[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

World's First Two-door V8 M3 Wagon

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Making its debut at SEMA is this world's first 2-door M3 Wagon, powered by a V8! It was planned and commissioned by Griot's Garage and built by J-Rod & Custom of Auburn, WA.


Press Release / Details:

Our Detail Wagen is set to make a big splash at SEMA but in order to maximize its impact we’ve had to keep it under wraps for the last 10 months. It’s been excruciating, but the day of reckoning is here. We will quickly rundown the specs but rest assured we have a series of buildup articles in the pipeline. This thing rocks.

The basis of the build is a 1989 E30 Touring, which is Euro-speak for station wagon. The car took a serendipitous route to our workshop. From its Bavarian birthplace it was delivered to Japan and eventually found its way to America, then finally to Tacoma.



Our plan was to make the world’s first two-door M3 wagon with an emphasis on quality. We wanted concours, coachbuilder level fabrication not a fender swap and sprinkling of emblems… the car had to look like BMW actually built an E30 M3 Touring. We tapped J-Rod & Custom of Auburn, WA to handle the Bavarian’s transformation. Jared Hancock and crew did a masterful job removing the stock front and rear doors of the 3-Series wagon and replacing them with coupe doors that are 9 inches longer. We will outline in more detail how this was pulled off in future Detail Wagen articles. In the end, a total of six coats of PPG Deltron “Griot’s Red” and six coats of clear were sprayed onto the car.



Naturally, as a car care maker we love sculpted body work and making it shine, but we are also into performance in a big way so we knew our Bimmer build was a “more than skin deep” proposition… after all we’re calling it the World’s Fastest Detail Wagen! Needless to say, the original 2.5-liter M20 Inline 6 and its 170 horsepower were not long for this world.

Project lead Forrest Davis of Griot’s Motors dropped a 4.0-liter M60 V8 sourced from a 1995 540i into the engine bay. The swap represents a 112-horse bump in output and includes a 540i 6-speed manual, custom driveshaft, and 2.92 LSD rearend. Forrest also shaved and filled the firewall and inner fenders and took the time to fully wire tuck the harnesses for an impressive clean and minimalistic look. A custom stainless steel header-back exhaust system should easily push power from 282 to well over 300 when all is said and done.



Detail Wagen also has the footwork of its svelte namesake, the mighty M3. Custom coilovers from Ground Control, upgraded anti-sway bars, and a Brembo big brake kit enhance the handling of our newest delivery rig. Rolling stock consists of custom offset HRE 501M alloy wheels and Falken Azenis rubber. The bold gold meshies measure 17×8 up front and 17×9 out back. They are wrapped with Ultra-High Performance Azenis RT619K tires (215/40-17 front, 235/40-17 rear).



The theme was taken all the way into the cabin as McFarland Auto Upholstery used genuine BMW M-Tech fabric to wrap all pertinent surfaces. Out back, the rear seat has been deleted and replaced with a custom product display rack that affords complete access to Griot’s Garage detailing products. The cargo area is also adorned with a 15-gallon water tank and hose accommodations so we can pull up, gear up, and detail any car from head to toe.

[overcoil]

The front end and the wheels are 10. Paint I need to see in person and engine bay looks very well executed, almost art.
The wagon with the fenders is unusual but if I needed the space this is really a very nice toy. Great post.

[Coops90]

Not really a first. Someone was trying to sell a white one exactly the same (albeit not finished) with an S62 a couple of years ago here in England for ages. Not sure if what happened to it.

Like everything bar the wheels and the headlight intake thing.

[DRTMGRT]

MASTERFUL! Well done!

[sygazelle]

Looks nice but why are they calling it an M? It's got an M60 V8 which was used in a 540 & other models, but never in an M car. I don't see any M badges on it either which is appropriate since its not an M.

[CanAutM3]

build.

But not much of an M3 .

[spuntyb]

Had been following this on IG. Dying to see it in person. It looks mint. Not a true M, but great build nonetheless.

Also check out "m3_f81" on IG for some M-conversion wagon porn!

[deemo319]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

Looks nice but why are they calling it an M? It's got an M60 V8 which was used in a 540 & other models, but never in an M car. I don't see any M badges on it either which is appropriate since its not an M.

That's a good question. Maybe they think it will "generate more interest" with an M in the name.

[Die ///M Rakete]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

Looks nice but why are they calling it an M? It's got an M60 V8 which was used in a 540 & other models, but never in an M car. I don't see any M badges on it either which is appropriate since its not an M.

'cause nowadays were calling anything and everything an M

Not to take anything away from this project though...I think it's spectacular

[Eddien123]

Why not an s65? But that's a sick build!

[wdeerfield]

Great looking car

Originally Posted by deemo319

That's a good question. Maybe they think it will "generate more interest" with an M in the name.

i dont know where they ever got the idea (BMW) of putting a M in the name would make it seem more special....

[BEM-S4]

That's pretty damn cool, but for my money I'd roll more stealth with stock wheels and definitely wouldn't do red. Sleeper estate cars are the best, I've been lusting after an RS forever for instance.

If time and budget ever allows I'd seriously consider an E39 M5 wagon conversion like this guy did (I am sure this has been posted before).

http://www.bmwblog.com/2015/12/10/wo...ng-conversion/

[raysspl]

Gangster build. I can dig it

[ilikebmxbikes]

Saw it yesterday. Beautiful car.

[3M TAPE]

Don't know why it's called M3, it's all about the engine.

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by Die ///M Rakete

'cause nowadays were calling anything and everything an M

Not to take anything away from this project though...I think it's spectacular

One thing for sure... You have a real one. Nice!

[IanMan]

I love the Red on Gold Wheels combo. Reminds me of the Lamborghini Countach-very 80's! I would definitely enjoy driving this excellent re-imagined concept!

[Wheel man]

I had a chance to see this vehicle in person and I must say its flawless and very sexy. I love the detail products on the inside that were very strategical placed throughout the interior. My new dream daily driver.

[BitchinManWheels]

Back end is a little long. Make it more hot hatchback and less wagon then we're talking!

[MSCD]

I like... and it's a Touring... not a wagon . The intake on the light is odd. Barring that a great concept... are they available on Griots site yet... I need some sort of cart for my detailing gear!

[BitchinManWheels]

Originally Posted by MSCD

I like... and it's a Touring... not a wagon . The intake on the light is odd. Barring that a great concept... are they available on Griots site yet... I need some sort of cart for my detailing gear!

Ok, then more shooting brake

[MFNATIK]

Love everything about this except they should have dropped in the S65 small block high rev V8. Or even an S54 would have been more appropriate than the M60