Bartek "Broder" Broda's E36 M3
Photography by JLZ1.com
Our story begins in February of 2012, on the Isle of Man. Bartek, who was already a BMW enthusiast, purchased a 1996 BMW E36 M3 Evolution Model. This particular car came with no sunroof, in the beautiful Estoril Blue color with beige interior. The car was a perfect starting point, as it had been largely untouched. The previous owner had daily driven the car, transporting her children to and from school in it – lucky kids, right?
Bartek began like most enthusiasts would – cleaning and maintenance, followed by maintenance and cleaning. But eventually the time came for the first modifications. Bartek installed black kidneys and an OEM front lip for subtle cosmetic changes. He then lowered the car with performance coilovers and what we all like the most – two-piece OZ Racing wheels. This state of affairs lasted for several months before Bartek took it further with his M3. Before he knew it new parts were coming in, only to disappear and be replaced by even more interesting and even more rare products to emphasize the specific character of this BMW and its owner. For a while Bartek had the car on BBS RC 300/301 wheel.. then a different set, and so on and so forth. But we’re here to focus on how the car looks now.
At first glance, your eyes are drawn to the BBS RC 300/301 wheels with parameters: 8.5" et13 accompanied by a 15mm spacer on the front, and 10" et25 with a 10mm spacer on the back. Bartek fitted Toyo T1R tires stretched to 205/35 on the front, and 235/30 on the back. Not hidden by the wheels are the upgraded brakes. Stock calipers and discs were replaced by a set of 337x30mm and dual-piston calipers and 328x20mm BMW Performance from the 135i. This M3 will have no problem stopping on a dime.
Bartek chose smoked xenon lights with matching smoked corner markers. He replaced the fog lights with plugs, and under the front bumper he’s gone with the timeless combo of GT Ecken front lip (occasionally) accompanied by GT Schwert. All of Bartek’s attention to detail ties in a very tidy front end with an aggressive demeanor.
Another detail of the M3 that Bartek searched long and hard for, are the authentic Racing Dynamics mirrors. Moving on to the back of the M3 is the unmistakable LTW wing made of carbon fiber. Bartek says this wing brings to mind the adrenaline filled E36 DTM races. Stock exhaust was replaced with a Super Sprint X pipe and Scorpion back exhaust, along with the DTM end tips to complement overall DTM appearance.
The interior of this RHD M3 has not been spared the Bartek treatment. He has completely modified it leaving only the upper part of the dashboard. The steering wheel was replaced and wrapped in alcantara. An illuminated leather shift knob pokes out from an alcantara boot. Bartek has installed a RUFF short shift kit for rowing through the gears. Vader seats have been retrofitted to the m3 and the lower part of the dashboard and door bolsters swapped to black. Behind the front seats we will find a Staff’s roll bar, which took the place of the rear seats. The icing on Bartek’s DTM themed M3’s interior are the BMW Motorsport iconic red seatbelts.
Under the hood waiting for us is a red valve cover, OMP strut brace and Pipercross panel air filter. The gearbox also got an upgrade. Here we have a RUFF single mass flywheel (~ 5kg), and a new steel braided clutch line by HEL.
The suspension previously included a set of AP coilovers which were replaced by HSD Dualtech fully adjustable suspension, also added were camber arms and special springs on the rear axle – BC Racing 16kg. Traditional rubber bushings were replaced by polyurethane bushings all over.
The BMW E36 is nothing new on the tuning stage – either in Poland or in the world. Bartek realizes there may be others like his, but he also realizes that he created his car to the best of the best in his eyes. He idolized the DTM races and sought for a DTM racer of his own. Bartek took this car from daily driver to daily dose of dopamine. As often as possible he fitted parts that you can find in BMW Motorsport catalogs. Bartek’s favorite part of the E36 however, is driving it.
