Project 2010 BMW M35i - Build your own !

[Galal01]

I live in Egypt.. I had purchased a 2009 BMW 316i Coupe brand new from the local BMW Dealership for those of you that arent aware of the 316i it is a 1.6 Liter Engine producing 126 HP which doesn't really feel like a BMW feels more like a honda civic !

In Egypt we have very high customs and taxes on cars. For instance a new M3 which is very unique here would set you back 2,300,000 LE which is equivalent to $460,000 ! which is insane !

My 316i Coupe cost me 350,000 LE which is $70,000. Car was nicely equipped.. Had idrive, 6 speed manual transmission, leather seats, sunroof, and 16" wheels.

The car looked beautiful but I wanted a more aggressive looking car and more power so I decided to spice up things a bit.

Phase 1
Exterior:

I ordered OEM M3 Parts such as Front & Rear Bumpers, Hood, Fenders, Mirrors, Side Skirts, Front Panel, Air Ducts, Wheel Arches, Windshield wiper tank, 19 Wheels etc.. All brand new original parts shipped from BMW Germany.. with all required parts for installation.. Ofcourse when it came to the rear fenders.. The M3 has a wider fenders and you cant order those because the are attached to the main body frame and roof.. so I took the car to a skilled body shop and the widened it exactly like the M3..

Car was complete looks wise ! but when the car drove people saw an M3 but didnt hear an M3 so I had to do something about the car sound ! Went to the best exhaust place in town.. We removed the mid silencer so the exhaust could breath heavier and started testing muffler boxes... Every muffler gave out a completely different sound...

Straight Pipe

We tried finding a Muffler as a temporary solution until the Engine arrived

We tried plenty of mufflers and ended up with the HKS Race Exhaust sounded loud and aggressive... will upload sound clip soon...

Car looked and sounded nice.. but the drive was shit tooo damn slow.. couldnt wait until the Engine arrived !


Phase 2
Interior:

Ordered 2 complete M3 interiors. From Track M3s.. One Fox Red and one individual saddle brown.. both were in immaculate condition..


Car was almost complete



Phase 3
November 2010

Mechanical: Finally the Engines Arrived !!

Finally after a long long long time and help from online junk yards we found a mint 2010 BMW 335i DCT convertible with a broken convertible top that was written off from the insurance company and sold to a junk yard.. and a rear minor accident 2009 M3 Manual.. I decided to go with the 335i has more luxury features, softer suspension (Better for Egypt) and with some tuning will reach 500-600 HP...

The car is now getting its new system installed... Engine, Transmission, Suspension, Complete center console with new i-drive, Brakes etc...


Will keep you updated with photos..

Cheers

[Galal01]

Exterior Before & After Shot

[kmarei]

all i can say is a7a!!

great job

let me know if you need any help with ordering parts etc
it's so sad the customs issue in Egypt
you paid more for a 316i than i paid for a M3
messed up

one question
does the navigation work yet in Egypt?

[adc]

Wow, that was a lot of work...

So now that you have an M3 V8 sitting around - why don't you find a nice E30 325i bodyshell and turn it into a V8 monster...

[ihyln]

The fact that you think that "some tuning" will get yout 500-600hp on a 335i makes me laugh. Otherwise, good show on the bodywork and transplant.

[mdosu]

I'm confused. You're trying to fit a M3 engine in there or a 335 engine it there? Why do you have the 335 engine when you could go with a M3 engine?

also, you realize that an actual M3 has extra welds and strengthening done to the chassis than a standard E92 3 series?

[335iTrace]

why not buy a M3? or buy a 335? I dont get the point. Unless it is a e30 and you put a m3 motor in there or even the v10 its dumb... JMO

[ChrisK]

What's the big deal - what do these Egyptians know about building anyways!



Well if you can build Pyramids, you can do this. Nice Work!

[adc]

Originally Posted by 335iTrace

why not buy a M3? or buy a 335? I dont get the point. Unless it is a e30 and you put a m3 motor in there or even the v10 its dumb... JMO

You gotta love people butting in without reading the freakin' thread first...

[mkoesel]

Yeah, the car looks great, nice work. But I definitely wouldn't spend all that money swapping the motor unless it was for a V8. Just MHO though.

[anthony @ eas]

Wow, this is incredibly impressive work. Very nicely done.

[kmarei]

Originally Posted by 335iTrace

why not buy a M3? or buy a 335? I dont get the point. Unless it is a e30 and you put a m3 motor in there or even the v10 its dumb... JMO

are you going to give him the $390,000 difference between a 316i and an M3?

[///M3Lover]

Originally Posted by Galal01

I live in Egypt.. I had purchased a 2009 BMW 316i Coupe brand new from the local BMW Dealership for those of you that arent aware of the 316i it is a 1.6 Liter Engine producing 126 HP which doesn't really feel like a BMW feels more like a honda civic !

In Egypt we have very high customs and taxes on cars. For instance a new M3 which is very unique here would set you back 2,300,000 LE which is equivalent to $460,000 ! which is insane !



Cheers

I thought Asia had a high import taxes, but 460,000?! That's beyond INSANE!!!

But, I am loving the conversion. Are you planning to install some LSDs as well?

[FastM3]

incredible work!

[jeff@autocouture]

very nice

[GOLFFRR]

wow thats a lot of work

[ooowowizstev]

Nice!

[e92_m3]

What are you going to do with the S65?

That's one nice build man!

[NYCMCBM3]

looks like alot of work, but you forgot to change the mirrors xD


love that extended red interior, what are you gonna do with it?(selling)?

[TTG]

Awesome Job.... The car looks great for the fraction of the cost. You've got some really skillful people working on your car..... Post pictures of the final product when you get a chance!

[Dannys M3]

Good luck with the 500-600 hp from a N54 engine.

[Race_Doc11]

You brought some memories...is this in Iskendria or Elkahera (Cairo)?