, it's fun stuff so that's why I always mod!

[mowflow]

Some of my friends like football and spend ££££ following a team. Other like golf so spend ££££s joining a club and buying a bag of sticks. Me, I bought an old MX5, fitted some trick parts, take it to a track and spend my time driving sideways with my rear wheels on fire.

A man without a passion, without a hobby is half a man.