To Mod or not to Mod
 

My general view is that a lot of mods really do not improve the car.

BMW is a very high end company and if a Mod made the car better they would add it to the stock car.


Cars today are very refined machines and in most case you are better with the stock car.

Please list the mods that you think improves the car and the cost of the mod.

Sorry but this post is pretty much subjective and pointless...that being said "give me the gold".

Are you trying to stir the pot? :stickpoke:

Two comments:

BMW, and other high end car manufactureres, do create some incredible cars but there are always things that can be improved upon. BMW doesn't always roll out the perfect product. That is quite an understatement. An example of this is how European manufacturers have to meet US regulations for bumper height so they simply jack up the car with taller springs at the expense of both looks and performance. There are always ways a car can be made better than stock. Rememner that manufacturers including BMW make products that have to appeal to the mass market and meet regulations. Some design decisions are made purely to appease the masses or to reduce production costs, not because it makes the product better.

Many mods are done because we like doing them. They are totally subjective and done because we enjoy them and want to make our rides a little more personalized. I don't think any of us would claim that any of our mods make the X5 extraordinarily better but they can make it more enjoyable and in some cases, like brake pads, camber plates, tires, shocks, springs, etc can help performance. We're not trying to reinvent the X5. We're just fine tuning it. :thumbup:

To mod or not to mod, that is the question???
It all depends on the owner, some people are happy w/ just owning a BMW, but when you are a member of a BMW site, such as this, all the mods that people post and talk about just make you an addict to modding so it takes your car to another dimension.
I love to spend extra money on my X5 because I enjoy making it different.

I agree that BMW in it's stock form offers much of the best that is out there. Hence, a lot of my "mods" are to take advantage of the latest and greatest that BMW has to offer. For example:

- I replaced my 4:3 narrow screen with the 16:9 widescreen
- I replaced my MkIII with a MkIV
- I replaced my original radio module with one from a 2003 so that I could have BMW Aux Input
- I added the BMW video module
- I retrofitted the BMW Bluetooth kit
- I "upgraded" my steering wheel from the standard sport wheel to the BMW M-wheel (one of the best mods for the $, IMHO)

And the list goes on.....

As PNG stated, it's all about personalizing your vehicle.

I'm basically "modless", and have little
desire for 150 dB stereos, watching Oprah
while driving, etc.

But, I enjoy reading about posters' mods and
seeing them.

BMW, et al, make some fine cars, but they are
catering to a broad mkt and pinching any costs
possible, along the way.

I do like my new 132 wheels and my BeamER Spinners, though!

If I had a "free run" at the mod store and someone to
install the stuff, I'd probably get the front undercarriage
thing, (painted), and diff. tail pipes, mud flaps and that's
about it. But, if one wants to do lotsa mods, hey, more power
to them.

The whole damn society is so pablum oriented and
dumbed down, that different stuff and different strokes
are a good thing, imo.
BR,md

Mods is personal preference, may not have anything to do with performance. Just like people decorate their home or persanalize it to their own taste, some may like home theater while others may like an exercise room in their basement. I put running boards and ///M wheel because that's what I like.

When you say “improves the car” what exactly do you mean?

One might say that adding Running Boards improves the look of the vehicle, giving it more of an aggressive look. Others might say it looks good as is.

One might say that adding Dinan products such as an exhaust or engine software improves the performance of the vehicle giving it more horse power. Others might say it already have enough horses so I’ll just have a cow.

But don’t have a cow man.

I think you should note, that BMW does offer a wide range of accessories. So you can add to your specific BMW needs.

Some needs are specific. Say a bike rack... Not everyone needs to tow bikes on their car, so BMW offers a part specific to those people. I wouldn't want a stock car with a bike rack, a ski box, and all the other mods that other people use. I'd like to accessorize my car just the way I want and need to, and BMW lets me do that...

One might say that adding Dinan products such as an exhaust or engine software improves the performance of the vehicle giving it more horse power. Others might say it already have enough horses so I’ll just have a cow.

Making the car profrom beter is a good mod I just wonder if the cost is more than the benift?

I added a bumper step that protects my painted bumper, cost was abot $100, that seemed worth while.

Making your car look different is a questionable mod, its looks great the way they made it. It seems like some mod for looks result in the looking silly. A great example is lights for the washer ports. You and the kid driving the Honda Civic will look very different.

"Looks" is very subjective and beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
"Worth" is also subjective. If you can afford spend $3k for a gain of 5 -10 horse power then it might be worth it for you. This might not be the case for others.

