To upgrade or not

[Nonplussed]

I am an original owner, with 16000 miles. I don't post much, preferring to be a voyeur.

My DD is an '07 Porsche Turbo. I love my Z8 beyond words, but it feels a little limp. Should I upgrade the power or keep it pure. If the former, will it affect its value long term? If not, what upgrade would be most worth doing? Mine is entirely stock save an Icelink for my iPod....

Off topic entirely, I can't imagine seeling this car. It is the most beautiful car ever made, and my 3 year old son already lusts after the day he gets to drive it.

[macfly]

If you choose to upgrade your car you can add a good 20% power and improve the handling a fair bit too, but you'll need to put aside around $30k to do it all, and the only place to do it is with Steve Dinan. Some of us ship our cars there, others make the drive and fly in and out from San Jose. He is the only one I'd trust to do the work, he is something of a Z8 expert now, and has taken one notable example up to 575hp with an S62 Daytona Prototype motor.

http://bmwz8.us/vbb/showpost.php?p=8113&postcount=2

[Z8Ros]

Keep it as it is,you have enough power, it"s a roadster.
Z8Ros

[Obie Wan]

I don't think the question of value was addressed. Would modifications effect value. I am think of having Dinan do mine.

[redz8]

I think the cars that fetch big dollars tend to be 100% factory original with less than 5K miles which end up becoming garage queens and seldom driven once sold to the "pure collectors." There's always going to be a market for daily driver category of cars.

I speak for myself, but I would never purchase a car that has had performance modifications -- This to me often equates to abuse.

[macfly]

I'd say that a Dinan modified car will hold it's own value because of the name and reputation of the tuner.

IMHO you won't get back your full investment in the upgrades, but you also won't loose any value on the car. If you asked me to guess I'd say it will likely hold a $10k or so premium over a stock car in the long run so long as the miles are fairly low, and you have all papers, work orders, receipts etc..

[Z8-NL]

Re value I would say if your mods are reversible like the quaife LSD (8% more torque) or adjustments to the chip programming I see no reason why it would depreciate more then cars without such mods. Just ensure you retain all original equipment so you can actually return to OEM state.

[skicoach]

I would respectfully disagree with those here in some respects. I too am an original owner who has replaced the LSD, gone to non-runflats, and had the PP installed. I have about 15,000 miles on my 02 and consider it original. I not only think the potential market for a modified car is reduced but, would suggest that the value of such a car may be lessened due to the suspected manner of use by the previous owner. That being said, if you never plan to sell, why not just do it. My fear would be that I'd create a machine that was better in some ways but at the expense of its original perception. I think I'd miss that. I also am a Porsche owner (993 C2S),who appreciates both cars for what they are. Good luck!

[macfly]

There isn't a precedent that I can think of in older European cars, because all the really known tuning houses (RUF, Schnitzer, Alpina, etc) are relatively new, ie post 1970. However their product defines the gilding of the lillies of our time, so if I had to bet on the future I'd say that a properly documented and numbered Dinan S2 car will become just a little bit more desirable that a bone stock Z8, being that they are "Z8-plus".

I'm not too familiar with the American muscle cars, but if I understand correctly it is the MoPar, Edelbrook and other breathed on specials that have been commanding the highest prices over the last few years, and that is why I suspect that a future collector might pay that little bit more for a Dinan S2. That said I could well be wrong, but every collector I know loves ultimates, so an "ultimate-plus" might be just a little bit more tempting.

Bottom line, if you want to do it because it'll broaden your smile, and make you fall in love all over again I say do it, you only live once, and you only get to take the experiences with you.

[Obie Wan]

I have an M-Roadster that Dinan did as a special run. I do like the smile factor. We will probably send the car to Dinan this fall for the S2 system. We do not abuse our cars but it is nice to know that when some kid pulls up in their rice burner you can just smile and nod your head.