46 PERFORMANCE BMW

Some stories need to be told, be it atale of heroic struggle, unrequitedlove, incredible bravery or humansacrifice. Forever embedded in ourminds, other people’s hope,

devotion and fortitude can often inspire andare shining examples of what we are allcapable of. Peter Sonu’s rag-to-riches storyis enough to enthuse all of us that a

THINKING

When you’re the boss of a successful car audio shop your demo should speak volumes. The owner of this custom-styled E46 323Ci is the brains behind Dynamic Sounds and with a veritable minefield of gadgets and top-notch ICE this is, indeed, one seriously dynamic Three.

Words: Joel Newman Photos: Jamie Lipman

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may recall, his Rieger-styled E36 325i withbig rims and serious ICE, graced these verypages in the January/February 1999 issue.

After completing his first feature car Peterneeded a new challenge. Following a briefflirtation with a fully tuned Toyota Supraand Renault 5 Turbo, it wasn’t long beforehe started dreaming about his first love:BMW. Life has a funny way of repeating

have made the company a very reputableone indeed.

You could call Peter’s BMW a reflection ofhis early struggle trying to break into thehighly competitive world of business. Bornan unassuming E46 323Ci, the car hasmoved up in the world; it’s hardly surprisingthough, especially when you’ve had your carfeatured in PBMW before. As regular readers

childhood dream can be realised. From his humble beginnings as a market

trader flogging domestic appliances insouth-east London, Peter and his brotherBob have spent the last 12 years building uptheir car entertainment, navigation andsecurity business, Dynamic Sounds. Thesiblings’ product knowledge, experience andenergy teamed with its qualified engineers

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48 PERFORMANCE BMW

itself. Peter acquired his E46 323Ci back in2000 having endured a two-year wait – itwas, after all, the most powerful 3 Seriesavailable at the time.

From day one the car was by no meansstandard. The option box for a brushedaluminium interior finish was ticked andmuch to the dismay of the technicians it leftthe dealership with front and rear windowtints, clear indicators and AC Schnitzer 18”wheels. This is one serious modifying bugthat’s got hold of Peter, and inevitably hefound it hard to satisfy his cravings to havea ride that’s truly original.

When you own a successful car audioshop, your other ride is a Ferrari and youlive in Chelsea it’s hard to set your sights onanything other than perfection. This E46 isjust that. Taking nearly six years tocomplete, having gone through several

different phases, Peter’s 323Ci is now asmenacing as they come. It may not have the most powerful engine in the world, but if you saw this fill your rear view mirror you would almost certainly let it pass, not forgetting to take an admiring glance, of course.

Peter puts the success of his creationdown to his patience and attention to detail, as he explained. “Achieving a looklike this doesn’t happen overnight, I thoughtlong and hard about every piece of kit on here.” Without rushing into any part ofthe modifying process, he spent endlessnights perusing BMW forums, talking toenthusiasts at shows and conferring withvarious styling specialists. Hunting far and wide for ideas Peter began to look tothe US circuit for inspiration, a scene

he feels is leaps and

bounds ahead of that in the UK.However, it wasn’t until he sold his

Ferrari 348 that Peter started to get seriousabout modifying the E46. Instead of usingthe money from the sale to finance one top-notch car, he decided it could be betterspent on customising his 323Ci. We couldn’tagree more. Oh, and it also meant he hadenough cash left over to upgrade to a FerrariF355 Berlinetta. Not a bad life then?

His first real investment was transformingthe exterior. Despite using an amalgamationof parts from different tuners, thebodystyling flowed surprisingly well. An M-Tech front bumper, Club Sport splitter,Hamann lower eyebrows and shadowkidney grille completed the facelift, whilethe flanks benefited from a set ofaggressively styled Razorside skirts fromRieger and E46

When your other car’s a Ferrari it’s hard to

set your sights on anything other than

perfection. This E46 is just that

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NOVEMBER 2006 49

M3 replica mirrors. Out back the Hamannrear bumper, M3-style boot lip and ACSchnitzer roof spoiler combined well to givethe car extra depth of character and help setit apart.

Complemented with a replica version ofthe very beautiful CSL wheels, Peter stillwasn’t happy with the finished result. Itseems a true modder never rests. Believingthat it looked too mainstream, he wantedsomething more exclusive, something thatwould also showcase his company’s broadrange of brands. So, it was back to thedrawing board – a drastic rethink was in order.

Peter turned to his good friends atMototech (020 7701 6675). Together theydecided that the bodystyling needed somereworking. At first Peter replaced his bootlip with a CSL replica boot add-on, the ClubSport splitter was similarly binned to makeway for a Rieger item, as were the Hamannlower eyebrows and replica M3 mirrors for aset of classier AC Schnitzer ones. The lookis subtle but exquisite. Totally seamless, theaftermarket parts look unquestionablyfactory fitted.

