Here at The Autopian, we’re huge fans of weird car features. Cooling system thermoflasks to get engines up to temperature quickly, enormous windshields, the ability to jump, you name it. However, just when you think you’ve seen it all, there’s more. This 1995 BMW 325i has something you’ve probably never seen in a car before. That’s because there’s a functional waterfall in the trunk.
Alright, before we get into the wildness up in the trunk, let’s zoom out and look at this E36 3 Series in its entirety. This automatic 325i sedan is currently up for auction on Cars & Bids, and although it might not be the most exciting drivetrain one could’ve chosen in 1995, the sheer condition of this car should offset any qualms about the transmission.
See, this thing is spotless, having covered just 62,100 miles in the past 29 years. Its Montreal Blue Metallic paint gleams, its bodywork all looks straight, and it’s rocking some tasty extras. Bits like AC Schnitzer wheels and skirts, European lighting, paint-matched pieces, and a well-specced sound system. It’s not cheap to do Focal and MB Quart components with an inverted JL Audio 12W6V2-D4 subwoofer and JL audio amplifiers, but I bet they sound clean and loud.
Back in the trunk with the inverted subwoofer is a functional waterfall. More specifically, the listing notes that it’s a “Custom 2500 GPH, 18-gallon waterfall and plexiglass spillway backlit with LED’s in the trunk.” That’s 18 gallons of water circulated through a pump meant for a 10,000-gallon swimming pool and fed back into the bottom of the trunk waterfall-style.
It’s a pretty mental setup with the amplifiers for the stereo located underneath the plexiglass spillway, not to mention the other pieces of sensitive electronics located in the vicinity of the waterfall. In addition to the subwoofer and the amplifiers in the trunk, the inside of the trunk lid features a brace of screens.
For decades now, the car show scene has revelled in elaborate trunk setups. Think back to the “Need For Speed: Underground 2” days, and you’ll be amazed at how things have evolved. For instance, this Lexus GS300 VIP build has an actual koi pond in the trunk. It’s probably safe to assume that koi aren’t driven to and from shows in the trunk, but still, insane setup.
Even on a simpler level, especially with air suspension components in the trunk, it’s not uncommon to see wood trunk floors in the scene. While this 325i does feature air suspension, it hides its compressor and tank behind custom panels, instead relying on the waterfall for the bulk of its trunk appeal. Frankly, it works. It’s wild, it’s out there, it’s something that gets the people going.
As it stands, the high bid on this E36 show car sits at $6,000 with less than a day to go on the auction. While it’s yet to be seen whether or not this thing meets reserve, it’s hard to deny that a trunk-mounted waterfall is incredibly unique.
(Photo credits: Cars & Bids)
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As a big fan of fountains, I still have to say: Nope.
*insert Jeff Goldblum in Jurassic Park*
You were so focused on whether you could, you didn’t stop to think if you should.
Reminds me of the wild 90’s, early 2000 era of car audio. Those amps are period correct for that era. Initial thought was no way an amp could survive being covered up like that, then saw the amps, JL Slash series, ok those will be fine.
So many fiberglass pods and motorized amp racks. I’m pretty sure I have permanent hearing damage from being in a garage at a stereo shop when someone decided to do a quick ‘burp’ with an IASCA db champion car with its doors open. It hit 163db (I’m pretty sure it hit ~167 in competition).
“Why are you pulling over?”
“I have to pee. Again.”
Checks calendar… notes it’s not April 1…
Wonders if lack of crotch air conditioning vent has affected IQ levels as well…
Xzibit, is that you?
This has to be the single dumbest thing I have ever seen done to a car. A waterfall surrounded by expensive electronics, what could possibly go wrong? <facepalm>
Yeah, but is there a little boat that goes behind the waterfall?
*insert Disney joke here*
The 8th wonder of the world. 😉
Think back to the “Need For Speed: Underground 2” days – Thomas Hundal
I bought that game because I’m a NFS fan, and it was awesome. However, now when someone mentions this game, their “Black Betty” edit pops into my head (not that that’s a bad thing).
I’m so mad that you mentioned that “Black Betty” edit, lol. As soon as I read those words, the song got stuck in my head like a curse. I’m going to spend the rest of the day trying to scrub it out…
“I don’t need no scrubs…”
“Don’t go chasing waterfalls…”
Yo dawg
***We heard you liked water, so we put a waterfall in your trunk!
I used to have a pond in a trunk of GS300 and nobody batted an eye.
Edit: just noticed a second video and apparently, it’s a thing now. Go figure.
That waterfall has no business being in a car but that’s awesome
That’s nothing. My high school car had a hot tub in the trunk… I had a ’72 Galaxy 500 two door with rust holes in the trunk lid. Growing up in the south meant hot days, with late afternoon showers most days. My trunk would fill up with water, and the hot sun would make the water uncomfortably warm. I joked about having a hot tub in the back.
Funniest thing was you could hear the water sloshing around while driving!
*Submechanophobia intensifies*
Would have been awesomer if they just plumbed the fuel tank and used gasoline instead of water.
It would really make it da bomb!
lots of BMW have waterfalls. just need to get the sunroof. the drain holes will clog, instant waterfall from the roof which is much better than the trunk because you can watch it happen as you drive.
New and interesting ways to make your BMW leak fluids!
Tell me you really miss 2003 without telling me you miss 2003…
Had the same thing happen to the water pump of my ‘96 GMC a month ago.
That is some pimp my ride level shit right there.
“Yo dude, I heard you like water…”
“Please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you’re used to…”
warum ist Wasser in meinem Stiefel
I dressed my wife up like a two dollar hooker with gold fish in her shoes. Looks great, right?
“So how modded is your E36?”
“It’s basically stock aside from one or two things”
Please somebody buy this and bring it to a bmw dealership. “Customer states water in trunk. Check and advise.”
There was a video of an aussie mechanic putting basically chocolate in his beater to try and kill it (he couldn’t) but one of the top comments said “you should take this to a mechanic and ask what’s wrong”
Customer requires water pump replacement… no, not that water pump.