Tuesday 12th June 2007

Schnitzer works on the drop-top 3

The AC Schnitzer ACS3 3.5i Convertible

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3 series convertible goes 'badboy'

German tuning and motorsport company AC Schnitzer has released details on its upgrade kit for the new BMW 3 series convertible.

The ACS3 3.5i Convertible is based on the new 335i Convertible with its folding metal hardtop roof.

The firm has designed a new bodykit for the car, stating ‘the objective for AC Schnitzer was not to hide the body contours under excessive bulges, but to emphasise the natural characteristics of the vehicle in a structured way.’ Right, well, to be fair the add-ons are a little more subtle than the usual tuning house effort.

Engine upgrades on the way

A range of wheel designs are available including the 20” ‘Type IV silver’ or the dark ‘Type IV Bicolor’, both of which you can see in these photos. The latter is amusingly described by AC Schnitzer in the English translation of its German PR text as having ‘a hint of badboy’…

Slightly unusually, Schnitzer admit their engine tuning packages for the 335i and 335d engines aren’t yet finished and neither is their suspension kit. The latter is apparently undergoing final sign-off at the Nurburgring. For now, you’ll have to make do with their sports exhaust, new rear anti-roll bar and an alloy strut brace.

http://www.ac-schnitzer.de/en/

[Road_Terrorist]

It actually doesn't look that bad, dodgy wheels aside.

Seems very reserved from the usual german tuning house excess where they add a dozen useless chrome and grills randomly over the place, then some silly graphics over a lurid two tone paint job and a 10ft towel rack stuck on the boot.

[waynepixel]

I think the BMW 335I is a great car. And there are tuning companies out there that can re-map the car to 400-Bhp if need be, which is just off a standard New M3.

[MK4 Slowride]

Personally prefer AC-Snizzle over Alpina. Done a good job on the car, those wheels though £4,200+ for the set Don't forget you can always get the wheel arches rolled for extra clearance if necessary should you want big rims on a smaller/older BMW.

[Mafioso]

Cool! Different wheels for each side!!

[NiallOswald]

Mafioso said:

Cool! Different wheels for each side!!

And both look rubbish. I'm struggling to think of anything chrome (alloy) wheels actually look good on. Just screams 'drug dealer' to me

[flattotheboards]

it doesnt look too bad really compared to some of the others but the wheels are a matter of taste.

[Ed.]

NiallOswald said:

Mafioso said:

Cool! Different wheels for each side!!

And both look rubbish. I'm struggling to think of anything chrome (alloy) wheels actually look good on. Just screams 'drug dealer' to me

Agreed!

[Collaudatore]

NiallOswald said:

Mafioso said:

Cool! Different wheels for each side!!

And both look rubbish. I'm struggling to think of anything chrome (alloy) wheels actually look good on. Just screams 'drug dealer' to me

That'll be the REAL translation, not 'a hint of badboy’…

Personally think the black wheels are pretty smart

[FestivAli]

I don't mind this too much but personally I can't wait for a recession so that tasteless tuning efforts die and the earth gains some class again.

Ali.

[Droptheclutch]

Oh, I wish I were a hairdresser, I may find it attractive then...

[rayb74]

FUGLY

[syko]

Welcome to Sparkhill, Birmingham.

[busta]

FestivAli said:

I don't mind this too much but personally I can't wait for a recession so that tasteless tuning efforts die and the earth gains some class again.

Ali.

[Zod]

AC Schnitzer kit always appears to be aimed at the bling brigade.

[driftboy]

AC Schnitzer always always make BMW's look FANTASTIC!! end of! lol
new 3 series drop top looks fab