The OEMPlus guys don't try to reinvent the wheel, they just want it to spin a bit faster. OEMPlus is the fastest-growing trend in European tuning. The philosophy is to take what makes a car great in the first place and expand on it. Unlike other trends, it doesn't necessarily focus on just one aspect of a car's performance. Power, handling, comfort and even efficiency are all desired goals. The idea isn't new, but it's been gaining momentum of late.
The OEMPlus movement started with importing components originally meant for higher-performance European versions and putting them into North American-spec Euro-brand cars. Many old-world marques offered different and, in many cases, better, models for Europe. Porsche and Mercedes have more recently been making global cars that offer identical performance in every market, but Audi, VW and BMW have left some their best efforts for European buyers. Besides making up for market inequalities, OEMPlus also uses factory high-performance components and select aftermarket gear.
Several European car manufacturers have seen the burgeoning tuner market and are looking for a piece of the action. Companies with dedicated motorsport divisions are now directing some of those resources toward street performance. Others are being helped by aftermarket contractors to develop parts and brand them as the OEM's performance division. These components are then sold as either port- or dealer-installed.
Enthusiasts can be assured that such parts are tested as rigorously as any other factory item. OEM components are assessed at levels that are truly unrealistic for any aftermarket company. It's too expensive and time-consuming for most tuners to carry out wear, safety, corrosion and environmental testing to factory standards. It would mean investing hundreds of hours and millions of dollars. This explains the price disparity between aftermarket parts and those available from the dealership.
For aftermarket items, OEMPlus tuners are looking for parts that are somewhat transparent both visually and functionally to the car's original equipment. Software flashes, factory decibel-level exhausts and suspension kits offering ride heights similar to factory spec are all on offer.
This isn't only about stealth on the street, but also at the dealership. Factory performance parts are backed by a similar warranty as the original vehicle, but components that have an OEM stamp and part numbers aren't likely to raise suspicions. Also, local authorities are not usually expert enough to distinguish a European part from a North American part. As long as it still looks stock, it shouldn't attract unwanted attention.
There are varying degrees of modifications possible, depending on personal taste, manufacturer and even specific model. The list below is by no means comprehensive, but rather an introduction to the possibilities of OEMPlus tuning.