2008 BMW M3 – The Complete Package

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Too often, we’re presented with project builds that are perfect from afar. However, this E90 M3 is stellar from afar and even better close-up, making it an easy decision to feature in the magazine. Though crumble upon closer inspection as a result of lack of cohesiveness.

The owner of the pristine BMW M3, Eric Kuehn from Bel Air, MD, shared his thoughts on the creation of such a gem. I wanted everything to flow, he said, even though I’ve seen many all-out racecars with huge stereos, or show cars with a rollcage. I wanted to ensure that everything worked in perfect unison.

You see, Kuehn can be something of a perfectionist and couldn’t live with anything short of, well, perfection. So after getting a 350Z he decided to jump into the Euro scene. He started using a low-mileage Alpine White E46 M3 and modified it extensively. As he was prepared to move on, he turned his sights for theThe Complete Package

As fate will have it, a pal had been leasing a 2008 M3 and decided the repayments were excessive, and offered the car for that residual. The lump sum was a killer deal and so Eric became the lucky owner of a four-door rocketship.

Within fourteen days Kuehn scratched the gearhead itch with H&R lowering springs, and a sports exhaust. It was an ideal daily driver but the upgrades only ignited the desire to modify it more, he confessed.

Fortunately, Kuehn had enough sense to thoroughly plan the build, rather than impetuously buying random parts. And also this allowed him to ensure the project had a predetermined direction that would keep the M3 usable. I wanted to build the ultimate daily driver, where nothing would be out of place. Everything would be added for a purpose, withoutThe Whole Package

With that said, if you had to pick a star performer it might probably be the ESS Tuning VT1-550 supercharger system, particularly with its custom-painted intake manifold. In addition, it has a smaller pulley and Gintani cat-less X-pipe feeding into a Meisterschaft GT muffler that, when put to the test, was good for 590hp at the wheels on 93-octane fuel.

As soon as the lowering springs weren’t enough, Kuehn added KW sleeve-over coilovers along with RD Sport sway bars. Before he found the perfect combination, this improved the stance but Eric wrestled with no less than four sets of wheels. They were 20×9.5 front, 20×11 rear Morr Competition MF52 three-piece forged wheels covered with Falken tires, as it happens.about it; the car was built to be driven in every situations except the track really. The 20s are probably too big for competition use but look fantastic on the car, especially with the brushed matte centers and polished stepped lips, Kuehn explained.

As well as the owner isn’t the only one who thought the car looked good on these wheels. It seems that Morr Wheels felt the same and displayed it in their booth at Bimmerfest West 2013, which happens to be where we stumbled across it. They had shipped the car by reviewing the East Coast stomping grounds to highlight the fitment and show attendees what a great job Eric had done. We had to arranged and agreeto keep chassis balance.

The wheels and supercharger demanded some exterior upgrades, so Eric began with a Mode Carbon GT1 lip, color-matched Platte and grilles Forme carbon side splitters transitioning into a Vorsteiner double-sided carbon trunk. The latter received LCI tail lights, when he also added ONEighty headlights up front. These feature dual projector units and additional LEDs inside billet housings. I can’t say enough about the headlights. They may have CNC’ed internals that give a second projector and even an LED that blinks when the alarm is defined, Kuehn said.

2008 BMW m3 eric kuehn cleaning

2008 BMW m3 interior steering wheel

2008 BMW m3 static front three quarter

In his continued pursuit of perfection, Eric couldn’t leave the outside at that. Are noted for orange peel, so I had the entire car wet sanded to remove the bring and peel out of the shine, although BMWs have nice paint. It looks similar to a totally different color now, and the shine is really deep, Kuehn told us.

While many people often forget about the interior, an automobile this special should also be amazing on the inside – a notion that Kuehn subscribes to as well: I had a pair of Recaro Sportster CS seats attached to Macht Schnell frames and wrapped in OEM BMW Bamboo leather. It could possibly be the most popular mod about the car since I’ve never seen anotherThe same hide was wrapped around the dash and console, rear seats and door panels to seem as if these people were BMW Individual pieces.

The motorist is bombarded with information thanks to the LED display around the BMW M Performance controls. However, additionally there is a P3 Cars electronic gauge in the driver’s vent plus three Stack gauges inside the center console.

The Jehnert custom door panels are insane. They appear factory and many people don’t know they’re hiding a huge amount of doors speakers – it’s awesome, Kuehn said.

You didn’t assume this BMW M3’s sound was limited to its exhaust and intake? Kuehn was hell-bent on ticking every box, so carries a trio of Helix Competition amplifiers powering Rainbow Audio component speakers that include eight mid-range drivers and a 10 AmBoss sub. A Helix processor adds clarity and also the major equipment can be seen within theincluding the Recaros, rear seats, door cards, dash and console

I built it to my definition of perfection and enjoy it every chance I get, Eric explained, though It may not end up being the craziest car out there. In fact, he’s driven more than 40,000 miles in less than 36 months, so clearly takes every opportunity. If it’s sunny for 7 days, I’m driving it all week. The only time I don’t is when the weather is bad. Otherwise, I can’t get enough of it.

And what about its future? I’ve got a bit of big plans, including a color change, different wheels and in many cases bigger brakes. I’ve chose to do more because if I sold it, I couldn’t replace the M3 with anything as quickly, as capable and well-rounded, Kuehn concluded.

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