BMW’s recent styling shift has sparked debate amongst enthusiasts loyal to the German automaker. While this recent design language is slowly winning over some, others remain firmly against it. But not Studie AG. The Japanese BMW specialist has wholeheartedly embraced the styling evolution.
For those unfamiliar, Studie, a Yokohama-based tuning shop founded in 1995, initially gained recognition as a BMW parts specialist, specializing in the most recent models at any given time. Today, Studie’s operations extend across Japan, with branches in Sendai, Kobe, Fukuoka, Sapporo, Hokkaido, and Nagoya. Moreover, the corporate runs the official BMW racing team in Japan’s Super GT touring automotive championship. Suffice it to say, Studie has turn into a cornerstone of Japan’s BMW culture.
With its roots in motorsport, Studie caters not only to modification enthusiasts but in addition to purists. Each of the shop’s demo cars features various degrees of aftermarket enhancements, but as Bob-san, the owner of Studie, explained, only about 8% of their customers go for suspension upgrades. And even fewer select modifications like wheels, exhausts, or performance parts.
Over the past 20 years, Studie has fostered a diehard community of BMW owners in Japan, with over 1,300 shared projects documented on their owner forums.
Many BMW enthusiasts in Japan prefer to maintain their cars relatively stock, perhaps a nod to the factory-delivered enjoyability and performance of contemporary M machines.
On this visit to Studie, Bob-san was kind enough to bring out 4 of the shop’s demo cars, including his own 1 of fifty 3.0 CSL, one in all only two in Japan – the opposite parked right beside it within the Studie showroom.
Alongside the three.0 CSL, we also saw a G82 M4, a collaboration between HKS and Studie on a G80 M3, and an M3 Touring Competition – my personal favourite of the bunch.
While the three.0 CSL stays unmodified, it stood out as essentially the most special automotive of the day. The CSL pays homage to BMW’s legendary Seventies coupe and includes a 6-speed manual transmission, centre-lock wheels, an lively differential, and 560hp. No wonder the fiftieth anniversary release was an fast BMW collector’s must-have when it debuted in 2022.
But what shocked most was the three.0 CSL’s price tag – north of US$1.5 million. That form of coin is sufficient to secure almost any legendary classic or modern hypercar. It’s a reasonably clear indicator of Bob-san’s deep passion for the BMW brand.
A signature touch for Studie cars is the distinctive logo sticker placed on the rear. Peeling pesky service shop stickers off is nearly the primary to do when getting your automotive back from being worked on, but you’ll find most Studie automotive owner keeping theirs firmly in place, a testament to their pride in being a part of the Studie community.
The G82 M4 parked nearby served as the inspiration for the three.0 CSL – minus the seven-figure asking price.
On the surface, the M4 is fitted with carbon fibre accents, a rear wing, side skirts, a front grill alternative, a carbon bonnet, BBS wheels, and KW suspension.
The modifications are greater than just aesthetic; they enhance the automotive’s road presence, making it unattainable to disregard.
Contained in the fully re-trimmed cabin, the M4 includes a colour-matched roll cage, Recaro classic seats and an OMP steering wheel. No detail has been missed.
Next is the ‘HKStudie’ M3, a project combining JDM tuning methods with German engineering. Though still in its early stages, the HKS-Studie partnership has already resulted in upgraded suspension and exhaust systems.
My favourite of the group, the M3 Competition Wagon, was a shocking example of understated aggression. With an Adro front bumper and body kit, this wagon stood out without being excessive. It’s the construct that reignited my passion for contemporary BMWs.
Under the hood, the purple theme continues with a CSF Race charge cooler intake manifold and CPM cross bracing.
Paired with BBS wheels and KW suspension, this M3 Touring exemplifies the signature Studie aesthetic – refined but at all times purposeful.
Where else could you see 4 M cars of such calibre lined up together? That is what makes Studie synonymous with BMW in Japan.
Studie’s ability to harness the very best of contemporary BMWs and elevate them has earned the corporate a well-deserved popularity. And who knows? In 40 years, these is likely to be the cars we glance back on with the identical reverence for today’s classics.
Alec Pender
Instagram: noplansco
This Article First Appeared At www.speedhunters.com
