It probably also contributes to the relatively massive size of the amplifiers with regard to their rated output. When the amplifiers were formally introduced at CES this past January, almost everyone, yours truly included, commented to MB Quart on their size. When I visited Germany in the Spring and attended the Sinsheim Car + Sound Show, I was shocked at the buzz surrounding them in Europe. It seemed everyone at the show was talking about them (and the Alfa Romeo sport coupe that shared booth space with the Rockford Fosgate model decked out in nothing more than body paint).
Unlike so many demo cars, this one is no trailer queen, nor is it all show and no go. "The car gets constantly upgraded with performance parts to make it faster," said Loomis, who is currently known as "Jajja" on the BMW forums. "So far, my fastest quarter-mile time is a 13.06. With someone who knows what they're doing-no regard to clutch life-right around 12.30 is what it should do, maybe even faster."
The car benefits from the following upgrades courtesy of Evosport in Huntington Beach, Calif. Performance started with an AFE cold-air intake and custom Powerchip/Evosport performance software. Bosch Iridium spark plugs burn the mixture with a hotter, more consistent spark. Evosport also outfitted the M with its own underdrive pulleys to produce more horsepower while increasing alternator output current for the sound system demands. The exhaust was upgraded from the manifold to the tip of the tail pipe. Supersprint supplied top-of-the-line high performance headers, race catalytic converters, a mid pipe and race exhaust. This increased output by a claimed 27 hp and 35 lb-ft of torque. Because of the power increases, the OEM drivetrain was upgraded with a UUC stage two lightweight flywheel and a high performance clutch installed by Rob Rohn's Vivid Racing, Inc., in Chandler, Ariz. Evosport's Brad Otoupalik also recommended upgrading the OEM brakes to European two-piece, floating cross-drilled rotors, along with some Hawk HPS "low dust" brake pads.
Otoupalik installed a special H&R/Evo RSS Street coilover suspension accompanied by the Ground Control rear shock mounting kit. This is a special suspension that was built to Evosport's specs through a partnership with H&R Special Springs. The stock sway bars were tossed in the dumpster and replaced by a set of H&R high performance front and rear sway bars. Rolling stock finishes the upgrade with a beautiful set of HRE 546R gunmetal wheels (8.5x19 up front, 10x19 in the rear) wrapped in a full set of Toyo Tire's Proxes T1R ultra-high-performance radial tires mounted and balanced by Arizona's premier high end wheel and tire dealer, Wheel Specialists.
To stiffen the chassis, a Strong-Strut front brace was installed. Improved illumination was effected by an Umnitza Angel Eyes headlamp kit. Custom molded Hamann foglamp inserts and eyelids dress the front end up further. On the inside, AC Schnitzer's complete interior upgrades include new pedals, a gearshift knob, E-brake handle and seat belt pads. Shifting was made more accurate and smooth via the UUC EVO3 shift kit and double-shear selector rod. The interior was also upgraded with a "silver titanium" carbon-fiber interior trim kit provided by Evosport.
Special thanks must go to John Wallace at HRE Wheels, Rob Lenvinson at UUC, Stan Chen at Toyo Tire, Gus and Tom at Ohio Generator, and Brad Otoupalik at Evosport for all their support and time.
DrivetrainLongitudinal front engine,rear-wheel drive
Engine3.2-liter inline six, dohc, four valves per cylinderAFE cold-air intake, Bosch iridium plugs, Evosport pulleys, Powerchip/Evosport software, Supersprint headers, catalytic converters, mid-pipe and exhaust, Ohio Generator rebuilt O.E. alternator
TransmissionSix-speed manualUUC lightweight flywheel, short shift kit and stage two clutch, Evosport 4.10 differential
SuspensionEvosport/RSS coilovers, H&R front and rear sway bars, Ground Control rear shock mount kit, Strong Strut front tower braces
BrakesEuropean cross-drilled rotors, Hawk HPS pads
Wheels and TiresHRE 546R, 8x19 (f)10x19 (r)Toyo Proxes T1R, 245/35-19 (f)275/30-19 (r)
ExteriorEuropean front bumper, molded Hamann foglamp inserts, Umnitza Angel Eyes headlamps
InteriorAC Schnitzer pedals, shift knob, E-brake handle, seat belt pads, Evosport carbon-fiber trim
ICERockford Omnifi DMP1, MB Quart amplifiers, speakers and subwoofers