Pre-Bimmerfest Photoshoot: The Daily Driven Track Car

radiantm3 · 05-18-2013, 02:31 AM

I've done about 25 track days in the past 2 years. My car has gone through many transformations which included multiple wheels as well as a supercharger (which I later removed). My final wish was to get more supportive seats as the stock seats did a pretty poor job of holding me in at the track. But after extensive research online, I came to the conclusion that fixed-back seats just weren't the greatest idea unless you did the full roll/harness bar as well. So with the help of Aleks at Alekshop, I was able to make that wish come true.

He sourced some M3 GTS parts for me (again) as I really wanted to stay OEM, and I also decided it was time to upgrade my suspension a bit. For now he swapped out my KW V3's for Ohlin RT's. Various bushings will be upgraded as well.

The car feels great on and off the track. I drove 3 hours to my last track event and the seats were very comfortable. I'd almost say the car is more comfortable now than before because the seats just hug you in place. I feel like there's less fatigue when I'm not moving around in my seat. With these upgrades, I was able to get my car's weight down to 3400 lbs with a half tank of gas. It's not a huge reduction, but my car is fully loaded and I still want the car to look good and be livable day to day. I think the car is still a good compromise between road and track, with just a bit more lean towards track than before. One things for sure...I'm having so much fun driving the car anywhere.

These aren't the greatest photos as the sun was already up casting harsh light on the car, and I only had an hour before the car would make it's trip down to Pasadena for Bimmerfest. The car will be at the BBS booth (which is the reason for the stickers) so let me know if you see it! My wife is due any day now (2nd child) so I had to stick around home this year. It's worth noting that this is the first time the car has ever pretended to be a show car. She's used to taking a beating at the track and getting miles put on daily which is exactly what the M3 is great at.

I want to take a moment and truly thank Aleks for all the amazing work on my car. His shop is one of the only ones I really trust in the Bay Area. I've always loved the fact that he's not just a guy selling and installing whatever parts you want, but a true enthusiast who mods and tracks his M3 as much as his customers and has personal experience with all of the performance parts he installs.

Thanks for reading!

Current (performance) mod list:

- M3 GTS Aero
- M3 GTS Rear Seat Delete & Half Cage
- Schroth 6-Point Harness
- Recaro Profi's
- 18" BBS FI (Yokohama AD08's for the street)
- 18" TE37SL Black Edition (Toyo R888's for the track)
- Ohlins RT
- Vorshlag Camber Plates
- Brembo 380GT (Endless Pads)
- Akrapovic Evolution Exhaust
- RD Sport Sways
- ESS Tune

S65B40 · 05-18-2013, 02:36 AM

Gorgeous as always, one of my favorite AW M3s.

And1M3 · 05-18-2013, 02:40 AM

WOW looks stunning.

daniyo · 05-18-2013, 03:36 AM

Best of the best... Hats off to one of the sickest functionally modded E92s out there.

FVM3 · 05-18-2013, 04:23 AM

sick ride

slalomfever · 05-18-2013, 05:50 AM

SWEET ride!

Powerbeast · 05-18-2013, 08:34 AM

Absolutely stunning!

W/// · 05-18-2013, 08:43 AM

And it's a MT! Gorgeous car you got there.

kchu221 · 05-18-2013, 09:08 AM

holy shit asjdfsdhfjkashj.... my second favorite car!

chuxdelux · 05-18-2013, 11:50 AM

Looks amazing.

Endless619 · 05-18-2013, 11:58 AM

Looks good. You and Powerbeast truly bring the M3 to the next level. I hope you guys continue on the upcoming M3/M4 platform!!! Keep it up!!

mdosu · 05-18-2013, 12:29 PM

kick-ass, groin-grabbing, wetness hot car

ki__ · 05-18-2013, 12:34 PM

Meet the one and only.. White M3 GTS. Absolutely stunning.

