BMW E46 M3 - Touring Build

[yavz]

aaron_2000 said:

It actually looks better on those wheels. CSL wheels are so overdone now IMO, could you fit style 172's as an alternative 19 inch wheel?

Agreed, I love the oem 18's but also love big brake so find myself in a bit of a conundrum.

I do like the style 172 wheel but am wanting to keep the tourer more true to the e46 offerings. If I was to go outside of the conventional 3 choices for the m3 then it would probably be something aftermarket.

[yavz]

marky911 said:

That’s my dream daily right there.

Cracking project!

Thank you. I probably won't daily it as I'd be wairy of where I park it, too many custom panels. but will drive it as much as possible.

[yavz]

Falcuono said:

My stock 330i touring was much nicer to drive on public roads with 245-40-18 square, no under steer and meaty enough for a put hole too.
Car was on stock m suspension.
Great car !

This is definately what steered(excude the pun) me towards the 18's. The UK roads are horrible having cracked and buckled wheels on my daily which has 19's. The 18s should help add a bit of Comfort back but with added grip too so win win.

[yavz]

Very big day for me as I went to the BMW bodyshop to collect the car after its paintwork. To say I'm a happy man doesn't quiet capture it. The metal work and paintwork have turned out amazing and I kept on thanking and shaking my painters(Tony) hand.

Anyways less talking and here are some pics from yesterday.


e photos online


e photos online


e photos online


e photos online


e photos online


e photos online

e photos online


e photos online

The car has a great presence and being black its not too shouty and dare I say discreet unless you are in the know.

Il be spending the next couple of weeks putting everything back together. Namely the exterior trims. The arch liners. The interior with m3 seats and matching leather rear seats and door cards, Wheel refurb and finally I have managed to source(purchased a complete car just for the mod) some rare factory tinted glass which i will be installing.

I get some proper pics up when I've bolted everything back together.

[yavz]

Thank you everyone for the kind words. They mean a lot, especially after the journey the build has been on.

[yavz]

CarPrintGuy said:

The proportions, everything, FANTASTIC.

I find meself randomly in the driveway looking at it from different angles. The neighbours must think I've lost the plot.

[yavz]

Gus265 said:

So pleased you decided to finish this project - I’d wondered if it had been abandoned- I am utterly and entirely jealous! Looks fantastic. For what it’s worth on the wheels, I think you need to keep it stock and agree with others to keep the 18s. Also the one the factory made was on 18s. I had a couple of E46 M3s and tried all the options - 18s looked best although I did like my CSLs too. I still think 18s.

Edited by Gus265 on Saturday 11th September 08:08

I'm strongly leaning towards the oem 18's for now, . Only question is what spacers does everyone run as they look a little lost in the arches in my opinion.

[yavz]

shalmaneser said:

Wrt the big brake thing you can fit csl discs (345mm) and Porsche calipers under the oem M3 18" wheels. I had this setup on my car and the brakes were tremendous.

I've now sold my 380mm brake setup as I really like the look of the 18's. I have a set of AP racing calipers which I believe work with 18's. I just need to add a few bits to complete them and then paint them.
I may look into the porsche setup. Does the pad sweep the entire disc or is there an obvious lip that remains?

[yavz]

V1nce Fox said:

Christ that looks spot on. Non-CSL wheels definitely make it look more like it came straight from BMW.

They really missed a trick not making these.

Thanks.

I find it interesting how the wheel Preferences have changed over time. Initially when new everyone wanted to optional 19 inch wheels, then it moved over to the csl modded era and now, it seems at least, that most prefer the 18's.

If own a set of oem csl's too so they will be rotated as and when I get bored.

[yavz]

Those brakes look lovely on your car. Especially tucked up behind the bbs wheels

Edited by yavz on Sunday 12th September 19:20

[yavz]

I managed to spare a few hours and work on the touring today. I bolted up the front end and put the arch liners back on along with various small bits of trim.

I also put some spacers on to stop the wheels looking so lost in the boosted arches.

I'm loving the look of it now. Especially on the 18's.

Just the interior, tints and a wheel refurb left now.

[yavz]

darreni said:

Had the pleasure of seeing this in the flesh a couple of weeks ago, its proper, really nice work.

Hey Darren, i did enjoy the chin wag. Thanks for the kind words.

[yavz]

Court_S said:

That looks lovely. Top work.

Thank you I've definately done some extra trips to the front garden just to have a look. Get the old steps up.

[yavz]

d_a_n1979 said:

That looks fantastic

What a superb project!

Thank you. I am happy (to say the least) with the way it turned out)

[yavz]

PurpleTurtle said:

Lovely car OP - is that Jet Black or Carbon Black you've gone for? I'm slightly colour blind so can't tell from the pics.

Like others, I really can't understand why BMW didn't make these from the factory. Was it all about protecting the ///M brand?

Don't see the logic myself, given that Audi was selling a shedload of tasty RS Avants at the same time.

Thanks, This is actually metallic sapphire black. Same as the M3 csl.

It really doesn't make sense given how easy it would have been for them to put into production after they proved the concept.

[yavz]

Few more pictures now that I'm driving it about.
Decided to get a set of 19's that have never been diamond cut. Also added some oem tinted glass to the rear and a few other bits and Bobs. Driving it at every opportunity I get.










This last image was let down because the bonnet bulge didn't have light highlighting it but I think it looks good anyways.

[yavz]

helix402 said:

Looks great. You can change the engine size and No with the DVLA quite easily if you’ve not done so already.

Thank you, I've had the engine change confirmation typed up at a garage and will be sending it off to DVLA in the coming days. He also said there is a way of having it show as a bmw M3 when the plate is run so he is looking into that for me.

[yavz]

lrdisco said:

Looks great. Well done for sticking with it.

Thank you for the kind words.

[yavz]

carbonblack said:

Absolutely brilliant, looks great.

My only critique would be that I personally prefer it debadged, the size of the ‘3’ looks a little off.

There are pages and pages of threads on the BMW forums about the ‘official’ placement on the coupe/‘vert


Amazing build

Thank you sir. The badge is an OEM badge. But I get what you mean about the 3 digit.

I tried to position it in the same place as the original m3 touring.... all by eye of course. May have to visit Germany to visit the original and take measurements.

[yavz]

Carlososos said:

yavz said:

She’s lovely.

Thank you. Glad you agree