Modifying

[SoLaMaNdA]

I can imagine some people might get annoyed when they read this but anyway...

How come so many modify the appearance of their cars but not the performance? The beauty and attraction of the 300 to me is a fun car that is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. They should be kept that way. So this is a small request, if you want to modify a 300, do it under the bonnet and not on the body...

Let the clash of opinions commence

[Chesh740R]

I believe the reason people modify the exterior of cars instead of the performance side of things as its cheaper and can be a lot easier for the 1st time spanner wielders.

Me personally have allways liked the wolf in sheeps clothing approach, its what attracted me to volvo's in the first place. Cheap insurance and faster than other comparable cars.

But then again I love driving around in something that looks good bodywise as well.

[Stuntman]

I believe I do it to extremes, Bodywork repairs, then modification, then wheels and suspension, then engine.

Normally the car explodes or I get bored before the last step, but my estate is awaiting a monster engine and suspension build so I may be getting there with her.

The 300 is currently getting the stripped out look, blacked out windows and vinyl treatment

[MJ]

I agree that some kind of performance/handling mod should come before looks, but for someone with very little practical mechanical skills, these things can be very difficult unless you get a mechanic to do them, and they're very expensive.

Pure visual mods can be done by anyone and are often cheaper

[SoLaMaNdA]

I always liked Volvo as it’s the opposite of the boy racer modifying scene.

[redline]

are we getting at anyone in particular here lol



some exterior mods do not effect your insurance policies

GRAFIX for example ( although a few here wish they did )

some exterior mods are for safety (spots and fogs improve the 300's dismal standard lighting)

some aid performance (mesh grille increases engine cooling )

and most are reasonably cheap

my car came with a weber replacement carb and I think regular servicing is as important as any modification to maintain if not improve performance,

my alloys certainly help keep my brakes cool which in turn means they perform well underload and dont fade as readily as some

my car easily cruises well above the national speed limit and quite often saw over 120 mph on the M1 and M6 when I used to drive to Coventry
so I dont need a turbo or bigger engine

the mods I would like are a four branch manifold ( which I dont think you can get )and a bigger bore exhaust but that would increase cabin noise thereby decreasing driver comfort

and a k+n filter but then I would suffer from carb icing

My car handles well on the 14" rims and tyres so I dont see the need for lowered or uprated suspension to the detriment of comfort

but mainly I think people should stick to doing what they know and feel safe with

to many people go mad on engine mods and completely forget improving brakes and suspension, it is very important that a car stops equally if not better than it go's

another thing to remember is that the youngest of our cars is 16 years old and long term, I dont think they can cope with to many mods and still be safe and reliable

also as special used to say

DARE TO BE DIFFERENT

[SoLaMaNdA]

DARE TO BE DIFFERENT

I think you manage that very well

If I were to modify the car in anyway, top of the list would be bigger brakes!

[Stuntman]

GO MIKE!!!! Hahaha, I like to think I'm a very able mechanic and have an improving level or electronics, but I just love being different, it may be well and good turbo'ing or noz'ing a car, but if you can't drive it why bother, I love the 300 image, it can be so many things to so many people, almost the mini of the saloon/hatch car sector,

But come on people who else is going to voice an opinion here!!!

[MJ]

I'm sure Adam will have something to say, what with it being probablyu the most modded 300 here, and by being darn good

[Carl]

I take pride in the appearance of my car, but all mods are strictly performance related, and that's the way it'll stay (unless its uber cheap like the Moose stickers or the bumper vents ).

Although most of my current mods have improved the look IMHO (mk2 alloys, Hella grille, 6 guage dash), but are still performance related.

Besides I've got the Manta and MR2 to pimp around in!

[classicswede]

I do like the wolf in sheep's clothing that all older volvo's have - but I also like nice body mods.

With Vicky car I started by making it stick then making it go and now some suttle body mods on the way.

[jtbo]

I am antiricer, so my car won't see any upgrade that is only visual, specially all things 'cool' and such are not going to end my car.

With same amount of money some ppl put to bodykits and silly spoilers they could get real performance and handling, I just don't understand it, but anyone is free to waste life how they like

And to clear that up, imo, we all are wasting our lifes, but that is another story

[Chris_C]

I did a load of non engine stuff first, which was great for me in four parts.

Firstly, I had no idea what I was doing. I've started learning about what does what from ground up, and I only learned by starting small.

Secondly, I wanted a car to be proud of, and I hate to say it, but Volvo don't have as good a taste as I do. Nuff said, so I sorted out the stereo and stuck some blue LED's around the interior. Had the best quality sounding stereo and the sexiest interior at school, which I was dead chuffed with, as a few had thrown 4 figures at a shop to do installs for them. I had sorted my stereo and interior for less than £95 at that point. Having just spent my life saving buying and insuring it, that was quite useful. I also made my own remote locking system, as well as a few other things. Once again, I can do custom stuff, and custom is always better than off the shelf.

Thirdly, I nearly wrote the car off with a 1.4 engine, I had just passed my test, and was a cocky b*stard. At least I am now a cock b*stard with 5 years of experience of missing other objects. I reckon that qualifies me to have a bigger engine, but move on to point four.

Fourth, my insurance bills have only just started to allow it. Most companies don't allow engine mods till you are 21, others 25. Most do however allow interior mods. And even if they will do it, you need to be able to afford and justify the difference. I've now got to the point where I can mod my engine, and it will cost less than insuring a 325.

Out of those however, No 2 is it for me. I'm not going to drive a car I'm not proud of. Standard 300's don't do it for me, not least as spending more time listening to music in the car than at home, I have my main stereo system in my car. Fakes took me three days to get to a stage where I was proud to drive it, now if only I had faith it would get me where I want to be...

And as Jani says, its my car, I'll do what I want

[Ronnie]

I believe in the "less is more" approach, unless we're talking about horse power.

I haven't really modded my car yet. awaiting a custom debadged grill (Oi, Adam!?), and clear indicator lenses but that's all part of the smoothing strategy. I want rid of the antenna, and debadge the rear too but that = paint = £. In terms of radical mods - has anyone ever stripped off the guttering? I think this would really add to the car.

Performance wise I've sorted the (stock) brakes, and they bite as well as I believe the car needs. I've fitted decent tyres and i've modded the air intake, (which is IMO a very good bang per buck performance mod). Expensive things like blown 2.3 red blocks, Dai's suspension upgrades, LSD's and Superlite alloys will just have to wait for more cash. A new baby and a new house has cleaned me out!

[redline]

imo, we all are wasting our lifes, but that is another story

wow, like thats really heavy man

try living by this formula

Go placidly amid the noise & haste, & remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly & clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull & ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud & aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater & lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let not this blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity & disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue & loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees & the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labours& aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery & broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy