BMW’s latest styling shift has sparked debate amongst lovers loyal to the German automaker. Whereas this new design language is slowly successful some folks over, others stay strongly in opposition to it. However not Examine AG. The Japanese BMW specialist embraced the styling evolution wholeheartedly.

For these unfamiliar, Studie, a Yokohama-based tuning store based in 1995, initially gained recognition as a BMW components specialist, specializing in the newest fashions at any given time. Immediately, Studie’s operations span Japan, with branches in Sendai, Kobe, Fukuoka, Sapporo, Hokkaido and Nagoya. As well as, the corporate runs the official BMW racing workforce in Japan’s Tremendous GT Touring Automobile Championship. Suffice it to say, Studie has turn out to be a cornerstone of Japan’s BMW tradition.

With its roots in motorsport, Studie caters not solely to modification lovers but in addition to purists. Every of the store’s demo vehicles options various levels of aftermarket enhancements, however as Studie proprietor Bob-san defined, solely about 8% of their clients go for suspension upgrades. And even fewer select modifications like wheels, exhausts or efficiency components.

Over the previous twenty years, Studie has fostered a fierce neighborhood of BMW house owners in Japan, with greater than 1,300 shared tasks documented on their proprietor boards.

Many BMW lovers in Japan desire to maintain their vehicles comparatively inventory, maybe a nod to the factory-delivered enjoyment and efficiency of recent M machines.

Throughout this go to to Studie, Bob-san was type sufficient to convey out 4 of the store’s demo vehicles, together with his personal 1 of fifty 3.0 CSL, one in every of solely two in Japan – the opposite parked proper subsequent door within the Studie showroom.

Alongside the three.0 CSL we additionally noticed a G82 M4, a collaboration between HKS and Studie on a G80 M3, and an M3 Touring Competitors – my private favourite of the bunch.

Whereas the three.0 CSL stays unchanged, it stood out as probably the most particular automotive of the day. Paying homage to BMW’s legendary Seventies coupe, the CSL contains a 6-speed handbook transmission, center-lock wheels, an energetic differential and 560 hp. No marvel the fiftieth anniversary version was an prompt BMW collector’s must-have when it debuted in 2022.

However what shocked probably the most was the three.0 CSL’s price ticket – north of US$1.5 million. That type of coin is sufficient to safe nearly any legendary basic or fashionable hypercar. This can be a fairly clear indication of Bob-san’s deep ardour for the BMW model.

A particular contact for Studie vehicles is the distinctive emblem sticker positioned on the rear. Peeling off pesky service store decals is sort of the very first thing to do while you get your automotive again after work, however you may discover that almost all Examine automotive house owners maintain theirs firmly in place, a testomony to their pleasure to be a part of the Examine neighborhood.

The G82 M4 parked close by served as the premise for the three.0 CSL – minus the seven-figure asking value.

On the skin, the M4 is supplied with carbon fiber accents, a rear wing, facet skirts, a entrance grille alternative, a carbon hood, BBS wheels and KW suspension.

The modifications are extra than simply aesthetic; they improve the automotive’s highway presence, making it inconceivable to disregard.

Contained in the absolutely restyled cabin, the M4 contains a color-matched roll cage, basic Recaro seats and an OMP steering wheel. No element was neglected.

Subsequent up is the ‘HKStudie’ M3, a undertaking that mixes JDM tuning strategies with German engineering. Though nonetheless in its early levels, the HKS-Studie partnership has already resulted in upgraded suspension and exhaust programs.

My favourite of the bunch, the M3 Competitors Wagon, was a wonderful instance of understated aggression. With an Adro entrance bumper and physique equipment, this wagon stood out with out being excessive. That is the construct that rekindled my ardour for contemporary BMWs.

Below the hood, the purple theme continues with a CSF race intercooler consumption manifold and CPM cross reinforcement.

Mixed with BBS wheels and KW suspension, this M3 Touring exemplifies the signature Studio aesthetic – refined however all the time purposeful.

The place else might you see 4 M vehicles of such caliber lined up collectively? That is what makes Studie synonymous with BMW in Japan.

Studie’s capacity to harness one of the best of recent BMWs and elevate them has earned the corporate a well-deserved popularity. And who is aware of? In 40 years, these would be the vehicles we glance again on with the identical reverence for as we speak’s classics.

Alec Pender
Instagram: noplansco