One main reason that people modify their BMWs is to enhance the individuality of their particular model. Consisting of (but not limited to) engine upgrades, wheels, suspension work, body kits, and interior accents, all are added in an effort to differentiate one example from another that would otherwise look and perform exactly the same. As with any BMW model designation, there is also a split in the chassis camps of various generations - for the 3 Series, the main division is between the E30, E36, and E46 camps, with the owners of each claiming theirs as the "best BMW 3 Series ever" under the simple tenant that newer does not necessarily mean better.
The DTM Power Car of the Month for September belongs to Randy Sparre, and completely transcends such discussion. While technically a 1988 E30 325e, this designation is used for reference and insurance purposes only, as very little of the original car remains. Randy was kind enough to send over a description of the car's history, and rather than paraphrase his words, I happily turn the floor over to his narrative:
"My car has taken me almost two years to complete. Three years ago I had decided on the then-new E46 3-Series, and was on the six-month wait list for a loaded 323i with my 1988 325e up for sale. Right before my E46 was delivered, I was offered a 97 3.2L E36 M3 engine that really started turning the gears in my head!
I cancelled my order, got my refund, and went to pick up the M3 motor only to find it sold. A setback, yes, but my mind had now been set upon its course, so I started calling around the U.S. for another motor, all while researching the materials that would be necessary for the conversion. I found my Reiger front and rear bumpers while visiting relatives in Germany, but I did not care for the Reiger side skirts and opted for the M-techs instead.
With no motor yet, but getting ideas from the large NIRA import shows in the U.S., I knew that in order to maximize the attention that the car would receive, the wheels simply had to be huge. Flipping through a U.K. edition of Max Power, I saw a yellow Rover V8 Twin Turbo E30 with 18" X 8" Compomotive wheels and immediately ordered them from the factory. A six-point roll cage was welded in place. I ordered reclinable OBX racing leather buckets for the interior, and personally ripped out the grey interior cloth when I decided on its sportier black replacement.
Still no motor, so my focus remained elsewhere. I had decided on a blue and white color scheme, I figured a factory color to be best in the case of any unforeseen fender-benders, so I chose Honda's Electron Blue Pearl upon the assurance of the body shop that it would be an easy match. While the body shop was prepping the car for painting, I received the news I had been waiting to hear.
I finally found my motor in Alabama. Fresh from a wrecked 1999 M3, the shipping time gave me enough leeway to have the painting finished and the new motor dropped in. Within three days it was running with open headers off, and it went back to the body shop for final finishing and the side skirt installation. Since the rear Reiger skirt had a cut-out for muffler tips, I had the exhaust installed after the body shop was done, the wheels (which took thirty minutes) and the stereo and alarm the following week. The car was done, and it looked absolutely beautiful.
Finally finished on July 1st, 2000, I was off cruising around town signing up for late lapping days in July and whatever else was available for the rest of the year. Since then, I have accumulated various performance bolt-ons to make more horsepower that include a bored throttle body, cams, and Nitrous Oxide system that I'd had for years. I have recently been sponsored by Toyo Tires and Vortech Engineering, which covered the supercharger and the constant need for new tires.
Congratulations, Randy. As it sits, your E30 is a masterpiece.
Here is Randy's modification list:
3.2L M50/B32 motor & tranny (1999)
- Vortech V9 G-trim blower (8 psi) w/Aftercooler
- Heavily ported/polished, knife cut, port matched head
- M50 325i bored T-Body, AFM, ECU (1994)
- 3.0L M3 higher flowing intake plenum (1995)
- Genie Headers
- M5 motor mounts
- Dual 2.25" mandrel bent exhaust
- HiFlow cat and Brullen Muffler
- Custom Mapped GIAC chip
- UUC complete short shift kit
- Sachs race clutch (stage 3)
- Lightened flywheel (13 lbs)
- 3:23 LSD differencial
- 18"x 8" (+23mm ET) Compomotive wheels
- 215/35 VR 18 BFGoodrich Scortcher tires
- OBX coilover springs
- Bilstien sport shocks
- Suspension Techniques adj. sway bars
- Urethane Bushings/solid shock mounts
- Porsche 930 Turbo calipers
- M5 brake master cylinder
- 325ix brake booster
- Sparco front strut bar
- SCCA 6-point roll cage
- Electon Blue Pearl paint
- Rieger front and rear bumpers
- M-Tech sides skirts and wing
- *SOON* 325ix wheel arches
- Honda '93 Civic hatch rocker skirts
- Kamei grill spoilers
- Dechromed trim
- M3 relocated antenna
- Clear front turn signal/side repeaters
- All-RED rear tail lights
- Hella H.I.D. Xenon light conversion
- PIAA 1100X Dichronic Platinum fog lights
- Automotive grade black reupholstered carpet
- M3 black roof liner
- Door skins from a '91 318is
- OBX reclinable racing seats
- MOMO fighter wheel
- MOMO Air-Aluminum shift knob
- Custom billet shift gate & handbrake handle
- Aluminum floor mats
- Full Autometer Phantom guages
- OB white face E30 guage cluster
- Kenwood Excelon KDC-815X head unit
- Zapco AG360 & AG200 Amps
- JL Audio 12W3 subwoofer
- Eclipse 5.25" components front
- Cerwin Vega 5.25" components back
- Valentine One Laser/Radar detector
- Kick-ass alarm system!!!
