Let's be honest - 'Fashion over Function'... who's guilty?

[pundit]

Well we all like hot looking cars, hot looking women (unless you're the other way inclined) and generally things we regard as looking good. For some it's just a case of pleasing ourselves based on our own personal taste. In other cases it's fitting in with what we think others would like, following the current fad, or trend, or being fashionable.

Cars and car accessories are one big dollar earner in the fashion stakes. Most are designed to give the impression of either affluence, increased performance or both. Of course we didn't buy our E34's just to be fashionable, did we () , it's because they are damn good cars. But many of the so called performance enhancements are actually ego enhancements and in reality degrade the performance of the vehicle. Examples are 20" Chinese chrome rims that weigh as much as the Sydney Harbor Bridge. Others are cut down springs with rock hard shocks and no suspension travel or no springs at all as in some pimped out low riding chrome plated pimp mobiles. Some of these are actually so ridiculous it's funny because the owners are so serious. Anyway how about a few examples of 'Fashion over Function'?

[liquidtiger720]

My car probly has a lot of fashion over function...clears, and soon to be heavy 18inch wheels. But, to tell you the truth, I have a 525i. Its not going to go anywhere very fast...so I gave up on the "go" portion of upgrading and am concentrating a little more on style...for cruising. Until I have enough money to do a engine swap of some sort, I don't think its worth it to throw any more money into my engine. I guess I am guilty.

[rickm]

When I was younger I used to spend a bit on my vehicles, as I got older it didn't seem to matter. Now I want something that is comfy, drives well, is capable of getting me where I want when I want and looks good getting me there.

I have neighbors that are into the Joneses thing. She buys one of those retro looking Plymouths then sinks another 6k into it. She goes to sell it then hits the roof because no one is going to pay for her mods. Her hubby buys a NICE classic mustang then destroys it...huge rims/tires that required rolling of the fenders (and removing material), aftermarket tail lights, etc.

For a while this spring I was thinking about making a few changes to my 5, I'm instead going to get an e39 or an e46 wagon to hang out with the E34 and the Mini, which the wife has taken over. I saw a nice silver wagon today, looked like a 330...pretty sweet.

To each his own, but what kills me is someone buying an old Honda, spending 5k on rims, 3k on a stereo and not bothering to clean up the interior and paint the thing.

[SharkmanBMW]

what kills me is someone buying an old Honda, spending 5k on rims, 3k on a stereo and not bothering to clean up the interior and paint the thing.

you are speaking of the majority of the population, UNfortunately... but spinners were made for someone to buy! (and it won't be anyone off this board!)

I have seen cars like a corolla with spinners, the sideview mirror is taped together with duct tape, but she spins baby!!

[SharkmanBMW]

just check out the jimmy540 site, he has found many people that have pushed the envelope pretty far.....
http://jimmy540i.com/bmwnightmare.htm

I just scrolled doewn the first page and it was excruciating, the things people have done to their bimmers is even worse than what bangle is doing now!

[liquidtiger720]

OMG...thats probly the worst I have ever seen.

[Zeuk in Oz]

Original is the only way to go !
Just pick a classy, good looking car (or woman) in the first place.

[Qube]

ARH !! I hate you !! I just spent an hour of my life, looking at the 'garbage gallery' on his site

Compared to the cars on the site... my blue calipers are nothing

[uscharalph]

OMG...thats probly the worst I have ever seen.

It looks like a Mustang!

[TheGeak]

I guess i'm guilty of it with my focus...

I put on some SVT rims, debadged it, put on a SSK...its a 4cyl focus, cant expect much performance, but I can make it a bit different from the others I suppose...