BMW BLOG

BMW car conversions are becoming more popular and extremely spectacular every single team. Just last week, we spoke about the BMW E30 M3 V10 project completed by PiperMotorSport in Virginia.

And today, we have something new, as much as spectacular as the previous one and maybe even more. On the German website mobile.de, an online vehicle marketplace, there is a listing of an E91 BMW 3 Series turned into an M3 version with ……are you ready for this? a 5.0 liter V10 engine from the M5 which produces 550 horsepower. The engine is matted to the M5 E60 7-Speed SMG transmission.

Some of you might recall that back in May, another German based company, Manhart-Racing, managed to squeeze into the M3 Touring a V10 engine from the E60 M5.

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We have seen some crazy projects before, from BMW tuning or modding to restorations, but what we are going to show you today, has left us speechless.

PiperMotorSport, a Virgina based company, decided to start an exciting project: “to build the ultimate BMW using the best of the best from BMW’s line up”. Using the Project codename Franken M3, the final product will feature the S85 M5 V10 engine inside the body of the old-school, but still beautiful E30 M3.

PiperMotorsport was kind enough to share their story with everyone, so we’re going to let them describe the entire process.

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Our friends and longtime sponsors of your bimmer focused blog, IND-Distribution, are back again with a new project. Despite being friends with them, we’ve always objectively analyzed their work, but they managed to impress each and every time.

Their previous Dakar Yellow M3 project made waves within the BMW community and showed everyone that “classy and stylish” modding can still be done.

Today, they are back with their latest Silverstone II BMW E93 convertible project and as usual, we will let them explain the vision behind this new project. As you can see in from their words, passion is needed to create a successful project.

“Working at IND gives all of us here a unique opportunity- we get to build the car we love over and over again. How many people are fortunate enough to modify beautiful cars for a living? Because offering styling consultation on our Portfolio projects is one of the key components of our Portfolio service, it is critically important for all of us at IND to keep an open mind.

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PAINTING a brief abstract of the M3 coupe is somewhat daunting. BMW’s best performance car’s virtues are many; its faults number few.

Hold on, say you. BMW’s best? The M5 and M6 both outgun and outrun the M3. V10 power!

Yes, I get that.

I’ve held on for dear life as the owner of an M6 wasted an E39 M5 mile after spine-tingling mile. Those 500 horses charge like wild Mustangs fighting capture. When you toe in, there’s this unrelenting surge that launches you into the horizon and doesn’t stop until you do.

And yet, the M6 doesn’t speak to me. And the M3 does.

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Exactly two months ago, BMW announced the introduction of three BMW M3 Edition models which will be available at the end of July.  These individual M3s will have some modifications in body design and interior features, as well as special light-alloy wheels and a lower chassis.

The M3s will run in limited production for six months and they will be available in four distinct colors: Alpine White, Black, Dakar Yellow, and Monte Carlo Blue. The M3 Edition models will also sport the BMW Individual High-Gloss Satin Chrome.

European journalists have already got their hands on these new M3s and today, the fellows at Car Enthusiast UK are sharing with us the first review of the BMW M3 Edition:

In the Metal

Unlike many special editions, this M3 stands out. The most obvious signifiers are the black-gloss finished alloy wheels (actually not standard…), which, together with the black kidney grilles, side vents, bonnet vents, door mirrors and exhaust pipes, lend the M3 Coupé even more menace. The 10mm drop in ride height adds to this too no doubt.

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Brabham Racing BT92 is one of those cars that we all love to have, but not many can afford it. Despite being based on the BMW E92 M3, the Brabham Racing BT92 is a total different beast from the regular M3 model. Built by Brabham Racing, the BT92 has been upgraded to racing specifications in almost every aspect.

The dimensions of the cylinder on the original engine have also been modified: 93.3mm-by-80.2mm against the original 4.0-liter V8’s 92.0mm-by-75.2mm. The all-new intake and exhaust systems have been optimized to produce more power: 494 hp at 8,300 rpm and 354 pound-feet of torque at 5,700 rpm.

Since weight has always played a decisive factor in the performance of any M car, the BT92 weighs approximately 110 lbs less than the regular M3 Coupe, thanks to the carbon fiber exterior parts. Of course, the BT92 comes with a hefty price, $310,000, a number that will scary away many buyers.

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Our friend Richard Aucock from MSN UK and RichardAucock.com sat down with Carston Pries, Head of Management Product to find out more about the M3 Sedan and the LCI(life cycle impulse). As you might recall, BMW launched the M3 Sedan back in March of 2008 and six months later, the 3 Series Sedan models received the LCI.

Why hasn’t BMW followed with the a full facelift on the M3? Well, for starters, the Motorsport Division has a great independence from BMW AG and second, Mr. Pries didn’t think it was necessary at this point: “The M3 is suitably differentiated from the 3 Series not to need the additional expense of an (admittedly subtle) LCI so soon into its like. We carried over the revised design tail lights, that’s all.”

He also points out that the independence comes through the Motorsport division being so well integrated into BMW AG and their ability to make unilateral decisions a year or two ahead. Mr. Pries talks about how exciting is to do an LCI, as we have seen recently in the M6 Competition, but it is not a set rule that every single M model needs to receive the facelift.

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The German tuner G-Power continues their adventure in the tuning and modding world of BMW vehicles. After we have seen what they could do with an E92 M3 Coupe – 500 horsepower and 354 lb-ft torque- and also with the M5 – 730 horsepower, now today we have the opportunity to admire their latest work and one very close to our hearts.

There is no secret that the we have always been fans of the beautiful, classy, fast, you name it…E46 M3, in our opinion, one of the best Ms built by BMW. So G-Power steps in and takes the 3.2 liter straight-six 343 horsepower engine all the way to 450 horsepower and 450Nm or 331.9 lb-ft of torque.

To achieve this, G-Power used a high-tech supercharger from ASA Engineering, more specifically, the ASA TM I 20. The extra horsepower help the E46 M3 run from 0 to 124 mph(220 km/h) in only 14.7 seconds, a second faster than the stock E9x M3. The top speed on this “beast” is 187 mph (300 km/h).

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