Nothing is impossible in the world of car tuning – the question is how much you are willing to pay in time and cash to implement your plans. ProCar, from Netherlands, has spent 700 hours turning a regular E46 BMW M3 into something entirely different on the outside and inside.
Starting with the main highlight of the whole build, the coupe now runs on a S85B50 five-liter V10 engine that select M5 and M6 models shipped with back in the time. Thanks to an Awron engine kit, Vibra Technics block mounts, a Radium fuel system and a Pipercross air filter the unit fitted nicely within its designated space. A water cooler taken from an E60 M5 was added to keep it from overheating, resulting in a horsepower rating around 530 PS (523 hp / 390 kW).
Elsewhere, the custom ride makes use of a seven-speed DCT box, a carbon-fiber crankshaft and a 3.15-ratio differential lock in the back. 18-inch wheels in the arches wear Nankang AR-1 tires, and the suspension benefits from custom-made AST 5100 springs. The steering is electro-hydraulic, and a look behind the wheel spokes reveals AP Racing Pro 5000R brakes with 368mm (14.4-inch) rotors.
Inside, there are additional gauges on the dashboard, a sports steering wheel with Alcantara in the middle, carbon-fiber door cards and two mismatched Cobra racing seats – no rear bench, just as one would expect.
The project was wrapped up in April 2021, but we thought it still merited an article – after all, it isn’t every day that you see a V10-powered M3. Watch the full 17-minute video for an in-depth look at the swap.