When you step into the workshops at LTMotorwerks in El Monte, CA, the relaxed atmosphere and friendly greeting gives no clue for the hive of activity behind the curtain. The output from this shop is extraordinary; seemingly not much of a week passes without something spectacular emerging from its doors. Take this E90 BMW 335i as an example.
While last month’s cover featured the SVR Ferrari 458 built by LTMW, this time we’re looking at the tuner’s bread ‘n butter – a 2007 BMW 335i. The BMW specialist carries a reputation for putting together some incredible Justin and carsdesign of the BMW racers on the planet Touring Car Championship. It was actually manufactured by El Monte neighbors, Vollkommen Design, comprising front and rear bumpers, four fender flares, side skirts and rear door extensions.
Constructed from FRP (fiber-reinforced plastic), the kit may be yours for a reasonable $4000. It only took about a week for LTMW to install in my E90, Justin recalled.
LTMW has built many cars to your similar extent and took everything in their stride, even if this is particularly rapid for this sort of comprehensive overhaul. They were helped by the front fenders being one-piece, bolt-on parts. The bumpers and side skirts also use the factory locations. Really the only tricky aspect is the rear fenders, which entail cutting the stock fenders and fixing the latest ones within thea brand new CSL-style trunk was sourced from Duke Dynamics. The E90 additionally received LCI front and rear lights, with the headlights customized by OSS Designs to replicate M4 DTM units, giving a menacing touch on the front-end.
I never intended to take the car to this level, Justin explained, But my lovely wife didn’t want a red car, so I finished up keeping it for myself! he laughed.
Fortunately – and unfortunately – the overhaul was necessitated after the 335i was hit by a truck and dragged into another car. What better excuse to do a wholeit could also require new wheels, suspension and tires to find the perfect stance. However the sheer width of the car is mind-blowing. Its presence was unrivaled, and on a busy day in Downtown L . A ., we literally stopped traffic.
A minimum of BMW’s 335i name finally makes sense about the car, though justin’s E90 wears 335-section Toyo rear tires, which dwarf the 911 Turbo!
The wheels are the centerpiece of this Bavarian beauty. The BBS LM design will never get old. They’re both timeless and perfectnearly anything. In fact, it absolutely was impossible to interrupt traction, despite the extra power under the hood. And when things get a little too hairy, the massive StopTech Trophy brakes are there to save you.
The N54 twin-turbo engine received larger RB Turbos and a LTMW custom front-mount intercooler. The airflow was helped by an Injen intake, AR Design downpipes and 3.5 VR Speed Factory exhaust, allowing the 335i to sounds as loud as it looks, whether you’re revving to redline or unloading boost from the TiAL blow-off valve. All the parts work in harmony thanks to the GIAC tune that has allowed the engine to formulateand also the steering wheel, shift knob and e-brake handle. The rear seats were then upholstered to suit the fronts, with the task flawlessly done by LTMW, making the car the entire package.
I wanted something very different; something nobody would have, Justin recalled. He’s not stopping there, though and it’s safe to say his mission continues to be accomplished. Stay tuned for Justin’s other projects, that also happen to be high-horsepower BMWs, and you also know they’ll be built at LTMotorwerks.
