1982 Dietel-Alpina 345i
Leading up to this car, Mike Dietel was importing European-spec BMWs for the west coast market. With a keen eye to create the most dramatic 3 series possible, he envisioned this car which was the last to come from Dietel Enterprises in Laguna Hills, California. Engineer Tom Coleman extensively reworked the entire car including engine, chassis and interior modifications.
The basis for this 345i was the 3.2-liter engine from the 745i with mild forced induction. Turbocharged to 7.5 pounds of boost, 310 to 340 bhp was available which was quite a bit in 1982. Power was sent to the rear wheels through a close-ratio Alpina five-speed transmission and limited-slip differential. Despite the bulk under the hood, Dietel still found room for the air conditioning system.
To deal with the increased power, Dietel significantly upgraded the chassis with triangulated chrome-moly tubing. Furthermore, the suspension components were upgraded with chrome-moly replacements including Bilstein/Alpina coilovers and drop link front sway bars. Brake rotors from the BMW M1 were also installed with Lockheed Martin 4-piston calipers.
The distinct wide-body kit was a new design which Dietel hoped to market. It was built from fiberglass by Wayne Hartman Fiberglass. The design predated the E30 M3 which effectively replaced this type of car. One major criticism of the design was the American-spec bumpers which were much larger than their European counterparts.
At their 2009 auction, Barrett-Jackson sold the only Dietel 345i for $30,800.00 USD.
Story by Supercars.net
In Detail
| type | Professionally Tuned Car |
| built at | Laguna Hills, California, USA |
| production | 1 |
| price $ | $ 64,000 |
| engine | Inline-6 |
| position | Front Longitudinal |
| aspiration | Turbochargers w/Alpine/KKK Wastegate |
| fuel feed | L-Jetronic Electronic Injection |
| displacement | 3210 cc / 195.89 in³ |
| compression | 7.5:1 |
| power | 231.2 kw / 310 bhp @ 6000 rpm |
| specific output | 96.57 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 229.13 bhp per tonne |
| torque | 497.6 nm / 367 ft lbs @ 2600 rpm |
| redline | 6350 |
| body / frame | Unitary Steel Monocoque |
| driven wheels | RWD |
| wheel type | BBS 3-piece Alloy |
| front tires | 225/50VR-15 Pirelli P7 |
| rear tires | 285/40VR-15 Pirelli P7 |
| front brakes | BMW M1 Ventilated Discs w/Lockheed Martin 4-Piston Calipers |
| rear brakes | BMW M1 Ventilated Discs w/Lockheed Martin 4-Piston Calipers |
| front wheels | F 38.1 x 22.9 cm / 15 x 9 in |
| rear wheels | R 38.1 x 27.9 cm / 15 x 11 in |
| steering | Rack & Pinion w/Power Assist |
| f suspension | MacPherson Struts w/Bilstein/Alpina Coil-Overs |
| r suspension | Alpina Coil-Overs |
| curb weight | 1352.92 kg / 2980 lbs |
| weight distro | 57 % / 43 % |
| wheelbase | 2540 mm / 100 in |
| front track | 1397 mm / 55 in |
| rear track | 1435.1 mm / 56.5 in |
| length | 4343.4 mm / 171 in |
| width | 1727.2 mm / 68 in |
| height | 1333.5 mm / 52.5 in |
| transmission | Alpina Close-Ratio 5-Speed Manual |
| gear ratios | 3.42:1, 2.07:1, 1.47:1, 1.16:1, 1:1 |
| 0 – 60 mph | ~5.5 seconds |
| 0 – 100 mph | ~14 seconds |
| 0 – 1/4 mile | ~14 seconds |
| fuel capacity | 49.20 litres or 13 gal. |
