Since BMW now builds its cars following a perfect matrix, you'd expect Bimmer aficionados to follow a similar path when tuning their rides. And you'd be right, with the latest example of that coming in the form of a BMW X3 M50d from Russia.
There's no typo here - a Russian petrolhead dieselhead decided to mix his passion for BMWs and oil burners, gifting his F25 X3 with the tri-turbo diesel heart that normally animates M50d models.
As if this weren't enough, the N75S powerplant, which delivers 381 hp and 740 Nm (546 lb-ft) in factory trim, was massaged all the way to 550 hp and 1,000 Nm (738 lb-ft) of twist.
To cope with the extra muscle, the driveline was upgraded using F15 X5 components for the gearbox and differentials, while extra cooling was provided.
The engine swap means this X3 can now beat an F85 X5 M to the 100 km/h (62 mph) mark, while matching the M Division's SAV in the quarter mile run.
To talk numbers, we'll mention the 0 to 100 km/h sprint in covered in 3.6 seconds, while the 100-200 km/h (62-124 mph) task takes 9.5 seconds. As for the 1/4-mile, this Bimmer can play the game in 12 seconds flat.
Is the diesel cycle still justified? According to its driver, the BMW now sips between 12 and 14 liters per 100 km (19.6 - 16.8 US mpg).
As you can imagine, the car is now used for more or less legal purposes, with the images below having a special way of explaining this. We've also added three clips of the X3, with these summarizing what the key moments of living with such a vehicle should be.
Amusingly, this X3 never left the three-liter arena, since the car initially came with a 258 hp 3.0-liter oil burner.
As for the owner, he could very well use a "my other car is also a diesel BMW" sticker on his X3. That's because he also has an F16 X6, albeit powered by the modest 245 hp incarnation of the three-liter diesel. And yes, this is the car his SO drives.
The man appears to have a reasonable car history, having owned an Audi A5 and a Ford Mondeo in the past. Perhaps the rather bland identity of those cars is what convinced the guy to turn this extreme X3 into a sleeper. Wrap and rims aside, there's nothing here to warn other drivers about the behemoth under the hood. And that's no small feat.
In his quest to bring you the most impressive automotive creations, Andrei relies on learning as a superpower. There's quite a bit of room in the garage that is this aficionado's heart, so factory-condition classics and widebody contraptions with turbos poking through the hood can peacefully coexist. Full profile
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