Hi Guys,
I've had my 997S for almost a year now and really enjoy it. However, I'm pretty set on selling or trading (up hopefully) in about a year and a half or so. In the meantime, I would love to mod it but not if the mods will really hurt the resale or trade in value.

My car is not quite stock now. I did change the rear bumper to a GT3 style bumper with dual exhaust outlets (love it, more aggressive). A couple other minor mods (clear turn signals, Denison, and hardwired V1).

If I do continue modding I'm only thinking about:
1. Softronic ECU flash
2. Front and rear sway bars
3. Short shifter

Nothing too much since the car is great as is. Again, planning on changing cars in about a year and a half. Is it worth the price of mods AND take a hit at resale/trade? Since I already have the rear bumper changed should I just continue modding? Or should I leave it as is? Thanks!

 

I think that the mods you are talking about will not hurt the value, in fact most buyers would like the shifter, as it is a factory option that can be installed later. Sway bars are not going to effect any warranty, but will help the car handle a little better.

The software is the only one that I think will be questionable, I don't think that it will make of a performance increase, and may effect warranty if there is an issue.

 

I wouldn't. Even though I still have 4.5 years to pay off my 335i, I am not modding it (ok, expensive mods) to save money for my own place or another car; hopefully a 997 or 998. Right now I just upgraded the driver tools (steering wheel, shift ****, hand brake lever, and pedals) and I want to keep it at that.

Mods may not hurt resale value, but to an average Joe the Plumber he may not like the fact that there are aftermarket parts on it, and may be persuaded to look elsewhere. Also, when I did a trade in estimate for my 350Z (intake, exhaust, wheels, suspension) the dealer said those parts lessened the value of the car.

 

[quote=997guardian;2325553]Hi Guys,
I've had my 997S for almost a year now and really enjoy it. However, I'm pretty set on selling or trading (up hopefully) in about a year and a half or so. In the meantime, I would love to mod it but not if the mods will really hurt the resale or trade in value.

My car is not quite stock now. I did change the rear bumper to a GT3 style bumper with dual exhaust outlets (love it, more aggressive). A couple other minor mods (clear turn signals, Denison, and hardwired V1).

If I do continue modding I'm only thinking about:
1. Softronic ECU flash
2. Front and rear sway bars
3. Short shifter
.....................end quote


#1) Why flash? You have not done anything to the engine to improve performance so what are you upgrading?

#2) You won't notice ANY difference until hard driving on a track; just put it in sport mode if you want to stiffen it up a little.

#3) Personal preference; again what do you gain?

There, I just saved you $3000; now you can trade sooner.

 

Are you planning on seriously tracking the car? If so, you'll probably need more than just sway bars to really get the proper handling feedback. Keep it in sport mode and your 90% there. I agree with tejoe, flashing on its own is pretty useless. Also, with the mods you mentioned, you'll get a lot of potential buyers that will ask if you tracked the car which for some may be a red flag.

 

I wouldn't do anything but the short shift. Modifications will add little value to the car upon resale.

 

you will get no value from the mods at resale. however, those mods if chosen wisely will give you more personal pleasure for the remainder of the time that you have the car. you need to figure what that's worth to you. i personally don't own my cars from more than 2 or 3 years and i've modded every one of them.

 

I would not buy your car w/ the mods you already have in it and even less with the ones you are planning. Most buyers of pre-owned P-cars agree w/ me.

 

sad but true

 

I adias hit the nail on the head. I looked at a few p cars and ended choosing the one with no mods. One of the great things about mods is it is very personal and what one person must have is something another person would never do. Sort of like selling a house. The key is to make it neutral in color and appearance as tastes vary.

 

I say you should keep the mods simple and easy to take off.
As long as your mods won't void the warranty then you should be fine!
So mod it and have no regrets!

 

If buying a pre-owned car I would inspect all the usually suspected bolt-ons for swapping marks and I would make sure the ECU was never reflashed w/ 3r party tunes. Thus, modding and converting back has its perils too.

 

I like to either :
a) mod the car from day one .
or
b) commit to leaving it stock .

You may decide to keep the car longer ince you fall in love with it again .

Intake/exhuast/ flash /Suspension /wheels = 10-15K despending on what you get or if you buy the parts new . You may search some used parts too . After all a used car can take used parts too.

 

True! I would too if I'm buying the car from private sale.
However, for pre-owned Porsche or anything more expensive, I usually take it to my local dealer to either sell or trade.
Are dealers really concerned if you had after market suspension or front and rear sway bars or short shifter installed before?
Also, modding cars is a hobby, and hobbies can be expensive sometimes. Just my 2 cents.

 

Thanks for everyone's input. Does ECU flashing really do nothing for these stock NA motors? I've flashed my previous two stock cars: first with no noticeable gains and the second almost a night and day difference.

I do plan on continuing to autox and start tracking. Otherwise, what's the point of having these cars.