The Sport Wagon Enthusiast

Those Who Can, Do: Custom E91 M3 Touring

Where BMW falls short, one exceptional man succeeds. What am I on about? BMW’s failure to make an E91 M3 Sport Wagon (and an E46 M3 Touring for the matter), and an English Gentleman named Nick’s determination to have a 4.0L S65 V8 in an E91 Touring chassis. The results are simultaneously impressive (on Nick’s part) and saddening when one realizes how amazing an E91 M3 is, and that BMW will never make one.

Starting with a UK-spec 2007 318iT M-Sport with an automatic transmission and utilizing parts from an E90 M3 Sedan, Nick began the long process of creating a custom battlewagon. The drivetrain is all E90, featuring rear-wheel drive, a dual-clutch 7-speed M DCT gearbox, M3 exhaust and drive shaft, and most importantly, the 2008- 2011 winner of the International Engine of the Year: a 420 horsepower BMW S65B40 V8. Having driven an E92 M3 with this engine and DCT, I’ve got to say the gearbox is downright magical. I’ve driven Porsche’s Tiptronic, Audi’s DSG, and Mercedes’ 7-speed automatic (in a CLK63 AMG) and none of them come close to the precision, shift time, and fun of the DCT. Nick chose well for his E91. 

Stylistically, this E91 M3 looks as if it came straight from BMW’s factory, and that’s no mistake. Nick went to great lengths to custom make the fenders by splicing a wide E90 M3 wheel arch with an E91 quarter panel. The rear bumper is also a combination E90/1, utilizing the original E91 M-Sport rear. Since no E90 or E91 came with a carbon fiber roof like the E92 M3, Nick’s wagon sports a heaven-revealing panoramic sunroof. Inside, the M3 Touring features carbon fiber trim, satellite navigation, and re-trimmed rear seats featuring the M3 logo from the donor E90 sedan.

For his suspension, Nick originally installed the M3’s struts and coils, but later upgraded to a full KW V3 Coil over system. For alloys this E91 wears a set of OEM E90 M3 wheels or a set of 19-inch Breyton Race GTS finished in matte black. Nick is currently updated his E91 M3 with a 6-piston big brake kit for the front rotors and a re-spray of paint for perfection.

After taking over six months to complete the full swap, any petrol head knows this project was a labor of love. As a fellow owner of a Titanium Silver BMW Touring, I’m especially partial to this E91 M3. Finally there’s a BMW product that can go head-to-head with Audi’s B7 RS4 Avant (Nick’s former wagon) and Mercedes’ C63 AMG Wagon. And Nick hints that an ESS supercharged may be in the cards for the future. With 650 horsepower, this battlewagon hyperwagon could quash enemies as mighty as the 507 horsepower 5.0L V10-powered Manhart Racing E91 Touring. 

While there is no chance BMW will build an E91 M3 Touring, enthusiasts the world over can count on bold individuals to step up and deliver. Nick certainly has, and we should all be thankful for his inspiration.