What is OEM+?

[maw1124]

Does this mean that depending on how many aftermarket mods this car has, this should be reflected in the number of pluses? Like if it's just a short shifter, it's OEM+. If you add aftermarket wheels, it's OEM++. Add aftermarket suspension and a big brake kit and it's OEM+++???

Joking...

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/K15Va4bd/2004-bmw-m3-coupe?utm_source=listing_alert&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=hero

OEM + Stage 2




maw

[samthejam]

I have always interpreted OEM+ as only using the BMW parts bin if a BMW to modify the car or near OE level of quality for aftermarket parts The latter being a grey area for OEM+.

[lemoose]

So are we saying then that a Karbonious CSL intake is not "OEM+"?

[Stilt]

So are we saying then that a Karbonious CSL intake is not "OEM+"?

Referencing the above logic, Dinan is not "OEM+" lol

[Tbonem3]

Karbonius is such a flawless replica of CSL parts (seomtimes even higher quality?) I think it'd be easy to argue its worthiness of OEM+ tag. Still, OEM+ was supposed to denote improving the vehicle using genuine/OEM parts that come from another model.

[George Hill]

I've been thinking about this, because I do use this phrase too. I think of it as taking the ethos of the car and going a step further. This could be different for different models but still using the same idea. Since BMW makes these cars for the masses they still restrained themselves as evidenced by the CSL. So I view this as just taking another step without completely loosing track of what the car is as a whole.

As an example, converting a sunroof car to a carbon slick top.

Or in the case of exhaust, something like a SS system is "OE+" where as a BW single 3.5" isn't even though it could provide more performance and less weight.

Or wheels adding a little width (front and rear) and a lighter setup is "OE+" where as something like a 275 square isn't.

Or sealed monoballs, yes, heim joints, no.

I think Obioban, heinzboehmer and Bry5on are good examples of this.


In the same instance a loud(er) even if more powerful exhaust on a 7 series is not an "OE+" mod, where air cooled seats would be.

IMO, YMMV and all that jazz lol

[maw1124]

I too think about OEM+ as removing some of the factory "mass market" restraints while maintaining factory safety and reliability standards.

On this car, slightly lower, stiffer and lighter or more powerful is about all you can do IMO, since the car is almost maxed out from the factory. The CSL, for example, is mostly just L, not so much more power or lower or stiffer. So headers, wider and lighter wheels, lighter seats, all of those make sense.

On my S55 AMG, a pulley and a tune good for 10% more power was all that made any sense, although cost no object would bring headers into the mix. Headers on almost all US versions of these cars falls within OEM+ to me.

But as someone said up front, once you start injecting NVH in pursuit of stiffer, you've probably lost the thread. It's a delicate balance so blunt instrument thinking isn't particularly helpful.

"Radding" the car out might just be ratting it out.

maw