Whether you want to upgrade your rims on finance or splash out on a complete wrap for your car, adding improvements to a vehicle is becoming a serious option for keen car owners.
Why spend big on a whole new vehicle when simply adding or improving one part of the car can transform it for a fraction of the cost? Some owners like to make small changes – say, a new set of speakers for the in-car audio system – others may want to go BIG with a re-spray or even a new engine. Whatever your plan, upgrades are a great way of increasing the value and enjoyment of your vehicle.
Why upgrade?
There are drivers who want their car to look better, while some want it to be more comfortable or add cool in-car tech features. And there are always those who simply want their car to drive better.
Upgrading a car can be a way of improving the performance, handling, and spec of a vehicle at far less cost than buying a new one.
Want to enhance your car’s handling?
It’s easy: fit a new set of tires. Better quality rubber improves grip, acceleration, cornering, and braking.
Standard tires are one of the most cost-effective budget options for upgraders. When manufacturers dress up a demonstrator model, they immediately upgrade the tyres from the standard offerings. They know that better rubber is the easiest and most effective way of improving handling.
Want to make your car look better?
A complete re-spray or fashionable body wrap will transform any car – but at a significant price. A top-quality body wrap may cost as much as the value of the car. Instead, there are smaller changes you can make that have a sensational impact on the style and character of a car.
Adding upgraded rims or wheels can radically change the overall look. Best of all, improvements like these are now available to buy quickly and easily on finance.
Go-faster upgrades
With a petrol engine, even small mechanical upgrades can make gradual but noticeable improvements in horsepower and performance. Improving the flow of gases with an after-market air filter or sports exhaust system can be very cost-effective.
The engine will breathe better – and work more efficiently. It’s easy to find tuning ‘chips’ that can enhance both petrol and diesel performance. In extreme cases, an entire engine can be replaced with a more powerful unit. This is such a major job however and requires many other upgrades at the same time, such as those to the brakes and drivetrain.
Stop-faster upgrades
One of the best upgrades car owners can make is often forgotten. Up-rating the car’s braking system means that you improve the car’s stopping performance rather than its acceleration.
But there’s a reason why rally and track cars have very high-spec braking systems. The better your brakes the later you can wait before applying them when approaching a corner for example.
That’s why enhanced brakes can make for a very swift but safe driving experience.
General improvements
Have you considered swapping rubber hoses for silicone ones that will not crack and rot? Silicone has a higher heat tolerance, which can be extra important with the extra temperatures generated within turbocharged cars.
Simply buying a better set of spark plugs may quickly pay for itself – with less misfires and better fuel consumption. Or have you thought about changing to a higher-spec engine oil?
What about adding tinted film to side windows? Or an upgraded stereo system, perhaps involving DAB and Bluetooth.
Upgrade with care
Whatever part of the car you want to improve, there are options available to do it. It should always be cheaper than changing to a more expensive car. This may not apply if you start spending too much on new engines and resprays. Instead, look at the small and more cost-effective upgrades that can transform your vehicle in an affordable way.
