Although Malaysia is separated into two different geographical regions by the South China Sea, it has continued to develop in industry and trade. Consequently, its aftermarket for automobiles has evolved with enthusiasts like Shedden Ee.
Shedden is a hardcore auto enthusiast who's built a total of nine project cars, including this '00 BMW 320i. "I started modifying cars back in '96 and I've never stopped," he smiled. "Whenever I get a car I study its potential before I start work on it."
If you're unfamiliar with auto manufacturers Proton or Perodua, you're not alone, but they're Malaysia's largest automobile makers and where Shedden began his modifying addiction. Some examples of his work include three Proton compact cars: The first was a 350hp '96 Satria 1.3GL with a Mitsubishi FTO 2.0 V6 and custom turbo. Following this theme, he built a 300hp turbo Wira 1.6 Aeroback with a Mitsubishi VR4 conversion.
Shedden also built three Hondas, including a 12sec '84 Civic, a '99 Accord CF4 with a complete Euro-R conversion, and a '91 Civic EG4 hatchback with a motor swap and carbon exterior.
A '93 Mazda RX-7 represented his most powerful project, boasting over 400hp. In addition, he's also still playing with a '06 Perodua MyVi 1.0.
Once we finished digesting his portfolio of projects, we couldn't understand how the 3-Series fitted his repertoire. "After modifying a few Asian cars," he explained, "I thought it was time to stop spending money tuning them and settle down with a good, reliable car that didn't need many modifications to look good. So, I got the Bimmer. I wanted to use it as daily transport but ended up going crazy modding it. The more I did, the more I got hooked and couldn't stop."
After purchasing the stock BMW in '04, Shedden didn't hesitate transforming the look and feel of the car. He outlined the build of his project in several phases. The first consisted of making the sedan respectable on the streets. He mounted 19" BBS CH wheels and lowered the car on Eibach springs. He also instituted the first body mods by retrofitting an OE M3 front bumper, as well as Hamann skirts and rear apron.
After remaining in this state for months, Shedden pushed further into his hobby. He exchanged the bodywork with MTech 2 aerodynamics and retrofitted an OE BMW E46 facelift. He also substituted his suspension for KW V2 coilovers and replaced the BBS with 19" Schnitzer wheels.
The Alpine white sedan was beginning to stand out in the Malaysian aftermarket community. Shedden had already discarded several of his original modifications and his relentless enthusiasm, plus the growth of his personal business, impelled him to build to higher levels. "I wanted the car to be a good show car, especially for the products I deal in my distribution business," he said. So the body received a 2" width extension, starting from the front bumper to the fenders, side skirts and rear bumper. He then outfitted the car with a plethora of RaceCraft carbon fiber products. Some highlights include an M3-style hood, CSL-style rear diffuser and trunk, a roof spoiler, B and C pillars, intake system, interior trim, SMG II gear console, front strut bar and roof panel.
"The carbon fiber roof was the most difficult to complete," he mentioned. "Since I hadn't heard of anybody trying it, I had to do it all by myself. We realized we had to use eleven layers of clear coatings since the roof wraps over, and the windscreens needed to be removed."
Shedden then decided to balance the car with performance upgrades like a Grippen six-piston 355mm brake kit, as well as a M3-style quad exhaust in the rear. UUC provided lightened underdrive pulleys to free available horsepower from the 2.0 liter motor. An OE BMW 330i torque converter also helped the Steptronic transmission put the power to the pavement.
One of the final stages of Shedden's BMW was the stereo design. A Kenwood touchscreen DVD player, 5.1 DTS sound processor, center speaker and Alpine components improved the cockpit. Providing the bass are Lightning Audio speakers and amplifiers in a custom trunk enclosure.
"It took me two and half years to build and I'm still working on it," Shedden concluded. Since the photo shoot he assured us the project is progressing with more RaceCraft products and performance upgrades, including an Infinitas ASA stage 3 supercharger. He also has new 19" Work wheels and interior modifications such as an OE BMW E90 push-button start.
With no finishing point in sight, Shedden is a prime example of the growing automotive enthusiasts in Malaysia. With more Proton and Perodua owners switching to Euros, we can't wait to see what this country brings to our scene.
Tech SpecShedden EeLocation: MalaysiaOccupation: distributor for RaceCraft International
2000 BMW 320IEngine: 2.0 liter i-6 24v Vanos with RaceCraft carbon air intake, carbon M3-style engine cover and radiator cover, custom quad exhaust, UUC lightened and oversized underdrive pulleys, Pivot Raizin volt stabilizer
Driveline: five-speed Steptronic automatic transmission with 330i torque converter
Suspension: KW Variant 2 coilovers, RaceCraft carbon front strut bar, MTech sway bars, PowerFlex polyurethane bushings
Wheels & Tires: 19x8.5" front, 19x9.5" rear Hartge Nova 5 wheels, 235/35-19 front, 265/30-19 rear Toyo tires
Brakes: 355mm Grippen front big brake kit with six-piston calipers
Exterior: RaceCraft carbon bonnet with M3 bulge, carbon roof panel and roof spoiler, carbon Schnitzer-style front lip and splitter, carbon CSL-style rear diffuser and trunk lid, carbon B and C pillars, carbon Hamann-style foglight inserts, Granpire custom widebody, M3 front bumper, MTech 2 skirts and rear bumper, Schnitzer mirrors
Interior: RaceCraft titanium-carbon eight-piece trim kit including M3 steering trim and handbrake, carbon M3 SMG 2 gear console and door sills, Schnitzer pedals, OE M3 SMG 2 instrument cluster, shift knob and multi-function paddle-shift steering wheel
Audio/Visual: Kenwood touchscreen DVD, DTS 5.1 sound processor with center speaker, Alpine 6.5" Type-X front speakers, Lightning Audio Strike Series rear speakers, two 12" subs
Thanks: Motorsport Division, RaceCraft International, VPS, Aura HID, RS Impressive, KF Audio and CV Audio, zerotohundred.com