WOLF-PACK · 05-18-2013, 01:34 PM

Perfect

lsmkr01 · 05-18-2013, 01:52 PM

I've admired your car for a while now. Glad you took the time to take these photo's and really show the attention to detail. Love how the good looks are strictly function first like vintage race cars did/do so well.

Hyperjack · 05-18-2013, 02:03 PM

wow ....what a stunning looking ride. hats off to you on a great build!

congratulations, as well, on the upcoming addition to your family!

exmowner · 05-18-2013, 02:26 PM

WOW......I have no words

catherineanh · 05-18-2013, 02:28 PM

dagolfpro · 05-18-2013, 03:01 PM

Sweetness! Was lucky enough to see this is person. As great as the pictures are, It looks better in person. I second the fact that Aleks takes his car to the track as well. It's really reassuring to know that someone who works on my car has first hand experiences with the M3 in the track. I had a bad experience with another local shop and will never go back there if its performance related.

tha_good_life · 05-18-2013, 03:57 PM

wow!!!!! Good stuff!

Brucewonder · 05-18-2013, 04:28 PM

you car is the real definition of "M3" - pure sports car imo

sure other builds ive seen is pure sex and sparkles but if i had to choose one to burn an image of in my brain its yours

sebaflex · 05-18-2013, 04:28 PM

Absolutely beautiful car and photography. Were those shot with the RX1 as well?

