What is OEM Plus? | Revv.ly Glossary

What is OEM Plus?

Over the years, I've developed a term for my preferred approach to modifying vehicles: "OEM Plus." It describes builds that enhance what the factory provided while respecting the original design intent. The modifications could have come from the factory--they're that well-integrated--but they offer improvements the factory couldn't include due to cost, regulations, or market positioning.
OEM Plus isn't about restraint for its own sake. It's about quality over quantity, integration over disruption, and improvements that complement rather than contradict the vehicle's character.

The Philosophy

OEM Plus builds share certain characteristics:
Factory Appearance -- From across a car park, the vehicle looks stock. Only on closer inspection do the upgrades become apparent. No wild graphics, no aggressive styling that clashes with the original design language.
Quality Components -- Parts are as good as or better than OEM. This often means spending more than "performance" aftermarket options because premium brands charge premium prices.
Proper Installation -- Nothing looks cobbled together. Wiring is hidden or properly routed. Mounting is secure. Gaps are consistent. The modifications look intentional, not improvised.
Functional Improvements -- Changes serve purposes beyond appearance. Upgraded suspension improves handling. Brake upgrades improve stopping. Even cosmetic changes follow the factory design language.

OEM Plus Examples

What does OEM Plus look like in practice?
Suspension -- Factory-spec coilovers from OEM suppliers (like Bilstein or KW for German cars, Koni for various applications) rather than bargain units. Proper alignment and matched spring rates.
Wheels -- Factory options from higher trim levels or wheels from the OEM supplier (BBS if they made factory wheels, for instance). Correct offsets and sizing that fill the arches without aggressive poke or stretch.
Engine -- Intake, exhaust, and software modifications from established suppliers, often the same companies that supply OEM. A K&N filter that fits the factory airbox rather than a massive cold air intake with heat soak problems.
Interior -- Factory upgrade parts from higher trim levels. Genuine leather where plastic was standard. OEM navigation retrofits. Subtle improvements that look original.

The Practical Benefits

Beyond aesthetics, OEM Plus offers advantages:
Reliability -- Quality parts from reputable suppliers fail less often than budget alternatives. The total cost of ownership may actually be lower despite higher initial investment.
Resale Value -- Tastefully modified vehicles often command better resale than either heavily modified examples or completely stock ones. Buyers appreciate upgrades done properly.
Livability -- OEM Plus builds remain practical daily drivers. Nothing is so aggressive that it compromises comfort or usability.
Satisfaction -- There's genuine pleasure in a vehicle that does everything just a bit better than stock without the compromises of aggressive modification.

Who It's For

OEM Plus appeals to enthusiasts who appreciate their vehicles as complete packages rather than blank canvases for radical transformation. It suits those who value quality, who plan to keep vehicles long-term, and who want improvements without drama.
It's not for everyone. If your vision involves wide-body kits and air ride, OEM Plus isn't your path. But if you want a vehicle that's better than stock while looking like it could have left the factory that way, this philosophy delivers.
The Revvly community appreciates builds where taste and quality meet--OEM Plus done right.
Related: OEM, Preventive Maintenance, Daily Driver
OEM Plus Favorite Platforms: BMW E46, Audi B8 S4, Lexus IS300