Enthusiasts dream about the existence of a manual-equipped rear-wheel-drive V-8 station. But they are rarely seen. When one of these automotive unicorns are found, they are almost always high-end imports, priced out of the reach of the common man. That’s what makes this relatively affordable 1988 BMW E30 wagon now listed on eBay so exceptional.
It lived most of its life as a bone-stock 320i Touring in Germany before getting imported to the United States. When it arrived, a Chevy V-8 crate engine was shoehorned between the fenders, proving the axiom: if you can’t buy it, then build it.
Rest assured, the V-8 wasn’t lifted from a junkyard Silverado. It’s a GM LS3 E-rod unit, complete with headers, fly-by-wire accelerator pedal, and ECU. The LS3 is mated to a six-speed Hurst Drivelines T56 Magnum manual transmission. Spent exhaust gasses exit through a custom three-inch exhaust and the power reaches the pavement through a 3.07 twin-clutch racing differential with 40-percent lock and polished gears. The engine is CARB-certified and fitted with catalytic converters.
How Did It Happen?
“I started out with a bone stock 318is,” Joel Shapiro, explained the seller, who lives in San Francisco. (The car is in Washington state.) “I was looking for a higher level of performance and my mechanic suggested the V-8 swap. I knew that using an LS3 rather than an LS1 would provide more upgrade opportunities down the line.” The swap was completed with a kit from e30ls1.com. The engine- swap kit includes engine, transmission, radiator, and second differential mounts, along with a brake booster relocation linkage and bracket.
The initial swap took a couple of months. The shop handled all of the mechanical work while Shapiro took care of the logistics. When the 318is was damaged in an accident, he purchased the E30 Touring from an importer in Pennsylvania and had it shipped to his shop, which moved all the mechanical bits over. The odometer is tied to the swap and reads under 7,000 miles.
This is a magnificent little sleeper. The exterior is clean and unassuming. There’s no gigantic hood scoop or aero bolt-ons. The only visual hint is the massive pair of exhaust tips. The car is well-balanced and weighs roughly 50 pounds heavier than stock.
The E30 rolls on black 17-inch OZ Racing wheels wrapped with BFGoodrich GForce 2 215 tires. They’re a bit undersized to keep the speedo accurate. It rides a wee bit low on an H&R Touring Cup suspension kit and an Ireland Engineering brake kit hauls it all down.
The car is absolutely a driver, not a show pony. The cosmetic and mechanical issues can provide the new owner with hours of tinkering and amusement, without impeding the pleasure of driving. The heater core is operational, but the blower has gone south. In the listing, Shapiro states, “I just drove it about three hours and the heat is surprisingly good without it.” While there are some blemishes in the black paint, the body is solid and there is no major rust.
When it comes to domestic hot-rod V8 station wagons, the Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon marked a high point, but production was short-lived. While you’ll find many CTS and CTS-V Sport Wagons in the eBay listings, a manual-equipped car is a rare sight.
High-horsepower, high-dollar European wagons include the AMG E-Class, Audi RS6 Avant, Jaguar XFR-S Sportbrake, and Volvo Polestar V60 Wagon. The problem with all of these fine imported motorcars, in addition to the rarity of a manual transmission, is the cost of maintenance and repair.
With the power, reliability, and affordability of a stout American V-8, this sweet little LS-swapped 3-series wagon offers the best of all possible worlds.
