BMW E30 M3 Restomod Packs 390 HP With Classic Looks

ANNOUNCING THE DELIVERY OF OUR FIRST CUSTOMER’S BMW E30 M3 | ENHANCED AND EVOLVED BY REDUX

·      Hand-built in the UK with a focus on performance upgrades and tasteful modifications using the highest quality components and inspired by BMW’s motorsport heritage

 

·      This is the first in a series of 30 vehicles, with the option of naturally aspirated or turbocharged re-engineered 4-cylinder, 2.5l S14 engine

 

·      The BMW E30 M3 | Enhanced and Evolved by Redux. Creating an even more engaging driving experience for fellow E30 M3 enthusiasts.

 

12th March 2019

 

Thermal, CA - Redux is delighted to announce the delivery of its first enhanced and evolved BMW E30 M3 to its owner in Southern California. The E30 M3 is the first in a limited edition series of 30 vehicles. All restorations will feature tasteful and high-quality upgrades including carbon fiber bodywork, an Alcantara, leather or cloth-trimmed interior (or combination of all three) tailored to each client, performance upgrades inspired by BMW’s motorsports heritage, and a choice of either naturally aspirated or turbocharged re-engineered 2.5l, S14 engines.

 

The idea for the BMW E30 M3 began as a personal project for CEO Simon Lord, but it soon became apparent that his vision could be something much bigger in scope and could be shared with other automotive enthusiasts. Since then Lord has set about building a team of like-minded BMW aficionados to turn that vision into a reality. The result is a fully restored and tastefully modified homage to the box-flared ‘young timer’ classic.

Enhance. Evolve
Each Redux restoration is based on the E30 generation of the BMW M3. While a standard E30 3 Series was considered as a donor, the M3 model was a necessity primarily for the Paul Rosche-designed 4-cylinder S14 engine, unique to the first generation M3.

 

In order to gain horsepower, many suggested the tried and tested method of swapping a BMW S54 6-cylinder, S65 V8 or even S85 V10; however, retaining the S14 engine was non-negotiable. As confirmed over dinner with an ex-E30 M3 racing legend, the naturally aspirated DTM-spec 2.5l S14 delivered 380hp with a red line of 10,000 rpm! However, this necessitated frequent rebuilds and was therefore not a viable option.

 

With the M10 block’s turbo heritage – i.e. the 1.5l ‘Megatron’ turbocharged, championship winning, F1 engine – Redux aimed to match the S14’s DTM performance figures using forced induction. This was the option chosen by the owner of the first vehicle, resulting in 390hp and 390lb/ft torque (at 1.0bar/14.5Psi boost).

 

Once the engine decision was made, the same logic was applied to the rest of the car with the goal of further developing the E30 M3 without moving too far away from the original: Enhance. Evolve.

Build Summary
 

BMW E30 M3 Donor

Redux offers its clients a concierge service for sourcing a donor BMW E30 M3. With a network of contacts throughout the UK and Europe, we can help find the right base vehicle on which to build your E30 M3 | Enhanced and Evolved by Redux. If you are able to supply your own donor, we can help manage the logistics for its collection and return.

 

In North America, Enthusiast Auto Group is Redux’s distributor, donor supplier and logistics partner. Based in Cincinnati, Ohio they have an unparalleled reputation for supplying the best quality 'young timer' generation of BMW Motorsport vehicles.

 

Inspection and Strip Down

Each build starts with a thorough inspection of the vehicle, followed by a methodical removal of every component. Before undergoing a complete restoration, the shell’s paint is removed by media blasting. The rust damaged sections are repaired, mounting points fitted for new components, and a number of unique features created. (Whilst many of Redux’s customers will opt for a road car set up, a track-ready version with a half or full roll cage is available, as chosen by the first owner).

 

Drivetrain, Front End and Rear Assemblies

The engine is stripped down and re-engineered from 2.3l to 2.5l; custom connecting rods, pistons, and a BMW Motorsport crankshaft are fitted. Due to the forced induction engine’s high torque figure (390lb/ft), the gearbox is overhauled and a custom flywheel, and twin plate clutch fitted. The rear end features an upgraded differential, and heavy-duty custom drive shafts, along with a larger diameter, custom propshaft. Finishing off the underside is a hand-fabricated, steel exhaust system with rear silencers (as the first owner lives in California to conform to CARB emissions for road use, a center section can be swapped out on v-bands to fit the two catalytic converters).

