James Bennett aka “WBJ” and his JDM Style BMW Mroadster
Written by: James Bennett aka “WBJ”
What can I say about my Mroadster other than it is the car that I miss the most. This was my first real big build and it took over 4 years to get it to the stage you see below. The funny thing about the build is when I got rid of my Probe GT and found a cherry 1998 BMW Mroadster with just 900 miles I swore to myself I wasn’t going to mod it. I mean it already had upgraded wheels, body kit, interior all from factory why go and change it.
Well that plan lasted 2 months until Brain called me and said he had a set of rims on sale that would fit the M just right. I figured a bigger set of rims couldn’t hurt so I picked them up. Now with the bigger rims the car NEEDED to be dropped so we ordered a set of springs….it had begun. From there the car went through 3 sets of rims until I settled on the VOlk LE37T’s. This wheel choice gave me the idea to build a Japanese inspired BMW. I fitted a set of twin HKS dragger exhausts and painted the car a custom Estoril Blue Chameleon.
The car was loved by the import crowd and generally loathed by the Euro groups. In the end I sold the car to move on to bigger and better things after collecting a garage full of trophies.
PERSONAL INFO
- Name: “WBJ” James Bennett
- Member since: 1998
VEHICLE
- 1998 BMW Mroadster – Estoril Blue Chameleon – RETIRED
ENGINE/DRIVETRAIN
- 3.2L M3 Motor
- Chrome Oil Cap
- Dinan Carbon Fiber Engine Covers
- Prototype Injen Intake
- Active Autowerkes ECU Reprom
- Active Autowerkes “Turbo” Clutch
- Active Autowerkes Lightweight Flywheel
- Rouge Engineering Short Shift Kit
- 50 Shot Wet Nitrous Express Kit
SUSPENSION
- H&R Raceline Springs
- Dinan Carbon Fiber Strut Tower Brace
STREET WHEELS / TIRES
- 19″ Volk Racing LE37T Wheels (Custom Fitment From Volk)
- 235/35/19 Toyo T1S Proxes (Front 19 x 8.5″)
- 265/30/19 Toyo T1S Proxes (Rear 19 x 10.5″)
BRAKES
- Agency Stainless Steel Brake Lines
- Porsche Brembo 4 Pot Calipers
- Porsche Brembo Cross Drilled Rotors/li>
EXTERIOR
- Zeemax Full Kit from Germany
- Hartge Hood (1 In USA)
- Veilside Rear Wing
- Hamann Eyelids
- Black Out Kidney Grills
- Smoked Euro Tails
- Smoked European Front Turn Signals
- European Headlights
- Smoked European Side Marker Lights
- Real 6000K HID Conversion
INTERIOR
- Sparco Roadster Racing Seats With Custom Mounts
- Sparco 4 Point Harness
- Momo Champion Steering Wheel
- Sparco Quick Release Steering Wheel Hub
- AJUSA Brushed Aluminum Racing Pedals
- Levoc Brushed Aluminum and Carbon Fiber Shifter
- Real Carbon Fiber Dash Kit
- Racing Dynamics Ebrake Handle
I.C.E.
- Blaupunkt Sanfransico Headunit
- Blaupunkt DVD ME-1 Player
- 7″ Blaupunkt Widescreen TV
- 5″ Blaupunkt TV
- Boston Pro 5.25 Component set with Crossover Network (front)
- Boston Pro 4′s (rear)
- 2 Boston Pro 10′s in a Custom Fiberglassed Box
- 2 Boston Acoustics Pro Series Amps
Media Coverage
- September Issue HCI Magazine
- Feature Article in September Issue of PERFORMANCE BMW
- Part of the Maxitout Video Shoot on Jade Motorsports
- Extra in The Fast and The Furious II
SPONSORS
- Mackin Industries
Volk Racing / Project U / ARC / Project Kics / Espelir / Polarg
562.946.6820 Tel
562.944.7719 Fax
www.mackinindustries.com
- Toyo Tires
Ph: 800.678.3250 X 2271
www.toyo.com or www.teamtoyo.com
- Boston Acoustics
www.bostonacoustics.com
- Blaupunkt
www.Blaupunkt.com
- Valvoline
Valvoline Motor Oil
- Nitrous Express Inc.
Ph: 940-767-7694
Fax: 940-767-7697
www.nitrousexpress.com
- Mothers
www.mothers.com
