We sat down with Eric, the founder and editor of Taiwan-based automotive and motorcycle media Night Shift, to talk about the roots of his passion for cars. At the heart of his story lies his father’s love for BMWs — a passion that shaped not only his family life but also his own journey as an enthusiast.
The E30: A Dream Machine
Eric’s father first fell in love with BMW decades ago. In the late 1990s, when E30s were still attainable in Taiwan, he managed to acquire a 1985 320i sedan from Eric’s uncle. At the time, six-cylinder E30s were rare, and the price difference between a 318i and a 320i was significant.
That car became his canvas. Before Eric and his sister were born, his father devoted himself to transforming it into a period-correct masterpiece. The M20 was swapped for an Alpina B3 2.7, while details like M-Tech seats, Bosch dark headlights, MHW taillights, Alpina wheels and steering wheel, Racing Dynamics sway bars, a Hartge strut bar, and even an Alpina clock brought the project to life. From the outside it looked purposeful. On the touge, it was alive.
The E34: Balance of Family and Passion
As the family grew, the compact E30 no longer suited their needs. The solution came in the form of the E34 — spacious enough for four, yet still rewarding to drive. It marked a new stage in his father’s life, as priorities shifted toward family without abandoning his love for cars.
Unlike the radical E30 build, the 525i was a more refined project. Styled subtly as an M5 lookalike, the real magic lay beneath the hood: forged M54B30 internals inside the M50 brought output to around 220 hp, enough to surprise modern cars while remaining reliable for daily use. To the casual observer, it looked stock. To enthusiasts, it was quietly special.
The E36: A Family-Built M3 Lookalike
The story didn’t end with his father. Inspired by the E30, Eric’s uncle — his father’s older brother — entrusted him to lead a project of his own: building an E36 325i coupe into a proper M3 lookalike.
The transformation was comprehensive, with body kit, spoiler, interior, and wheels sourced from an M3. Performance upgrades went further, including M50B28 internals, high cams, and a tuned Kelleners Sport ECU. The result was a car that captured the thrill of an M3, yet carried the unique value of a family-built project.
More Than Just Old Cars
Today, the E30 is no longer with them, but Eric treasures the E34 and E36 as his inheritance. For him, these cars are more than machines. They are living memories of his childhood, symbols of his father’s passion, and the foundation of his own lifelong love for cars.
“They might look like just old cars to others,” Eric reflects, “but to me, they are the roots of a passion that will stay with me forever.”