 

Suspension

To compliment the upgraded drivetrain, EXE-TC Competition Suspension developed a set of bespoke 3-way dampers for the car. The UK-based company has a storied motorsports history, having assisted Sebastian Loeb in winning multiple World Rally Championships, claimed the Isle of Mann TT and Nürburgring 4-door saloon lap records in partnership with Prodrive and Subaru. Combined with the AP Racing 6-piston front calipers (330mm rotors) and 4-piston rear calipers (304mm rotors) the suspension behaves in an assured manner in all conditions.

 

Dry Build

Once the fabrication, engine, front end and rear assemblies, and custom parts are ready, the dry build begins. After all parts are test fitted and any final adjustments made, all components are removed again, and the shell thoroughly cleaned.

 

Paint

The shell is meticulously worked through to ensure all signs of fabrication are smoothed out. Once primed and block sanded, the painter applies a water-based, Glasurit 90 line paint scheme. Finally, progressively higher compounds of grit sandpaper remove any minor imperfections in the paint including textures in the clear coat (orange peel), runs or drips. This is all done by hand before polishing to a mirror finish.

 

Final Assembly and Interior Trim

With the shell painted, the drivetrain, front and rear assemblies, Raychem wiring looms, Motec hardware, and sound proofing material are refitted, all of which requires considerable patience and a very steady hand.

 

Although the cabin has a familiar look and feel, it features a considerable number of bespoke interior components. Redux’s first restoration will spend most of its life at a private members’ circuit in Southern California, so a full roll cage has been fitted in order to ensure the owner remains safe. The interior is tastefully trimmed in Alcantara and leather, and fitted with plush wool carpets. The A pillars, B pillars, front and rear door cards, and headliner are all heavily modified and re-trimmed in Alcantara, and the rear seats have been deleted and replaced with a removable rear bench. The trunk allows access to the battery, diff pump, fuel pump, swirl pot, and rear PDM via an Alcantara-trimmed drop down panel.

Redux 001/030 Spec List (N.B. future Redux road cars will feature a number of new components as listed in brackets below)
·       Brakes: AP Racing 330mm front rotors with 6-piston calipers and 304mm rear rotors with 4-piston calipers (future Redux have 355mm front rotors/6-piston and 330mm rear rotors/4-piston, or a premium option ceramic brake system)

·       Carbon Panels: front bumper, front wings (fenders), roof (premium option), side skirts, rear bumper (future Redux will have a CF bonnet (hood))

·       Chassis: media blasted, extensive fabrication, stitch-welded floorpan, full roll cage (premium option)

·       Drivetrain: bespoke lightweight flywheel and twin plate clutch; bespoke propshaft and heavy-duty driveshafts; quick-shift gear assembly; 6-speed manual (future Redux will use a 5-speed close ratio gearbox); Limited Slip Differential (LSD)

·       Engine: 2.5l, 4-cylinder, turbocharged S14; BMW Motorsport crankshaft; Motec M150 Engine Control Unit (ECU); bespoke Raychem engine loom with Autosport connectors; custom pistons and conrods; custom large capacity radiator; custom intercooler (turbo cars only); hand made steel exhaust system (with removable CARB catalytic convertors (for California vehicles only)) (naturally aspirated 2.5l, S14 engine also available)

·       Electronics: Bespoke Raychem wiring looms with Autosport connectors; 2 x Motec Power Distribution Modules (PDMs) and Motec C127 LED dash

·       Interior Trim: Alcantara trimmed bespoke headliner; Alcantara trimmed bespoke front and rear door cards (with bespoke leather hand grips); Alcantara trimmed lower and centre dash console; Alcantara trimmed A (hand made), B and C pillars; leather trimmed Recaro Profi SPG seats (Redux road cars will feature Recaro SRDs); bespoke Alcantara trimmed removable rear bench; lightweight sound proofing; plush wool carpets; BMW Motorsport golf ball shifter (not a VW Golf MK1 golf ball shifter!!!); DTM-style quick-shift; Alpine audio system; AP Racing floor-mounted pedal box (future Redux have bulkhead-mounted pedals); Thatcham-approved alarm system

·       Suspension: EXE-TC 3-way dampers (future Redux will have a premium option EXE-TC 4-way damper)

·       Tires (in photos): Hoosier slicks (Redux road cars use Michelin Sport tyres)

·       Wheels: Cinel DTM aluminium monoblock (5 x 120)

·       Price: On application

Production Numbers
Total: 30

Limited editions: 3 x 9 (numbers 1-27)

Special Editions: 3 (numbers 28-30)

Build time: 18-24 months per vehicle.