£25k Buys You A 570bhp 2JZ-Engined E46 BMW M3

We have conflicting feelings over this E46 M3 Cabriolet, which has swapped its S54 engine for a 2JZ
£25k Buys You A 570bhp 2JZ-Engined E46 BMW M3

On first glance, this looks very much like an ordinary E46 BMW M3 Cabriolet. It sits a little lower than normal and is wearing M3 CSL wheels, but other than that, it doesn’t seem that far off the stock car. Until you see what’s under the bonnet.

Gone is the ‘S54’ naturally-aspirated inline-six, replaced with a 2JZ. Fitted with a nice, big Borg Warner turbocharger, it develops a meaty 572bhp and 567lb ft of torque. And boy, does it leave us conflicted.

Unfortunately, there isn't a close-up shot of the engine bay to show this E46 M3's 2JZ conversion in greater detail
Unfortunately, there isn't a close-up shot of the engine bay to show this…

We’re all for engine swaps, but isn’t removing the high-revving N/A six - one of the most revered engines BMW has ever made - just a little sacrilegious? Isn’t that 3.2-litre hero one of the car’s defining features?

On the other hand, while the S54 is a complex engine that’s not exactly known for stout reliability, the 2JZ has made a name for itself for being a tough old thing that can be heavily boosted without anything going pop. It’s a big deal in the tuning world after all these years for good reason.

£25k Buys You A 570bhp 2JZ-Engined E46 BMW M3

Even without a close-up engine shot, you can tell it’s a neat conversion. The E46 has clearly had a lot of money and attention thrown at it, as noted in the brilliantly detailed eBay advert for the car.

The seller claims over £35,000 has been spent on the car, which we can believe. We’d be here all day if we were to go through every single upgrade, but highlights include a twin-plate racing clutch rated beyond 800bhp, a three-inch custom exhaust system, eight-piston brakes, D2 Racing coilovers, and a Wavetrac torque-biasing differential.

£25k Buys You A 570bhp 2JZ-Engined E46 BMW M3

The interior has been extensively upgraded too. It now features gloriously brown Bentley leather (complete with embossed M logos in the headrests), a reupholstered steering wheel plus a new gear shifter and handbrake lever, both made from titanium-plated stainless steel.

This 572bhp slice of mixed feelings is yours for £24,995.

Hat tip to Lewis Kingston on Twitter

Comments

BenPaye(JDMSquad)(MX5Squad)(LFAsquad)(Subie Squad) (Rotary F

TAKE MY MADE UP MONEY

10/25/2018 - 13:56 |
10 | 2
GTRTURTLE 🔰 🐢(Oo \ S K Y L I N E / oO) (Koen

Is this the new Supra/Z4 ?

10/25/2018 - 13:59 |
102 | 0

Lol this is the first version

10/25/2018 - 16:04 |
0 | 0

I can get people swaping engines in cars. But why did he touch a E46 M3. Why didnt he just use a normal 3 series. Its the same with a lot of cars

10/25/2018 - 17:22 |
34 | 0
Anonymous

Would’ve been better to swap the internals of the S54 for those of the N54 or 55 and then turbo it.

10/25/2018 - 14:57 |
14 | 0
Peanut_guy

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Great idea, and still be in the bmw area.

10/25/2018 - 16:11 |
6 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Nah, just get new pistons to lower the compression. Then turbo.

10/26/2018 - 02:15 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

HOLY

10/25/2018 - 15:06 |
0 | 0
TheDriver 1

Is this the greatest car meme of all time?

10/25/2018 - 15:07 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

Insert Greek battle-cry music and reveal the car

10/25/2018 - 15:24 |
0 | 0
BumperBurner

What the bmw/Toyota partnership should be

10/25/2018 - 16:09 |
2 | 0
DickLightning
10/25/2018 - 18:09 |
14 | 0
David 27

so you take a feature that the car is very known for and greatly engineered and replace it with a common Toyota engine, throw a turbo on it and call it a day. Could have taken a 316 or 318.

10/25/2018 - 18:24 |
6 | 2

“Common toyota engine” 2JZ hum hum …

10/25/2018 - 19:25 |
0 | 2
......

sacrilege sure but it looks so damn clean tho

10/25/2018 - 18:56 |
2 | 0

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