IND: A retrospective and preview.

[IND-Distribution]

Why not an M2? Why not a Porsche? Why an M235i? Why modify any car to this extent? Simply put, IND’s Portfolio Program has never offered clients the easy way out. It is far easier to purchase one of the many incredible varieties of 911, and have Porsche build it to suit. It is far easier to begin with a more extravagant car, and simply add wheels, suspension, and an exhaust system.

It is far easier to operate a business in the tuning industry in the warmth of California. It is far easier to make a living in the tuning industry by selling cheap parts built in countries that place a low value on human lives and labor. It is far easier to do all of these things, but it is not for IND. At IND, we have never been in favor of choosing the easy solution, and it is therefore natural that our highest level of service, our Portfolio Program, caters to clients who understand that the easy road is not always the one to take. Matt, known as Pertplus online, is one such client.

It is therefore only appropriate that this car be born into the dead of the Chicago winter. It is only appropriate for this M235i to be born out of the Blue Ice.


-Bodywork-

It’s impossible not to see the elephant in the room when looking at the photos: this car is considerably wider than a factory-original M235i. The width of this car came from a need to satisfy the overall concept, our goal of creating a superior precursor to the M2, with respect to visual impact, interior fit and finish, and components used. As with many IND Portfolio Projects, this M235 was delivered to us in brand-new condition, with a mere 9 miles on the odometer. Such low mileage cars are both exciting and nerve-wracking to work with. The untouched palette granting us a unique opportunity to practice our craft on the one hand, but the absolutely perfect condition of the car setting the bar incredibly high: our final product must have identical or better fit, finish, and quality to what is possible inside BMW’s state of the art manufacturing facilities. No panel can move or rattle, no clips can be loose, and no piece of bodywork misaligned.

IND would borrow from the best available to create this M235, taking cues from BMW M, Fall Line Motorsport, BMW Performance, BBS Motorsport, KW Motorsport, 3D Design, Gruppe M, and Eisenmann to create a complete picture that enables the M spirit to thrive. We knew that the wheel and tire specs would define and constrain this project: only BBS Motorsport would do. Only 265 and 295 width tires would grant this car the correct personality.

With these sizes as the starting point, we were able to calculate the correct widths for the BBS Motorsport E05 wheels, and in turn, the correct offsets. BMW did not bless the M235i with substantial inboard clearance, and so our only choice was to go out. As with all of IND’s bodywork, careful attention was paid to the original body lines of the car. The fenders and quarter panels take inspiration from BMW’s greats like the E46 M3, and were designed to give the appearance of an original BMW part. Each flare was carefully hand-build, starting with a master tool and followed by a faithful composite layup which would eventually be bonded to the car’s body. The position, placement, scale, and shape of the flares could not interfere with the existing bodylines, and had to augment what was already in place. Although this was no small feat in its own right, we also knew that we would have to widen the side skirts to meet the car’s new hips. The basic shape of the bumpers had to be revisited as well, to ensure that the front and rear bumper could meet the new wider body work. Body lines had to be added, new shapes created, making this an exercise in design as well as fabrication. Even the 3D Design front lip was modified, to accommodate this M235’s new aggressive stance. A 3D Design trunk spoiler was added to add drama to the top of the car, enabling us to match the rear quarter panels.

Finally, we spent countless hours carefully modifying the original M235i grilles from their original single-slat versions, to the double slat style found on today's M cars. While this was a small detail, we felt that it was a critical component of the personality of the car.


-Suspension and brakes-

KW’s 3 way adjustable ClubSport coilovers were an obvious choice for this car- the damping, height, and camber adjustability was necessary for both wheel fitment and performance reasons, and KW’s relationship with BMW as an original equipment supplier was an ideal fit for a car that had to give a “built by BMW” experience. Brembo’s GT kit was again an obvious choice for this project. No other brake manufacturer owns foundries specifically to cast and forge metal in-house, giving Brembo a level of process control that is absolutely unparalleled. Brembo is a long-standing original equipment supplier, and like KW was original equipment on the venerable M3 GTS, another fact that helped to earn this GT kit a home on the Blue Ice. The GT kit calipers have been painted in an Estoril Blue color with a gold flake added to coordinate with the gold BBS Motorsport E05 wheels. Macht Schnell’s stud kit was added for easy wheel changes and a more race-ready look, rounding off the wheel and brake package.

