Topic: 2002 BMW 540iA - Dinan - what does it add to value?

[pops]

I've stumbled onto a 02 540iA with Dinan mods - it's labelled Dinan 5 on the trunk lid. This is not a car local to me so I haven't seen it live but understand the mods include cold air intake, high flow intake mods (throttle body, sensor), tranny software upgrade and exhaust.  The car of course has the sport package.  With 60k KM not sure what a good price for this would be - any thoughts/guidance out there? Are these mods to be avoided?  

As typical in my research, 540's (spt pkg non-Dinan) are all over the map in Canada - listing from $41k to $55k+ (the higher prices being certified at BMW dealers). This would not be a certified car.  Appreciate opinions on it's value - thanks!

[johngenx]

Nothing.  The mods add not a dime.  That's the problem with modding the car.  It's money gone.

Unless you really want a modified car, stay away.  Most hot-rodded cars are driven very hard.

Highly modified cars can actually lose value in relation to unmodified versions.  But, Dinan is a respect parts supplier, so the car won't take a big nose-dive thanks to that.

Don't put stock in the trunk decal, anyone can install one.

If the owner is pricing the car at a premium, I'd just buy a Certified car instead.  Those mods don't add a ton of performance.  Unless you're hung up on the automatic, the 6 speed is preferable.

[inco]

What JG is saying is good advice pops.  

The fact that the car might have been 'improved by Dinan' doesn't mean much if the car has been beaten up.

The only way I would feel comfortable about buying that would be talking to the original owner and have him/her verify the things that were done to the car and what services were completed and of course where.

If I felt comfortable with that then as a special interest car it might be worth it assuming the price is right.

If not a stock car with a known history and backed up by dealer warranty would be my choice - piece of mind.

[pops]

Good advise - thanks.  It really helps when people like yourselves respond with more realism and less emotion than we potential purchasers!

[Snowman]

You would have to be totally insane to buy a modded used car. Guys who mod their cars are retards, don’t give a $hit, treat them like crap, drive the hell the hell out of them, and don’t take care or maintain them…stay away from them a-holes.

[Mdxtasy]

That's funny Snowy.  

[Shnak]

uhh... Snowman, aren't you the one with a 350hp modded WRX?

[Roadrunner]

OOPS! Snowman.

[Mdxtasy]

I'm sure there was an intentional poke at himself.  That's what I caught out of Snowman's post.  

[Roadrunner]

Well, damn. Poke me for I never thought 'o' that.

[ovr50]

Can't you guys tell when Snowy is being very tongue in cheek sarcastic?

[wing]

Snowy is somewhat correct I would say.

Modded cars MAY or MAYNOT be driven hard, impossible to know for sure.  But chances are if it is modded the owner was anal about the car and did maintenance etc.

One that some badge whore bought might not have had ANY of the service performed!  Gotta be carefull with any used car.

[barrie1]

I personally would think that anybody who Rods up their engine knows enough to keep them very well maintained. These are the type of people who usually do the little extra's in maintenance and have a very strong car to sell.

[Snowman]

Huh?......I was being sarcastic man…Geeeezz

90% of the people I know who have modified cars (and I mean modified) take better care of the car than themselves. Only one is under 40 years old and I’m sure age and maturity has everything to do with it.
 
Hey….I have fun with my modded WRX….its a performance car. Who buys a performance car and drives lit like an Echo? I drive WOT frequently, push the handling to the limit, and play with test worthy opponents.

Many complain about the weak WRX MT’s…especially the ‘02’s. Out of the 68k on my WRX 61k have been heavily modified. You can drive a car hard without abusing it. I know I won’t get 200k from my driveline without some issues. If I wanted to get 200k with no problems I would have got a Camry.

[tpl]

One type of Dinan 5 is a 540 AUTOMATIC brought up to approximately M5 performance....for people who dont or cant drive a manual transmission.

If it is one of those then I think there will be a serial number somewhere but its unlikely that it is...there would be SOME reason that Transport Canada would find to keep it off the road.

I agree with the posts above... dont buy a modified car unless it is a total love thing

esp not a car which is already expensive to maintain.
A 2002 should still have some warranty left but it might not for the transmission or engine because of the mods.