Anyone else like their car "as is"?

[Rupes]

I have an Alpine White / Fox Red M3 which I just cannot seem to modify. I recently posted my conundrum with painted reflectors and ended up going back to the amber ones. "Heresy!" you may say, but I just liked it better.

I recently thought about tinting the windows. Again, I just couldn't do it, that red looks so nice I just want to show it off!

Even a seemingly simple mod like the $10 clutch stop that everyone's raving about just didn't feel quite right to me.

Wheels, suspension, brakes, etc., all feel like they work in harmony with the rest of the car.

Anyway, long story short...I really love this car just the way it is. Could it be possible that BMW did this car right without me needing to do anything to it? I know I'm very much in the minority, especially on these forums, but anyone else feel this way too?

[Amirsm3]

I like to keep my cars OEM+ so I'm almost in the same boat.

[GTB/ZR-1]

I can't leave anything stock... lol

[VMcV3y]

Mine is 100% OEM/stock...except for the tires.

However; now that the warranty is gone, I'm tempted to start messin' with it.

- V

Edit: oooops. Not true. Just remembered that I installed the Lux H-8 angel eyes a few months ago. So... changing light bulbs is sort of a "mod" but it's a SAFETY issue. LOL. Right.

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[Law]

Nothing wrong with Stock or OEM+

The M3 is a car engineered to be enjoyed out of the box.

[-Ryan-]

I wish I had that problem.

[BrewRifle]

To each their own. I enjoy making it the way I want and a chance at being different than other M3's. I think doing a full body kit is a bit excessive since I don't like to mess with the lines of the car given that they are already fantastic.

[Rupes]

Originally Posted by BrewRifle

To each their own. I enjoy making it the way I want and a chance at being different than other M3's. I think doing a full body kit is a bit excessive since I don't like to mess with the lines of the car given that they are already fantastic.

I hear ya, totally get it too. All my previous cars were lightly modified to my personal tastes. Perhaps with time my opinion will change as I get bored, but right now, I'm completely content.

What a strange feeling...

[jstnstr]

Originally Posted by Rupes

I have an Alpine White / Fox Red M3 which I just cannot seem to modify. I recently posted my conundrum with painted reflectors and ended up going back to the amber ones. "Heresy!" you may say, but I just liked it better.

I recently thought about tinting the windows. Again, I just couldn't do it, that red looks so nice I just want to show it off!

Even a seemingly simple mod like the $10 clutch stop that everyone's raving about just didn't feel quite right to me.

Wheels, suspension, brakes, etc., all feel like they work in harmony with the rest of the car.

Anyway, long story short...I really love this car just the way it is. Could it be possible that BMW did this car right without me needing to do anything to it? I know I'm very much in the minority, especially on these forums, but anyone else feel this way too?

Less is More sometimes. Frequently with cars. I agree with you, sometimes nice cars like this lose that premium and quality feel when modded.

[m3ray]

Originality is where it’s at. I have a couple of easily reversible mods, oem exhaust mod (original kept stock) blacked out grills, spacers, CF and angel eyes.

That’s it. I am not messing with the engine’s brain, adding a blower or any of that other cack.

[Beemdog]

Mine was very entertaining all stock/ZCP. You can still do things like the BMW aluminum floor pedals, carbon bits, and the M Performance Exhaust and say it's all BMW, especially since some dealers have been known to install these parts on new M3s before sale.

Cars that get large HP gains per dollar spent on mods are more enticing to modify, IMO. The S65 rates pretty low for "picking up low lying fruit" kinds of power boosts. I once spent $370 on a NOS system for a small block Chevy and picked up 115 whp. That was bang for the buck, and being a 22-year-old then I wouldn't even consider spending a thousand to gain 10 HP.

[Yvette]

i really love the amber reflector.
Only thing want to get is lip, drop, thats it.
I want to stay to stock as much as possible.
However, i am planning to get sc at the end of the line.
car does not feel fast as before like how my 335 felt slower later.