05-18-2013, 02:31 AM	#1
radiantm3 Apex Everything! 1065 Rep 4,378 Posts Drives: 2007 Honda S2000, 2017 GT350 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Cedar Park, TX iTrader: (6) Garage List 2011 E92 M3 [9.35] 2014 BMW i3 [10.00]	Pre-Bimmerfest Photoshoot: The Daily Driven Track Car I've done about 25 track days in the past 2 years. My car has gone through many transformations which included multiple wheels as well as a supercharger (which I later removed). My final wish was to get more supportive seats as the stock seats did a pretty poor job of holding me in at the track. But after extensive research online, I came to the conclusion that fixed-back seats just weren't the greatest idea unless you did the full roll/harness bar as well. So with the help of Aleks at Alekshop, I was able to make that wish come true. He sourced some M3 GTS parts for me (again) as I really wanted to stay OEM, and I also decided it was time to upgrade my suspension a bit. For now he swapped out my KW V3's for Ohlin RT's. Various bushings will be upgraded as well. The car feels great on and off the track. I drove 3 hours to my last track event and the seats were very comfortable. I'd almost say the car is more comfortable now than before because the seats just hug you in place. I feel like there's less fatigue when I'm not moving around in my seat. With these upgrades, I was able to get my car's weight down to 3400 lbs with a half tank of gas. It's not a huge reduction, but my car is fully loaded and I still want the car to look good and be livable day to day. I think the car is still a good compromise between road and track, with just a bit more lean towards track than before. One things for sure...I'm having so much fun driving the car anywhere. These aren't the greatest photos as the sun was already up casting harsh light on the car, and I only had an hour before the car would make it's trip down to Pasadena for Bimmerfest. The car will be at the BBS booth (which is the reason for the stickers) so let me know if you see it! My wife is due any day now (2nd child) so I had to stick around home this year. It's worth noting that this is the first time the car has ever pretended to be a show car. She's used to taking a beating at the track and getting miles put on daily which is exactly what the M3 is great at. I want to take a moment and truly thank Aleks for all the amazing work on my car. His shop is one of the only ones I really trust in the Bay Area. I've always loved the fact that he's not just a guy selling and installing whatever parts you want, but a true enthusiast who mods and tracks his M3 as much as his customers and has personal experience with all of the performance parts he installs. Thanks for reading! Current (performance) mod list: - M3 GTS Aero - M3 GTS Rear Seat Delete & Half Cage - Schroth 6-Point Harness - Recaro Profi's - 18" BBS FI (Yokohama AD08's for the street) - 18" TE37SL Black Edition (Toyo R888's for the track) - Ohlins RT - Vorshlag Camber Plates - Brembo 380GT (Endless Pads) - Akrapovic Evolution Exhaust - RD Sport Sways - ESS Tune __________________ 2011 E92 M3(Sold). 2007 Honda S2000 (Track Car). 2016 Cayman GT4 (Sold). 2017 Shelby GT350 (AKA Crowd Killer). My pet project: https://stickershift.com
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05-18-2013, 02:36 AM	#2
S65B40 Lieutenant Colonel 370 Rep 1,771 Posts Drives: AW E92 M3/AW F87 M2 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Irvine,CA iTrader: (11) Garage List 2016 BMW F87 M2 Coupe [9.50] 2014 BMW F20 M135i [8.25] 2011 BMW F10 5 series [8.90] 2008 BMW E92 M3 Coupe [9.83]	Gorgeous as always, one of my favorite AW M3s. __________________ E92/// M3 Coupe 6MT Alpine White/Fox Red ----- My US car F87/// M2 Coupe DCT Alpine White/Black ----- My ride in Asia
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05-18-2013, 02:40 AM	#3
And1M3 Major 31 Rep 1,072 Posts Drives: 2013 M3 MR FR/Bk Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: NYC iTrader: (6)	WOW looks stunning. __________________ Click Here 13 MR E92 Build -Akrapovic slip on, Varis, BBS E88, Mode Carbon Lip + Side Skirt, LUX H8, KW Clubsport, ESS Tune + ACM Test Pipes, OEM CF spoiler, OEM CF mirror cover
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05-18-2013, 03:36 AM	#4
daniyo Space Gray ZCP 10 Rep 173 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (2) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [0.00]	Best of the best... Hats off to one of the sickest functionally modded E92s out there.
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05-18-2013, 04:23 AM	#5
FVM3 Major General 315 Rep 5,751 Posts Drives: e92 m3, f30 328i Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (2)	sick ride
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05-18-2013, 05:50 AM	#6
slalomfever 1164 Rep 2,172 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (5)	SWEET ride!
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05-18-2013, 08:34 AM	#7
Powerbeast Lieutenant General 7413 Rep 11,270 Posts Drives: F80 M3 RarriRot Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: SoCal iTrader: (5)	Absolutely stunning!
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05-18-2013, 08:43 AM	#8
W/// Lieutenant General 8228 Rep 12,604 Posts Drives: F82GTS, E36/E92M3, Z4M Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: SC iTrader: (13)	And it's a MT! Gorgeous car you got there. __________________ Current: 16 F82 M4 GTS, Black Sapphire/Black, DCT 08 E92 M3, Sparkling Graphite/Bamboo Beige, 6MT 07 E85 Z4M Roadster, Alpine White/Red, 6MT 99 E36 M3, Techno Violet/Dove Grey, 6MT
