Cheap car mods

We all know it’s easy to be tempted into buying "cheap" car modifications rather than saving up for more expensive parts. However it is often these smaller, cheaper items that make a car truly unique so choose wisely or face the consequences! Far too often we see badly modified cars that look like they have been through a certain motor factory with a magnet on, so here we cover some of the cheaper modifications on the market that help to improve the performance and appearance of your car without breaking the bank.

Realistically you’re not going to find anything cheap out there which will drastically improve the performance of your car in terms of power, but the good news is that there are a few products which will complement future modifications nicely. As we know a lot of the sensation of driving comes from the feel and sound of our cars on the road rather than just the outright pace. An induction kit can be easily purchased for around £50-70 from manufacturers such as K&N, Green and Pipercross. And if one isn't available for your car, build one from scratch! Universal filters can be found for as cheap as £10 and various size hoses, pipes and jubilee clips can be bought on eBay. Just make sure to measure plenty of times and even create a template. Universal exhaust back boxes are also available and together with an induction kit will improve the sound of the car and should free up the breathing a little bit, while giving sharper throttle response.

If you are interested in improving the handling of your car but don't have money for a pricey coilover kit, fear not as there are other options available. Lowering springs can provide your car with a more aggressive stance while also helping to reduce body roll through the corners of your favourite B road.

From an appearance point of view, this is really where the market comes alive with regards to modifications in our price range. There are a whole host of parts available from stickers to body kits. The trick is to modify a car tastefully and find a way to express your own taste and vision but without necessarily buying everything out there! A term that a lot of tuners will refer to these days is OEM+. This style of modifying aims to keep the overall original appearance of the car but add a few subtle mods to make it stand out from the crowd of true enthusiasts. So instead of buying a frankly hideous aftermarket front bumper and then worrying about fitting and painting, consider a simple front lip spoiler. There are plenty of these available on eBay and often can be made to custom-fit most cars. You could also try introducing a very light tint to the front headlights (which will still pass an MOT), all at the cost of around £50 from a local body shop.

Another angle you can take is to use "facelift" parts from newer models of the same car - grills, bumpers, lights etc. These can be found at your local scrap yard for very reasonable prices.

Another popular modification is window tinting. There are plenty of companies which charge around £90 to professionally tint the rear 3 windows. This can often make a big difference to the appearance of the car. Remember, some jobs are worth leaving to the pros as anyone who has tried to DIY tint their windows will know!

Remember, modifying cars is about expressing your own individual tastes. If you are stuck for ideas then pick up any modified car magazine and get inspired by some of the best rides in the country. You will be surprised how many modifications can be bought on a budget...