[dmicah]

I’m finally picking up my special order car on Monday after a ridiculous wait. I was wondering if you might have thoughts on changing the vehicle for a first time lessee? Specifically, when does it make sense to forgo a desired mod, and when should you indulge? Here is the way I’ve been leaning (but I’m interested in input):

Do:

1. Gloss black grilles, mirror caps
2. WeatherTech liners all around
3. Bimmercode/Esys/codemybimmer.ca
4. Replace RFTs (reinstall at end of lease)

Maybe:

1. Wireless charger retrofit

Don't:

1. Downpipe
2. Tune
3. Set of winter wheels/tires

The trim pieces and liners are easy to swap out and back when I return. Bimmercode is non-invasive. I have the spare tire, so I’m thinking I’ll get a nicer ride out of non-RFTs. But the expense of a set of wheels for winter make me reluctant to go with something other than all seasons, even though I’d love the pilot sport 4s’s for summer paired with the winter set. I live in Seattle where snow is infrequent, and we do have a car with snows for skiing.

The wireless charger retrofit seems easy and reversible, but I’m not sure I want to undo it and the dealer might balk on return. The downpipe and tune just feel to extreme and likely to irritate the dealer.
What do you folks think?

[BMWEAK]

If you have a desire to mod, why not purchase?

[AcidLotus]

Just look at the for sale threads on any of the popular series cars like the 3-series, and you'll see that plenty of folks mod with tunes and downpipes, and then put them back to stock and then turn in their leases when their time is up.

[BMWEAK]

Interesting!

[dmicah]

Originally Posted by BMWEAK

If you have a desire to mod, why not purchase?

Honest answer? I'm getting on in years, and I've decided that it's new awesome cars every three years from now on while I can still drive. And the pace of change in cars, IMO, is accelerating and I feel like in 3 years the landscape will have changed. Actually, the pace of change in everything is accelerating.

[dmicah]

Originally Posted by AcidLotus

Just look at the for sale threads on any of the popular series cars like the 3-series, and you'll see that plenty of folks mod with tunes and downpipes, and then put them back to stock and then turn in their leases when their time is up.

Of course you're right. Both those mods are reversible. Having installed a header on my last car, it was a bunch of work and I just don't want take it on, when I really think about it. Not with the prospect of having to undo it later.

[BMWEAK]

Originally Posted by dmicah

Honest answer? I'm getting on in years, and I've decided that it's new awesome cars every three years from now on while I can still drive. And the pace of change in cars, IMO, is accelerating and I feel like in 3 years the landscape will have changed. Actually, the pace of change in everything is accelerating.

Makes sense! If you’re willing to store the original parts and put in the elbow grease to reverse the changes (or pay someone to do it), have at it!

[kzg1969]

Originally Posted by dmicah

Honest answer? I'm getting on in years, and I've decided that it's new awesome cars every three years from now on while I can still drive. And the pace of change in cars, IMO, is accelerating and I feel like in 3 years the landscape will have changed. Actually, the pace of change in everything is accelerating.

^ - i have just come to this very conclusion too!

I am just going to try and minimise mods - do what i really want and keep away from the big ticket items