So how rare/unusual/special is an ACS3 (E36)??
Discussion
I drew the short straw yesterday and got to walk the dogs around the carpark whilst her indoors was shopping (OK - there were 2 short straws).
Whilst doing this, I noticed a rather tired looking E36 Coupe pulling in - I mainly noticed a grinding rear wheel bearing, one odd alloy and the exhaust clanking but not much else.
Until I chanced across it a bit later and noticed it was fully badged-up as an AC Schnitzer - e.g. BMW roundels replaced with ACS badges - bootlid 'sticker' badge said "ACS3".
It wore 3 ACS wheels which looked - frankly - like they didn't really fit the arches (I'd assumed they were copies or from a 5 series perhaps) and one nondescript alloy from a later 3 series - but then it was pretty shabby all-round (someone's family shed it would appear as the seats were both cranked forward to let the kids out I guess!?)
So - was the ACS3 a special model or just a LOT of badges and a set of alloys or what?? Trick engine bits? Suspension bits??
Sorry, no pics, hard to take pic when you're 'driving' 2 Cocker Spaniels and it's pissing with rain and frankly it was just a bit tatty so if it is rare or special, you'd only bemoan it's nick, really.
Whilst doing this, I noticed a rather tired looking E36 Coupe pulling in - I mainly noticed a grinding rear wheel bearing, one odd alloy and the exhaust clanking but not much else.
Until I chanced across it a bit later and noticed it was fully badged-up as an AC Schnitzer - e.g. BMW roundels replaced with ACS badges - bootlid 'sticker' badge said "ACS3".
It wore 3 ACS wheels which looked - frankly - like they didn't really fit the arches (I'd assumed they were copies or from a 5 series perhaps) and one nondescript alloy from a later 3 series - but then it was pretty shabby all-round (someone's family shed it would appear as the seats were both cranked forward to let the kids out I guess!?)
So - was the ACS3 a special model or just a LOT of badges and a set of alloys or what?? Trick engine bits? Suspension bits??
Sorry, no pics, hard to take pic when you're 'driving' 2 Cocker Spaniels and it's pissing with rain and frankly it was just a bit tatty so if it is rare or special, you'd only bemoan it's nick, really.
Googling doesn't reveal much (since yesterday, this thread is in the top 5 results!!) - it could just be a shabby E36 coupe which someone has added the badges and wheels to, but the badges had aged with the car and if they were added 'afterwards', it was in the first few years of it's life.
There's a regular E36 with some ACS bits on it parks locally so I know people just ticked a few boxes and got alloys, a kidney badge, a steering wheel and a gearknob but this seemed a bit more than that.
I'd ask on the BMW forums but I suspect I'll get a load of 'eBay badges mean nothing' replies.
p.s. the one I saw's wheels didn't look right as the one in the post above - the rears were right on the edge of the arches as if they were too wide (or someone had fitted spacers for some weird reason).
There's a regular E36 with some ACS bits on it parks locally so I know people just ticked a few boxes and got alloys, a kidney badge, a steering wheel and a gearknob but this seemed a bit more than that.
I'd ask on the BMW forums but I suspect I'll get a load of 'eBay badges mean nothing' replies.
p.s. the one I saw's wheels didn't look right as the one in the post above - the rears were right on the edge of the arches as if they were too wide (or someone had fitted spacers for some weird reason).
I think the ACS3 was built by Rossiters BMW and based on a 325i.
I have my suspicions that it developed more power than standard. It definitely had ACS exhaust, suspension, wheels and bodykit.
They were pretty cool in their day. I'd say your "spot" is pretty rare though - rarer than, say an Alpina B2.5 Sytner special from the same era.
Edit: Rossiters originally imported ACS bits into the UK and had some decent success. They were probably too successful though because BMW UK took it into their dealer network and started to offer ACS upgrades that could be dealer fitted without spoiling the warranty. I think the ACS business is back with Rossiters though - BMW had too much going on with M, Performance and Alpina.
I have my suspicions that it developed more power than standard. It definitely had ACS exhaust, suspension, wheels and bodykit.
They were pretty cool in their day. I'd say your "spot" is pretty rare though - rarer than, say an Alpina B2.5 Sytner special from the same era.
Edit: Rossiters originally imported ACS bits into the UK and had some decent success. They were probably too successful though because BMW UK took it into their dealer network and started to offer ACS upgrades that could be dealer fitted without spoiling the warranty. I think the ACS business is back with Rossiters though - BMW had too much going on with M, Performance and Alpina.
Edited by fozzymandeus on Sunday 17th June 20:37
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