Builds / BMW

Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap

BMW M3 Convertible (E30), posted October 2010

Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, finished car

Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap: all 57 photos

    Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, finished
    Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, before the build
    Drag to compare the car as it arrived with the finished build.

    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!

    Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 2Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 3Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 4Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 5

    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

    Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 6Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 7Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 8

    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..

    Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 9Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 10Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 11Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 12

    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

    Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 13Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 14Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 15Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 16

    Wheels / Tires :

    ESM BBS RS reps 16x9 (3" lips !!!) Wrapped with NEW 215/40/16 New Hankook Tires

    Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 17Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 18Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 19

    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

    Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 20Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 21Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 22Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 23Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 24Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 25Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 26Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 27

    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

    Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 28Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 29Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 30Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 31Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 32Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 33Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 34

    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 !)

    Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 35Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 36

    FEW PICS FROM THE RESTORATION:

    ENGINE BAY SHAVED AND PAINTED BEFORE THE MOTOR SWAP

    Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 37Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 38Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 39Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 40Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 41Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 42Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 43

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

    Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 44Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 45Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 46

    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

    Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 47Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 48Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 49Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 50Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 51Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 52Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 53Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 54Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 55Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 56Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 57Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 58Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 59Ferrari Red E30 M3 Convertible, S52 Swap, photo 60

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