Driven by Passion : Ep.01 – Kerbell Hernandez

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There’s always been this sort of point to all of this. For the past several years I’ve put it off because I kept making excuses. What if people didn’t care as much as I thought? What if it just didn’t hit the mark? Or worse – what if it just wasn’t good – period. I am and always will be my own worst critic so I think a lot of it was that last one. As I was getting the gear ready for the shoot and driving around to make sure this location would work, I realized the timing was just right. And I shouldn’t let the excuses get in the way. This series “Driven by Passion” is a look into the builds that never asked for attention. I feel like this social media boom dictates what’s worthy, what’s trending, and what’s next – while a select few are doing things a little differently. They’re not chasing clout, likes, or craving their comment section to be filled with fire emojis. They’re chasing something deeper – more personal.
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This series is dedicated to the car enthusiasts who build for themselves. No deadlines, no show schedules, no algorithm to crack – just the joy of shaping a vehicle into their own vision. Through photos, interviews, and stories – I’ll be digging into the history and the “why” behind it all – the calm garages, late nights, and moments nobody sees. It’s not about ignoring the spotlight, it’s about proving you never needed it.

To kick off the series, we have Kerbell Hernandez, who’s been around the local euro scene since the early 2000s. We’ll go into how all this started for him, his first car and how heated springs are never a good idea, then a fast forward to modifying two of BMW’s flagship models.

B: So let’s start at the beginning, at the shoot I know you said you had a…Volvo?

K: A Volkswagen! I’m into European cars but not that deep! Haha. My brother actually had a Volvo though.

B: Volkswagen! Right right – that makes more sense.

K: It was a 1992 VW Cabriolet, it was green with the white top…a convertible! I was in High School so I started driving that to school and started getting together with Julio and some of the guys from Volkspeed – but dude I’m talking about the early 2000’s.

B: Wow, yeah and I know Volkspeed has been around for a goood while.

K: Yeah a long time. So you know we used to go out, and that’s when Fast and Furious came out. I remember we all got together to go to the premiere of that, and back in the day we used to get together in McAllen and we’d go out racing.

B: Yeah and that was the thing – it was hang out for a bit then go race somewhere.

K: That was the thing! I mean you know with these cars haha…

B: Yeah they were running like 15s or 18s anyway- what’s the risk, haha.

K: I know! But it was a lot of fun. And that’s how I started getting involved with cars. 

B: So when you had the Cabriolet, did you start with the usual wheels and lowering it? What was the approach?

K: Yeah, so I would do…you know back in the day I didn’t have any money, man! So I had to heat the springs to lower the car and you can imagine how bad it would bounce! Then I started making money and the first thing I bought were Eibach springs. Then super sprint exhaust. And then some Enkei wheels from Discount Tire. You know you start little by little and it becomes an addiction.

B: So, right off the bat…

K: Pretty much. You know, when you start getting together with people that are modding their own cars, you see what they’re doing. You think ok I’m gonna lower it, I’m going to change the stereo and sound system… and it starts to evolve. But after that, I remember, the car was pretty much “done” and a good friend of mine had a Corrado VR6 – a very, very rare car. He bought it from up north and I was so in love with that car, man. So we made a deal where I traded him my car and some cash – because he wanted $6,500 so back in 2003 that was a LOT of money for me! So we made the deal. And that was a huge jump. The engine was stronger, it was a 2.8L VR6.

B: So the Corrado was a pretty big step up all around?

K: Yes! I remember with that one I would race the Si’s – and you know those were REALLY quick in the 2000s – that VTEC! When they started tuning them…man. But the Corrado already had some wheels and some mods so it was already started. I did some cosmetics and did some engine work, but that car, man…you’d get a lot of thumbs up because it was very rare. And it was a 1992! So older, but it was really, really nice. You know, I just recently sold a 1987 GTI. I did a VR6 swap but I bought a front clip from San Antonio to do the swap and it took me like 8 years, man. But I recently sold it.

B: I remember the pictures of that one, yeah!

K: Yeah that one had air suspension, BBS wheels, Recaro interior – there was a lot of money that went into that one trying to restore that car. But in the end, sometimes you don’t have enough time. And I felt like it was hard to find someone to help with the build…

B: It’s a little hard, especially with a certain level of build. Like the E30, I don’t know exactly how long you’ve had it or what that project looked like when it started but man…

K: And that to me is a mild restoration. You know it was around Covid, and I was with my nephew watching Formula 1 and I was on Ebay looking at cars, and this one came up.

B: on Ebay?

