Feature: Japan’s BMW M Series Pro Shop – Sunbeam E46M3 CSL And E92 M3 Demo Car

In late January, I reached out to one of Sunbeam’s managing partners, Kenzaburo Fukuda, to arrange a visit to their shop and photograph the shop’s demo car; a widebody E46 M3 CSL. I’ve always wanted to visit Sunbeam, and after seeing their CSL participating in time attack events again for the first time in several years, I thought now would be a great time to try and put something together. So after contacting Fukuda, I made the drive from Chiba to Setagaya, Tokyo, to finally get to see it in person.

Sunbeam is a tuning shop with a long family history. The Fukuda brothers’ grandfather started a tire service shop back in 1933 that would eventually turn into the current Sunbeam.  In 1972, the current location was opened as the Setagaya branch of that original tire shop.  Since the 70’s, Kenzaburo, along with his brother have continued to operate the business.   Now, well into their third generation of family ownership, they have amassed a loyal customer base that is able to take advantage of their vast accumulated knowledge in suspension tuning and parts development.

When I arrived, Fukuda was extremely accommodating, and I was able to get a full tour of the facility, as well as photograph the CSL and another customer’s E92. It was really cool getting to see the demo car up close. Japan has a unique way of tuning BMW’s and I think that the Sunbeam CSL portrays that very well.  You can get a good idea of the new shop’s current layout, and a closer look at the cars in our most recent video:

 

 

 

My drive to Setagaya takes me through central Tokyo and morning traffic allowed me to get a nice glimpse of some of the more popular buildings, like Mori Tower in Roppongi.

Sunbeam’s storefront viewed from the Starbucks across the street.  Samuel’s E92 M3 is parked out front after the photoshoot.

 

“We are always thinking about making demo cars, but we are also thinking about the meaning of producing a vehicle that exceeds the cars we produce for our customers.”
– Kenzaburo Fukuda

 

Sunbeam has had  many demo cars over the years as a tuning shop.  Most recently they’re F82 M4 has taken the title of fastest BMW by setting a 56.948 this year at TC2000 and 1’44.704 at Fuji Speedway.  One of their earlier demo cars, however, the E46 M3 CSL, has caught my eye many times over the years.  After a 3 or 4 year stretch of the CSL being inactive on track, they’ve recently began to renew the car to be driven again.  To date, the best time it has seen at TC2000 has been a 57.9, clocked by the car’s former owner, Nao-san.

 

 

Sunbeam E46 M3 CSL

Engine:
SCHRICK Camshaft – Intake 288°, Exhaust 280°
CP pistons
MOTEC M800
MOTEC C125 Dash
Quaife 6 speed sequential transmission
Sunbeam SPL OS Giken LSD TCD
377 hp, and 38.5kg torque on Dynapack

Prior to the revival, power was produced at 9,000 RPM with a 2-ring piston.  Now, the durability has been revised and power is output using 3-ring piston with the normal, factory rev limit of 8,000 RPM.

Suspension:
Sunbeam SPL Aragosta 3-way dampers
Aragosta cup kit

Chassis and Bodywork:
Custom Roll Bar
Varis Hood
Frossmann Auto Design Widebody Kit
Voltex Type 7 – 1700mm Dry Carbon
Rear Poly window

Wheels and Brakes:
RAYS ZE40 18x11J
Currently Advan A052 in 295/35R/18 Square
AP Racing CP5095 Monoblock Calipers
Front 380mm, Rear 365mm

Interior:
Recaro SPA Hans & RSG
Schroth 6 Point Harness
Nardi Steering Wheel

 

In addition to the CSL demo car, I had inquired to photograph one of Sunbeam’s regular customer cars as well; Samuel’s E92 M3.  Samuel has been working on his E92 for the better part of 2 years now after owning a built E90 M3 for the past 3 years.  After the E90’s DCT gave out, he purchased this 6-speed, manual transmission E92 M3.  For Samuel, the feeling of the naturally powered V8 is unbeatable, and paired with the clean exterior lines, he’s convinced he will never get bored of the M3.  He set a new personal best time at TC2000 this season with a 59.351.

 

 

Sunbeam Top Gun E92 M3

Engine:
Macht Schnell Underdrive Pulley
Turner Solid Mounts
Eventuri Carbon Intake and Plenum
Volcano Titanium Exhaust
Factory ECU with DME Tune
YFCM Carbon Driveshaft
OS Giken Clutch
431 hp on Dynapack

Suspension:
Sunbeam SPL Aragosta Type-S Dampers
Aragosta Cup Kit

Chassis and Bodywork:
TOPGUN Stealth Grey Paint
Voltex GT Wing Type 2
MK Motorsports Front Fenders
Varis Hood
Vorsteiner Carbon Trunk
Custom Rear Bumper Duct
Kagotani Front Splitter
APR Mirrors
Haribote Splitter End Plates
Poly rear windows
Weight reduced to 1380 kg (factory weight 1650kg)

Wheels and Brakes:
BBS Motorsport E88 – 18inch x 10.5J
AP Racing 5000R

Interior:
IRP Short Shifter
OMP Targe Steering Wheel w/ Worksbell Rapfix
Recaro RMS 2700G
AIM MXS Dash Display