The icing on the cake, however, was stillto come. Fed up with the replica CSL rimsand troubled by their increasing popularityPeter set out on a mission. He wanted

something that was one of akind, and he would

stop at nothingto get

them. After spending hours researching onthe Internet and experimenting withdifferent sets of wheels using Photoshop heeventually opted for DPE’s R07 customforged Variant S rims. To ensure theirexclusivity, Peter asked Jojo at DynamicPerformance Engineering if he could havethe centres finished in matt liquid cinderblack with polished rivets and lip, andfortunately he agreed.

The alternative finish is stunning – theydefinitely have the wow factor. Measuring8x19” up front and a substantial 10x19” outback, you won’t find these wheels on anyother car in Europe. Lowered 20mm and35mm respectively on Eibach springs andAC Schnitzer shocks they’re positivelybulging from the E46’s arches. It’s the typeof car that, if it could, would take you asideand give you a jolly good slap.

Under the bonnet, Peter has incorporated

Innovative mods from various different tuningspecialists combine well to produce one unique,subtly styled E46 323Ci. From the carbon fibre

roundels and the CSL replica boot add-on to the19” DPE wheels finished in matt liquid cinder

black with polished lip and rivets, every detail hasbeen carefully thought out and well executed

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lashings of carbon fibre. From the replicaGruppe M induction kit, which helps toimprove power and torque, to the enginecovers he has considered functionality andaesthetics throughout this entire project. ASuperchip provides more mid-range poke,while an Eisenmann stainless steel quadexhaust system produces a deeper burble atidle and a throatier growl at top end.

The ICE is first class, as you would expectfrom the owner of a car audio outlet. It’s nowonder they’ve taken orders from the richand the famous, the skill and level ofcraftsmanship employed in Peter’s car isastounding. The install is discreet, stylish andpractical, whispering rather than screamingabout its power. Peter’s enviable position alsomeans he can get his hands on technologywizardry we thought was the stuff of legend.

Take the Alpine VPA-B222R Vehicle HubPro for example: at the time of going to printPeter claimed to be the only person in theworld to have one. The device integrates withyour OEM system and allows you to addAlpine audio, video and navigation upgrades,as well as speakers, amps and subs, withoutaltering the in-dash display. Peter has set upthe VHub utilising an Alpine TME-M770S

touch-screen monitor which enables himto control the entire system, and has beenseamlessly integrated into the centreconsole with a custom-designed surroundtrimmed to match the interior.

The speakers have been upgraded toAlpine SPX-137R items front and rear,while the boot build has been designed toprove you can improve your car’s audiowithout having to sacrifice space. TheDirected amps have been sunken into thefloor, and the Alpine subs are cleverlymounted behind. You can certainly tellthis stealth system has been well plannedand designed. Peter can even access thespare wheel if he wants to.

While casually talking to Peter I ask himif he has any tips for other buddingenthusiasts: “Take your time, know whatyou want and where you’re going with thecar. Don’t just go for a kit that’s popular atthe time and don’t be afraid to mix andmatch different manufacturers’ parts.Make something original and mostimportantly something that reflects yourpersonality.” In my opinion Peter’s donejust that, and is someone we should allaspire to ●

ENGINE: 2.3-litre straight-six M54 with Gruppe Mreplica induction kit, Superchip and Eisenmann stainlesssteel quad exhaust system, AC Schnitzer oil cap, carbonfibre engine covers

CHASSIS: 8x19” (front) and 10x19” (rear) DPE R07custom forged Variant S wheels finished in matt liquidcinder black with polished rivets and lip shod in 235/35(front) and 265/30 (rear) Falken FK451 tyres. EibachProkit springs and AC Schnitzer shocks lowered 20mm atthe front and 35mm at the rear, AC Schnitzer strut brace.Pagid Fast Road pads front and rear, standard brake discs

EXTERIOR: M-Tech front bumper, Rieger splitter,Hamann shadow kidney grille, Rieger Razor side skirts,AC Schnitzer mirrors, Hamann rear bumper, CSL replicaboot add-on, AC Schnitzer roof spoiler. SSDD Motorsport8000k angel eye headlights, clear LED indicators, siderepeaters and LED rear lights, SSDD Motorsport carbonfibre roundels, de-badged, with xenon reverse bulbs,tinted front and rear windows

INTERIOR: Standard BMW Sport black leather seatswith brushed aluminium trim, M3 steering wheel, ACSchnitzer handbrake and pedal set

ICE: Alpine TME-M770 touch-screen integrated into thecentre console with a custom-designed surround, AlpineVPA-B222R Vehicle Hub Pro, Alpine SPX-137R front andrear speakers, Alpine TUE-T112 TV tuner, NVE-NO99PNavigation, custom boot build with Directed amps andtwo Alpine SWR-1242D subs

THANKS: Jojo at Dynamic Performance Engineering(001 562 424 3344/www.dpengineering.cc), Teddy Hsuat SSDD Motorsport (07920 575052/www.ssdd-motorsport.com), Eddie at Formula Image.com (001 212423 0600/www.formulaimage.com), Mem and the guysat Dynamic Sounds (020 7252 6061/www.dynamicsounds.co.uk)

DATA FILE

Used as a demo car for Dynamic Soundsit’s hardly surprising the ICE is first class

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