-Intake and exhaust system-

A car with this visual presence would not be complete without a matching growl. We turned to Eisenmann to give this car its sound, and to remove restriction from the original BMW exhaust system. Eisenmann’s exhaust system was hand-built from 304 stainless steel and shipped directly to IND, giving this M235 a chance to be the first in the United States to enjoy the powerful roar granted by the Eisenmann exhaust. A Gruppe M intake was imported from Japan to add induction wail to the soundtrack, giving the drivetrain the personality it deserves. Finally, IND finished the engine cover in a wrinkle black with blue details, perfectly aligning the look of the intake manifold with our “OEM Plus” goal.


-Interior-

Our biggest challenge was to create an interior that would maintain BMW’s design language and philosophy, while simultaneously besting BMW at every turn. Starting with BMW’s own Euro-only Performance fabric as a guiding theme, IND transformed every surface of the M235’s interior, giving this car an absolutely one-of-a-kind driving environment.

BMW’s extensive use of Alcantara in the Performance line enabled IND to follow suit. After removing every single interior component from the car, we began to change the car’s cabin piece by piece. The dash was upholstered in Alcantara with color-coded blue stitch. The headliner and rear parcel shelf followed, and both are now wrapped in fresh Alcantara. BMW’s Euro-only Performance fabric was imported, its distinctive hexagonal pattern to be applied sparingly throughout the cabin in order to perfectly accompany the BMW Performance interior trim set.

Simply adding BMW Performance seats would not suit a project of this caliber, so IND upholstered the new Performance seats with the same Alcnatara and Performance hex fabric, adding blue stitch to perfectly coordinate the interior with the car’s Estoril Blue color. Custom-webbed blue belts were a must, adding vibrancy.

This set of seats was wrapped in full unlike our previous Performance seat projects to give the car’s interior a more luxurious feel. The seat backs, and even recline adjustment knobs are all wrapped in Alcantara, all with blue color coordinated stich! Illuminated M logos from the F82 M4 cars were an extra touch, giving these Performance seats an even more distinctive personality.

Our Performance steering wheel with carbon trim was wrapped in a perforated Alcantara, following BMW’s own style choice of material while adding the classic feel of a perforated grip. BMW Performance carbon shift and parking brake handles complement the BMW Performance shift knob surround, all of which are customized further with perforated Alcantara carefully matched to the steering wheel. An Awron gauge system was installed to display a myriad of engine vitals, providing data on oil temperature, water temperature, boost, and a great deal of additional data at a glance. 3D Design pedals complete the driver interface, giving much-needed grip in all driving scenarios.

Finally, the car visited the master race car builders at Fall Line Motorsports for the best possible alignment, and a limited slip differential install. This would complete the car dynamically, and make the M235 as interactive and engaging as an M car should be.

Our partners at Fall Line always have an incredible array of race cars under their roof, but what we saw quietly nestled on their last storage lift that day left me in absolute shock for nearly half of an hour.

The Porsche 962 is an absolute treasure in the racing world. Only a few exist on the planet, and they are truly incredible machines, with the one seen here valued at over $2,000,000. The 962 operated in races around the world, ranging from IMSA to the All Japan Prototype Championship, to Group C, and was driven by legends like Hans Stuck. Few prototype cars have such a decorated history, or such a long service life. To have this M235i project worked on in the same building as a real 962 is an honor, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Finally, after several months of intense effort, the Blue Ice M235i is ready to send home to its owner. Matt did not simply grant us to opportunity to modify an M235i, but rather an opportunity to reach beyond our own abilities, to push our creative talent, and to create a car that is at once extreme in its scope of modification, and subtle in the way those modifications are presented. Matt, thank you for taking this journey with us, not because it was easy, but because it was worth it.

-Bonus shots and details

[RingMeister01]

I've lost all feeling in my face

[cipher5]

I've been going to IND for years now for my cars, 7-8 years now I think, I lost count, but they raise the bar build after build and I am left in amazement. They are a stand up organization that don't sacrifice quality in whatever they do and they treat every customer with the utmost respect. They performance over the years needs no positive compliments from me to show how wonderful they are, but regardless I couldn't ask for a better shop and a stand up group of individuals to do business with. Keep up the good work IND!

[IND-Distribution]

Being a car enthusiast in the 21st century brings with it an interesting duality: one typically develops a love for technology and science in a pursuit of better understanding of a modern car’s systems, but the more science a modern car enthusiast understands in pursuit of their hobby, the more one is confronted with a stark reality: burning fossil fuels for personal transportation has been a science experiment conducted by billions of people on a global scale, with consequences that are uncertain at best and absolutely dire at worst.