What I'm trying to say is MOD and let MOD.

Mod and Let Mod
 

I think that some mods are clear winners where as others are questionable.

It would be great to share the "no brainers" with the group.

My Polar Bear bumper step that is offset for parking distance is a no brainer.

The Ice system for a IPOD is probally close a "no brainer" but I wish it cost $100 dollars.

What do you think, do you have a "no brainer" to share?

x54.4blue, I have quick question for you.

Have you ever had done any mods on your car ever you had/have?

I agree with most of the comments here. For some, BMW's accessories are perfect. For others, a different style or performance tweak (at whatever cost fits their personal budget)
To each their own, as in all things...
well, that is, with one exception:
http://i4.ebayimg.com/03/i/04/a9/51/12_1_b.JPG
:tsk: ;)

Everybody has their own opinion of what constitutes a good mod. Respect other people's opinions in order for other people to respect yours. Otherwise, what you think are innocuous comments turn into flame wars.

A rear step bumper is not a no-brainer. By mounting to the trailer hitch which in turn mounts to the body structure underneath the floor and bypasses the rear impact absorbing bumpers. If another car were to rear end you at 10 MPH, do you think you would have more damage with or without your rear Polar Bear step bumper?

Respect
 

I think everyone should respect a persons thoughts, I think that some people are so wraped-up about mods, that they don't have a open mind.

With regard to the bumper step I am not sure if the truck would be worse off.
At 5 to 10 mph I think the step would brake and cost $100 to replace. At higher speed the bumper would be damaged without the step. With the step the hitch and frame way take some damage or maybe the step would just break. I am not sure not it would be any worse than the bumper damage without it? See I have a open mind and respect your comments.

I don't know what the cost benefit of clear Euro head lights are maybe someone could explain?

I was just looking for the members to share what mods they thought were we clear winners.

Two conflicting thoughts. Fix and try again.

Great example of person that does not have a open mind
 

Look if you think have mod that is a good idea share it!

Have an open mind to what? You didn't ask an opinion on anything specific. You are basically asking us to justify our mods..no reason to. We have what we have because we like them. It's a matter of opinion. We share our feelings day in and day out. If you seach the threads you will see who likes what and why. If you ask a specific question, I'm sure you will get a specific answer.

Just my $0.02

What mods have you done and what was the cost and time?

There's a great new feature here. If you see SAV under a members name, click on it and it will show you what mods they have.

I have chrome tail pipes,window deflectors. Adding aluminum running boards and aluminum pedals.

No time involved, the $tealer did the installs.

Don't tell us that you think the mods we have done to our vehicles is pointless because BMW made the X5 perfect and then ask us to justify what we've done.

That being said, search.

I agree with Vin,and once again I disagree with you,as usual!

You say"........If a mod made the car better they(BMW)would fit it to the stock car".

My Answer:Most of us here are not really making any mods!We are just doing what Bmw do the X5,the stock car!
Bmw fit bigger tyres/wheels,RBs,bodykits,NAV and TV,DVD & AUDIO!So,as you say,if Bmw install it they make the car better,correct!These are your own words,true!

I could have ordered my X5 with full options but couldnt afford it then!So,I have installed what I couldnt then!And so say, a lot of x5 owners!
To give you a small example.If BMW fit a 20" wheel on their "stock" 4.8.I am sure that its better than the standard 17" wheels on a 3.0????But I am sure you disagree not only with the majority of us but also with BMW .............

Thanks for being such a nice person
 

I guess you don't have respect or a open mind:kissass:

x54.4blue -

I am glad that you have an open mind so you won't hold it against me when I tell you that you are wrong.

Your rear step bumper is not made of plastic and held together with glue. It will not brake in a low speed impact unless hit from the side. In a straight on rear collision, think of the oncoming car as a hammer and the step bumper as a nail. The force of the impact pass through your trailer hitch to the floor substructure before your X5's rear bumper deflects.

Close your eyes - try to visualize it, but don't fall asleep.

Regards, Mike

Not sure what is a true Mod
 

Not sure what a mod is don't think of them a options you did not order.

I don't think of my hitch as a mod. The 20 inch tires on a 3.0 is a mod.

The step is off set.
 

Since the step is off set I would think that it would bend or break, what do think Mike and others?

It is also better than getting the bumper scraped by other cars parking behind you.

How true:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

I guess X5 World is really x5 Mod World
 

Why do most of you attack me?

I guess this group is just a group of closed minded people that just want to do Mod?"

as you showed your general view/opinions,
we are sharing ours here also,

I think you just don't like ppl who've done on their car whatever they like cuz maybe it's doesn't fit your taste?

