Which mods can/should I do knowing I'll be moving them to my next car?

[connel]

I have had my current M3 for almost 18 months and have another 18 months left on my lease. I am 99% certain I am getting another M3 when this lease is up. I want to start putting some mods onto/into the current M3, but I will want to move them over to the new car when the lease is up. So my question is, what mods can I do now that will easily move to the new car and won't give me any lease turn-in problems?

Some that I am considering are:
-JB4
-Rear diffuser
-CF mirror caps
-Front lip

What else am I missing that is part of the "standard" mod list?

[bob330i]

You could consider the external "black" out items: grill surround, gill pieces, M emblem. Interior-wise, you could replace the console surround with CF and there is a CF piece in the steering wheel (replaces the silver) too.

[Adcampo]

Originally Posted by bob330i

You could consider the external "black" out items: grill surround, gill pieces, M emblem. Interior-wise, you could replace the console surround with CF and there is a CF piece in the steering wheel (replaces the silver) too.

Agreed. It's a pretty long list of removable mods. It's really up to your budget. One I've been thinking of is wheel spacers.

[pikkagtr]

jb4
Transforms the way car drives immediately
Mods looks great only from the outside the car
Jb4 tune will make the car enjoyable the moment to step on the throttle

[TheMhburch]

Originally Posted by pikkagtr

jb4
Transforms the way car drives immediately
Mods looks great only from the outside the car
Jb4 tune will make the car enjoyable the moment to step on the throttle

I get confused on this topic when it comes to leases..... Can one do a JB4 tune and have it be ok with BMW or is it considered aftermarket and would make any warranty worthless if something went "wrong"

[pikkagtr]

Originally Posted by TheMhburch

I get confused on this topic when it comes to leases..... Can one do a JB4 tune and have it be ok with BMW or is it considered aftermarket and would make any warranty worthless if something went "wrong"

all modding comes with inherent risks, but it also depends on who you know.
I have a great relationship with my SA and the GM so if it's a small thing that goes bad, they'll take care of me.
If it's a catastrophic engine failure, I'd man up and pay for my wrong doing.

[Sandow]

Originally Posted by TheMhburch

I get confused on this topic when it comes to leases..... Can one do a JB4 tune and have it be ok with BMW or is it considered aftermarket and would make any warranty worthless if something went "wrong"

No, they're not going to cover anything to do with any tune other than Dinan.

[9SECDD]

Also highly recommend the JB4. It's proven and very mild/low risk if you stick to maps 1,2 & 7. Best bang for the buck mod by a long-shot. Then get stickier tires.

But if you want warranty guarantees, you need to give up on the mod-quest. That said, the risk is minor, and it's WELL worth it.

[connel]

Thanks everyone. Maybe the better question is in reverse - which mods I can't really do. Front splitters because they require drilling? Exhaust because it is a pain in the butt. Any other mods (short of modifying the engine/drivetrain) that I can't do or you wouldn't advise because of the hassle?

[TheMhburch]

Originally Posted by Sandow

No, they're not going to cover anything to do with any tune other than Dinan.

Ahhh this is what I was looking for.... There are some mods that are BMW supported. I would imagine the cost for such BMW approved mod is expensive vs the Non-BMW approved options.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by connel

I have had my current M3 for almost 18 months and have another 18 months left on my lease. I am 99% certain I am getting another M3 when this lease is up. I want to start putting some mods onto/into the current M3, but I will want to move them over to the new car when the lease is up. So my question is, what mods can I do now that will easily move to the new car and won't give me any lease turn-in problems?

Some that I am considering are:
-JB4
-Rear diffuser
-CF mirror caps
-Front lip

What else am I missing that is part of the "standard" mod list?

Depends on what kind of mods you are looking for

I would do JB4 + Intake + Downpipes + Charge Pipes
Once my lease is up, i would move these mods to the new car

Exhaust would be a good addition as well since the M3 is lacking in that department

Of course first thing you should do is talk to your SA and check with them if any of these mods will cause a problem (he does not need to know about the tune since you will remove it before your visit anyways)

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Sandow

No, they're not going to cover anything to do with any tune other than Dinan.

BMW does not cover Dinan tune

[RocketBoots]

IMO, a lot of it comes down to labor. Are you installing the mods yourself, or getting a shop to do it? Almost any mod you do should be transferable to the same new car. Is it worth the PITA labor to do it would be the question. Exhaust is fairly easy, as is JB4. Diffuser is super easy. Black grilles/gills... maybe. You have a good chance of breaking tabs when removing them. Coil overs, probably worth it to transfer; springs, maybe not. Upgraded turbos, I'd think stay with the car. Flash tune obviously stays with the car.

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

BMW does not cover Dinan tune

this. there are no "bmw approved" mods, including Dinan. Further, your BMWFS leasing contract says you can't do shit, including cosmetics (even if they're BMW parts your BMW dealer installs) - repairs back to factory delivered state only.

That said, reversible cosmetics, reversible exhaust, wheels/tires, etc are probably so low risk it's not worth worrying about. Anything that touches the engine (incl cats) ups the risk simply due the high downside in the low probability case your engine blows up (whether that's due to your mod or not).

If that happens, it may get tricky, it may not. If you have Dinan, their insurance may cover you, it may not. Further, if it's a lease, BMWFS may come after you, they may not.