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What about my Warranty?
Your BWW warranty cannot be invalidated by the installation of any non BMW performance tuning component or conversion. If a BMW component is modified outside of the BMW approved specification, the manufacturer has the right to reject a warranty claim under certain circumstances. Any BMW performance tuning modification that Birds offer comes with it's own warranty, and should it be the case that BMW disclaims liability for repairs under the BMW warranty, Birds will undertake the necessary repairs under the original (now displaced) BMW warranty terms.

Why do you only sell Quaife, Hartge, AP and Dinan tuning products?
We only provide BMW performance tuning products that we know will work, have been thoroughly and rigorously tested, and that you will be able to rely on to perform perfectly in conjunction with all the other equipment on your BMW. Even with the excellent standard of products which some other companies offer, individual packages require specific knowledge in order that performance enhancement is actually achieved with 100% reliability. Unfortunately it's not as simple as taking a branded product and bolting it onto your car.

Why shouldn't I buy this product elsewhere?
Apart from our exclusive contract with Quaife, there is no reason you cannot buy parts elsewhere. But for reasons usually relating to product tolerance/consistency, or differing local standards, the majority of the tuning products we provide require either specific additional components (parts, belts, brackets, software, etc) or specific expertise and technical direction/instruction to fit. This 'value add' can even include the bespoke fabrication of precision parts.

How can I make my car faster?
Our immediate response is to ask you to stop thinking about engine performance and tuning in isolation! It’s a sad fact that headline power outputs seem to be what everyone wants. However, if you speak to serious drivers, they will confirm that it's easier, cheaper, and ultimately more satisfying to deal with the whole package. It's almost never the car with the biggest power that wins the race. It's more important to deploy the power you have in the most efficient and rewarding way. Again, our expert knowledge of BMW dynamics allows us to advise the best means to achieving your own specific objectives.

For every car, the top three BMW performance tuning products are likely to be different. But the most likely scenario is that we would recommend you consider the Quaife BMW differential, tyres, and suspension tuning modifications before going for more power. If you can deploy power effectively, carry more speed into and through corners, and subsequently have a speed advantage when you get onto the straight, the dynamics are properly sorted. Then you can about engine performance tuning.

But if I up-rate my suspension surely I will sacrifice ride quality?
Current BMW set-up often uses what we consider to be uncompromisingly stiff springs and dampers. If you don't want to sacrifice ride quality, then we may initially recommend an Anti-Roll bar kit. This stiffens the car in roll only, so the car will corner flatter, and will remove unwanted under-steer, allowing power to be deployed earlier after a corner. There are further two options. A sport spring set, which will dictate the primary stiffness of the suspension, tuned to the standard dampers. This will control the ride height at the front and rear axles and will improve handling and stability. For the more serious driver who places more substantial demands upon the chassis, a suspension kit may be recommended. With matched sports springs and gas assisted shock absorbers there will be far greater control over the movement of the car body in the most demanding of situations.

If I were to upgrade my springs and dampers, would I have control over the ride height and damper settings?
The answer to this question is no. The suspension kits that we offer are set-up for fast road use and are not adjustable in any way. By eliminating the option of adjustment there is far less to go wrong with the suspension and therefore will need far less maintenance. Typically, adjustable suspensions are beyond the understanding of even the most experienced drivers. You have 99 ways to get the set-up wrong. Even professional race drivers need a suspension guru to generate proper settings. We recommend leaving this to professional suspension tuners.

Why do you sell wheels with tyres already mounted: do you offer a fitting service?
Converting a car to accept larger wheels and tyres is not always as simple as some people think. Substantial consideration needs to be made to all of the dynamic affects of the wheels and tyres in conjunction with the chassis. In many cases the wheel arch apertures have to be widened to accept the biggest options, whilst moderate conversions may require little or no modification. For these reasons, we prefer to supply wheels with compatible tyres as a set. Therefore you can be assured that each conversion will suit the dynamics of your car and any body modifications required have to be meticulously tested and documented on each chassis. Where sets offered do require body modification, we always recommend that installation is carried out at our workshops. This may seem inconvenient, but our guarantee provides that there will be no body interference even when the vehicle is loaded to the maximum weight.

Again, there are plenty of companies who will take your money, while dispensing poor advice - if you want knowledge-based advice, give us a call.

If I fit bigger wheels will it effect the ride quality of my car?
This further backs up our reasons for only supplying wheels and tyres as a complete set. If correctly selected, and set-up, there will be only marginal effect on the ride quality of the car. The only noticeable difference under normal driving conditions is that there will be a slight increase in tyre noise due to the increased surface area in contact with the road.

So what size is best for my car?
This will vary between each BMW chassis. Some are capable of accepting 22" wheels, whereas the smaller 1 and 3 series cars will be compromised if you use more than 19" versions. We have the experience to know what works, and what does not. Our advice is free and based on properly judged and authoritative experience.