Pssst! Can you keep a secret? This wide-arch weapon actually started out as a humble diesel 3 Series! Acting as parts giant KODE’s latest demo car, it’s pushing the boundaries just as much as the company it represents…

If you’re into modified cars, chances are you’ve heard of KODE. The company has developed a name for itself as the go-to place for JDM-inspired goodies we all love to treat our cars to once in a while. Including tow straps, bumper fasteners and even those dildo gear shifters.

Religiously attending most of the amazing modified car shows around the country each year, KODE has also always had a couple of mental demo cars on hand to showcase its products. You might remember some of them from this very magazine, including a rather bonkers gold Honda Jazz from a few years back.

CMST Wide Arch BMW 3 Series

But now, with the introduction of some exciting new carbon fibre and body kit parts throughout its range, KODE’s founder Kwok Au has stepped up his demo car game with this rather brutal F30 BMW 3 Series build. One of the first of its kind in the country to boast a wide-arch kit, along with an almost countless number of other goodies, if this car doesn’t act as a fitting testament to what the boys and girls at KODE can achieve, we don’t know what does.

“We bought this 320D in very good condition. We needed a car to showcase our new 3 Series products,” says Kwok. Yes, you read that right: beneath the fantastic custom bodywork lies a modest four-pot 2.0-litre oil burner (more later).

“With wide arches and stance becoming increasingly popular, we needed a modern car to use as a platform to develop a new style of parts,” Kwok continues. Keen to become a UK stockist of wide-arch conversion kits, he was quick to dismiss the obvious choices of Liberty Walk and Rocket Bunny in favour of something a little more unique. “We set our sights on CMST, a Chinese wide-arch company whose own demo BMW looked great. We wanted to create a UK version.”

CMST Wide Arch BMW 3 Series

CMST focuses on prestige cars and fitted the brief perfectly for Kwok. After some discussions and the agreement that KODE would stock CMST products for other lucky UK customers, Kwok snapped up the aforementioned stock BMW and began to pluck up the courage to begin taking the cutting tools to it.

“First of all, we took the car down to Havair to get the air suspension on it” says Kwok. This comprised of trick HP Drivetech bags controlled with premium Air Lift management, meaning Kwok’s F30 was scraping the ground in no time at all…

Want to know more? Check out the full feature on KODE’s 3 Series in Fast Car magazine issue 383 on sale now in all good shops, the Fast Car online shop or alternatively download Fast Car magazine 381 now.