E46 sedan with electric drive:

So i've been searching around for crazy engine swaps, I love my M54B30, but want a future project. I've seen the S54 converts, and LS1s, it pains me to think of a GM engine in a Bimmer... but WTF (sorry //LS1) saw the driftworks M5 V10 for the M3 (Phil Morrison is a G!) and even an attempt at an N54TT, but it hit me, I know we're all petrolheads/gearheads here, but I would have thought that, by now we would have seen a decent electric drive convert for an E46! if you are thinkin' about it, look here first:

http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/22/e...r-faire-video/

this wonderful machine started life as a 330i and was butchered for the sake of prototyping, cool, but i would never dream of it.

this guy and his company were at the Maker Faire bay area. for those who don't know, the maker faire is an event held by make magazine featuring all sorts of crazy devices, inventions and mods. everything from your own pool heater built from a gas stove to homemade UAVs, to an electric Ariel Atom!

doing this to an e46 in my opinion is a bit like putting honda civic aftermarket taillights on, no point, cheapens the experience, but then again, I haven't driven it! I know there is a special ring in hell for even thinking about posting an electric e46 here, but i've got my nomex undies on just in case a flame war breaks loose!

what do you think? Win? fail? giant embarrassment to eurotuning?

Pretty cool idea I think. They actually have a decent kit. 100/180 miles. 2.5 hrs to charge. 300hp/tq. Electric. 0-60mph in under 6. Can't find much too much to complain about...

The price is what I would expect, but I would rather dump 15k on a supercharger and burn petrol.

I'd bet they could capture a big market if they play their cards right, the electric motor cars are just starting to enter teh world though.

Wicked torque on electric motors. I would love to drive it!

Repost

Originally Posted by Bandit4077

........I've seen the S54 converts, and LS1s, it pains me to think of a GM engine in a Bimmer... but WTF (sorry //LS1) .......

If you are upset about people doing aftermarket GM V8 swaps, it must kill you that BMW used a GM transmission in cars from the factory.

I'm not upset, dude, it just doesn't seem right, like kissing your sister. I don't like the idea of the GM tranny when I found out they had, years ago, I laughed. I like the ZF, lockup issues and all. top props to the LS1 guys for all their hard work, loved the post, I'm not hating its magnificent, I just wouldn't do it myself, it just wouldn't feel right to me.

if I absolutely had to convert or die, I'd do the electric conv. it's got impressive specs, but I'd miss my engine. good value for those who'd rather die than buy a toyota smugmobile.