The Great White – Wilson’s 320iA

The Great White

These days, it’s not uncommon to see BMWs on the road, much less to see 318s
and 320s pottering around your neighborhood. Some eye-catchy rides like the
6 Series Cabriolets and Coupes do receive a little more attention and “wow”
factor but even they get boring after you see the 3rd one in the same afternoon.
Seldom do cars stand out well and unlike is the case in Wilson’s rare ‘Custom
Built to Order’ Alpine White BMW 320iA Sedan.

Wilson has been a die-hard BMW fanatic since he was a toddler and ever since
he managed to snag his first BMW, he has spent more on his car than he reports
to the IRAS. Having spilled the beans on him… his car is extremely impressive
in terms of looks, high grade comfort and precision handling. The low-down on
what he has meticulously planned and modified (some personally!) on his car
over the past 3 1/2 years, has fruition into an envy of many. Front Rim with
Stop Tech BBK

Rear Rim with Stop Tech BBK

On the first glance, the most noticeable features about his car is his 19”
Ultra Lightweight Privat Profil rims which were selectively chosen from a range
of high performance rims. With a deep chrome lip and carbon-gloss finishing
for the rims, the contrast spells out uniqueness while paired with Toyo Trampio
Vimode tires in 235/35/19 configuration. His StopTech’s Big Brake kit consist
of front 332x32mm 4 pot calipers and rear brake kit of 328x28mm 2 pot calipers
which peek out behind the 5 star spoke layout and hints at serious deceleration
forces when applied. Adjustable Bilstein PSS9 suspension kit allows on-the-fly
tweaking either on or off the racetrack. Absolutely wicked setup. On the exterior,
a complete M-Aero 2 kit has also been carefully installed, with original BMW
M3 Wing mirrors, giving the whole car a smooth and torpedo-like stance. A blacked
out grill completes the look without much unwanted flair.

Inside the bonnet lies a whole different ball game, a rare full carbon-fiber
air intake by GruppeM lies coupled with a custom piped air intake system to
feed the 6 cylinder engine cold fresh air. Wilson has also installed a carbon-fiber
front AND rear strut bars engineered by Alutec to match his uber-rare engine
cover (which is also made out of carbon fiber). UUC Gen2 front and rear Sway
Bars complete the optimal setup for high speed track days around Sepang and
Pasir Gudang.

A Setrab Engine oil cooler provides extended protection for hard driving conditions
as well as a Hayden ATF cooler, which has been mated with the stock auto box
cooler to provide maximum transmission life. An OBIT Gen2 Piggyback ECU has
been tweaked and dyno-tested to provide maximum ignition timing coupled from
other engine mods such as the UUC underdrive pulley kit. The imported UUC TSE3
exhaust provides no nonsense performance by flowing gases via a straight through
setup from its mid pipe section. All in all, to say that this 2.2L performs
much better on paper is seriously an understatement.

Exhaust Tips are flushed neatly against the M-Aero Kit

Interior wise, it’s even more impressive. Stock (not to mention, boring) cubic-printed
interior trimmings have been replaced with Silver carbon-fiber trims which line
the entire cabin beautifully; even the trimming on the BMW M3 Multifunction
SMG steering wheel has been matched! This 320iA is also likely the first BMW
in Asia to have a BMW M3 SMG-gear console conversion from its original gear
stick. A custom wiring conversion has also allowed paddle-shifting functions
ala formula 1 style. To finish it off, there is also an original BMW M3 rear
oval mirror installed! Trust us when we say all BMWs were not made equal. This
particular 320iA is a unique work of art, no doubt passionately fueled by an
equally enthusiastic owner.