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Engine swaps are usually predictable: a bigger BMW unit, or the ever-popular American V8 route. This 3 Series Touring goes completely off-script, turning a sensible 328xi estate into a home-built special that mixes Bavarian packaging with Italian cylinders and a proper three-pedal set-up.
At the heart of it sits Maserati’s 4.7-litre F136 V8, a Ferrari-developed, naturally aspirated engine known for sharp throttle response and a hard-edged top end. It’s managed by a standalone ECUMaster ECU, and the drivetrain is reworked around a Nissan CD009 six-speed manual. In the process, the car has been converted from xDrive to rear-wheel drive, giving it a simpler, more classic layout for anyone who likes their wagons with a prop shaft and attitude.
The supporting cast is just as bold. A stack of E9X M3 hardware has been grafted on, including braking components and a swathe of exterior parts that toughen the Touring’s stance. Add in a loud, free-breathing exhaust set-up and extra aero touches, and the car reads less like a commuter wagon and more like a track-day project that escaped into public view.
Inside, it carries the same theme: driver-first upgrades rather than showroom polish. Recaro Sportster front seats bring better support, while Alcantara trim pieces and bespoke controls add a motorsport flavour. It still looks like a BMW where it matters, but the details hint that this is no factory spec sheet special.
As with any heavy custom build, the fine print matters. The seller notes module coding still needs attention and warning lights are present, which suggests the electronics and CAN communication may require proper troubleshooting. The body also shows its age with a few cosmetic knocks and marks. Even so, a Touring with a Ferrari-bred V8, a manual gearbox and rear-drive conversion is the sort of oddball machine you simply don’t see every day—part unicorn, part wiring-diagram challenge.
