Some cars are modified into sleepers, while others are tweaked into an OEM+ style build. This E36 BMW wagon is neither of those things–quite the opposite, actually.
The big-ticket upgrades? The S54 engine from an E46 M3 plus a six-speed manual gearbox–and the massive fender flares, of course, courtesy of Pandem.
Seemingly everything that could be modified or customized was …
I would take the cadge out of it and street drive that thing. I really like the fender flares and the "stance" that it has been set up with.
Yeah, the cage might be a bit much for the street, but the swap, the stance, the flares and the colors....
That cage is nightmare fuel.
That cage needs to gtfo. That thing could kill you in a low speed wreck.
We used to call those poser cages.
The rest of the car? Chefs kiss.
lol. Came to comment on the cage and every previous comment is also about the cage. Anytime I see those curvy front bars, I have to question the overall legitimacy of any build. The rest of it does look great, though.
Lof8 - Andy said:lol. Came to comment on the cage and every previous comment is also about the cage. Anytime I see those curvy front bars, I have to question the overall legitimacy of any build. The rest of it does look great, though.
Agreed. A cage with bars that curve around the dash like that adds safety hazards for street driving (head impact, plus egress concerns), while also simultaneously defeating the whole purpose of having a bar there in the first place.
I love this place.
Nothing to add to the general chorus of "hawt-but-oof-that-cage..."
wvumtnbkr said:That cage needs to gtfo. That thing could kill you in a low speed wreck.
But they did paint it safety yellow, so you'll be reminded not to hit your head on it.
You ever crack the back of your metacarpals (hand bones) on something and just sit there stunned? I know nothing of cages so maybe I'm kinda just on the bandwagon here, but that bar seems so close to the wheel, I think I would constantly regret it.
Reminds me of a dually rear end there
I also don't understand why people curve forward tubes like that. They look better going through the dash anyway. Also, did they gusset the... C-Pillar tubes to the rear glass? You see that, right? In the first picture?
Hang on a sec... where's my coffee? Here we go...
Yeah, dimple-died, curved gussets. Right up against the glass.
I need that car though. Cage and everything.
Edit: No, I saw the last picture. It is a gusset on that rear-most tube in the trunk. They didn't gusset up to the glass. Now I just like the car a little more.
Am I the only one not digging the widebody kit? The E36 touring has fantastic lines (especially with the M Sport body parts), and those flares just ruin it for me...
And the cage... ugh.
The S54, now that we can talk about... and it's something I've seriously considered for mine, but it's a far more complex swap than an S52, which will probably get around just fine.
Rodan said:Am I the only one not digging the widebody kit? The E36 touring has fantastic lines (especially with the M Sport body parts), and those flares just ruin it for me...
I feel like I shouldn't like the widebody kit, but come on, it's a wagon! Someone's gotta do it. Otherwise, they would have just stuffed an S54 (cool) into a wagon with a scary cage.
I think my biggest issue with this style widebody kit is that the rear doesn't go all the way to the back of the car. I've contemplated this for my e30 and it really does just make it look like a dually. If the rear went all the way to the tail lights it would look a whole lot better.
confuZion3 said:I feel like I shouldn't like the widebody kit, but come on, it's a wagon!
Don't get me wrong, I love box flares on most things, but the E36 Touring is perfect, right out of the box...
That Looks great and reminds me of when the Pirelli P7 first came out and all of the European tuners where slapping 285/40VR15 and 345/35VR15 tires under custom flares on everything. It was in a Road & Track or Car & Driver magazine that I haven't had any luck locating the article during internet searching.
It was also when I decided that I could molest my Volvo 1800 and get away with it.
"Love the car, hate the cage."
Considering that A: You can always remove the offending cage and redo if you like, B: The rest of the car looks really nice, C: As opposed to a lot of the "you need this" cars, I actually do need this one.
iansane said:I think my biggest issue with this style widebody kit is that the rear doesn't go all the way to the back of the car. I've contemplated this for my e30 and it really does just make it look like a dually. If the rear went all the way to the tail lights it would look a whole lot better.
So Group 5-style rear fenders like a Porsche 935 or DeKon Monza?
I'm in the minority here I guess, but I'm not digging the body kit. And it's too low for my taste, and the wheels are not right for an E36.
But I'm also noticing the E36 doesn't look as good to me as it used to. Not sure why but I think the lines are a little too sharp. Funny, because when I owned one I thought it was the best looking BMW. But now when I see one it just looks a little weird to me.
In reply to CyberEric :
I'm with you on both accounts. The E36 looks a little too dated. For me, the slightly rounded E46 is just right. But that's probably because the peak of everything was in my 20s, as I assume it is for many people (their 20s, not mine, per se)
Yeah it's like it looks dated, but not in a cool vintage way like the E30.
I can't believe I'm saying this! 2005 me would smack the taste right out my mouth.
I dig it. Unbolt the cage and enjoy.
My first thought was "that looks like a SEMA show car, and it's got a Toyo windshield banner". And whaddya know, that's the Toyo Treadpass at the show.
That intake is something else.
CyberEric said:Yeah it's like it looks dated, but not in a cool vintage way like the E30.
I can't believe I'm saying this! 2005 me would smack the taste right out my mouth.
Compare E36 vs. E46 headlights. For me, that’s what makes the E46 look so much more modern, whatever that means today. Still, I wouldn’t mind an E36 Touring.
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