06.12Blending in?: Alex Pak’s 2006 BMW 330i

Words: Gabriel Ronquillo

Snaps: The Dude Himself

It’s a crazy world out there…well, crazy would be the wrong word. Grueling would seem much more fitting for the current times. If you want to go big, you have to work hard at it, and when you finally make it to the top, you definitely have to flaunt it. Why? Because you can. Most people would satisfied with any BMW with a ride height that doesn’t ask for a second look, a system that doesn’t make people bob their heads as if they’re nodding in approval, and stock wheels that will stay on the car for the duration of it’s life. If you wanted to step your game up, then you can take the route that Alex Pak. The 2006 BMW 330i is a very practical way of getting around, but blending in is something that most people who are even remotely interested in cars would want.

So what exactly is the appeal of Pak’s car? After all, he’s left the drive train alone (automatic gear box, but no one minds),and the motor pretty much the way it left the dealer with the exception of a custom exhaust and a Gruppe M intake. What makes this car special isn’t what’s under the bonnet, but its uncanny way of drawing attention, even at a standstill in the parking lot of your local Starbucks. Pak explains, “The uniqueness of the new 3 series design is what pushed me over the fence, because it was either this car or the new Lexus IS. Ultimately, I choose the BMW as the Lexus didn’t have the lines that flowed properly.”

Complimenting the factory body lines include an M-Tech kit, CSL Trunk, and a 3D lip. The end result is what you see on this page. The subtle yet effective exterior pieces took an already good looking platform and turned it into a car that you would beg to drive around, let alone be in. Thanks to a close relation to our own personal staff, the BMW has seen more sets of wheels in a couple of months than an average car goes through with several owners.

As fun good looking as the car is, Pak still has some things he’d like to change. “I kick myself all the time for not waiting to get a 335 with a proper gear box, but it’s okay. The car is fun, comfortable, and turns heads.” There are plans for the car, such as painting the chrome window trim as well as getting more wheels through Wheeldude. With the effort to sourcing something that sets his car apart, Pak claims it wasn’t done on his own. “I;d like to give a shout out to e90post, longtran, Andy aka minipuck, and Wheeldude for helping me with the ideas as well as pulling off what I thought I couldn’t do.”

Owner – Alex ‘Pakman’ Pak
Hometown – Fremont, CA
Daily Grind – Full time student
Power – 240hp, ???tq
Under the hood – Gruppe M intake, custom exhaust
Drivetrain – N/A
Control – ST Coilovers
Rollers – Linea Corse Z2S, 235/275 General tires
Outside – M-tech kit, Csl trunk, Blacklines, 3d Lip
Inside – tint, M-steering wheel
Props – wheeldude

Pak’s setup can be found here.

Additional snaps in our gallery.

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