iM Feature: Daniel Kowall’s BMW M3 GTR

Dedication.

Without a doubt, this is one of the key elements required when bringing a plan or project to life. Combine this with time and passion and eventually, that plan/project that one commits him/herself to pieces itself together nicely, and the outcome almost always leaves one with an incredible feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction. We say ‘almost always’, because it can also however, leave one with the hunger for more, ultimately pushing an individual to bring that original plan or project to another level; all of course driven by dedication. A prime example of utilizing true dedication is Daniel Kowall, and the outcome his BMW M3 GTR.

The story begins with Daniel as a child, always into the BMW brand and could not wait until the day he could drive and start to modify one of his own. His very first car in fact was a 1995 BMW 525, which he says ‘was riced out with a body kit, lowering springs and wheels’. Moving along, Daniel’s second car was a 1999 BMW 540i. Being in an automotive business program at the time in Ontario, Daniel was surrounded by peers who were all into cars and the car modifying lifestyle. A major step up from his “riced out” 525, Daniel’s 540i had everything a euro tuner could appreciate from a full Hamann body kit, coilovers, wheels, intake, exhaust, the list goes on. While in Ontario, Daniel also took up Auto Crossing as a hobby in the summer, which ultimately pushed his hunger for a car more focused for the track.

What car could Daniel possibly take advantage of and push to its absolute limits on the track? Enter the E46 BMW M3.

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Found on an internet forum based out of Long Island, New York, Daniel sold his 540i and acquired an E46 M3 which he picked up and drove back to Ontario. Getting a little more serious with the sport of Auto Cross, Daniel quickly went to work on his M3 focusing on the suspension and chassis dynamics of the vehicle. Daniel immediately got the car aligned and corner balanced for the track and took his car to various Auto Cross events around Toronto such as the Mosport, Cayuga and Shannonville race tracks. Daniel even went on to take 1st, 2nd and 3rd place trophies at various race events in Cayuga. With a few trophies under his belt from Canadian Sport Compact Series events, Daniel was inspired to continue to build upon the M3, making it his dedicated track car.

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Fast forwarding a little bit, Daniel finished school in Ontario and brought the M3 GTR to Calgary. With the M3 now in Calgary, Daniel’s dedication continued as he joined the Calgary Sports Car Club (CSCC), and participated in Time Attacks for two seasons at Race City in Calgary and Stratotech Raceway in Edmonton. Putting the M3 through these rigorous time attacks, Daniel realized that the M3 needed more power. With the M3 GTR looking aggressive as ever, adding the Active Autowerke supercharger kit was the next step for Daniel. Completing the Supercharger kit just last winter, this is how Daniel’s M3 currently sits-and it won’t stop there.

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Based on the true facts of anyone with a dedicated project car, Daniel knows that his race inspired M3 is still a work in progress. With plans on adding a fully welded roll cage, a custom rear diffuser, and a new pulley and fuel system projected to make even more power, we could only hope that Calgary gets another track in the future so we can see, and feel, exactly what Daniel’s M3 GTR is capable of.

With Daniel’s BMW M3 GTR not only looking like, but performing like the complete race car, Daniel’s time, patience, passion and commitment definitely exemplify the dedication that anyone looking to build their current or next project car should utilize. So what are you waiting for?

…get dedicated!

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Engine.&.Drivetrain
HKS GTS8550 Supercharger
Active Autowerke Intake Manifold w/ Dual By Pass Valve
Active Autowerke RAM AIR intake
Active Autowerke Front Mount Air to Air Intercooler
Active Autowerke Methanol Injection System
Supercharger Oil Cooler
High Performance AA Spec Green Filter
Active Autowerke High Performance Software
HPF Oil Cooler
HPF Engine Cover
Auto Solutions Short Shift
BMW Motorsport Fan Clutch
Agency Power Catless Headers
Unobtainium Welding 3″ Catback Exhaust

Suspension
Ground Control Race Suspension with Advance Design 2 way Adjustable Shocks and Swift springs
Ground Control Race Sway Bars
Ground Control RTABs and FCABs
Ground Control Camber Plates
Turner Motorsport Rear Control Arms
Turner Motorsport Subframe Reinforcement Kit with added custom reinforcement steel plates
Rogue Engineering Race Brace
Active Autowerke Rear Strut Bar

Brakes
Stainless Steel Brake Lines
Alcon Aerospace Alloy Aluminum 6-piston calipers
UUC Slotted Rotors
Hawk DTC-70 Race Brake Pads
Bimmerworld Carbon Brake Ducts

Wheels
//Street//
Front: BBS LM 19×10 +25mm offset with 12mm spacers
Rear: BBS LM 19×11 +25mm offset with 25mm wheel spacers
Tires: 275/30/19 (Front) & 305/30/19 (Rear) Hankook V12 Evo

