BMW M3 modified

Modified BMW M3

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Featuring L30 BOB— modified BMW M3

“the FIRST Rieger BMW M3 in UK”

as seen in car magazines such as:

· Performance BMW,

· Options Auto France,

· Max Power UK.

Modified BMW M3—L3O BOB

Believe it or NOT! L3O BOB started life as a BMW 318is coupe which I bought in October 1994. As I was only 18 years old, I could only get the insurance company to insure me a 318is at a reasonable premium. A BMW M3 would have cost me £8,000 to insure! Hence, I would rather spend this sum on modifying the car which I have planned before the purchase of this BMW.

At that time the BMW e36 coupe has just been launched, a very new, elegant and yet sporty exclusive coupe that I fell in love with it immediately when I saw it. Many people would think I was crazy to modify a new car like this but I saw a great potential of it becoming a great unique BMW coupe and surprisingly a BMW M3.

Rieger BMW M3 STAGE 1—Body Kit & Wheels Modifications

I went looking around for a body kit for my BMW as soon as I took ownership of it. I wanted to create something totally different and unique and not just a BMW M3 look. I then came across an awesome body kit from Rieger Tuning in Performance and Style magazine and immediately knew that I had to have the body kit. However, no one in UK has imported it yet! I then came across PSG from an advert in a magazine and Alan Pentacost of PSG comfirmed that he could import the body kit in for me as he is the distributor for Rieger. After SIX months of waiting due to problems of production in Germany, (yes, they haven't start producing it— the body kit I saw in the magazine was just concept)- my body kit finally arrived! The body kit consisted only of front and rear bumper, side skirts and head lamp spoiler. I did not like Rieger's rear boot spoiler as I thought it was not high enough, so after speaking to Alan (PSG), he kindly custom-made a higher boot spoiler for me with integrated third brake light! I wanted to create a very special BMW and thought of many ways to improve the body kit. Other items that was added on included a carbon fibre front spliter which fits under the front spoiler and a carbon fibre roof spoiler. These items are custom-made by PSG for me and are now all approved by Rieger and formed as part of their kits. A car with a body kit like this will look rather wierd with my then 16" BMW 5-spoke alloys and hence I ordered a set of 8.5"x18" Racing Dynamics rims & tires to match. After another month which was by then-May 1995, I finally got my car sorted with the body kit and the wheels. At the same time, the car was lowered, chipped, and a new twin exhaust system, white indicators and L3O BOB registration was purchased and fitted. My BMW was hence totally transformed into a new unique BMW ! As I was involved with many of the developments of the parts of my car with Alan (PSG) and the fact that L3O BOB is the first Rieger kitted BMW in UK, L3O BOB was awarded the title of "PSG-Rieger Limited Edition 001" & “ #1 Rieger BMW in UK”

Rieger BMW M3 Stage 2—Interior & Accessories Modifications

After I sorted out the body styling, I knew I needed to sort out my interior as I always think that a quality car such as BMW needed a quality interior such as leather trimmed seats. Initially, I wanted to buy a set of Recaro SR seats as I always liked them and they are comfortable seats and look great! However, I came across a set of BMW M3 seats which look really great. I like the design very much and the fact that the seats have five adjustable points compared to Recaro's two, made me decide on the M3 items. Immediately, I found a company to retrim the seats in leather and suede (front and rear).

Rieger BMW M3 Stage 3—Stereo Modifications

After all these, I can't help but find further ways to improve my beloved BMW. A friend of mine introduced me into the world of quality car audio system and I instantly fell in love with it. The sound system then found its way into the BMW!

Rieger BMW M3 Stage 4—Engine Modifications

By this time, two years have passed by and many other small improvements have been added to the car including, interior upgrades and more powerful sound system etc. I have also collected "No Claims Bonus" from my insurance company, which means that I could have discount on my insurance premium, A BMW M3 (although still expensive) would be more reasonable to insure now! I began thinking about buying an M3 as my friend has one and I could not resist having one since test driving it! But, I still love my BMW, I have spent so much time and money on this car and so much effort have been put into it. I was very reluctant to sell it. If I buy a new M3, I would have to start all over again to achieve what I have now. I will have to spend more time to modify it which I will not have. Many months of waiting will be inevitable. Then, I came across Motorvation Motorsport which specialises in engine transplant. Spoken to Bill, he had transplanted more than 16 BMW M3 engines before and has a very new M3 engine sitting on his shelf. He only required five days to do the job and I immediately handed in the cash. Of course, many more modifications were needed to run the M3 engine, including the brakes system, exhaust system, suspension system, gearbox, ECU, wiring loom, steering rack, radiator, anti-roll bars, battery etc... All these are needed to run the BMW M3 engine properly and everything that were needed were fitted. Then, other improvements were carried out to bring the car to M3 specifications both technically and visually with ORIGINAL BMW M3 parts. Some of the visual parts include M3 side door strips, kick panels, M3 mirrors, M3 badges, M3 speedometer and many more.

Rieger BMW M3 Stage 5—Facelift & Accessories Modifications

Well, by now, there are not many more improvements I can make on the car except for face lifting it with the 1998 BMW front grille and maintaining the car well. Oh! I almost forgot about the AC Schnitzer short shift kit which is very short and sweet, and the new three-piece boot spoiler which was imported from Japan and custom fitted by PSG as it was not made to fit BMW originally! PSG also made a custom centre blade of the spoiler in carbon fibre to compliment the rest of the carbon fibre parts on the car.

Looking back, I have realised that I have spent much more than if I have started out with an M3 but considering insurance premiums, I did not have much of a choice. I did not regret doing the modifications as I have created a very unique BMW and it is very individual to me. L3O BOB now drives as well as any other M3 if not better, I would definitely say it's the latter as the car is uprated with better suspension and tuned up. My friend who has an original M3 agreed. And it DEFINITELY beats any standard BMW M3 in looks and poise!

The final chapter of the story was written in October 1998 when I sold my beloved L30 BOB. I miss it dearly but I have to move on with life especially when the BMW E46 has already been introduced. Although the E46 M3 was not out yet, the E36 will already be known as the old BMW 3-series. Much have been spent on L3O BOB and there is no car in its class I can think of, that can replace it except for the new 340bhp BMW E46 M3. It was ashame that good things must come to an end but all we can do is cherish the moment we have with them. For now, I have bought the BMW 850Ci as a replacement and made just a few modifications on it. Will it call for a new chapter? We shall see...

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