by Among all generations of the BMW 3-Series produced over the past half century, the E46 has perhaps aged the most gracefully. That is thanks to the design work of Chris Bangle: the ideal proportions of the three-box sedan make the body almost flawless. That is why any attempt to seriously alter the appearance of such a car usually ends in failure. However, the owner of this E46 still took the risk. The result is striking, but not in the sense one might have hoped for.
Strange front end and incredible hood
This odd 318Ci has appeared for sale in the Netherlands. The car tries to imitate a Ford Mustang, but, to put it mildly, without much success. This is far from the first Mustang replica we have seen, but it is probably one of the crudest and most primitive.
The front section is perhaps the strangest. It does not look much like Ford’s pony car, although the round headlights and the large central radiator grille show that the project’s author at least tried. The oddest element is the central part of the hood, which protrudes forward over the grille. It looks absolutely out of place.
Side fenders and rear section
Looking at this 3-Series from the side, you immediately notice the front and rear fenders, which look just as alien as the hood. They do not fit into the overall proportions of the body at all. There is also a silver stripe running along the doors near the base. The rear is another complete disaster: homemade Mustang-style taillights are installed here, each consisting of three diagonal slashes.
The interior was left untouched
Despite the fact that the previous owner clearly spent a lot of time on exterior tuning, he did not touch the interior, and that is a relief. The original E46 steering wheel remains in place, as do the excellent dashboard and the five-speed manual gearbox lever.
The price question
This BMW “Frankenstein” is listed for sale on AutoScout. The mileage is 235,019 km (146,034 miles), so you cannot call it fresh. Despite the high mileage and dubious appearance, the seller wants €6,850 (about $7,890 USD) for it, which sounds rather presumptuous. Those who want to see all the consequences of such tuning with their own eyes will have to search for the listing themselves.
Of course, the world of car enthusiasts has plenty of examples of unsuccessful modifications, but this BMW E46 stands out even against that backdrop. Someone might joke that such projects are better left in the past, but they are exactly what reminds us: even the most beautiful classic is not immune to hands that want to make it “like a Mustang.” The car will most likely find a buyer among collectors of unusual experiments, or it will remain yet another reminder that taste and a sense of proportion are the most important tools in tuning.