//Track//
Front: Apex ARC-8 18×10 +25mm offset with 12mm spacers
Rear: Apex ARC-8 18×10 +25mm offset with 25mm wheel spacers
Tires: 285/30/18 (Front) & 305/35/18 (Rear) Toyo R888

Interior
ATI E-Pod Gauge Pod
AEM Air/Fuel and Boost Gauges
Jaffster Shift Knob
Recaro Pole Position Seats
Raven Motorsports Half Cage
Schroth driver and passenger 6 point harnesses

Exterior
Flossman GTR Widebody Kit
Vorsteiner GTR Hood
Brooks Motorsport GTR Rear Wing
Umnitza Angel Eyes
Smoked LED Tail Lights

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For more pictures of Daniel’s BMW M3 GTR, please check out our Flickr page HERE

iM Highlight: Urban X South’s BMW E36 M3

Keeping it simple.

For anyone whose ever modded a vehicle, whether it be conservative or aggressive, a plan (or an idea) is usually sought out before continuing with a build. For Gary & Cort of Urban Expressions Wheel & Tire (South) and their 1999 model BMW E36 M3, the plan was straight forward; keep it simple.

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Without a doubt, the main focus of this E36 M3 is found right where the boys from Urban Expressions specialize in, the wheels and tires. Sitting proper on 18×9.5 (front) and 18×11 (rear) custom painted Nagano Silver faced AC Schnitzer Rennsport Type 1s wrapped in Yokohoma S.Drives, the aggressive set up achieved by Gary & Cort is sure to break necks. Ultimately giving this E36 M3 a mean stance are the HSD Coilovers and UUC adjustable rear control arms.

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While the wheel and suspension set up attract all the attention on this E36 M3, we can’t help but to admire the cleanliness of the interior, the well maintained chassis, and the close attention to detail found on the car as well. The exterior of this Bimmer sports it’s original M3 aero, OEM French Style headlights and foglamps, and a Motion Motorsports GT adjustable front splitter. The interior stays true to the M3 brand as Gary & Cort have re-upholstered the seats to maintain the OEM feel that any BMW enthusiast can appreciate.

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On the performance side of things, Gary & Cort look to Active Autowerke with a full custom exhaust set up and a cold air intake. With plans for an Active Autowerke supercharger in the near future, the Urban X South E36 M3 is on the right track to being very unassuming, all the while staying maintaining it’s simply clean characteristic.

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Keeping it simple can definitely go a long way and the boys of Urban Expressions Wheel & Tire South have done so with their simple, clean and mean BMW E36 M3. Whether going in a conservative route or an aggressive one, starting with a plan or an idea for a build can definitely prove for a positive outcome. If you’re looking to start with wheels & tires, don’t hestiate to give Gary & Cort a call for a consulation. 😉

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Engine
Active Autowerke Exhaust (full from headers-front/track)
Active Autowerke CAI

Exterior
Motion Motorsports GT Adjustable front splitter with aluminum underpanel
French style headlights
OEM French style foglights

Suspension
HSD coilovers
Racing Dynamics front strut bar
UUC Rear adjustable control arms

Interior
Re-upholstered Dove grey Vader Front Seats

Wheels.&.Tires
AC Schnitzer Rennsport Type 1 – Face custom painted nagano silver
-Front: 18×9.5 Rear:18×11.0
Yokohama S-Drive
-Front:225/35R18 Rear:245/35R18

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More pictures of Urban X’s BMW E36 M3 can be found on our flickr page here: Urban X BMW E36 M3

iM Feature: Jason’s "TRAKRAT" BMW M3

As some of you may have noticed, a recurring debate of “doing it right” versus “doing it wrong” has been a very heated topic amongst car enthusiasts as of late, especially on the internet. These days, it seems as though the influence of peers on forums, blogs and various social media outlets have affected the way cars are modified by their owners. Such an impact has brought both positive and negative aspects to this present day automotive lifestyle.

There are however a few out there who break this mold and do something based entirely on their own discretion, without the influence of peers on the web. A perfect example of this select few is Jason Close, and his Supercharged BMW M3. Although Jason’s M3 is posted online, it doesn’t take away from the fact that it remained his build, as his peers took a seat and enjoyed the show.

Jason, like many of us in the beginning, started off with basic mods like an exhaust (with cat deletes), lowering springs and a new set of rollers for the summer. What differs Jason from other BMW M owners is he spent a lot of his time on the track during the summer, gaining a better feel for the car and better knowledge of what needed to be modified to perform better on the road course.

