Hi everyone,
I recently acquired a 1996 BMW Z3 Cabriolet fitted with the AC Schnitzer 2.1 engine conversion kit. I've spent the past several months researching this car and have managed to build quite a complete documentation file, but I'm hoping to connect with other owners of the same kit.
What I know about the car:
The conversion was carried out by Schnitzer Motorworks in Freilassing. The engine block carries the stamp ACS M44/2.1 — P002 — 708, which according to my contact at AC Schnitzer means:
In other words, this appears to be one of the very first possibly the actual prototype used to obtain TÜV type approval in November 1996, before the car was first registered on 19 December 1996 with just 17 km on the clock.
The car was also physically inspected at AC Schnitzer in Aachen on 3 June 2026, and Daniel Böker (Head of Sales Export) provided written confirmation on AC Schnitzer letterhead that all kit components are original.
What AC Schnitzer told me about the kit in general:
The kit specs (from the original ACS catalogue):
What I'm hoping for:
Thanks in advance!
Jan
Waregem, Belgium
I recently acquired a 1996 BMW Z3 Cabriolet fitted with the AC Schnitzer 2.1 engine conversion kit. I've spent the past several months researching this car and have managed to build quite a complete documentation file, but I'm hoping to connect with other owners of the same kit.
What I know about the car:
The conversion was carried out by Schnitzer Motorworks in Freilassing. The engine block carries the stamp ACS M44/2.1 — P002 — 708, which according to my contact at AC Schnitzer means:
- P002= on the engine is the second "programmstand" of the kit
- 708 = 9th engine built in the 2.1 series (the numbering starts at 700, series-specific)
- The ECU sticker is handwritten in red ink, dated 28 October 1996 — Löhr confirmed this is because "it was a first Versuchsstand (prototype/test build). The sticker was never replaced. This software version corresponds to the final approved release."
- P003 = internal software version (P003 was the first version released to customers)
In other words, this appears to be one of the very first possibly the actual prototype used to obtain TÜV type approval in November 1996, before the car was first registered on 19 December 1996 with just 17 km on the clock.
The car was also physically inspected at AC Schnitzer in Aachen on 3 June 2026, and Daniel Böker (Head of Sales Export) provided written confirmation on AC Schnitzer letterhead that all kit components are original.
What AC Schnitzer told me about the kit in general:
- More than 100 engines were built across four variants: M40, M43 (2-valve) and M42, M44 (4-valve)
- The kits were sold mainly in Greece
- Schnitzer Motorsport lost their archives in a flood approximately 15 years ago, so the exact number of kits per variant is unknown
The kit specs (from the original ACS catalogue):
- Bore: 86.4 mm / Stroke: 89 mm / Displacement: 2,086 cc
- Compression: 10.5:1
- Power: 129 kW / 175 PS @ 6,000 rpm
- Torque: 220 Nm @ 4,250 rpm
- 0–100 km/h: 7.5 s / Top speed: 222 km/h
- Fuel: Super Plus ROZ 98
What I'm hoping for:
- Has anyone else here owned or currently owns a Z3 with the ACS 2.1 M44 kit (part no. 1100 37 20)?
- Any documentation, photos or information about these conversions would be hugely appreciated
- Particularly interested in connecting with owners in Greece, where most of these kits were reportedly sold
Thanks in advance!
Jan
Waregem, Belgium