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05-18-2013, 09:08 AM	#9
kchu221 JDM whore 207 Rep 3,339 Posts Drives: 2009 997.1 Turbo Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: los angeles iTrader: (11)	holy shit asjdfsdhfjkashj.... my second favorite car! __________________ 2013 Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2
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05-18-2013, 11:50 AM	#10
chuxdelux Captain 18 Rep 645 Posts Drives: 1988/1998/2005 M3 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Scottsdale, AZ iTrader: (1)	Looks amazing.
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05-18-2013, 11:58 AM	#11
Endless619 DHS 306 Rep 4,064 Posts Drives: 2023 M4, 2020 Land Rover Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Disneyland iTrader: (14) Garage List 2014 Range Rover Ev ... [0.00] 2006 Acura TL [0.00]	Looks good. You and Powerbeast truly bring the M3 to the next level. I hope you guys continue on the upcoming M3/M4 platform!!! Keep it up!! Last edited by Endless619; 05-18-2013 at 02:12 PM..
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05-18-2013, 12:29 PM	#12
mdosu Banned 363 Rep 8,495 Posts Drives: Double Vanos'd Civic-M3 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (6)	kick-ass, groin-grabbing, wetness hot car
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05-18-2013, 12:34 PM	#13
ki__ Brigadier General 462 Rep 3,479 Posts Drives: 19 M2C 6MT Join Date: May 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (6) Garage List 2019 BMW F87 M2C [0.00]	Meet the one and only.. White M3 GTS. Absolutely stunning.
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05-18-2013, 01:34 PM	#14
WOLF-PACK Zero to Hero 135 Rep 662 Posts Drives: 14 Gallardo, 16 x5m, 17 330e Join Date: May 2008 Location: Vancity iTrader: (17)	Perfect __________________ 2014 LP 560 • Pur Wheels• Swift Springs • IPE • SR Auto Group
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05-18-2013, 01:52 PM	#15
lsmkr01 Lieutenant Colonel 49 Rep 1,627 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: SC iTrader: (0)	I've admired your car for a while now. Glad you took the time to take these photo's and really show the attention to detail. Love how the good looks are strictly function first like vintage race cars did/do so well.
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05-18-2013, 02:03 PM	#16
Hyperjack Captain 47 Rep 790 Posts Drives: 2013 M3 E92/ 2012 Chevy Volt Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: California iTrader: (0)	wow ....what a stunning looking ride. hats off to you on a great build! congratulations, as well, on the upcoming addition to your family!
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05-18-2013, 02:26 PM	#17
exmowner Lieutenant Colonel 858 Rep 1,592 Posts Drives: 22 M3X / 14 GTR Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hallandale Beach FL iTrader: (7)	WOW......I have no words __________________ 2022-G80 Xdrive BG 2014-GTR BE FBO 2016-HURACAN 610-4 (SOLD) 2021-G82 BASE (SOLD)
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05-18-2013, 02:28 PM	#18
catherineanh Captain 71 Rep 883 Posts Drives: 2014 435xi M Sport Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Montreal iTrader: (1)
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05-18-2013, 03:01 PM	#19
dagolfpro Colonel 277 Rep 2,278 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: SF Bay Area, CA iTrader: (9)	Sweetness! Was lucky enough to see this is person. As great as the pictures are, It looks better in person. I second the fact that Aleks takes his car to the track as well. It's really reassuring to know that someone who works on my car has first hand experiences with the M3 in the track. I had a bad experience with another local shop and will never go back there if its performance related. __________________ 2011.75 E90 AW \| DCT \| ZCP \| ZCV \| ZCW \| ZP2 \| Prem Sound \| Moonroof \| BMW Apps \| Mods List: Evolve Exhaust \| M Perf Steering Wheel \| Tint \| Lux \| Hardwired V1 \| KW V3 \| Volshlag CP \| Brembo BBK \| BBS FI \| Yokohama AD08 R\| Schroth 4 Point Harness \| Challenge GT Diffuser \| OEM GTS Wing\| GTS Lip\| I lied earlier, I wasn't done with mod, but I swear, I'm done now, no more mods...
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05-18-2013, 03:57 PM	#20
tha_good_life Brigadier General 442 Rep 4,122 Posts Drives: 21 X6MC Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Seattle iTrader: (22) Garage List 2021 BMW X6M Compet ... [10.00] 2010 BMW M3 [8.68]	wow!!!!! Good stuff!
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05-18-2013, 04:28 PM	#21
Brucewonder Lieutenant Colonel 35 Rep 1,540 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 yea boi Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Socal iTrader: (4)	you car is the real definition of "M3" - pure sports car imo sure other builds ive seen is pure sex and sparkles but if i had to choose one to burn an image of in my brain its yours __________________ 2011.5 E92 ///M3 SSII/FR
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05-18-2013, 04:28 PM	#22
sebaflex Lieutenant 283 Rep 468 Posts Drives: G87 M2 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: PR iTrader: (0)	Absolutely beautiful car and photography. Were those shot with the RX1 as well?
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