Dancing Shadows

BMW’s 3′ series of cars need no formal introduction from me. From the initial ’02s, onto the E21s, the E30s, E36s, E46s and now finally we have the E90. Progression throughout the years in the pursuit of developing a car that inspires drivers with excitement and confidence. In the belief of progressing onto another Ultimate Driving Machine.

Unlike the E90’s larger sized siblings, the radical flamed surfacing was toned down. Still, when it was first unveiled, reactions were mixed as well. With some praising it’s unique design and with others, condemning the car to ‘car-design hell’. I admit, i was one of the sceptics when i first saw the car, i thought it was a little bit too fussy, too big, a mish-mash of cut-lines and off-placed shapes. But gradually, the look of the car began to grow on me, and now, i rather like it. I think it looks modern among the sea of ho-hum saloons on the road. It has a nice Germanic look and feel to it.

With a growing number of E90s on the roads, how does one make his car that little bit more unique, that little bit more special, that little bit more… individual?

A member of our local BMW-SG group reckons a fair bit of kit helps. Ben has a wonderful example of an E90, the 330i. With a smooth revving 6 cylinder heard pumping out a healthy 3000cc’s of power and torque. The 330i makes a wonderful rumble when delivering it’s 258 bhp and 300 Nm of torque. To help this straight-6 breathe a little better, a GruppeM air-intake was installed up front in all it’s beautiful carbon fibre glory. Out the back, AC Schnitzer exhaust for a more menacing growl when the throttle gets buried into the carpet.

When we move onto the topic of aesthetics, we often hear of the phrase, ‘less is more’. It’s something i personally feel, especially when it comes to vehicle aesthetics, is very good advise. Continuing with the AC Schnitzer theme, a full ACS bodykit wraps the body of this stealth dark grey car. The shapes adorning this car are even more striking with the ACS bodykit and the lines of the whole car flow in a nice continuous motion. With the sunlight falling onto the bodywork revealing the magic of it’s lightly flame-ed surface. With certain surfaces of the car bathed in sunlight, whilst other surfaces show off it’s radical cut-lines with the play of shadows and strategically placed shapes, a dynamic blend of lines make up the shape of the E90 that no other sports sedan can call their own. With this example wearing a full AC Schnitzer uniform, it’ll even stand out amongst it’s own family of BMWs. To enhance the look even further, look at the small details, the famous BMW roundel has been swapped with black and white shaded emblems.

Sitting on 19″ ACS rims shod with Michelin PS2s, this E90 isn’t just meant to look pretty standing still. Helping out with the handling are a set of aftermarket anti-roll bars to keep the car flat when going thru short and narrow bits of roads. Alcon 4 pots calipers hauls the car down from speed and all this, whilst listening to a customised ICE setup in the boot of the car.

With more and more parts being released everyday for the E90s, i’m sure Ben’s car will not remain in it’s current form for a while. For now, let us all take a moment when the light plays on this car’s surface and to reflect on how light and shadows play a part on enhancing the design of every flame-ed surface car. BMW design should be proud, for having the guts to release such unique looking cars and for believing in their products. As well as for the owner of this E90, for having the foresight in adorning the car with just the right parts to showcase his car. When the car’s on the move, and light gets thrown on different parts of the car at different angles, i guess the name ‘Dancing Shadows’ is rather apt.