I’m typically more of an OEM+ swap fan rather than getting near the fiery debate of what constitutes blasphemy. Carter’s documented some great V8 to M3 swaps and noted that it’s a pretty outstanding dollar-to-horsepower option. Even after the seller here spent $60k on parts, a lot of that was on tertiary bits – it’d take more money and a lot more effort than that to get an S52 pushing these nutso numbers. What really draws me to this car is how clean and serious it looks, with subtle modifications on the exterior that create one of the best looking E36s out there. The E46 fender flares look absolutely perfect, and the massive Apex knock-off BBS RCs look great in black and complement the space gray perfectly. And no wing! I want every E36 to look like this, and a sedan would be even better, but who really cares? Unless it’s parked, no one’s going to see this thing for more than a second as it rips by leaving scared children, heated women, and confused Bimmer fans in its wake.
Category: BMW
Karosserie Baur has a history of making drop top versions of our favorite BMW models. This Stuttgart firm went into insolvency in 1998, but before this occurred, they had one last shot at making a memorable BMW cabriolet. This 316i TC4 you see here was the result. Four-door cabriolets are almost extinct in the modern world and this one was a different take on the theme, given it had four fully framed doors and a targa-esque roof setup that folded all towards the rear decklid. This Baur TC4 for sale in central Portugal won’t set the world on fire with it’s 1.6 liter four cylinder engine, but you and your four closest friends can have some fun this summer with four-door, drop top motoring.
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1993 BMW 316i Baur TC4 on eBay
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This past Tuesday I wrote up what I consider a great alternative to the E46 M3; BMW’s own E82 135i. In many ways, the 135i takes the recipe for the M3 and creates a similar driving experience. But while I really liked the Hartge-modified look of that particular example, for me it ultimately comes down to not only the styling, but the colors. All too often, these cars are ordered in rather unimaginative shades of black, silver, blacker or silverer, and while I understand the appeal of a black car, I’d just prefer something a bit more vivid to stand out. My solution to how to make that 135i more appealing was to option it in one of the more brilliant blues; as if on cue, we were contacted to list this stunning Deep Blue Sea Metallic example of a 2012 E82. Equipped with nearly every package from M-Sport to Convenience, and with some factory options like the power upgrade and special Style 269 optional wheels, this is one trick package:
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2012 BMW 135i M-Sport on Autotrader
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What is age, anyway? As my 30th birthday quickly approaches, that question has been on my mind a lot recently. Years alive may be an objective measurement, but youthfulness, vigor, lust for life – these are all factors in “age” that are significantly more subjective. I’ve had a pretty good three decades, but I’m working to make sure that they keep getting better.
This 535i has lived exactly the same amount of years as me, but I can only hope to be as youthful as it appears. Having covered less than 70k miles in 30 years and completely original save the A/C system, this is one heck of an E28. From the chrome to the carpet to to the paint, you’d be hard-pressed to find anything resembling a flaw on this time capsule. The leather shows slight signs of wear, but then again 70k miles isn’t zero. With everything functioning well on a very sturdy platform, age is relative; there are many happy days in this 535i’s future.
Click for details: 1985 BMW 535i on eBay
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I’ll be honest. I never particularly liked the BMW Z4 M Coupe when it first debuted. But as time moves on, I find myself drawn in to this little sports car. Perhaps its the dearth of manual gearboxes, even in the M Cars. Or maybe I’m just overwhelmed by the excessive offerings in the SUV market. Whatever the case may be, this was a worthy follow-on to the much loved, first generation M Coupe, known as the “clownshoe.” This Z4 M Coupe for sale in Winnipeg, Manitoba was brought to our attention from our reader Toshihiko. It is the only Monaco Blue example to have come to North America.