mic325

Hi Kiddo, nice to meet you here. Are you from Hong Kong as well?

kiddo

Hello, yes I am but im in the states now. I am coming back to HK in july and going to modify my mom's 530i. But the problem is that I don't know much about aftermarket stores in Hong Kong so i have no idea where to start. so hopefully y'all could help me out with that. Thanks and appreciate it

AC_S5

Don't go replica on a 600K car, that's my thinking. That's why I've got nothing on my car

keith84_uk

Welcome for another 530i owner,

I am going to mod my 530i when i back to HK as well, recently i've sold my celica to fund the expenses on modding my e60.

What i start is to upgate the exterier looking of my E60 e.g alloy wheels, M body kit and maybe lowering it a bit. Actually we can't do much with the engine, of cos you can put a turbo or supercharger in if you want but in my opinion that is unless especially in HK's' stop and go' traffic, and that may ruin the handling as well.

If you looking for a light mod on your 5, you could upgrade the angeleye's colour, or K&N air filter (But you wouldn't get a great different in my opinion)

I just ordered a set of M172 wheels from quad_m and people in this forum have helped me a lot when finding good garages in HK

so you can PM me if you want the garage name and will forward you their suggestions.

Cheers
Keith

kiddo

i know. but check out this site. the price is really tempting. what do you guys think.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/19-8-5-9-5-...122480445QQrdZ1

kiddo

nice to meet you Keith. well speaking of engine mod. is it legal to do anything with the engine tho? i mean what if i want to replace the stock intake and ignition for better engine respond and fuel consumption. would that be fine to do? and what does the K&N air filter do exactly?

Yea, i would love that. but i what are the stores that u guys would recommend me to go if i wanna get exterior parts, such as smoked taillights(is it legal tho?), spoiler and stuff. Thanks, appreciate it.

keith84_uk

Hi kiddo,

I think it is legal for some light mods such as upgrading air filter (Not sure about the air induction kit) or other things like spark plugs, as it's just a upgraded replacement for your original parts. Pls correct me if am wrong.

What the K&N air filter or other brands...actually do(They claim) is improving the performance by sucking more air into your engine for better breath, but in my experience, it only improves in psychological way ...not in actually performance (maybe 1-2 bhp improvement but you will never notice the different in my opinion)

About the body work garage (Taillight,spoiler), i haven't try it yet cos am still in UK at the moment so will let you know how it go when i back.......and am not 100% sure is it legal for the smoked taillight....although i don't think that will be the problem if you don't get it too DARK......heeehee

Will send you PM later

Keith

mic325

I agree with Keith about the K&N filter, it is more of a psycological mod. The engine sounds much better when you rev pass 3000rpm, and frankly, you can't really feel the difference in terms of acceleration and power delivery.

For exterior parts, we usally bought it in Valiant (Mong Kok) or Destchland Parts (Hung Hum). Both of them carries GENUINE BMW & MB parts, and their price are much cheaper than you got in BMW HK if you are looking for original parts. And for your information, if you are looking for the ACS aerokit for your E60, grab it from BMWHK now as they are doing a special promotion on it, the price of the whole aero kit, including installation is cheaper than the M-kit.

For other aftermarket accessories, we usually visit a shop in Hung Hum. Like springs, shocks, K&N....etc. PM me if you want the name of the shop.

AC_S5

Well the price of the wheels is quite tempting, but Lawrence have tried those replica rims and he say it vibrates at high speed. But then again we don't really know how fast he's going If you drive slow like me then probably you won't feel any difference but a good rim is essential in Hong Kong as there are alot of potholes and if the replica rim are not build right then you might end up with crack rims after going through a pothole and so far my OEM have survived quite a few.

As for the K&N is just an air filter that replaces the original one and is a high flow filter that lets more air in, not really sucking more air in as Keith say, that's a job for things like a supercharger or a turbo but it does sounds better in high revs which is a money well wasted

As for mods in Hong Kong, it is 100% illegal to mod your car. You can get it certified by DOT but they will never give it to you. But police don't waste their time on catching illegal mods as long as is not very obvious.

Let's take the M kit for instance, the kit come without a mudflap and by putting it on the rear wheel is exposed (wider then the body) which is illegal in Hong Kong as they say it's dangerous. But no one ever got pull over for having a M kit. So don't worry too much about mods, they wouldn't fine you right away if they say your car have illegal mods they will give you a citation to ask you to take it off and get it certified again.

keith84_uk

Very useful informations....goodstuffs AC_S5

Especially the info about the replica wheels....cos i was struggled in the beginning when choosing between replica and genuine wheels....and what you've said above had determined my choice that i wasn't wrong.......cos i have ordered a set of OEM 172M from quad_m earlier.....althought i was very expensive (GBP 1000 inc shipping to HK)....but that seems worth it!!!! (Now just a bit worrying about my mum and sister will kerb the wheels..heheee)

Cheers
Keith