[A.K]

So that orange F82 M3 is indeed a legit M3! Mystery solved
Any idea what BMW calls that shade?

[BEEM3R]

Pretty sure that isnt an M3. Headlamps, Brakes, Wheels, Stance all seem off ! Colour seems to be a take on the E92 GTS Fire Orange. Dead give away is the side skirt. Thats an M Sport side skirt. From the brakes it looks like a F30 328i or from the stained single left exhaust even a F30 320d.

[Akshay1234]

Originally Posted by A.K

So that orange F82 M3 is indeed a legit M3! Mystery solved
Any idea what BMW calls that shade?

I have my doubts, as BEEM3R has posted. The first giveaway from the pic posted earlier were the rims. Now I see the headlights, side skirts and the exhaust. Also this colour is Fire Orange, I'm sure had BMW imported an individual colour they would have displayed it or something first.

It is a job well done though.

[Sivasankar]

Originally Posted by BraveArc

It's been a very long time since I posted, so here goes:-

Wow!!! Thanks for all the photos, BraveArc!

First time I'm seeing an R8 in that shade and wheels in Chennai.

And an M5 can thrill any day...

[Turbojc]

Originally Posted by BEEM3R

Pretty sure that isnt an M3. Headlamps, Brakes, Wheels, Stance all seem off !

Originally Posted by akshay1234

I have my doubts, as BEEM3R has posted.

So, it still remains a mystery !

Looking at the front grille, the bumpers, the front quarter panel, the mirrors, and the rims, it seems like a legit M3. I thought that the colour could be a special commission under the 'Individual' customization program, or a repaint at the owner's behest.

But, the brake discs don't seem like the same large ventilated units as on a standard F80 M3. Which leads me to think of two possible, although wacky conclusions:

1. This is a real M3, but the owner really liked these smaller rims, so he changed his brake discs in order to accommodate them.

2. This isn't a real M3. The owner went all the way to replicate it down to the smallest detail, changing the grille, the mirrors, the hood, the front quarter-panels, the bumpers, et all.

Only a peek under the hood can put our doubts to rest.

[suhaas307]

It's hard to believe that someone would go to such lengths to make his F30 320d look like a M3. We've all seen several wanna-be M5s and there's a particularly well-done red F30 in Bangalore too. But this car seems to have been replicated down to the last detail. Yes, the brake-discs seem off, and the single soot-stained exhaust is bound to raise questions. But the flared-fenders, bulged-hood and wing-mirrors are little touches you wouldn't find on a wanna-be M3. This one's going to be a hard nut to crack, even for the fan-boys.

[BraveArc]

Originally Posted by Turbojc

So, it still remains a mystery !

Looking at the front grille, the bumpers, the front quarter panel, the mirrors, and the rims, it seems like a legit M3. I thought that the colour could be a special commission under the 'Individual' customization program, or a repaint at the owner's behest.

But, the brake discs don't seem like the same large ventilated units as on a standard F80 M3. Which leads me to think of two possible, although wacky conclusions:

1. This is a real M3, but the owner really liked these smaller rims, so he changed his brake discs in order to accommodate them.

2. This isn't a real M3. The owner went all the way to replicate it down to the smallest detail, changing the grille, the mirrors, the hood, the front quarter-panels, the bumpers, et all.

Only a peek under the hood can put our doubts to rest.

Time to put this mystery to an end. Just got word from a friend.
Turns out it is point number 2.
It's a F30 320d which has been repainted from its original red colour.

But that customization job though. Must've cost a bomb.
I would've rather spent that money and got a used E92 BMW M3 or a W204 C63 if 4-doors was a requirement. But then again the fuel bills would've shot through the roof.

[Turbojc]

Originally Posted by BraveArc

Time to put this mystery to an end. Just got word from a friend.
Turns out it is point number 2.
It's a F30 320d which has been repainted from its original red colour.

But that customization job though. Must've cost a bomb.

Goodness me! I've heard of a wolf in sheep's clothing, but this is the exact opposite !

Nevertheless, I doff my hat to the people who carried out the stellar job of modifying it. Maybe the owner loved the way the F80 M3 looks, but wanted to retain the efficient performance of a 320d.

One thing that still intrigues me is how they managed to replicate the front quarter panels. Must have been quite difficult to source them and have them installed.

[ajaypjayaraj]

Originally Posted by Turbojc

One thing that still intrigues me is how they managed to replicate the front quarter panels. Must have been quite difficult to source them and have them installed.

Front fenders can be replaced with the F80 ones without too much trouble I guess. Its the rear fender which is not an easy swap. There is a mod thread with photos about that in bimmerpost. Involves cutting, hotwork and fine finishing. Quite some effort. Sourcing parts and costs involved.. Not just the cost, but the head ache to get 'em all cleared through customs! Would be easier to migrate out of the country and accomplish this in a mod friendly place like US. Can imagine the total pain & patience behind the whole mod. If not for the rear fender, wouldn't mind giving it a try (For that killer face of F80 plus ofcourse the stance and possibility to accommodate broader wheels). But cutting, welding and stuff on a finely crafted german machine.. Man it must require a lot of perfection from the guys executing the mod to overcome that guilt! I don't think I could find that level of perfection around here. Once done is done, it could never be brought back to factory finish.. inside out. Its quite a dare by the owner to have done this. Same time, could have ruined the fit n finish at finer levels while at it which is irreversible.

Looking at the rear fenders again, it seems like the F30 rear panel was modded rather than retrofitting the original F80 fender panel. Another interesting thing is how the F30 headlamp is integrated with the F80 grill and bumper.. That part is a bit confusing. What is that!

[A.K]

Here's a new X6M delivered to Chennai. Looks like Chennai has quite a liking for this ugly SUV!
The shade looks superb though!
Pic via Chennai Exotics on FB

[Sivasankar]

Guys, spotted Chennai's first Maserati Quattroporte just now on TTK Rd. A silver car regs 7##0

[Astonite]

Originally Posted by Sivasankar

Guys, spotted Chennai's first Maserati Quattroporte just now on TTK Rd. A silver car regs 7##0

I spotted one in Anna Nagar Shanti Colony (white one) few weeks ago, during pongal).

[Sivasankar]

Spotted a black BMW M6 GranCoupe near Park Sheraton last week

[Sivasankar]

The Mercedes GLE Coupe AMG and the M4 at the dealerships

[Golf Pro]

Chennai's first Vorsteiner modded Bmw E93 M3 which shares garage space with a Bmw F10 M5