No one is attaking you, and it really depends how you think our opinions.
for me, that your greneral view is attacking my feeling about mods that I've done and going on.

well, this group isn't for ppl that just want to do mods, but we share our opinions and infos.
why don't you just open your mind and eyes?
I guess you need more sences to understand other's tastes and points

everyone mods their vehicles, including the manuf's themselves afterwards. I recently watched a show on a US owned but Canadian residing Enzo that was away having 30,000$ custom wheels made for it. If you want to mod and can afford it there's nothing the matter with it. Now, show me my bling!

x54.4blue Where are you from?

Watch out X54.4 blue;http://www.acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/nono.gif You have done this before.

Pluto.

:)

Isn't the original question like asking "Why does Tiger Woods practice?"

It's not like these guys are inserting marbles under their scalp. Now that's weird. Hanging out with your Boxer and putting on running boards is not.

P.S. I am getting "FLAME" lettered in white vinyl on the rear hatch glass.

Like that 'VW dub' GTI ad eh? loool

The rest of you need to lighten up :) Get out there and enjoy your BMW's !

Closed minded, good lord...visit the Lounge....this place has some of the most open minded and open mouthed people in the world.




.....again...."I want da gold"

fact: mods make people happy.
if you have a problem with that, then i hope we can help you:)

Sorry Wag, but you ain't gonna git da gold because it "could be a crackhead that got hold to the wrong stuff and it told him to get up in the tree and play a leprechaun!"

damn, well I tried.

it just means you haven't searched hard in enough for the right mods then.. you can mod anything and make it better.. even Fcars lambo's, and bentley's.. I need to give you a ride in my modded m5..

LOL @ 20in tire... hahahahahha.. WOW! :rofl:

why does everyone even want to try and argue with this guy? he has brought up this same subject quite a few times on this board and others.

just let him flame out.

Because it's become sort of a joke now.:rofl: It's no longer an argument. Now it survives on it's own because of it's entertainment value:rolleyes: .But your right it is getting toooo much attention.

:withstupi
I mean...why do we need to justify our mods to anyone? Afterall, it is our time and money that we're spending...NOT his. For someone who is "open-minded", he surely doesn't act like it!

This thread is wearing my skinny ol'azz out...
Like spending 1500 on an Oxxford suit and
telling the tailor you'll take it home off the
fookin rack and, skip the alts.

Coming from me, who is not the mod king,
I feel mods are fun, interesting, different and
totally up to the individual car owner.

If one thinks their BeamER is fookin perfect, great.

Most of the world likes to fiddle with stuff.
A function of being human I suspect.

Give it a rest, X5 4.4 Blue...you've beaten this to
a pulp previously and most here, being literate,
get your point.

:rofl: :rofl: I'm sorry yall this is just to funny. Stop it your killing me.

And to cap it off for the evening....

http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/stfu.php

Goes great with my slap your coworker...:rofl: Too fookin funny!

The End.

:locked:

X54.4blue...I doubt too many people on here are putting lighted washer ports on their X5s. Most of the people on here are putting very tasteful mods on their X5. There is a difference between putting OEM mods and ricing out your X5 with the maxwell house coffee can exhause pipes. Most of the mods that we see on here are very tasteful and add to the distinction of each owners X5. The X5 looks great the way it was made, however it can look better. I think MOST of us agree that the aluminum running boars look good...same with the angel eyes on pre 04 X5s. If the mod is questionable ...it is only questionable by you...not the person who made the mod.

My thoughts are...and I would think most would agree on here...when you start making payments on their X5...you can determine if their mods are questionable...until then...we will continue to mod...and enjoy watching our friends on X5world mod their vehicles...Nothing shows this more than when you are at an X5world meet...and see a bunch of X5's lined up...You can tell who owns the vehicle by the subtle mods made to it...Its worth the price of admission just to line them all up and compare.

Acella:
I love your new ride!

I gotta come north to the DidneyArea for a cruise ride with you!
That is definetly not my ol'Man's Oldsmobile!
BR,md

http://www.xoutpost.com/avatars/accel...ine=1143782847

Well said.:thumbup:

:iagree: I'm guessing about a '64 Olds with lambo doors and 24" dubs? That's a G ride!

Hopefully I'm the last message on this thread because it deserves to die.

Naw...let's dig into Acella's new ClosetModRide!
I think it's Titz!

However, the rest of the thread can scuttle off
back into the swamp, imo. ;>)
BR,md