K: On Ebay, dude! And I said, man, I’m going to submit the bid. It was like $7,000. Because the car looked nice, pictures looked great. So I placed the bid and boom – “you won the car”. And now I have to bring it from California. And at the time none of the companies wanted to come all the way down here, they wanted to leave it in San Antonio. It took about a month to finally get it, and then I saw it and thought “what the fuck…this guy lied to me”.

B: Nooooo haha!

K: It was leaking a lot of oil, I mean not NORMAL, a lot more. And it was in okay shape but it wasn’t what the pictures showed. So I started this as a project. Met up with my friend Sergio at his shop to take out the engine, replaced all the gaskets and a refresh on that – the transmission got a new clutch and flywheel. Then air suspension with AirLift – now I love how it rides.

B: So it’s had the same air setup this whole time?

K: Yes, since I started the build, yeah. It was one of the first things I put in and it worked out really good and never had issues. So it was finishing up all the mechanical and then I started getting on Instagram and saw these builds from across the pond. I started getting in contact with a lot of these people in the UK and man the parts, the body kit – the MTECH II, here in the US you won’t really find it. And I’m talking 4 years ago, now it’s probably even worse to find. So I bought the OEM kit – and to ship that overseas, man, it’s a nightmare.

B: And around Covid? I’d imagine…

K: But you know I was surprised, the shipping only took maybe 2 weeks? But the boxes were HUGE. But because the parts were used, it’s a different process. But you start seeing all these boxes pile up in the garage. All the little parts when you start refreshing the exterior, that’s when the price starts going up – the little gaskets for windows, for the doors. And there’s only a few places to buy from- places like FCPEuro and ECS Tuning.

B: And the tricky part is some of these places don’t have photos either, it’s just a photo of a box and you have to think, “well I hope this is it, I hope the research was right!”.

K: Exactly! And then you have to deal with returns and it’s time consuming. But a lot of the parts I got from Germany. You know the headlights, the steering wheels, the shifter is from an M3 with the weird dog leg pattern. But it was a complete transformation. Then the body shop guy took all the panels out and did a really good job. Local guy, actually. Tabatha referred me to him.

B: Luis?!

K: Yes! It took a little while but when you see the work – it was a cool process. 

B: And did you have a vision for it from the beginning? Or an end goal? Or was it sort of as you go?

K: No, it was as I went – and it was a little more challenging that way! You know once you have something new – like the M2 or M3 – you just go down a list and say “I’m gonna buy this part, and this part” but with these older ones, some of these parts are out of control – pricewise. But it’s worth it because when that car is on the street – when I take it to the meets or online – it gets a lot of attention. And I made a lot of friends because of that car. I went to London last year and met up with the guys I met online because of the car and that was pretty cool. And it was a good feeling – to build something and to have that acceptance.

B: Especially since you got a lot of inspiration from the cars over there – it was like being welcomed into that world now.

K: Exactly. And you look at their builds and they’re freaking amazing. Then they send you a message like “cool car” and you feel like you did something right.

B: So now you restored the E30, are currently restoring the E46 M3 with some fun stuff, sold an M4 and now–

K: And now I got the M2! And that was a funny story, because I posted on Instagram…

B: I know! You brought the E30 to the shop for some work, and you –

K: I said I was going to take the E46 to buy the stuff for its oil change. So I went to get the oil – and I know the guys at the dealership and they wanted to show me the new M2. And they gave me the keys to drive it – and that was the mistake, man! We came back and we left with 2 cars and the oil change stuff haha. But I don’t know, when that M2 came out I didn’t like it – nobody liked it. It was a very controversial design. But now, I’m in love with these stupid things! But we got it at the end of 2023 and it was stock – and I was just enjoying the car. But with this one it’s a little easier to mod because all these new companies are putting parts out. And it’s funny until you think, holy cow how much have I spent on this thing! Once you start doing suspension, wheels, aero, and everything is carbon fiber now, too. But the cost – the wheels are like…

B: 5?

K: 7! So it’s not like back when I was buying wheels for $1500. Now a set of wheels runs you for like $10k – with tires and everything. And you know I haven’t done any performance mods on the G87 or G80 but I’ll probably do the intake and maybe exhaust – but the car is very capable. 500hp or so – I mean, dude, you don’t need more. I’m not a professional race car driver and it’s enough for the street. I know some M2’s on single turbo can put down 1000hp and it’s crazy. It’s an impressive engine! But these cars, once you start buying them, you’re in. I think about all the ones I’ve had – and I could have had a Porsche or Ferrari haha – but it’s a different level. I like enjoying the car, I like BMWs – but a GT3 is my dream car. 

