BMW M3 with Camaro engine at auction

Purists had better close their eyes: this article is about the BMW M3 of the E36 generation. If your ears are ringing now and if the thought of a car raises your pulse, you will probably be disappointed. In 2014, one of the former owners came up with the idea of ​​mounting a Camaro engine in a silver Bavarian.

The auction house Lete Trailer will auction the sedan on April 30, 2023. The last owner only had the E36 for a year, now he wants to sell the special conversion again.

BMW originally produced the M3 with their straight six. The S50B32 engine has a displacement of 3.2 liters, produces 321 hp and 350 Nm. Many car enthusiasts find the Bavarian six-cylinder engines useful. Smooth running, sound, performance, power and reliability are included in BMW engines.

5.7 liter V8 Chevy

Instead, the BMW that will be auctioned is rolling on asphalt with two more cylinders. The V8 engine from the 2002 Chevrolet Camaro makes Bavaria German-American. True to the motto “displacement instead of living space”, the extractor is an American 5.7 liter in size. With 288 hp, however, the Ami V8 is less powerful than the previous inline-six. The conversion resulted in a mouse mutation. A T56 six-speed manual transmission is mated to a 3.38 differential. A quick-shift seat is also not part of the standard equipment. The S54 cooler comes from the E46 generation of the M3. The conversion also required a different exhaust system.

Enthusiasts provided BMW sports springs from H&R. The 17-inch rims are 225 millimeters wide at the front and 20 millimeters wider at the rear. The Arctic Silver Metallic color (code 309) shows some signs of wear, the body has a few dents over time. It is not known if the E36 is subject to rust. The fenders, side skirts and trunk lid were prominent weak spots on this generation of M3. Classic BMWs like coupes or convertibles with six-cylinder engines are now considered an investment.

Black nappa leather interior

The interior features black nappa leather with wood accents. Condition is good but, like the outer leather, has minor signs of wear. The modified Pioneer radio offers little charm, but since the car has little to offer in its original form, it should be easy for those interested to tackle.

The repositioned oil pressure indicator on the front of the dashboard immediately catches the eye. BMW displays speed in miles and kilometers per hour. The M3 currently has 67,000 miles on it, which equates to around 108,000 km. Bring The Trailer does not say how much the V8 engine was driven. The last owner is said to have driven 1,600 kilometers with the M3.

The price estimate is difficult because comparing it to other M3s with the original engine is problematic. A well-maintained E36 M3 costs at least 20,000 euros in Germany – over 200,000 km. Because refiners appreciate the six-cylinder inline long after its production cycle and make hearts beat faster.

Opinion poll

E21

E30

E36

E46

E90

F30

G20

Read more

Conclusion

The auction house Lete Trela ​​wants to auction the M3 (E36). The V8 engine from the 2002 Chevy Camaro is unusual. The planned sedan should not jump the hearts of real fans of six-cylinder BMW. The swap makes the E36 unique, but whether that adds to the price remains questionable in this case.