German car builders often don’t understand the tuning industry’s mentality. What’s the point of tuning a car that they’ve already made perfect? In the case of the new E92 BMW M3, its arguably as perfect as it gets; if you’re a vehicle manufacturer. But few that own an M3 can leave it alone.

Calvin Eng, owner of Auto-Tech Interiors Inc. is one of the few and firsts. Instead of going overboard like many, and un-engineering all the M-powered goodness that BMW’s guru’s put into the car, he simply took his M3 to the next level without the budget constraints imposed by lawyers and bean counters.

To start, the stock, mass production, heavy exhaust plumbing was taken out for a lighter and louder option from Active Autowerks. The crossover pipe was also replaced along with some of the pulleys and an ECU reflash for more power.

But power wasn’t really the goal behind Eng’s SEMA showcase. As his daily driver, Eng wanted better handling and some flashy rollers. The M3 was outfitted with KW Clubsport coilovers, 20-inch Advan RS-D wheels shod in Pirelli tires and dinner plate sized 15-inch Brembo brakes. The hardware combination offered the grip, performance, looks and comfort to one up the already capable M3.

Inside, this M3 showcases the ATI product line with functional and classic gauges mounted in prototype guage pods. The stock M3 seats were also replaced with leather wrapped Recaro Pole Positions seats. The crowning jewel of Eng’s M3 build is the audio system by Focal Car Audio. This prototype system was created to integrate with the existing M3 systems and is operated through the existing controls. While the system looks completely stock, the audio hardware uses a single AGW processor and is now purely digital. Three Mosconi amps built into the trunk floor now power the 6 different cabin speakers and the single 13-inch subwoofer.

Even though Eng’s M3 isn’t the typical over the top build, the nicely crafted interior, custom sound system and special footwork make the car a pure pleasure for daily driving and something that maintains the M3’s character while taking things up just a personalized notch.

 View the Interview with Calvin Eng at the SEMA Show 2009:

View the picture gallery

Thanks to www.tuningsuche.de for cooperation