The realities of internal combustion are not lost on BMW, and although no auto maker in the world loves the sports car more than BMW, the brand has embraced alternative fuels, electric vehicles, and hybrids. Since BMW’s early attempts at hydrogen burning engines in their Hydrogen 7 concept, BMW engineers have resolutely pursued the future of the automobile.

The advent of BMW’s i vehicles has ushered in a new era of environmentally conscious technology. It should come as no surprise that the BMW version of the environmentally friendly automobile is not simply an appliance made only for commuting, but rather a machine with soul that expresses passion and a love for the automobile, even while standing still. Ultra high efficiency electric and hybrid cars are here to stay, and all of us at IND are grateful that BMW has taken on the challenge.

As always, when BMW breaks new ground, we at IND do our best to follow suit. We have done everything possible to create new parts for the i3 and i8 cars with our technology partners, and are working hard to create a full host of components designed to help the BMW i enthusiast personalize their cars. IND’s i program is expanding steadily, and we are proud to introduce our interpretations of the BMW i.

IND i3:
IND painted reflectors
3D Design front lip, gloss black
Gloss black foglight surrounds
Gloss black front bumper slats
Carbon fiber mirror caps
Gloss black grille surrounds

Cobra lowering springs

HRE 303 M wheels, ilectric blue outer barrel and face, gloss charcoal inner barrel

IND i8:
IND painted reflectors

Cobra lowering springs

HRE S101 wheels, gloss charcoal outer barrel and face, ilectric blue inner barrel

[BMWJ]

Why would you change the wheels on the i8? Aren't they specially aerodynamically designed for this car?

[IND-Distribution]

Even BMW has a variety of wheel options for the i8, not all of them having the "turbine" shape. The HRE wheels are an excellent look, and were carefully sized to ensure that the dynamics of the car stayed as intended from BMW.

[cotmfk]

Very nice!

[x.shell]

More of the Brown M4 please!

[Ringer]

Epic!

[GrahamDobbins]

More of that Pyrite M4 please

[IND-Distribution]

Originally Posted by GrahamDobbins

More of that Pyrite M4 please

IND’s Green Hell was a project that inspired us to create a car that challenged the traditional notions of a street car. Could we create something that was visually race-inspired but maintained full street creature comforts? Is it possible to generate over 550 horsepower at the rear wheels, and still have a docile behavior around a road course? Green Hell, in this way, was all about the details in spite of its extroverted appearance. The car’s damper settings, our specifically chosen spring rates, the sway bar settings, its alignment- all of these would define the character of this car.

When the owner of Green Hell approached me to help spec his M4, I wanted to re-interpret our approach to his famous E92 M3. Simply ordering another Signal Green car was not an option- we’ve already conquered that particular color. This time, we would try to create a car that was the definition of dual purpose, but with a more elegant presentation. We knew that Pyrite Brown was the best possible choice. Not only does this color’s striking brown and gold hue make a completely unique statement, but it is completely inverse of Green Hell’s vibrant personality- an important factor for us, given that so many vendors would surely jump on the Pyrite color as well, once we had released this car.

This Pyrite M car arrived at IND mid-winter, after waiting for BMW’s individual program to apply the special paint color and assemble the car. Unwrapping this special car was incredibly rewarding, revealing the incredible paint with every inch of protective film removed. We knew then that this car would be something truly unique.

Just like Green Hell, this M4 will evolve in stages as our client acclimates to the car both on the street and in a road course environment. The impetus for its first stage of development was a single phone call. When BBS of America reaches out to you to create something exciting to introduce their brand new FI-R wheel at the BimmerFest show, you do everything in your power to comply. We knew that we had to modify this M4 in such a way that it would perform incredibly well, provide its owner with a very dynamic driving experience, and yet stay within the confines of the elegant feel that the Pyrite color provides.

We looked to 3D Design to provide us with an exterior package that would complement the M4’s original bodylines, while adding some additional presence to the bottom of the car. The full pre-preg carbon front lip, side skirts, rear diffuser, and trunk spoiler all contribute to the car’s visual impact, while taking an inverse approach to what IND fans saw in Green Hell. Gloss black front and side grilles were added to complement the carbon fiber below them, and of course IND painted reflectors remove the unsightly orange brought to us by the US DOT.

KW’s Variant 3 suspension was added to provide an aggressive stance while simultaneously maintaining an excellent ride quality and the M4’s dynamic handling. An Eisenmann rear section with the always recognizable signature tips granted us a dynamic roar while driving through this car’s 6 manually shifted gears.

