Benjamin M. Monroe Blog: Redux might have built the perfect modified E30 M3

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

Redux might have built the perfect modified E30 M3

In the automotive world, Singer Vehicle Design (SVD or Singer) is one of the most respected companies who restores and modifies existing Porsche automobiles for its customers. Their projects sell for a pretty penny and have set some high standard for the rest of the aftermarket world.

For years, the BMW community has been craving for similar projects and the answer might be here today. A company called Redux has set to create the ideal E30 M3 using lots of carbon fibre, Alcantara/leather, and a reworked S14 four-cylinder turbo engine.

The E30 M3 by Redux began as a pet project of their CEO Simon Lord who wanted to build the ultimate E30 M3 race car. Limited to only 30 units, the E30 M3 has just showcased their first unit delivered to Southern California from Redux Leichtbau’s headquarters in the UK.

Production of the car takes place in the UK and kicks off with a “standard” E30 M3 which gets stripped down before work commences. Initially, the chassis is reinforced with additional welding to stiffen up the floor pan, followed by the preparation for a half or full roll-cage.

Since any respected racing car has a proper suspension setup, the folks at Redux worked with EXE-TC Competition Suspension, known for their WRC setups, to give the E30 M3 a three-way damper suspension system. Braking power is equally important on the track so an AP Racing system with six-piston fronts and fours for the rears – 330 and 304mm discs, respectively – was installed. Larger brakes and a carbon ceramic setup are optionally offered as well.

Forged aluminum wheels by Cinel were fitted to the E30 M3.

Lightweight is the name of the game in that market, so customers with deep pocket can get a carbon fiber roof along with carbon fiber panels for the front bumper, front fenders, side skirts, and rear bumper.

Inside, Alcantara and cloth are a must, covering the headlining/door cards/dash/pillars/bench and wool carpets. A BMW Motorsport golf ball gear knob is included also, along with AP Racing floor-mounted pedal box. The final touch? A digital dash.

Now it was time for some work under the hood. The donor M3’s 2.3-liter four-pot is stripped down and bored out to 2.5-liter with custom rods, pistons and a BMW Motorsport crankshaft. Redux also fits a Motec ECU, a larger radiator, a bespoke engine loom and – if you option the turbo version – a custom intercooler. Final output? 387 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque.

The rear end is accordingly modified to accommodate every change under the hood, with heavy-duty half-shafts and a new larger-diameter driveshaft running down the underbelly and into the rebuilt diff.

At the end, the car is primed and block sanded, followed by the application of a water-based ‘Glasurit 90’ paint scheme. Sandpaper removes any imperfections before it’s all polished.

Redux says that it can take between 18 t0 24 months for each car to prepare, but judging by these photos, the wait might be worth it. Same as the price tag.

[Photos: Drew Phillips]