B: Do you think you’d do the same stuff if you got the Porsche? Wheels, suspension…

K: …I would…probably do the suspension and maybe wheels. And that’s the thing, you know, I watch a lot of videos – you get a GT3, what can you do? Suspension, some carbon fiber parts. Now with BMW, they’re so ugly you have to make them look better HAHA! But going back to the newer cars – it’s just easier to find the parts; you don’t hunt anything down but you still get to put your own little spin on it. 

B: So do you still have more to go with the M2?

K: So, that one’s pretty much done. I might change the grille but that’s probably the only thing. Interior – the carbon bucket seats are amazing so BMW took care of a lot of the options. 

B: I mean yeah, that time I drove your car a bit I was looking at the seats and I thought “no, there’s no way!” but surprisingly they’re extremely comfortable!

K: HAHA! They’re not that bad! And I’ve driven it to Austin and it’s fine. But yeah, this one is done. And actually the G87 is one of the last manual models from BMW, so that might be a car to keep for the future- but it already started going through the transformation haha

B: I know! 3 weeks in, dude! When I saw you posting that you were taking the bumper off I thought, “the fuck man?”. I’m stressing out at the thought of removing the bumper on my car and you guys are over here just ripping things off.

K: Oh man, it was fun! The M2 – we took that bumper off, too! I had a friend help me out. The M3 was just me and my brother -and you’re trying to be careful, but if you scratch the paint, or mishandle it… haha. But I like to work on these things to a certain point. If I can do it, I’ll do it. Now I know how to do an oil change, I’ve done oil changes. Do I do it now? No, haha. But there is stuff I like to do – if it’s stuff like cosmetics, I’ll mess with that. 

B: So do you think – going back to having the first VW’s you had – going with Enkei wheels and everything, it’s all the same mentality? Kind of like you’re older now and you get to spend more, like “now I get to do the shit I wanted to back then”?

K: Yes! Pretty much, man. Like we said earlier, it starts evolving. When you’re in high school you don’t have a lot of money, then when you get a decent job you can buy all this stuff. But you know it’s just the possibility to build it the right way – no more cut and heated springs. Then you get involved with the community and I think that’s also a cool thing.

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There’s now plans to get a shoot going with Kerbell’s E30, his E46 M3, the G80 M2 and G87 M3. Showing the evolution of the BMW chassis over the years while also showcasing his vision for each generation. As I continue this dive into what makes some of us do what we do to vehicle’s we own – I don’t think I’m looking for the right answer, but just a collection of them. For Kerbell, it was always something he wanted to do or find a way to do based on what was financially allowed at the time. I mean, I’m sure some of us have done the heated or cut springs – I know I have – but we do it knowing DAMN well it won’t drive great but we do it anyway to satisfy that thing pulling at us. And as we get older we learn, budgets get bigger, and we get to go about things the right way. Is this going to be the common factor as I push forward and speak to more local enthusiasts and look back on their journey? Maybe. And maybe I’ll eventually come to terms with why I’ve been the same way and just haven’t been able to really explain or articulate. All I know is that I’m excited to hear more.

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Kerbell Hernandez’s 2024 BMW M2

Performance:
Coming Soon

Cosmetics: 
Autoid/TRE Full Carbon Fiber Bodykit: Front Splitter, Side Skirts, Spoiler, Front Air Duct Inlets
IND Painted BMW Roundel Set
IND & Acexxon Reflector Cosmetic Package
BMW Gloss Black Trunk Emblem. 
Oem Full Carbon Fiber Package (Roof, Mirror covers) 
Motorsport+ Yellow Drl LED Module Set
IPPS Reverse Lights Tint Overlay
Track Pack & Roof PPF

Interior:
Oem BMW Carbon Fiber Bucket Seats
M Performance Alcantara Armrest 
IPPS iDrive 8 Screen PPF
OEMExtinguishers G87 Fire Extinguisher Kit 

Rollers:
Edelweiss LT3 Champagne Finish 20×10.5 et14 || 21×11 et12
Michelin Pilot Sport 4s 285/30/20 || 305/25/21 
Bmw OEM TPMS Kit 

Stiff stuff: 
Cobra Height Adjustable Lowering Suspension 
iSweep Front & Rear Brake Pads Street Compound is1500

Sounds:
Harman Kardon system
BimmerCode Coding for Interior Lighting, Chimes, and Bowers and Wilkins. 

Shoutouts:
My brother Geovanni Hdz.
Shops: Roberto Acosta, IND Distribution, Autoid, TRE, Edelweiss Wheels.

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Photos and Words by : Bobby Villarreal