Jason’s biggest goal for his E90 was without a doubt to get the car going faster on the track. Operation complete with a Supercharger system from ESS Tuning. Along with the intercooled supercharger install, Jason also had a few more goodies underway for his “TRAKRAT”. Performance Friction PFC-01 Race Pads were added to bring the beast to a sudden halt if need be. The TRAKRAT’s suspension was also upgraded to KW Clubsport Coilovers and his wheels and tires were upgraded to Diamond Black BBS LM-Rs wrapped in Yokohama Advan AD08 tires, giving the TRAKRAT some “form” with that “function”.

Because the BMW M3 is notorious for it’s weight, Jason decided it was time to put his E90 on an Aero diet, with a legit Carbon roof and Carbon CSL style trunk via Vorsteiner. In addition, Jason updated the taillights courtesy of LCI. If the Aero additions and the new taillights weren’t enough to aesthetically change the appearance of his TRAKRAT, his M3 also underwent a refreshed exterior paint job.

With a few minor tweaks here and there, this is how the BMW M3 TRAKRAT currently sits. And with that, it’s safe to say that this was all done without the influence of others on the internet, but more so by the influence of Jason himself, and the patience he had to get this M3 to perform and look how you see it today.

In a current state where the automotive society is on one side of the fence or the other, why not break that barrier and do something based entirely on your own decisions? …Are one’s opinions on the internet really going to make or break your plans? What are you waiting for? Release your inner “TRAKRAT”.

Extra pics can be found HERE

| OWNER: Jason Close
| VEHICLE: 2008 E90 M3

| ENGINE & DRIVETRAIN:
ESS VT2-650 Intercooled SuperCharger Kit
ESS Dircect Flash Handheld Programmer
Custom Header back exhaust

| SUSPENSION:
KW Clubsport Coilovers

| WHEELS:
19×9.5 et20 AND 19X10et20 BBS LM-R in Diamond Black
Yokohama Advan AD08 275/30/19 and 295/30/19
Peformance Friction PFC-01 Race Pads
Stoptech Street Pads
Stoptech Brakelines

| AERO
Vorsteiner Carbon Roof Skin and roof frame (one of 2 made)
Vorsteiner Double Sided Carbon Trunk
LCI Tail Light Upgrade

iM Highlight: Josh Sivadas’s E46 M3 Cabriolet

The E46 M3.

Without a doubt one of the most popular platforms amongst European tuners. First introduced to the scene in 2000, the E46 M3 was offered in coupe and convertible models, featured the beastly (International Engine of the Year at the time) M-tuned 3.2L S54 engine, SMG transmission, sport suspension, and a highly aggressive exterior.

It’s no wonder that Josh Sivadas looked to the M3, as his latest project car. But what more could Josh do to an already impressive package from BMW? Well, in Josh’s case, “Swag” would be the perfect word to describe his E46 M3 Cabriolet.

Already equipped with sporty suspension from the factory, Josh aimed to get this M3 Cab stanced proper with a set of KW V2 Coilovers. And to make his M3 Cab stand out even more from the crowd, How about an agressively staggered set of black Volk TE-37s for good measure? No messing around here.

To give the M3 a little more flow, Josh added an AFE Intake system and Custom Exhaust set-up with rasp eliminator.

“All black everything” is another phrase that just works when it comes to talking about Josh’s M3. Featuring a Vorsteiner CF Single-Sided GTR Hood, Vorsteiner CF Rear Diffuser and a custom CF front lip, any Chrome that was on this M3 is completely blacked out inside and out, perfectly complimenting the Vorsteiner goodies.

Subtlety and attention to detail can go a long way. Josh definitely had the right frame of mind when it came to building his E46 M3 Cab project. Whether he’s cruising with the top down or hardtop on, you better believe Josh’s M3 has it’s swag on and in full effect.


|Car:BMW E46 M3 Cabriolet
|Owner:Josh Sivadas


//Engine.&.Drivetrain
-AFE Intake System
-Custom Exhaust Set-Up with Rasp Eliminator

//Exterior
-Vorsteiner CF GTR Hood
-Vorsteiner CF Rear Diffuser
-Custom CF Front Lip
-Black Front Grilles
-Blacked Out M3 Fender Grilles
-Color Matched Reflectors
-Depo Smoked Turn Signals
-Smoked Taillights
-WeissLicht Angel Eyes
-BMW OEM Hardtop

//Interior
-LED Interior
-Di-Noc CF Wrapped Panels
-Full JL Audio I.C.E.
-Hidden JL Audio W3 Subwoofer


//Wheels.&.Suspension
-Volk TE37 19×9.5 +22 (Front)
-Volk TE37 19×10.5 +22 (Rear)
-Hankook V12 Tires
-KW V2 Coilovers
-TMS Street Camber Plates
-TMS Stud Conversion
-Muteki SR48 Open Ended Lug Nuts