A look back at the Portfolio BMW builds that helped shape IND as we approach 20 years in business.
As IND approaches 20 years in business, we felt it was the right time to reflect on the journey that brought us here. IND has never been just a business. At its core, it has always been a small group of automotive enthusiasts willing to put in the long days, late nights, and years of hard work required to build something meaningful.
Long before IND became a well-established automotive distribution company, we were fortunate to have several key clients who believed in our vision early on. Those clients trusted us with brand new E90 and E92 M3 chassis, giving us a blank canvas to create some of the most influential Portfolio builds of that era. Many of those projects helped define not only IND’s direction, but also the OEM+ styling philosophy that became closely associated with the BMW community during that time.
Recently, I ran into a longtime customer who said something that really stuck with me:
“You guys need to feature the insane M3 builds from the past so the newer generation can experience them.”
As time moves forward, websites evolve, links break, and entire eras of automotive culture slowly disappear from the internet. Many of the Portfolio builds that helped establish IND’s place within the industry have unfortunately been lost to time. Because of that, we wanted to take a step back and revisit some of the projects that still inspire us to this day.
This collection of features is not presented in chronological order, but rather as a revisit of some of our favorite builds and moments throughout the years. Alongside several iconic E9X M3 projects, we’ll also revisit memorable F87 M2 and F82 M4 builds that helped solidify IND’s identity during the early years of those chassis platforms.
As IND evolved into a global distribution company focused on bringing some of the highest quality automotive components from around the world to the North American market, the nature of our Portfolio program evolved as well. Today, many of our Portfolio projects are built around our own in-house media and development vehicles. These cars allow our team to become deeply familiar with the latest BMW platforms while also helping test, validate, and develop products alongside the manufacturers we represent.
Looking back on the projects that helped shape IND has been an important reminder of where we started, how far we’ve come, and where we hope to go next. The journey has been one wild ride, and revisiting these builds has reminded all of us not to lose sight of the passion that started it all.
Burn the Clock: Atlantis Blue BMW E92 M3
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I still remember the sleepless nights getting this Portfolio project ready. We had just two months to transform a factory Alpine White E92 M3 with only 29 miles on the odometer into a fully repainted, fully modified feature car destined for the front cover of Eurotuner magazine.
The end result was one of the cleanest E92 M3 builds of its era, combining some of the highest quality components available with an obsessive level of detail throughout the entire project. This no-budget build not only had to meet an extremely high standard in paint and build quality, but also needed to stand alongside the owner’s collection of exotic cars without compromise.
This project pushed everyone at IND to their limits. Long nights, tight deadlines, and constant pressure became part of the process, but looking back, the results speak for themselves. The Atlantis Blue E92 M3 delivered the perfect balance of aggressive styling, exotic materials, performance, and class in a way that still feels timeless today.
One of a Kind: IND’s Atlantis Blue BMW E90 M3
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The next IND Portfolio project we revisit features Atlantis Blue once again, but this time the E90 M3 arrived from the factory in this incredible shade through BMW’s Individual program. Even among Individual cars, Atlantis Blue was exceptionally rare, and from the beginning we knew the project deserved a very restrained OEM+ approach.
The goal with this build was subtlety. We wanted to create a car where the average person might not immediately recognize the amount of work, fabrication, and attention to detail involved. Every modification was selected to feel as though BMW could have built the car this way themselves.
At the time, RD Sport offered one of the most refined front bumper designs available for the E9X platform. Their full front bumper retained the original BMW design language while adding a more aggressive and purposeful appearance. Out back, the rear diffuser was molded directly into the factory bumper cover, creating a seamless finish that looked factory installed rather than aftermarket. A Challenge CSL-style trunk was added to complement the exterior lines, while an RKP carbon fiber roof panel transformed the E90 into something BMW never officially offered from the factory.
