[F30ed]

We bough F30 last fall just because we needed new car to replace. My wife first was struggling driving it but then adapted and now likes it so much that snicks out to garage first to grab the bimmer... Her argument "I can not drive without numbers on windshield.." - that is about HUD. I understand her, and never complain as I am a gentleman (that is how I explain that). Story short - we need another bimmer.

Q: when buying used one (we bough used, happy), how to identify if it was modded? I joined this forum after we bought the car, I could not imagine that that many crazy heads (no offence gents ) try to pry the system from all ends to squeeze extra HP out. I am not gonna argue about the philosophy behind this, I just need your help to help me to identify if a car was modded when I check it. What can be checked, looked at to detect most common mods?

The reason I want "clean" car is the assumption that if someone modded it, the purpose was to push it the limits thus wearing out the engine/drive-train and shortening problem-free lifespan. Modded car for sale is most likely a big problem in the future.

[mike@x-ph.com]

If it was modded in the past and tune has been removed you wont know

As long as the user was using the recommended maps for his mods, it will not have ANY effects on the engine or other components ... We have BMWs that are pushing 3 times stock limit with over 200k miles

As a matter of fact, the safest bet you can do is buy a BMW from an enthusiast. You will be sure he has taken care of it and did all the required maintenance on time

[KGB_123_99]

There's no way to know, really. Like Mike said above, as long as they were using recommended maps, it's not really an issue. Problem is, there's also no way to tell which maps they were using!

[x328x]

If you are really that concerned i think your best bet is to take a good look at the owner. Generally speaking someone in their 20's is most likely going to be modding vs someone in their 40's.

[kd0t]

I guess one way is to check if the wires have been spliced from JB4 and check if there's scuff marks around the downpipe?

[F30ed]

Originally Posted by KGB_123_99

Like Mike said above, as long as they were using recommended maps, it's not really an issue.

Thanks for the input. I got the situation. Not sure though about "it's not really an issue". So far laws of physics served me well, and as I understand extra HPs do not magical appear just from nowhere by adding a few wires. Withing the same range of RPMs, extra HPs can be made only by extra torque. Extra torque means extra pressure, extra force, extra temperatures. Those mean extra wear and tear - this is exactly the issue I am trying to avoid.

[lens]

Originally Posted by F30ed

Thanks for the input. I got the situation. Not sure though about "it's not really an issue". So far laws of physics served me well, and as I understand extra HPs do not magical appear just from nowhere by adding a few wires. Withing the same range of RPMs, extra HPs can be made only by extra torque. Extra torque means extra pressure, extra force, extra temperatures. Those mean extra wear and tear - this is exactly the issue I am trying to avoid.

Should be fine as long as they followed maintenance. Transmission fluid flush etc.. The transmission was underrated and it can hold more torque than what it says. I haven't seen a post about someone blowing a transmission on here yet and we have people running 500+WTQ.

I'd worry more about getting a car from someone who don't take care of their car, getting one from an enthusiast normally is a better chance that they took great care of it.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by chaungo

Should be fine as long as they followed maintenance. Transmission fluid flush etc.. The transmission was underrated and it can hold more torque than what it says. I haven't seen a post about someone blowing a transmission on here yet and we have people running 500+WTQ.

I'd worry more about getting a car from someone who don't take care of their car, getting one from an enthusiast normally is a better chance that they took great care of it.

+1

[CalCarNut]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

If it was modded in the past and tune has been removed you wont know

As long as the user was using the recommended maps for his mods, it will not have ANY effects on the engine or other components ... We have BMWs that are pushing 3 times stock limit with over 200k miles

As a matter of fact, the safest bet you can do is buy a BMW from an enthusiast. You will be sure he has taken care of it and did all the required maintenance on time

Based on the quotes I've read here from members who lease them...not sure I'd bet on that one 100%. Oh..the oil etc might be changed...but I'm guessing the abuse level is higher ...

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by SoCalDave

Based on the quotes I've read here from members who lease them...not sure I'd bet on that one 100%. Oh..the oil etc might be changed...but I'm guessing the abuse level is higher ...

I got my n54 335 car from an older guy who never modded it, never raced or abused the car.

Turbo failed after 1 week of me owning it (fully stock) ... Since then i put 50k miles with the car pushing 22 psi boost, advanced timing,FBO,E70, etc.... Still running like a champ and i do not expect to replace it any time soon.

BMW are not reliable, a lot of components fail even in stock form ... I deal with a ton of modded cars and other than spark plugs and the occasional fuel pump issue reliability is on the same level of any other stock BMW

[CalCarNut]

Nice.^ I'm basing the statement on the comments I've read where it was predominantly stated that it's a lease and after 3yrs, it's someone else's problem. Not all abuse them of course..but I wouldn't just think it was fine since it was an enthusiasts car by any means...