Regardless of the model, BMW enthusiasts are a die-hard bunch. There’s definitely loads of pride attached to having a blue and white roundel in your steering wheel (or handlebars), and it’s led to modified BMWs having a complete automotive sub-culture of their very own.
In truth, BMW is one in all the few brands I can consider where ‘one make’ automotive shows are thriving now as much as they were back in the times of forums and VHS tapes. Bimmer Invasion, held annually in Orlando, Florida is an an event that’s showing no signs of slowing down. Arguably, it’s now more popular than ever.
A theme that can never die to BMW enthusiasts? The importance of factory spec and color. It is a huge deal in BMW circles, with maximum kudos going to cars painted in ‘BMW Individual’ colors – special order paint that comes with a giant price tag and a fair larger lead time. The identical applies to Individual interior trims and finishes.
Take Dennis’s F13 BMW M6 Coupé. That is one in all three M6s on the earth that left the factory in BMW’s legacy Laguna Seca Blue paint, one in all the launch colors for the E46 M3. But unlike the retro paint finish, there’s nothing retro in regards to the modifications made to the automotive.
The 4.4-litre S63B44 aluminium engine block has been re-sleeved to handle the 1,100 horsepower this M6 is now making at its wheels, due to an AP tune, CSF charge cooler system, Meisterschaft exhaust and more.
Not only that, however it’s dropped on a set of KW coilovers, runs MV Forged SL515 wheels and is fitted with carbon fibre Vorsteiner aero.
Plus, the F13 M6 just so happens to be the best-looking BMW for the reason that E46 M3, in my eyes.
My second prettiest BMW of recent times? Well, it needs to be the E89 Z4.
Steve Samuel’s Z4 is one of the extremely modified examples of the breed, built to not only be a ‘SEMA automotive’ but additionally for use on target. We featured it back in 2018, just before its SEMA Show debut.
Since being built, it’s evolved from a half-mile drag automotive to a time attack machine that competes within the Bimmer Challenge series.
The N54 engine has been built from the block up with highlights that include a CES Motorsport 1000HP (Garrett GT35-1050) turbocharger upgrade, GT Haus exhaust system, and a full suite of CSF cooling products. The latter incorporates a drop-in CSF radiator, CSF DCT oil cooler, CSF dual-pass engine oil cooler and a custom Studio RSR intercooler featuring a CSF core.
In fact we are able to’t overlook the GT3 body kit, combined with an APR GT-250 wing and 18-inch forged Litespeed Racing wheels.
The heavens opened soon after Bimmer Invasion 2024’s arrange, but considering the ‘VIP’ portion of the show was indoors on the Dezerland Park venue, this was hardly a difficulty.
The hall was a mixture of some top-tier builds in for show and shine, in addition to a number of the biggest players in BMW modification.
Renner Projekts had two demonstrator cars on display – the Renner Projekt 3 and 8. It’s hard to go flawed with timeless design and legendary engines, and this pair are not any exception.
The E30 is home to an S85 V10, about as outrageous a BMW engine swap will be using OEM parts. The E31 meanwhile – my selection between the pair – has had its M73 V12 replaced with an S62 V8 from an E39 M5. Add to that a 6-speed manual transmission and HRE mesh split rims and it ticks a lot of boxes.
Vorsteiner used the show as a possibility to unveil their latest aero kit program for the G87 M2 – the Vorsteiner M2 VRS.
Being protected against the rain allowed show and shine owners to display their engine bays all day, and it was easy to see patterns emerging within the BMW scene with all of the hoods up.
Color coding, carbon fibre and CSF charge coolers – a tried and tested recipe at this point for each reliable power and engine bay dress ups.
You’ll almost definitely discover a Mosselman billet oil thermostat attached to the higher power S55 engines too.
The S58 within the G-chassis M cars is proving itself to be a incredible tuning platform already.
It doesn’t matter whether you’ve got a ‘regular’ M3 in a incredible Individual color…
…or a really rare GTS special edition – it seems as if no enthusiast-owned F8X is complete without some CSF, Eventuri or Mosselman within the engine bay.
Back outside, there have been a few builds that basically stood out. This 135i has been converted right into a 1M Coupé ‘clone’, and it’s a incredible looking little automotive. Inside you’ll find swathes of Alcantara including on the split-trimmed (with leather) Recaro Pole Position buckets seats, in addition to enhanced audio and selection OEM retrofit upgrades.
But it surely’s the heavily upgraded N54 engine that really sets it apart due to extensive modifications. There’s a single Precision Turbo 6266 turbocharger – machined to emulate the classic ‘whoosh’ of an HKS T51R – a Doc Race intake manifold and CSF cooling. The 135i rides on a set of Öhlins Road & Track coilovers with an F8X chassis brake upgrade all round.
Before closing, I’d like to depart you with a pair of Toyota Supras, to boost a little bit point. There was loads of fuss in regards to the launch of the A90 Supra from each Toyota and BMW enthusiasts complaining about how they believed the automotive would dilute the legacy of each brands.
Since then I’ve seen nothing but a incredible crossover within the tuning industry as aftermarket manufacturers from either side of the world have provided parts, knowledge and influence into each tuning cultures.
In truth, it seems as if having more competition within the industry has led to some outrageous A90 Supras being built, corresponding to Jordane ‘Peppa’ Jacobs’ yellow automotive here. I’ll be giving it it’s own highlight soon, but just consider it as ’90s JDM tuning spirit mixed with the cutting-edge precision of 2023 BMW modification.
Despite the rain, over 5,000 spectators attended Bimmer Invasion 2024 to examine out over 1,500 cars on display.
Good vibes, good aftermarket support and a few stand-out builds. If that’s not the sign of a healthy industry then I don’t know what’s.
Mario Christou
Instagram: mcwpn
Photography by Darrien Craven
Instagram: _crvn_
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This Article First Appeared At www.speedhunters.com