Beyond the rare wheels sourced directly from Japan, the overall aesthetic remained intentionally understated. There was no excessive exposed carbon fiber, no overly aggressive styling, and nothing that disrupted the clean factory-inspired appearance. The result was an E90 M3 that looked less like a modified car and more like a one-off BMW Individual concept that somehow escaped the factory floor.
Meaner Than Hell: IND’s Green Hell BMW E92 M3
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This Portfolio project was special for a number of reasons, but most importantly because it was built for a local customer who eventually became a close friend of ours. Sam believed in IND from the very beginning, and over time the project evolved alongside both our company and his vision for the car.
The build originally started in factory Alpine White during its first stage before eventually undergoing a complete transformation into Porsche Signal Green, giving birth to what became known as “Green Hell.” Throughout its different stages, Sam truly enjoyed the car the way it was intended to be used, both on the street and at the track.
Over the years the car changed hands a few times, but recently while attending a car show out East, the current owner of Green Hell stopped by our booth. It was incredible hearing that he was enjoying the car just as much as Sam did years earlier out in sunny Utah. Even better, he’s been carefully sourcing parts and restoring details to ensure the modifications stay true to the original build specifications.
Seeing a project like this continue to live on and inspire enthusiasm years later is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do. Cars like Green Hell become more than just builds over time, they become part of the history and relationships that helped shape IND into what it is today.
A Clear Signal: BMW Individual Signal Green E92 M3
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Jason’s Portfolio project was unique for a number of reasons, most notably because it marked the first time a complete IND Portfolio build was assembled entirely outside of IND. In fact, Jason personally installed every component himself in his own garage, a reflection of both his dedication to the project and his incredible attention to detail.
The foundation for the build was already something special: a factory BMW Individual E92 M3 finished in Porsche Signal Green. From the beginning, Jason’s goal was clear. He wanted the car to feature some of the rarest and highest quality parts available while still maintaining an understated OEM+ appearance rather than an overbuilt show car aesthetic.
One of the rarest components sourced for the project was the factory titanium exhaust system from the BMW M3 GTS. Acquiring the GTS exhaust was a challenge on its own. BMW kept an extremely close watch on GTS-specific parts, and even our friend in Germany who actually owned a genuine M3 GTS had difficulty obtaining a replacement system. BMW required him to bring the car in for inspection and approval before authorizing the exhaust sale. The amount of effort involved in securing that system was insane, but absolutely worth it once installed on the car.
Beyond the exhaust, the project also featured ultra-rare BMW Motorsport mirrors. The challenge there was that the Motorsport mirror bases were not compatible with the standard street-spec E92 M3 chassis. Fortunately, we had access to Sam’s Signal Green “Green Hell” E92 M3, and he allowed us to borrow the car so we could begin developing a custom mirror base in-house to properly adapt the Motorsport mirrors.
Countless hours went into the development process, from initial prototype work to final tooling at our composite manufacturing partner in Wisconsin. What started as a small idea evolved into a fully engineered solution that allowed the Motorsport mirrors to fit and function correctly on the street chassis while maintaining an OEM-level appearance.
As time went on, Jason eventually returned much of the car back to stock form, but years later the itch to recreate the original vision returned. We had the opportunity to work with him once again to bring “Clear Signal” back to life, and last year the project was proudly displayed in the IND booth during Bimmer Invasion.
More recently, the project even inspired one of our IND apparel designs, something that speaks to the lasting impact this M3 had on all of us here. To this day, Clear Signal remains one of IND’s favorite Portfolio projects, and from everything we’ve been told, it may also be one of the last remaining Signal Green 6-speed E92 M3s in North America.
Improving Perfection: Powerbeast’s Dakar Yellow BMW E90 M3
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Felix has always had exceptional taste when it comes to modifying BMW M cars, and over the years he has owned an impressive lineup of highly curated projects. When he shipped his E90 M3 to IND, the foundation was already something special: a factory BMW Individual Dakar Yellow sedan that immediately stood apart from the typical E9X builds of the era.
