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Ferrari Red BMW E30 M3 convertible, S52 swap, HOT !

If you like E30s, if your heart pumps when you see the E30 M3, here is your chance to see one of the best, cleanest and absolutely amazing E30 M3 with 240HP S52 Motor!

BMW only made 786 E30 M3 convertibles. All of them were assembled by hand at BMW M’s Garching facility, much like the E28 M5s and E34 M5s. Bodies were supplied from the normal E30 assembly lines, then fitted at Garching with the special drivetrain, chassis and interior. Non of these 786 cars were officially sold in US. When new, the E30 M3 cabriolet’s cost was twice as much as standard e30 325 convertible. These cars are uber rare and expensive !
Although, there are less than 10 real e30 M3 convertibles in US, I never wanted to import the real one as I knew I would want to paint it in custom color, go with custom engine, suspension and do a custom interior. Real e30 M3 cabrios go for 35-40 thousand Euros, add the cost of federalization, shipping etc.. and you are easily looking into $60-$70k car (at least) which would still have 20+ year old paint, suspension, interior, etc…

Thus this project was born…

This car was featured in Performance BMW, March 2007 issue

built on clean title 1989 US Spec 325i convertible chassis this car is registered, insured and inspected in NJ

This is a short list of mods :

Engine / Transmission / Exhaust :
30k Mile 1999 BMW E36 M3 S52 OBDII Motor and 5 speed gearbox

UUC Lightweight Flywheel

UUC Carbon Race clutch

Race skid front skid plate (protects oil pan)
New aluminum race radiator, electric fan

Adjustable fuel pressure regulator

K&N Filter, all new hoses, belts, clamps, engine mounts, etc..

3.46 E24 LSD, new synthetic fluids and bushings

UUC Exhaust with twin custom tips

A/C system ice cold, Full 134a Conversion, New A/C compressor, custom A/C lines

Battery relocated to the trunk, E30 M3 oem cables

All new wiring, sensors, plugs, etc..etc..

Chassis / Suspension / Brakes :

NEW Ground Control adjustable coil over suspension
NEW Bilstein Sport shocks

NEW 450/600 Ground Control Lowering Springs

Ireland race bushings

Front strut brace

NEW OEM front Control arms

NEW OEM M3 front offset bushings

NEW OEM front links
Rebuilt 95 E36 M3 steering rack
NEW Front/Rear calipers, cross drilled rotors, pads

NEW Emergency brakes (complete kit – cables, springs, pads, etc)
Stainless steel brake lines

Wheels / Tires :

ESM BBS RS reps 16×9 (3″ lips !!!) Wrapped with NEW 215/40/16 New Hankook Tires

Exterior :

This car is painted in REAL FERRARI RED (Spies Hecker) beautiful paint Rosso Chiaro Corsa 300-12. The paint job is absolutely amazing, highest quality materials were used!
e30 M3 front and rear Bumpers (custom shaved, no grooves, no side markers)

Evo II front spoiler with custom carbon Fiber splitter from Germany

Custom Porsche tow hook cover (front)

e30 M3 front fenders

e30 M3 side skirts

e30 M3 F/G rear quarter panels

Euro grills, Black Kidney Grills, Euro headlight Wipers, Euro tow hook covers, Euro Brake Vents

Original Euro Hella smoked headlights, Xenon HID conversion (6000)

Custom smoked front turnsignals

Rear German Startec tail lights

Evo III Hood and Trunk seals

Bonrath Mono Wiper conversion

Shadowline window trim, 3rd brake light delete

all new window, hood, trunk and door seals (expensive !!!)

Brand new German convertible TOP, new seals

New roundels (vert correct)

Euro license plate holder (rear)

painted convertible top boot cover lid

Super Rare BMW Motorsport door handles
Euro Trunk Liner, 2nd courtesy light

Interior:

Brand NEW Italian Leather highest quality E30 M3 sport OEM Interior – EVERYTHING including seats, center console, arm rest, door panels and rear panels were wrapped in Italian Modena Leather and Carbon Fiber look leather

NEW OEM Black Carpet (last one at the dealer, NLA)

Custom gauge cluster –

Very Rare Hella steering wheel, ZHP shift knob

Suede gear and emergency brake boots (tri-color stitching)

BMW e30 armrest

Euro Clock
custom gauges Oil, Water, AMP (ashtray delete)

built in V1 hidden remote display

BMW e30 OEM windscreen

Whole Interior of the car was wrapped with sound proofing DynaMat material for better noise reduction and music sound

ICE:

JVC head unit, Ipod/Iphone wiring with Sony speakers and custom wires. 10″ Bazooka Sub in the trunk. Remote Antena.
Autopage anti-theft alarm with proximity sensor and remote pager (expensive and useful), Airhorns (Loud !)

