I’m not sure if I’m the only one who feels this way, but it seems like the definition of a ‘tuner car’ has changed dramatically over the last decade or so.
In the old days, it felt like most of the cars people modified were of the inexpensive variety. And that makes sense too, because a big reason you’d modify a car in the first place was because you might not have had the budget to go out and buy a high-end machine from the factory.
If you did have the means to buy a high performance luxury car or sports car, then chances you’d probably leave it stock or very close to it, because the car was already pretty damn good out of the box.
And if you did modify the car, it would be very simple things; maybe a set of lowering springs, a nice set of wheels, and an exhaust system if you were feeling adventurous. No need to tear apart a perfectly good (and expensive) car, right?
But lately, that notion seems to be going by the wayside. These days it feels like any car, regardless of its price tag or level of exclusivity, is fair game for dramatic modification, both performance-wise and cosmetically.
Just take a look around and see the heavily-modified RWB Porsches, the air-bagged Italian supercars, and the Nissan GT-Rs running around with horsepower figures two or three times greater than what their already world-beating stock motors made.
I can’t explain exactly what has led to this brave new world of automobile modification, my best guess would be that the people who grew up modifying more common, less expensive cars carried the tuner bug with them as they moved on to the higher end stuff.
Whatever the case, this has brought us some pretty radical examples of modern performance cars that have been significantly altered from their factory spec. And here’s another, this time based on 2016 BMW M4.
SEMA Or Bust
This SEMA build was spearheaded by the team at the Kolab Agency in Orange County, California, and as the company’s name suggests, the project would be bring together several big aftermarket brands to upgrade and restyle the fresh-out-of-the-box Bimmer.
Handling the work for the build would be Costa Mesa’s Boden AutoHaus – a shop which has made quite a name for itself recently, particularly when it comes to late-model European cars and custom air suspension setups.
So with the showroom-fresh M4 in their possession, the Boden boys got to work transforming the BMW’s looks and performance.
The bodywork is going to be the first thing that people notice about the car, so let’s start there. When talking about the increasing popular genre of modified European performance and luxury cars, Vorsteiner is one of the most well known names in the scene. Wanting to go for a big-impact look, Vorsteiner was called upon to provide some of its signature body panels for the M4.
More specifically, the plan called for a full GTRS4 wide-body conversion, which gives the already wide BMW an even more aggressive profile – particularly in the rear quarters.
And along with the aggressive fenders, bumpers and side skirts, there’s also a big front splitter and a GT wing out back to complete the race-inspired look. To finish things off, the BMW was coated in bright red BASF paint.
Times Have Changed
Sourcing a set of wheels and tires that could properly fill out the buff fenders was another important task, and this is where the guys at Rotiform come in.
The bronze and gunmetal-finished Rotiform BUCs measure 20×11-inch up front and a ridiculous 20×13-inch in the rear to complement the Vorsteiner fenders.
The tires are Pirelli P Zeros – 275/30R20 and 345/30R20 front and rear respectively, with yellow tire lettering for the right amount of contrast.
You can also spot the big R1 Concepts brakes behind the spokes of the Rotiforms; and the factory suspension was swapped out for BC Racing pieces.
Under the hood the twin-turbocharged S55 straight-six has seen some modest work, including a larger Garrett GTX2863R turbo upgrade.
The exhaust is a Magnaflow Sport Series kit with four titanium-coated tips protruding from the rear diffuser.
And let’s not forget the NOS nitrous kit to further build upon the tuner car vibe.
Last but not least, the cabin of the M4 has been fitted with a custom rollcage and a pair of Sparco full bucket racing seats with matching harnesses.
Long gone are the days when cages and wide-body kits were reserved for modified compact cars; today it seems like the rule book has been thrown out of the window.
Luxury car? Performance car? Tuner car? Whatever you want to call it, this aggressively modified BMW is just one more sign of the wild era we are living in.
Mike Garrett
Instagram: japanifornia_media
mike@speedhunters.com
Photos by Louis Yio
Instagram: lusciousy
Boden AutoHaus x Kolab Agency BMW M4
Engine
BMW S55 inline-six, Garrett GTX2863R turbo upgrade, Magnaflow Sport Series exhaust system with titanium tips, NOS nitrous kit
Driveline
BMW M4 dual-clutch automatic transmission
Suspension & Brakes
BC Racing suspension, R1 Concepts big brake kit
Wheels & Tires
Rotiform BUC 20×11-inch (front) 20×13-inch (rear) Pirelli P Zero tires 275/30R20 (front) 345/30R20 (rear)
Exterior
Vorsteiner GTRS4 wide body kit, rear GT wing, BASF red paint, custom graphics
Interior
Custom rollcage, Sparco racing seats, Sparco racing harnesses
Cutting Room Floor