The goal with the project was not to completely reinvent the car, but rather to enhance an already rare and beautiful platform with carefully selected IND touches and ultra-rare OEM-inspired components. The end result was an E90 M3 that felt refined, aggressive, and unmistakably unique without losing the understated character that made the car special in the first place.
One of the standout details of the build was the installation of BMW Motorsport carbon fiber mirrors on the sedan chassis, something rarely seen at the time. The interior also featured custom BMW M Performance seats paired with a Fall-Line Motorsports roll bar, creating a perfect balance between motorsport functionality and factory-inspired design.
To this day, I still come across photos of Felix’s Dakar Yellow E90 M3 all over the internet, and the car continues to appear in promotional material and enthusiast coverage from BMW events across the country. It became one of those projects that quietly left a lasting impression on the community.
Felix’s passion for BMWs has never slowed down either. Even today he continues building and modifying new M platforms, and most recently we had the opportunity to work with him again on his latest G99 M5 Touring project.
Declaring War: Martin’s Track-Focused BMW E92 M3 by IND
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This project was a difficult one for all of us at IND. We’ve always tried to remain transparent about both the highs and lows of building cars, and this particular Portfolio project taught us some valuable lessons during the early years of the company.
From the start, Martin’s E92 M3 was assembled using some of the rarest and most exclusive components we could source at the time. Long before the market became saturated with valved exhaust systems, there was a company in Japan called Kreis-sieg known for building incredibly exotic valved exhaust systems with an unmistakable F1-inspired sound signature. Not only were we able to source one of these rare systems for the build, but Kreis-sieg also created a completely custom set of trumpet-style exhaust tips specifically for this project, making it a true one-of-one setup in the United States.
The car also featured rare carbon fiber components from Varis Japan along with multiple sets of Volk Racing TE37 wheels finished in custom specifications. Every detail of the build was carefully selected to create an aggressive, track-focused E92 M3 that still carried a very refined and intentional look.
Shortly after delivery, however, we realized Martin was ultimately not satisfied with the direction of the project. The car eventually returned to IND and was brought back to stock form. For the team here, that was genuinely difficult to go through because so much time, effort, and emotion had been invested into the build.
Even today, this M3 remains one of the favorite projects among the IND staff. In fact, at IND headquarters we still have a dedicated wall display featuring a large three-panel canvas artwork of the car. Over the years we’ve even discussed finding another Space Grey E92 M3 just to recreate the project and bring the vision back to life once again.
Before being parted out, the car appeared on the covers of multiple automotive magazines around the world and became one of the most recognizable IND Portfolio builds from that era. But at the end of the day, the customer’s satisfaction always comes first. If the client is not happy, then we are not happy either.
Looking back, this project became an important learning experience for a young company that was still evolving. It reinforced the importance of communication, understanding a client’s long-term vision, and making sure every build aligns not only with our vision, but with the owner’s as well.
GTS-Plus: IND’s 10th Anniversary M4
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As time moved on and the next generation of BMW M cars arrived, we found ourselves in Germany taking delivery of a Yas Marina Blue F82 M4. After spending time driving the new platform throughout Germany, the car was dropped off at Eisenmann for exhaust development before eventually making its way back to the United States.
Once stateside, the M4 quickly became a development platform for many of our partners, helping test and refine new products for the emerging F8X chassis. At the same time, we knew IND’s 10-year anniversary was approaching, and we wanted to create something truly special to celebrate the milestone.
While researching colors for the project, we landed on Porsche’s Ultraviolet, a deep and unmistakable purple that felt like the perfect canvas for the build we had envisioned. The color transformed the M4 into something aggressive and exotic while still retaining an OEM-inspired elegance that matched the direction of the project perfectly.
One of the standout details of the build was the installation of ultra-rare brand new E46 M3 CSL front seats. Integrating the seats into the F-chassis required custom seat brackets along with extensive fabrication to ensure proper fitment and functionality. To complement the custom rear roll bar setup, we also developed a bespoke carbon fiber closeout panel featuring CNC-machined inserts, all finished in matching Ultraviolet paintwork to tie the interior together seamlessly.
