Performance, not exactly what comes to mind with a 1982 BMW 525i, especially when you review the original out of factory specs. Straight out of Munich this car came powered by a lethargic 150hp M30B25 engine with a coma inducing 3 speed automatic transmission. This zero optioned European base model and in unabused form provided the perfect base to create the beast that it is today.

This particular car spent its first 33 years of its life in Europe and was imported into the USA only a few years ago in 2015. Luckily this meant not having to settle on or convert US spec’d unattractive impact bumpers, ugly US spec’d headlights, and is devoid of any other federalization hacks. To further enhance its external aesthetics paint matched factory optioned E28 fender flares were installed. While an Alpina style front spoiler added not so subtle body enhancements.

To add both style and performance the car was lowered with a set of lowering springs and dampened by a set of Bilstein shocks and struts. To quicken up steering feel and response, an ultra rare E28 M5 steering box was sourced and installed. Out in the corners providing grip are a set of freshly refurbished genuine Alpina 17″ softlines wheels. The combination of select body add-ons, lowered stance, and wheel fitment dramatically updated its original pedestrian style.

Inside the car was treated to a slew of goodies as well. Continuing on with the Alpina theme, the entire interior was restored and updated. The mechanical sport seats and door cards have been reupholstered in new European cloth. Passengers in the rear can sit cool in the shade with the installed optional factory roll-up shade as they rest their heads on Euro only available rear headrest.

A genuine Alpina steering wheel replaced the large standard BMW wheel. Keeping the driver informed with essential information is done with a refurbished European Alpina style cluster with a RPM gauge sans any unnecessary fuel efficiency dancing meter.

What good is a car if you can’t use it year round? Working A/C was a must have to keep its occupants nice and cool on hot summer days.

While the aforementioned items freshened up the interior and provide comfort, other notable items have been drastically changed for the better. Under the dash now sports 3 pedals instead of 2 hinting at what else have been modified. In the center console now sits a manual shift lever adorning an Alpina style wooden knob. Run through each gear and you’ll quickly notice the shorter throw provided by a custom UUC short shifter. Shift even more and you’ll find not only has the car been converted from a 3 speed slushbox but is now a 6 speed, yes 6 speed, manual gear box.

This car is not all about style and comfort. In fact it’s more about the things you don’t see when looking at the car from its exterior. While many external and internal details were addressed and updated, those things aren’t what makes this car so special. Open the hood and you’re greeted with a completely rebuilt S54B32 sitting neatly in the engine bay. This modern engine was pulled from an E46 M3 which more than doubled the horsepower of this 525i from the stock 150hp to a whopping 333 hp. To make things even more interesting and fun, the S54 sport button is still retained. When activated by a factory switch it instantaneously changes the accelerator responsiveness.

To make sure this monster can be slowed down and stopped when required a big brake kit was installed. Both front and rear E34 540i slotted disk brakes were installed to insure more than adequate stopping power.

Under the car has been addressed as well. Keeping power to the wheels the differential had been replaced with a 3:73-1 Limited Slip Differential (LSD). Additionally both front and rear subframes have been replaced with upgraded and refurbished units. To keep noise levels down to a respectable level while providing enough airflow to let the engine breath, a new custom stainless steel exhaust was fabricated and installed.

There’s more to this car than just good looks. Dig deep into its updated specs and you’ll find this car has all the right things to make this an excellent daily driver with performance to match. The objective of this car was to create an E28 which either matched or beat the performance, reliability, style, and fun factor of the E28 M5. This retromod met or exceeded all expectations and objectives.

UPDATE: This car has been regretfully sold.

I never got to drive it more than a weekend.

Unfortunately this project did not come out as planned. After a weekend with this car when pictures for this post were taken, I left the car with the shop. The intent was to do a color change to silver while addressing some rust issues discovered during the retromod. Addtionally it was planned to recover the cloth seats in leather before finally delivery.

CONCEPT CAR / PHOTOSHOPPED MOCKUP:

Well the color change did happen BUT the car was never completed for me to enjoy. The previous pics of it in white, assembled, and running were taken when I flew in to check on the car and engine swap in January 2017. I was supposed to take delivery of the completed color changed car by my birthday in May 2017. Severals birthdays passed and still no car. I was told the hold up was some weather stripping that was NLA. The car sat for over a year waiting for it to be reassembled but was told time and time again the part was nowhere to be found and that it couldn’t be completed without this NLA part. I tried several resources I had and the shop did as well without luck.

While the S54 swap went relatively smooth within the expected period of time this last bit of body work ended the project.

My dream of owning a unique car came to an end.

The NLA part was just the icing on the cake out other undisclosed issues. Not disclosing those things as they may come off wrong, especially in a blog post without context. Out of frustration, a ton of time wasted hunting down parts, specing all my requirements, money spent, and simply feeling like I would never get this car completed I opted to sell the car “as is” in project form.

I’m sure someone else got to enjoy it…

Months later AFTER selling I saw this pic online.

I was crushed.

The part that was NLA for over a year somehow was found but it was too late. I sold it off and should of just held out longer. I only got to enjoy driving the car for a weekend.

I literally get sick to my stomach whenever I see this or think about all the time, energy, and money wasted.

It was this car project that dropped all my drive , excitement, and my life long obsession with cars. Maybe one day I’ll come back. If I do, it will have to top this build.

Here are a few random pics of when it was in paint for the color change: