The Shop

As an avid car enthusiast since I could possibly remember. It was always a dream to do an automotive-centric holiday. Late last year, I got my chance; I lost my job and found myself with some free time. The decision was made to hit Japan in January for the Tokyo Auto Salon. Using my journalistic connections, I managed to secure myself a media pass just days before my flight. For all car lovers out there, the Tokyo Auto Salon is THE aftermarket car event you just have to visit at least once in your lifetime. It was an experience not to be forgotten. But then, the Auto Salon isn’t the topic of discussion in this article. In this article, I am bringing to you the masters of BMW tuning in Japan: Studie.

Coinciding with my Tokyo Auto Salon visit, I slotted in a few other automotive related places of interest. Top of the list was Studie.AG. I planned to visit 2 of their locations. The main showroom in Yokohama as well as the largest branch in Tokyo. After some careful research and planning on the internet, I found my way.

Just who are Studie? Quite possibly THE place to go to if you are piloting a BMW in Japan. Whatever your BMW needs, they’ll probably have it. My first Studie stop will be over in Yokohama, their main showroom. After about half an hour’s worth of walking in the freezing winter cold from Shin-Yokohama station. I was greeted with the roar of a genuine Alpina thundering down the road. It was my first ever encounter with an Alpina, and did it look gorgeous.

Studie’s Yokohama showroom and garage are situated right next to the train tracks in a rather quiet suburban area, head inside and you’d be hard pressed to believe that this is an automotive parts showroom. Artwork hanging from the walls and ceilings are displayed right next to a behemoth of BMW related products. Wheels, mufflers, engine covers, suspension kits, floor mats, pretty much whatever you can think of.

Most obvious ornament from the entrance though is that E30 M3 racer decked out in Warsteiner warrior colours. Its intention for being there though is a lot more sublime. The entire interior and dashboard has been removed, and sitting in its place are the steering controls for Gran Turismo. A flat screen has been bolted onto the bonnet and not surprisingly, the Top lap times are all from BMWs.

It has been said that Japanese tuners are often perfectionist and look into the smallest of details, this is true of Studie’s cars and showrooms, small little touches line the walls and shelves throughout the space to give it that “homely” feel. Even the chess set sitting on the table was made out of nuts and bolts! I wish I had a house this sweet.

After a brief chat with the founder and owner of Studie, Bob Yasuaki, I was given a short tour of the garage. The cars that interested me though, were the ones sitting outside waiting to be worked on. A genuine E36 Alpina B3 and an E28 M5. This was also my first ever encounter with the E28 M5. Turns out the owner of this E28 has a thing for M5s, having also the E34 and E39 M5s in his stable at home. Bob was kind enough to let me roam around a bit more and off to the car park I went. Here is where things get a little bit more interesting.

Located across the road is Studie’s carpark; it is also where they keep some used BMWs meant for sale. It was here that I saw a pristine E30 M3 getting washed and a pair of really wild Z4s. The really crazy one is this lean green M machine. A totally decked out Z4 wearing a GT3 racing body. Words failed me here as I went camera mad and clicked away. A newer generation Z4 wearing a list of AC Schnitzer clothes sat right next to it.

A mad red E46 M3 proudly displayed their slogan below the Studie insignia, “We were born 2 run”. I can definitely subscribe to that.

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