De-Pimp My Ride!

[philt80]

Is it bad to prefer everything factory vs "pimped out" upgrades? Anyone else out there prefer the beauty of a factory look?

I can't explain it, but I absolutely hate everything modded on my car and have undergone transformation back to factory spec. The previous owner installed clear corners, clear side markers, 18" wheels, debadged the car, etc.

I think the clears look horrible compared to factory standard on my Boston Green 318iS. Something about amber and green looks damned sexy compared to clears or smoked IMHO.

The 18" wheels throw off the actual MPH by around 5 or 6 MPH compared to factory 15" which is just an annoyance. The 3" increase in tires is also adding additional precious miles to my odometer which again is annoying. And debadging a 318iS is like saying "I want people to think I'm a 6 cylinder".

So far I've changed the sidemarkers to ambers, am awaiting my factory corners in the mail and will soon opt for either 15" or 16" BMW factory wheels in place of the 18s on it now. The wheels have slowly grown on me, but paying 250 each for replacements paired with the knowledge that the larger tires are racking up additional miles(even if only a few) makes me want to change them out. Maybe I'll use the new tires as "winter tires" or maybe I'll even trade the current tires for a nice set of 16" BMW wheels(any takers in or near Ohio? ).

Pics before the "de-pimp":




After de-pimping:

[xsperf]

wow, i mean i dont mind mods, but they should be suttle, nothing too flashy(with some exceptions)

actually, one person here has a z3, and under mods he says : why mess with perfection?

[Dudesky]

Yea, those 18's gotta go The corners aren't too bad, but I can why the ambers would look nice too. To each his own, and there's a lot to be said about keeping a classic stock look. I like to keep things subtle as well. For instance, everybody loves M3 mirrors, but I prefer the stock ones.

[witeshark]

Originally Posted by philt80

Is it bad to prefer everything factory vs "pimped out" upgrades? Anyone else out there prefer the beauty of a factory look?

I tend to like the factory look at least as well as the modded look

[c1apton]

It's just a matter of personal prefs. I like the factory look also, it also keeps resale value realistic. To each his own, it's your expression of personal taste.

[drz]

Welcome back to the amber on Boston Green family

Somebody please explain to me this additional-mileage-on-the-odometer-due-to-running-bigger-wheels deal

[nick_318is]

I think the factory look is sweet but there are things you can do to make the car look better, my 2 favorites are rims and lowering the car, other then that mine is completly stock on the outside.

[ClassicE36Bimmer]

Well, you can never go wrong if you keep a BMW stock.
I kept my car stock. Although I must admit, sometimes I want to change some stuff here and there. Money-wise, it's just not worth it, unless you're trying to impress people. Even then women will think you're selfish if you put too much money/mods into a car, haha.
If anything, put money into tinted windows (35% is good) or replace parts that need replacement.

[Bella_Sicilia]

personally i think that the ambers look better on your car, the orange and green are near complemenary colors (too many design and color theory classes) they are more pleasing to the eye.

there is nothing wrong with keeping your car stock, because at the end of the day your fancy rims, or wether you havevclear or amber corners won't win you the race.....the most valuable thing is under the hood....

[c1apton]

Originally Posted by drz

Somebody please explain to me this additional-mileage-on-the-odometer-due-to-running-bigger-wheels deal

It's not actually bigger wheels- it's shorter tires. Lower profile tires (shorter circumference) will rotate faster per 1 revolution causing the speedo to read higher and adding additional mileage.

shorter tires = faster speedo readings/ faster odometer mileage
taller tires = slower speedo readings/ slower odometer

[drz]

Originally Posted by c1apton

It's not actually bigger wheels- it's shorter tires. Lower profile tires (shorter circumference) will rotate faster per 1 revolution causing the speedo to read higher and adding additional mileage.

shorter tires = faster speedo readings/ faster odometer mileage
taller tires = slower speedo readings/ slower odometer

Yeah, that is what I was thinking. However, lower profile tires do not necessarily have a smaller outer circumference than higher profile tires.

[maximk2]

what your doing reminds me of the VW unpimping commercials.

http://www.leftlanenews.com/vw-strik...de-videos.html

funny stuff.

[xsperf]

Originally Posted by drz

Yeah, that is what I was thinking. However, lower profile tires do not necessarily have a smaller outer circumference than higher profile tires.

yes, circumference is a function of radius/diameter, the tire could be very low profile but only wrap around a 15 inch wheel, or in a less extreme case, have the same low profile, such as 45mm and wrap around a 17inch or an 18 inch

[chris325i]

those wheels look damn good i thought. but what ever floats the boat my friend. i do agree that theyre to big. i dont know why people feel the need to put that big of a wheel on a damn sports car. oh well

[MTurboPower3]

i like upgrades as long as thier not rice
i would put upgrades from like ac schnitzser or hamman or dinan not the JDM shit