OEM is Best.

"alexotics" (alexotics)
11/16/2013 at 23:19 • Filed to: BMW

While modifying a car can make it better and better looking, heck, every race car ever is basically a modified OEM shell, I prefer driving a car the way it left the factory gates. I especially like the time capsule feel of a completely stock, older machine.

DISCUSSION (15)

POD > alexotics
11/16/2013 at 23:21

This could make a great front page post. If you're inclined, you should expand on this idea.

ddavidn > alexotics
11/16/2013 at 23:23

Me too! Especially in the case of those two. I also agree with POD's suggestion.

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > alexotics
11/16/2013 at 23:52

Same reason I reverted back to the factory spoke hubcaps in place of the rally wheels the previous owner put on my Olds.

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dogisbadob > alexotics
11/17/2013 at 00:06

I think it's fun to do "OEM upgrades". That is, installing options your car didn't originally have (if you buy the car used), maybe installing factory option wheels, etc.

Are you including aftermarket replacement parts here? For example, only buying OEM shocks, or are"stock replacement" OK to you? (think Monroe OESpectrum, KYB, etc) rather than upgrade Koni, for example.

Keep in mind that many OEM parts are made by the same companies that make the aftermarket parts. For example, most Japanese cars come with KYB shocks from the factory. Right next to the Toyota stamp you'll see KYB.

alexotics > dogisbadob
11/17/2013 at 00:30

I'd happily replace and upgrade parts, as long as they don't visually show, and as long as they are OEM approved. I'm all about that driving experience as well.

But on the other hand, knowing your car is 100% original, and that you're preserving something special in its purest, non-distilled form, is worth any kind of compromise to me.

Probably the best way to sum it up, is that I enjoy preserving cars more than making them better. But of course, that's complete personal preference. It isn't like I'm telling people how to live their life haha.

alexotics > POD
11/17/2013 at 00:32

Thanks! I usually expand on my OPPO ramblings on my blog ( Alexotics )

GhostZ > alexotics
11/17/2013 at 00:48

I can't stand it.

I grew up with Legos, Armored Core, and the internet. Keeping anything 'stock', 'factory' or (in other terms) 'normal as other people think it should be' is impossible for me. I agree, some cars are amazing stock, but about the only car I wouldn't change is the Koenigsegg Agera R. And that's just because the technology is simply too advanced for me to improve on.

POD > alexotics
11/17/2013 at 00:49

Nice blog, glad to see more Canada!

911e46z06 > alexotics
11/17/2013 at 03:22

Agreed. I used to mod the shit out of everything, but recently I've been trying to limit my mods to wheels and exhaust only.

Great pics btw. Yours?

stuttgartobsessed > alexotics
11/17/2013 at 05:19

I completely agree! I mean I totally understand the appeal of tuning and accessorizing etc. but I want to drive a car the way it was meant to be driven off the showroom floor. Now if I do choose to modify a car I would want to do period mods. Or buy factory homologation models. But I agree, this could be a great FP post/article if you expand (WITH PICTURES! :D) and some links to other relevant articles etc. Be sure to open it up for discussion too!

N51fanatic > alexotics
11/17/2013 at 09:05

I agree with this to an extent. Granted, the two cars you picked are basically factory spec raceready cars. What about the guy who bought a 328? or 335? Or 528? Tasteful upgrades are good. Cheap upgrades are bad. For example, folks who replace the stock german engineered sport suspension on many BMWs for a set of cheapo ST Coilovers. Replacing the stock airbox for a cheapo SR injen intake. Stuff like that perplexes my mind. Why pay for "upgrades" that actually DEGRADE performance???

alexotics > GhostZ
11/17/2013 at 15:56

Hahaha love the Lego analogy

alexotics > N51fanatic
11/17/2013 at 15:57

Valid point. If you want some of the performance and handling of the M cars but only have a 328i Coupe in the garage, what to do? Quite frankly, I think BMW Performance parts are overpriced, so as long as you don't make any visible non OEM mods, I say it is game on.

alexotics > stuttgartobsessed
11/17/2013 at 15:59

Thanks for the tips, I'll make sure to include lots of juicy pictures. :D

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > alexotics
11/17/2013 at 17:46

That depends. If you're talking about OEM in 70s Britain, then it certainly isn't best. The engineering ideas were there, but the implementation lacked funds and a motivated workforce to bring it to their potential.

Take the Dolomite Sprint for example. In testing, engineers had been able to reliably extract 150bhp from the 16v Sprint engine, but production restraints saw that fall to 127bhp for the final product.

With a little more capital, the production techniques could be upgraded to produce a 150bhp 2.0l I4. Capital that I can provide, for just my example.

Hell, they might even have experimented with a fuel injected version with even more power had they had the funds to play about a bit.