BMW M3 E30 DTM 1/12 Conversion/Scratchbuild

Hi,here are the first pics from my latest scratchbuild/conversion project.
I want to create a BMW M3 touring car.The car won lots of champions ships all over the world.
Here are the first steps to make the mold of it.

http://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0001upk0a.jpg

http://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0002hikmg.jpg

Lots of changes to the master.

http://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_000349kay.jpg

On the inside i made lots of sanding.

http://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_000457kfc.jpg

The base plate for the body.

http://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0005uukp3.jpg

Looks fine.

http://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_000628k2g.jpg

The wooden frame to hold the silicon.

http://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0007exkqn.jpg

Put together and hold with stripes in place.


http://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0008h7kyk.jpg

The master was brushed with a thin coat of silicone to prevent it from airbubbles.

http://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0009l2ky3.jpg

http://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0010r4jd9.jpg

Outer frame sits into the place.Ready for casting.

http://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0011o8k0o.jpg

The hole for fill in.

http://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_001263kvw.jpg

Mold is filled with 3,5kg silicone.

http://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0013dak0r.jpg

After one night its ready for molding.The inside looks fine.

http://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0014ghk25.jpg

The block for the inner core.

http://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0015jnksb.jpg

http://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0016ckj4o.jpg

Ready for casting with quick setting-resin.

http://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0017psk9i.jpg

http://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0018kgjw2.jpg

Casted and ready for some sanding.

http://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0019iajr0.jpg

http://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_002038ji0.jpg

The frame was rebuilded for molding the silicone.

http://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0021k0j86.jpg

Some cleaning is necessary,but the molds looks good.

http://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_00228nkpn.jpg

http://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0023hdjzv.jpg

And here are the result.


https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_002494z1n.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_00252hb73.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0026cba1k.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0027q2xnl.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0028nszwl.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0029mezmy.jpg

The first castings looks very good.Only some smaller bubbles at the front.But i try to prevent them with a different filling of the mold.
I do my best.
Next step are the wheels/rims.

Thanks
Christian

Wow, another amazing project of a great car also I love. Will follow u closely as usual Chris !

ummm, wow!

Will be watching this with wonder.

Looks awesome

Excellent skills...

wonderful!! I love that car

Chris, nice project!
Try to cast with pressure chamber *– it will remove air bubbles from the resin.

Thanks for the hint with the pressure chamber.But how big should this be for my molds?I dont got enough space for building,so where i should put this chamber?
Next step are the two different mirros.

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0032e4ui7.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0033aauzf.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0034gjuiw.jpg

Thats the late version.The rear wing was also different,but can be changed from hand i think.

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_00357uue3.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0036qmuma.jpg

Now the first version.

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_00370yu8f.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0038qmuvv.jpg

Rims with nuts and the dashboard.

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0039s6uwv.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0040kdufl.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0041cmu3r.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0042jtuj6.jpg

4 different versions of the steering wheel.The one i choose are the one i designed from two different ones.

regards
Christian

Now the printed parts arrived from shapeways.
Many thanks to Torsten who made the design for me.

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0044hbkqz.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_00450cj57.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_00460bjim.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0047z9jyl.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0048ilkc4.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0049vkkr9.jpg

The rollcage fits perfect into the body.Too good.
When the body and the floor is assembled its too tight.Need to cut it and glue it together.But first when the chassis is done.
Created the inner structure and sanded it a bit.Now the structure is done and need to fill the holes all around for casting.
The "Fina" wheels are also printed.But i miss the outer rim ring.So i made one from an old Tamiya rim and sanded it up to 2mm.
Some glue on it and the rim was ready.
More to come soon.

regards Christian

Final version of the rims are ready for casting.
I changed the width of the tires a bit.Now its all fine.

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0050kdsf5.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_005131sil.jpg

The next step is finish the chassis master for making the mold.
Thats the final part of the model making.

regards Christian

super nice. keep on

The chassis master is created and i just casted it into resin.

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0052qdu7y.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0053ouukl.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0054druce.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0055houno.jpg

That was the last mold i need.Next are the rollcage.I got a printed one here,but needs some refitting.
regards
Christian

Some parts are primed to test it.

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0056cpuka.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0057b5u1i.jpg

The chassis with rear trunk cover is done.

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0058vlu0k.jpg

Some fitting test with the BBS style rims.

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0059ivu2h.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0060deudd.jpg
Overall i think its ok so.Some thinning in the wheel arches can be made maybe.
But the look is ok,i think.
Tomorrow i will test the Fina wheels,but they should fit the same.
Than i cut the roll cage to fit it into the car.
Thats the last step,i hope.
regards
Christian

In the meantime i found some time to create the cage.

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_00615hudo.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0062c4uiv.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0063d1uc8.jpg

It looks fine for me.Only the "X" behind the driver seat is a bit out of shape.But dosent matters to me.It cant be seen once the body is on.
Now i hope the my CAD constructor could create a new cage out of my data.
regards Christian

Today i put the M3 on the other wheels.Looks fine.

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0064ftuwy.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0065nmufc.jpg

Dashboard was installed and also the steering wheel.Works.

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0066v6u1j.jpg

The rear wing was put in place with two pins and the exhaust was created.

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0067rou00.jpg

For the exhaust i used a piece of "Ureol" and sanded it in shape.
Than i took two pipes plastic and made the angle with some heat.
On top i put two "Aderendhülsen" (some electrical stuff in different sizes) as the exhaust pipes.
Simple sanded it with a different angle and thats it.
Now i have to cast the exhaust in resin and put two "Aderendhülsen" into the kit.

regards
Christian

The roll cage does not match the works M3s, as seen in the BMW Museum. The cage extends all the way back to the top of the C-pillar.

