BMW E30 Barbecues Turbo While Going 120 MPH

Aftermarket turbocharging is an exciting prospect, from both the performance and failure standpoint.

Take, for example, this BMW E30 convertible catching on fire at 120 mph. 1320Video captures all the superheated action from the most desirable spot—right behind the fire engulfed turbo!

Judging by the way he rips through 3rd gear in to 4th, the driver is trying to wring every pony out the heavily doctored 3-Series E30 convertible. Unfortunately, the up shift from 4th to 5th doesn’t go so smoothly. That’s when the engine gets perilously close to the redline, and the turbo ignites.

Fortunately it didn’t straight explode, because it wouldn’t have been difficult to imagine things going in that direction. The description by 1320 reports that a small oil leak splashed the exhaust manifold, which caused the fire. It’s good nothing super flammable was around the turbo, and otherwise, the engine—and the gorgeous custom metal work of the manifold—might have been a complete loss.

Just a head’s up, there’s some NSFW language in the clip, as you might expect after such an exciting ride.

Chime in with your thoughts on the forum. >>

Via [1320Video]