Finally, all of these components come together to highlight one of the most impressive pieces of automotive aftermarket engineering in recent history: the BBS FI-R wheel. As we’ve mentioned in other threads, the FI-R is absolutely unique in its construction, being the first production wheel in the world to take advantage of extensive engineering analysis to remove weight in an area previously untouched by performance wheel manufacturers. IND was privileged and honored to receive the first M4 fitment FI-R wheel set in the world, just days before the BimmerFest show. 275 width front and 295 width rear Falken tires maximized the available space under the M4’s massive fenders and quarter panels, and will grant this car impeccable balance in performance driving.

We will continue to update BimmerPost as this M4 continues to develop and evolve. We hope that we can create something special with this car- an M4 that provides racing car performance around the track, but docile behavior and high class styling on the street. Thank you all for your support, and enjoy the photos!

[JEllis]

Awesome!

[AM4ZING]

Saw that Brown M4 at bimmerfest and am really interested in the trunk spoiler...
Who makes that?

[IND-Distribution]

Originally Posted by AM4ZING

Saw that Brown M4 at bimmerfest and am really interested in the trunk spoiler...
Who makes that?

Carbon fiber trunk spoiler is by 3D Design

[AM4ZING]

Originally Posted by Cat@IND

Carbon fiber trunk spoiler is by 3D Design

Do you guys sell the trunk spoiler? PM shipped to 90041

[IND-Distribution]

Originally Posted by AM4ZING

Do you guys sell the trunk spoiler? PM shipped to 90041

PM sent!

[pyceasyas123]

always stepping up the game...amazing work guys.

[GrahamDobbins]

Amazing,and thanks for the incredible reply. The FI-Rs look amazing coupled with the Pyrite, and what an amazing color. IND never fails to impress.

[IND-Distribution]

What car do you choose to drive every day, when you’ve had the privilege of driving some of North America’s most exciting racing cars? Steve has a long standing history with the Grand Am series, the BMWCCA, SCCA, FIA, and other professional racing organizations, and so has enjoyed racing a plethora of BMW M cars from the E36 M3 all the way to the fantastic V8 powered E92 M3.

Steve’s every day driven F80 M3 is an excellent balance of comfort and dynamics- it’s simultaneously an escape from the loud and harsh environments of professional race cars, but also engaging enough to provide an exciting driving experience when needed. Steve’s F80 M3 is tastefully modified with just enough to enhance the car’s personality as provided from BMW.

HRE Flow Form wheels in 20” perfectly compliment the drop provided by a KW HAS kit and surround the enormous BMW carbon brakes with room to spare. An Akrapovic exhaust system gives the M3 a more purposeful sound, while the tips provide an excellent aesthetic match to the RKP diffuser. A BMW Performance front lip and BMW Performance mirror caps accompany IND cosmetic modifications like gloss black front grilles, painted reflectors, and gloss black side markers.

Enjoy the photos!

[adillon]

Price on EVERYTHING PLEASEEEE!! haha... the m performance seats, and front console, etc... are you selling those?

[IND-Distribution]

I can say with absolute confidence that Ferdinand Porsche could not have possibly fathomed a creation like the Porsche 918. Even the best science fiction writers of his day could not have envisioned a vehicle with this level of performance. Silent drive, a 2.2 second 0-60 time, CFRP chassis, a combined hybrid drive fuel economy of 67 miles per gallon, these figures would have sounded like nonsense to a citizen of 1950s Europe.

Even in 2015, experiencing a 918 in person is akin to encountering alien technology for the first time. Forget the science fiction exterior styling, the incredibly elegant center console, the exhaust outlets placed directly behind the driver’s and passenger’s heads- the sheer sound of the car during start up and idle is enough to terrify a layperson. The lack of sound in all electric mode completes the experience, and gives the distinct impression that the technology contained within the aerodynamic body of the 918 is not of this earth.

Simply encountering a 918 in person is a privilege, but the chance to personalize and photograph one for its owner is a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The HRE P101 wheels seen on this 918 were discussed, selected, and planned long before this incredible car was delivered to its owner. In fact, this 918's owner had the wheels installed at Porsche's facility, prior to taking delivery of the car! Their gloss black finish was an excellent accompaniment to the black stripe work on the car, which itself is an homage to the Porsche Salzburg team of the late 60s and early 70s.

We were thrilled to install this set of P101s on our client’s 918, ultimately proving that even when one owns something as unique as number 512 of 918 of the ultimate Porsche hyper car, there is always a drive to make a sports car your own. Enjoy the photos!

[Brosef]

wow, that is straight up car porn. can't figure out whether I'm more impressed by the exterior or interior. I'm sure behind the wheel of that beast makes you quickly forget both.