People who lease shouldnt modify their cars, sorry to say

[NorCal f80]

It seems as if 80% of these cars are leased and most of us are modifying it. My CA told me to return it as stock as possible but mentioned the calipers can be any color ----- if I decided to paint them.

[lpphreakx06]

I made it a rule to try to mod as OEM as possible (M performance), so atleast I won't lose too much on the mods when I decide to part out.

[Stage1]

My CA told me that as long it comes back at the end of the lease without any new holes it in, then it will be fine. That said I am also trying to stick to M Performance parts or other bolt ons that are easily removable

[zer0cool]

From reading all these BMW forums and people talking about lease-end returns, you must return the car with all original parts (except for tires, which you can change, unless for run-flats, which must also be returned as run-flats, which I think doesn't apply to the M3).

Otherwise you will be fined for each part that's not original (for the cost to get them all back to original).

I guess if you lease and mod, then keep all original parts and put them all back in before you return the car.

Otherwise buy the car and mod however you like.

[BEMR]

Rules only matter for those who break them. Lease has rules purchase doesn't.

[Mandi90TT]

Originally Posted by zer0cool

Otherwise buy the car and mod however you like.

Word!

[catch]

Reality is, even us that own the cars, we don't keep them long (im sure some people do). I typically keep my car shorter then a lease period anyways.
Id say modify it. Enjoy it the way you think the car should be. Short of body modifications (not add ons like lips ect, but modified fenders) and paint work are reversible.

Enjoy it!

[OneRib]

Modify as much as you want. Just know you will get dinged on anything that you can't reverse. Engine mapping, springs, M performance parts, clear bra, and bavsound speakers are all things that can be reversed. I agree that you would be better sticking to BMW OEM parts. This way you can sell to all those people buying the cars new or used off lease.
Just keep the original parts.

Buying lets you perform more permanent mods, but these cars are pretty good without going all "hardcore" with mods.

Now remember also that even people who buy and mod take a financial bath as the used market is usually unkind to drastic mods. Too many question marks with those cars and people have their own idea of what type of mods they want.

[Gac101177]

Most of us are leasing modified as you please and at the end put it back to the way it was or sell it, life it's to short do as you like an enjoy it.

[JDS]

Some great, and balanced, perspectives. Thanks!

[Mandi90TT]

Originally Posted by OneRib

Now remember also that even people who buy and mod take a financial bath as the used market is usually unkind to drastic mods. Too many question marks with those cars and people have their own idea of what type of mods they want.

This bears repeating. I often see cars for sale (of all makes or brands) saying they put xx into mods, and they expect to get that back when selling. Doesn't happen. the market for modified cars (especially heavily modified) is very small and you will be lucky to get a 25% return on your mods if you sell them as part of the car.

if you go to the effort of returning the car to stock, and selling the mods separately, part by part, you can usually do better, but that's a lot of work. Best bet is to just writeoff any money you spend on mods.

[JDS]

Originally Posted by Dave 90TT

This bears repeating. I often see cars for sale (of all makes or brands) saying they put xx into mods, and they expect to get that back when selling. Doesn't happen. the market for modified cars (especially heavily modified) is very small and you will be lucky to get a 25% return on your mods if you sell them as part of the car.

if you go to the effort of returning the car to stock, and selling the mods separately, part by part, you can usually do better, but that's a lot of work. Best bet is to just writeoff any money you spend on mods.

That would be my approach - enjoyment, not investment!

[Roadkiller]

Originally Posted by Stage1

My CA told me that as long it comes back at the end of the lease without any new holes it in, then it will be fine. That said I am also trying to stick to M Performance parts or other bolt ons that are easily removable

+1

[lubricious]

+1 for the write off... especially if you're a business owner.

[NorCal f80]

Originally Posted by lubricious

+1 for the write off... especially if you're a business owner.

That's why all my friend's lease $100k+ cars.