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1990 BMW M3 S38 Swap

$_57 (2)

I almost threw up when I went through my saved eBay searches today and saw a stock Alpineweiss E30 M3 with 67k miles that was asking $59k and had been bid up over $40k. The ceaseless rise of the E30 is just crazy, folding values over on themselves and dollars into sellers’ pockets. I still love the M3 as a car, but the insanity surrounding them has tainted my love with disgust and disdain. As I tire of the creampuffs setting new records every time they come up, I become more interested in what I’ve grown to think the E30 M3 was about: making it into the Bimmer/racer you wanted. I’ve joined the scorn at removing the S14 before, but as I fall more in love with my S38 every day, I now see it as the ideal E30 swap. With more character, rarity, and power than the standard E36 swaps, getting an M3 (or any E30) with one of these beasts interests me greatly. Today’s E30 M3 comes fully redone after a big-mileage life, and looks extra awesome for it. A Sport Evolution bodykit backs up the significantly improved grunt on the outside, and the creator has made an awesome choice with a plaid interior on ///M seats. At this point in time, this is my ideal E30 M3.

Click for more details: 1989 BMW M3 for sale on eBay

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1984 Volkswagen Vanagon

$_57

VW vans are not usually known for their speed, with a few amazing skunkworks exceptions. There’s a reason my continent-traveling friend’s blog is titled 63mph – that’s about the best his Weekender can do on the highway. While those in search of more power usually go OEM+ or Subaru routes, this owner clearly does things his own way. He bought a 2.0l Ford Zetec crate engine pushing 130hp, as well as fabricating some fun bits himself like the bumpers and some funky wood interior panels. I happen to like the Mad Max-styling, especially the steel wheels. The Zetec is a completely new direction; can you handle a little American in your German?

Click for more details: 1984 Volkswagen Vanagon on eBay

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1995 BMW 540i Touring 6-speed Manual

We’ve featured a few cars with engine swaps over the last few weeks with BMWs seeming to be particularly suited to this modification, given a healthy variety of motors enthusiasts have to choose from. Carter highlighted a 1986 325es with an M60 swap last month. An E30 with eight cylinders? Surely a recipe for a good time. But if you need to haul a bit more cargo or passengers, the E34 5 series Touring is a supremely wise choice. This final year E34 Touring has received a heart transplant by way of a 4.4 liter V8 and 6-speed manual gearbox. I wouldn’t necessarily call it a sleeper in Imola Red, but you are sure to catch a few unsuspecting people off guard with this Touring.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1995 BMW 540i Touring on Denver’s Craigslist

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1981 Volkswagen Rabbit VR6 swap

The Mk1 Rabbit with the 24v VR6 grabbed a lot of attention last week. Hot on its heels, here comes another one with a 12v VR6 swap for sale in New York. Originally a diesel engined Rabbit, any vestige of economy has been thrown out the window. Equipped with a roll cage, fuel cell and various accessories eliminated to save weight, this thing is itching to get out on the track.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit VR6 swap on eBay

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1995 BMW M3 with Supercharged LS6

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One of the cars I’ve most loathed while writing up was an E36 with a GM V8. That horrendous Frankenstein belonged in the bottom of the Florida waters, but this BMW/GM combo is done with a bit more professionalism, and perhaps taste. By shoving a Corvette engine and strapping a supercharger on top, this shop has taken one of the best-handling cars ever and turned it into a rolling-burnout monster. The exterior is show-car loud, but, all things considered, I actually kind of dig the graphics. Considering the performance of this thing, it’s not a bad fit.

Click for more details: 1995 BMW M3 with Supercharged LS6

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