Car portrait: Elon’s BMW E36 328i Turbo
BMW E36
E36 is a code name for the third-generation BMW 3 Series, built between 1989 and 2000. The car came as a Coupe, Compact, Sedan, Convertible and Touring (station wagon). The car in the photos is a 328i Coupe, with a 2.8-liter six-in-line. At least, it was. Anyone who takes a look under the hood of this E36 quickly sees that this is no standard 328i, but what exactly has been done to it? We ask Elon, the owner.
What all have you done to your BMW E36 328i Turbo?
“Uhm… where should I start? When I bought it, it already had a turbo on it but I thought it was a little small. I screwed a bigger turbo on it and a different exhaust manifold. Also, this engine has individual throttle valves from an S54 block, from the E46 M3 and a PPF intake manifold. Other than that, all the modifications were done to make everything work well together. Other modifications include a Weitec coilover, E46 330i brakes, BBS RS2 wheels, a Hartge spoiler and I welded the exhaust myself. Also, the car has an M/Rain interior. This is originally from the E36 M3. I also mounted a different shifter.”
That shift lever is pretty special though!
“I built most of the car myself, together with someone from the neighborhood. He welded my intercooler, because I’m not going to burn my fingers on aluminum. Also, the gentlemen from Speedshop ter Stege sometimes help me when I can’t figure it out technically. The nice thing about the car is that I always have something to tinker with. When I want to change something on the car, I make a sketch and then I draw it on the computer. I then have it 3D printed through certain websites, like I did with my gear lever.”
What else do you plan to do to your BMW E36 328i Turbo?
“It now runs on the original block. The engine can handle the current power just fine. I am now building an M50 B28 lower block, with slightly higher compression and different camshafts. I could then run more power, but I think the current plus-minus 400 hp is enough. I just really enjoy building it. I’m taking my time rebuilding the engine. I want to rebuild everything all neat and tidy, with lots of new parts. I have a good hobby with it and especially get a lot of fun out of the technical part.”
Would you ever get rid of your E36? If so, what will replace it?
“Never say never. I would buy a 1.2-liter Volkswagen Polo then, because at least it always works. The ’90s stuff is very nice, but it always breaks down. A serious successor would be the E90 M3. For me a bit “the last of the Mohicans,” analog driving experience, but a very fat V8 under the hood. Daily I drive an E91 Touring, fine car. To have the ‘boss version’ of that, that seems very cool. I see the E90 M3 as the last BMW M, before electronics took over.”
What is the best memory you have of your car?
“That was the road trip through Scotland. Driving 5,000 kilometers through Scotland, with a tent in the trunk on vacation with my wife. After every corner you thought ‘it’s probably not going to be that nice’ and then another one of those turns came along. I think the car aged ten years, because it was very intense. I do have a lot of respect for my wife for sitting next to it for those 5,000 kilometers. It vibrates and shakes on all sides.”
Where does your car passion come from?
“I don’t know myself other than I love cars. I knew car names before my aunts’ names. I was always in the back seat as a kid, reciting all the names of car brands. The passion for BMW came through my father and uncles who all drove BMW, around the 1990s. My dad’s 330d E46 was really the car for my continued BMW love, though.”
Photography: YN Automotive