[4corners]

Somethings you can improve on, but I've tried other than Michelin's and nothing compares. I would do springs H&R, and shocks, Bilstein, solid rear axle carrier mounts, supercharger, tune for sure, but don't interrupt it's inherent balance and drive ability.

[Ludey]

I'm mostly with you on this. Compared to other cars on the market, I like a lot about the M3 out of the box. ZCP rims, for example, I don't know of any aftermarket rim that I like better... I just think they're perfect for this car. Styling... front bumper cover can be improved (I find the 1M bumper cover much more appealing on the M3), but other than that, there isn't any styling add-on that appeals to me. I truly feel they pretty much nailed the styling and that it is one of the most elegantly styled cars ever produced by BMW (so far). Interior styling, love it. Only gripe - wish the Alcantara wheel and extended leather was stock. Other than that, not much else to complain about.

Performance-wise - there is always "faster," so I don't anyone that can say, "no, I don't really want it to be any faster, lol" But the DCT to me is spot-on. And the engine itself, out of the box, is amazing for what it's intended to be.

Chrome exhaust tips are a freaking joke though - I mean what were they thinking. It should be chrome-less overall IMO (kidney grills and side gill swaps are a must). Personally, I think the amber reflectors are pretty stupid. I guess they are required? Can't figure out any other reason they are there. But all that is very minor.

All this is just my opinion, of course.

[Kurt_OH]

I'd like mine lower, tinted, maybe subtle paint (maybe paint ///M colors on spoiler) to add color to my AW/FR, sportier/lighter exhaust and some brake cooling ducts, to start with.

[modkrazy]

The factory exhaust is dreadful, and I couldn't wait to get rid of it. Too subdued in tone, comically small and laughably chromed exhaust tips, gigantic goiter of a muffler, ugh. Just say no.

ZCP wheels are actually garbage, IMO. Being able to fit larger tires is nice, but heavier cast wheels as part of a competition package? Pass.

Getting rid of the reflectors (the right way, shaved or euro bumper) also makes a big difference to the car. As do the BMW black chrome edition gills and grilles (the OEM chrome is again, hideous).

I like most of the carbon fiber bits, too, although currently I am running without lip and enjoying the lack of headaches after destroying 3 of them. Just BMW Perf spoiler with CRT accent and mirrors on the car right now. I'm thinking about going full-blown mode carbon (lip, diffuser, side skirts), next time they have a black friday sale.

[Beemdog]

Originally Posted by Ludey

Personally, I think the amber reflectors are pretty stupid. I guess they are required? Can't figure out any other reason they are there. But all that is very minor.

Yes, the amber side reflectors are a US Dept. of Transportation requirement. You can actually get a fix-it ticket for removing them, but I probably doesn't happen often unless some LEO is really looking to hate on you. Removing the front fork reflectors on sportbikes has been going on for years (even though bikes really need all the help they can get for visual aids). The Euro bumper looks cleaner, but I won't go that far to get that small improvement!

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by GTB/ZR-1

I can't leave anything stock... lol

Did you modify your lawn mower?

[modkrazy]

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

Did you modify your lawn mower?

Come at me, bro!

[1MOREMOD]

I have a hard time not messing with almost everything.

[Agent-GHQ]

I like mine as is, out the box and ready to play! I'm clearly not a mod or tune person as I think that is just a waste of money. I mean if you want to drop that kind of money, one might as well buy a super performance car and comes with factory warranty.

Anyways, I like the original look of things and not diluted/contaminated by after market parts.

[Flying Ace]

Originally Posted by VMcV3y

Mine is 100% OEM/stock...except for the tires.

However; now that the warranty is gone, I'm tempted to start messin' with it.

- V

Edit: oooops. Not true. Just remembered that I installed the Lux H-8 angel eyes a few months ago. So... changing light bulbs is sort of a "mod" but it's a SAFETY issue. LOL. Right.

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I would thinking driving a vert would be a safety issue...am I right Vaughn?!

You run the risk of decapitation and a stray bullet can hit you in the coconut as you ride in your 'hood