FEW PICS FROM THE RESTORATION:

ENGINE BAY SHAVED AND PAINTED BEFORE THE MOTOR SWAP

I am not mentioning hundreds of little parts that were replaced during the conversion

I’ve owned and built a lot of E30s and other Vintage BMWs. If you have a particular interest or looking to build a car of your dreams, please contact me with your inquires.
Here are some of my other cars that were recently built


27 replies
  1. Jake
    Jake says:

    Oh my heck man… that’s my dream build! I’ve had nearly the same exact idea in mind, right down to the S52, only in Alpine White. Would you mind answering some questions I had about the conversion? That car is absolutely gorgeous!!!

  2. riz
    riz says:

    hi
    Very impressive!!! I myself have started my own conversion, I have all m3 body parts ready for the conversion and wanted to ask what kind of problems would i have with putting the sedan m3 parts on a vert, ive heard the wings, bumpers and skirts need modifying, any advice would be gold, thank you and well done!!! Riz (UK)

  3. Vlad
    Vlad says:

    all the work on this car is custom, you can’t just put m3 quarter panels and sideskirts on a regular e30 vert, it needs a lot of custom work, it’s not a direct bolt-on.
    Thanks for all the compliments !
    This car was sold to a customer in Canada. I can build any e30 you desire – E30 restorations are my specialty !
    Please check other E30s in my gallery.
    Thank you

    • Mulligan Cham
      Mulligan Cham says:

      I’ve heard of rebuilts but this is a rebirth.Rewinding the clock and starting creation all over again. I’ve alway7s wanted an M3 E30 being in South Africa never actually seen one in real life. once been in a 333i butthats about it,So if you thought getting one in the US was hard here its impossible, but after seeing the stunning job you did with yours I’m definenatly working in getting one that comes to perfection as the one you have. Thanks for the inspiration. love the car.

  4. Vlad
    Vlad says:

    thank you guys ! Check out my other restorations, just click on my user name CARRERABOY to see more of my work
    My shop is in Maplewood, NJ 07040

    • thao nguyen
      thao nguyen says:

      Hello,
      My name is Thao Nguyen. I am living at Michigan.
      I have 88 E30 black and black convertible. I want to update to look like the M3 Red Ferrari.
      I will take a my car picture to send it to you. I am not very good at computer, so can you call me the above number to discuss about my car as soon as possible,
      Thanks
      Thao Ngyen

  5. MJB
    MJB says:

    Hey Vlad. Sorry to not talk to you in so long. I LOVE the car. The drive back to Canada was great after I got past the rain (and freaky snow fall) in Ohio. I have the car parked atm and will be bringing it out for the summer in about 2-3 weeks, longer depending on road conditions here (still 4 ft of snow on the ground). I’ll be contacting you soon about couple things with the car and about work on my Euro E30 import. I found a 83 porsche also to look at doing also like your 82 but a cabriolet. Peace out duded. Talk to you soon.

  6. Ove Therkildsen (Denmark)
    Ove Therkildsen (Denmark) says:

    Wonderful car. I`m a happy owner of a E 30 325 cabriolet M-Tech 2. I wonder where you have bought those nice door openers with inscription ?

  7. Suliman
    Suliman says:

    Nice car saw it on Bmw Performance mag few years ago. Ive jus got hold of an e30 m3 body kit and im lookin for a convertible. Im sorry to say but im gonna copy your one, it amazing looks beta than the original well done. Hopefully mine could be as nice as yours

  8. uche
    uche says:

    Hi,
    your work is absolutely stunning. I am in Houston and looking to start a build on an E30 once I find a donor car. If you can give any advice, it’d be much appreciated. Please let me know how to contact you. I will be in Jersey in a couple of weeks. I’d come out to Maplewood and take a look.

    thanks
    Uche

  9. Sal Melluzzo
    Sal Melluzzo says:

    Hello my name is Sal and I am trying to contact CarraraBoy for a E30 convertiable build. I’m located in CT I’d appreciate it if you could contact my email.

    Thanks,
    Sal

  10. Sal
    Sal says:

    Thanks for getting back to me looking to build e30 convert with m5 v8 would that be something that you intrested in building also what do think it cost? Thanks sal

  11. david
    david says:

    i have an 88 e30 cabrio i want to do the full conversion i can supply oem parts, bumpers, fenders, ect. i also have a s52 with an active auto werkes super charger i want to throw in it. i have the brembo brake kit that came off the 97 e36 m3 i want to throw in and do the 5 lug conversion. can you contact me for some quotes.

  12. ARTHUR CARUANA
    ARTHUR CARUANA says:

    Hi
    fiast of all good quality
    please can you halp me i have bmwe30 convrtebel
    can you tell me where i fand the rear quater panels i wont them original

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