It is somewhat hard to see on this picture, but you can see that bridge like girder complexity!

http://s102.photobucket.com/user/bigpatviggen/media/Musee%20BMW/IMGP8507.jpg.html

http://members.roadfly.com/88mpower/DTM1S.jpg

I do not want to take away from your usual extraordinary craftmanship, but if you are trying to model these works car, I guess it would be better to know now. If not, then I'll see myself out! :)

@Big Pat:
You are right,but my version is the first one and he got the shape i created.The later version got another style for the roll cage.If someone wants this,he have to creat it by scratch.

Hi,today i watched the classic race from the old DTM at the Norisring.
Great to see those old racers again.
So here is my version of the BMW M3.

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_00730bl8r.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0076ccxcv.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0078bqyu3.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0081v6zfb.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_00858pxho.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0086bfah9.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_00870ibng.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0096d0yf2.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0099oqyzb.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0102wubez.jpg

I used some small tiny drops of glue to put all the parts together.
On the first pics are the BBS style wheels and later there are the FINA wheels to see.I will offer two versions.
Different wheels and different mirrors. Thats all.

I had to cut some resin at the dashboard to fit the roll cage to the chassis.Its nothing big,but have to be done.
I will offer the kit without the roll cage.He can be printed at shapeways or scratchbuild with a template.
This week i should receive the first two different decals sets.They should fit perfect because he got a resin body for test fit.
Now i have to cast some more parts and ,hopefully,sell some of them.

regards Christian

coming real nice. Congratulations Chris

Some small progress on the M3.
The roll cage version 2 is uploaded to shapeways and in production.

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0120iau8p.jpg
A new version of the wheel/tire combination is also designed.Thanks Torsten!

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0121uuubs.jpg

The old one got a wrong diameter.The new ones where round about 5mm bigger.Thats quiet a lot.
A M3 fan told me that my wheels are complete wrong and he was right.
The BBS versions also wrong.They are in the making.

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0122i5uk3.jpg

In the meantime my two decal versions are ready.I think they look very good.
regards
Christian

Where are the decals printed?

They are done by a buddy of mine.
www.scalemodeller.de

His page is not updated since some years.But he is still there.
He did all the decals for my special projects.

The new EVO tires arrived today.
Looking much better than before.

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0123nquqg.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_012430u1i.jpg

before....

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_01255bux3.jpg

after.Thats how a race tire should look like.

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0126t9ute.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0127mdu52.jpg

At the back i have to sand it a bit.

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0128u5uai.jpg

The final roll cage version is printed.Looking good and should fit fine.

regards Christian

Finaly some new pics with the corrected tires and some white primer on.

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0156x4jya.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0157b5jav.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0158oqkdo.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0159zzkcx.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0160nikj6.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0161bsj93.jpg

In white it looks quiet good.I hope the primer is thick enough to use it after smooth sanding for the base color with any new layers.
Should work,i hope.

In the meantime i offer this Evo kit for 140€ in the forums i am on or for 150€ at ebay.
Just leave me a message if you are interested in a kit.

regards Christian

great model as usual Chris.
Those are really amazing in so big scale.

btw Havent u seen the guy in Fb making this car in 1/12 3d printed (street version) ?

Thanks Paolo!
Today i started with the first couple of decals.

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0165qxstn.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_01666esl6.jpg

Its always a big step forward when the first decals are on.Looking good so far.

regards Christian

Now all decals are on the body.
Many thanks to Michael who printed these decals for me.
Perfect Job dude!

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0167vysfe.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0168nmsyp.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_01690tshx.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0170rtsw9.jpg

Now its time to dry some days before the clear coat will be applied.

regards Christian

Hi,
after a hdd chrash where i lost lots of data i am back in modeling.

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_00397qral.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0040rqqr9.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0041mno1q.jpg

The body is clear coated and the window frames are black colored.Needs some detail work to get the edges sharp.
At the moment i work on the other BBS rim version to get it ready for casting.

Thanks Christian

Hello again,
now i also got the early BBS rim ready.

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0042xxshu.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0043yhsit.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0044kjsbg.jpg

Looks fine to me.
Now all parts are finally done.
If somebody is interested in a M3 kit just sent me a message,please.

regards Christian

PS: Sadly all my old picture are gone.I used the german arcor provider and they moved to vodafone.They deleted all external links and so the pics are gone.
I will grab some time and re link all the gallery picture.The wip threads are too much work to made it all new.The pics form the wip threads are also on my website.
So many thanks to vodafone for that shit!

The M3 finally got his windows installed.

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_005957k76.jpg
https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_00600wk65.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0061gpj5p.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0062s4kua.jpg

Still have to scratch some parts in the cockpit section.

regards Christian

The cockpit section is nearly complete.Only the seat belts need to be made.Than i can glue the roll cage to the chassis.

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0063cpp8e.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0064m2qed.jpg

to be continued
regards Christian

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_00654ylfz.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0066abzcv.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_00678ja1z.jpg

https://abload.de/img/bmw-m3_0068miy4y.jpg

Now its done to 99,9%.
Only the kill switches and the wheel nuts have to be made.The rest is done.
I was faster than i first thought.The cockpit section with all those tiny parts who have to be scratchbuilded is always a step i am a bit afraid first.
When you dont got a kit with parts at the sprue its sometime hard to find a solution.But now its done and i am proud of the result.

Better pics in the gallery when its done to 100%.
Thanks for all your comments and thanks to all who watched this M3 coming to life.

all the best
Christian

I still cannot believe you have scratch built this. Fabulous work and a pleasure watching your build!

I still cannot believe you have scratch built this. Fabulous work and a pleasure watching your build!

Its not complete a scratchbuild.The main model comes from Ottomobile and was the street version M3 in 1/12 scale.

That was my starting point for this conversion.