Over the years, the M4 evolved through several different configurations as new parts and ideas continued to develop around the platform. Despite the changes, the project always maintained the same core identity: a balance of motorsport influence, rare components, and refined OEM+ execution.
More recently, the car found a new home with IND’s longtime detailer Kevin. It’s special for all of us that the M4 remains close to home, allowing us to still see and enjoy the car regularly while knowing that a piece of IND history continues to be appreciated by someone who was part of its journey from the beginning.
Gelbgrün by IND: The Ultimate BMW F87 M2 Portfolio Build
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When the original BMW F87 M2 equipped with the N55 engine first arrived in the United States, we were fortunate enough to receive one of the earliest cars in the country. As with many new BMW M platforms before it, the M2 quickly became both a development vehicle and a test platform for IND and many of the manufacturers we worked closely with.
In its original form, the car allowed us to better understand the newest M chassis while helping our partners develop and validate products specifically for the F87 platform. Once development and testing were underway, we began tearing the car down to create what would become one of the most important Portfolio projects in IND history.
The goal behind the project was clear from the beginning. This car needed to represent everything IND had learned through years of building BMW M cars. It had to feel refined, cohesive, and intentional while still making a statement strong enough to stand apart within the industry.
Around the same time development started, one of IND’s original co-founders made the decision to leave the automotive industry and pursue a different path. Personally, that was difficult. Ilia had played a major role in nearly every important project we had built up to that point, and his influence could be found throughout IND’s history. Going into such a major build without him involved felt unfamiliar, but it also reinforced how important our overall process and design philosophy had become over the years.
At that point, IND had already established a clear formula for how we approached Portfolio projects. Every detail of the M2 was carefully reviewed to ensure the build stayed true to the design language and standards that had defined IND projects for years while still pushing the platform forward in a new direction.
Finished in Porsche Gelbgrün, the M2 immediately became one of the most recognizable cars we had ever built. The color transformed the chassis completely while still maintaining the OEM+ balance we always strive for. Over the years, the project has continued to evolve as new products entered the market, allowing the car to grow alongside the F87 platform itself.
Even today, the Gelbgrün M2 remains one of our favorite company vehicles and continues to travel with us to events and shows across the country. Most recently, I had the opportunity to drive the car on track during the Eventuri Autobahn Country Club brand experience. Several dealers and IND team members also spent time behind the wheel throughout the event.
What stood out most was how complete the package still feels years later. The suspension setup, braking performance, and power delivery remain incredibly balanced and confidence inspiring. The car was driven hard all day by drivers with different experience levels and never encountered a single issue or fault. Experiences like that reinforce what this project has always represented: a car that not only looks exceptional, but one that is genuinely validated through real-world track use and testing.
At this point, the Gelbgrün M2 has become much more than just another Portfolio build. It represents an important chapter in IND’s history and continues to reflect the passion, engineering, and design philosophy that shaped the company over the years.
Thank You for Taking This Journey with Us
While this article only highlights a small portion of IND’s Portfolio history, I wanted both longtime customers and newer enthusiasts to take a walk down memory lane with us. There are many special projects and important moments that were not included here, and if your car or project was not featured, it certainly was not by design. Over nearly 20 years in business, there have simply been too many incredible builds, friendships, and memories to fit into a single article.
This was an opportunity for us to revisit a handful of projects that helped shape IND and left a lasting impact on both our company and the BMW enthusiast community.
Most importantly, I want to sincerely thank everyone who helped make this dream a reality. To our families who supported us through the long nights, constant travel, and endless hours away from home, thank you. To the thousands of customers, dealers, partners, and enthusiasts who believed in IND throughout the years, thank you for being part of this journey and helping make all of this possible.
None of this would exist without the people who shared the same passion for cars that inspired us from the very beginning.
