E46 M3 Project
Discussion
BMWNICK said:
From the pictures in the advert it looks like it was damaged on the left hand side. If you look at picture 2 you can see the bonnet is slightly out and the side skirt towards the back wheel has a noticeable gap. It could be how the picture is taken though.
It could be the car had a key run down the side of it and it would be written off (it is a 10 year old M3).
If it is what you really want, have a through look around it, checking panels, take someone along with you who has an M3 convertible as a reference if you can. £10k is steep for this as already mentioned, the seller has also added his own modifications which you may or may not like, this may help paint a picture of the type of owner of the car as well.
Wrong thread?It could be the car had a key run down the side of it and it would be written off (it is a 10 year old M3).
If it is what you really want, have a through look around it, checking panels, take someone along with you who has an M3 convertible as a reference if you can. £10k is steep for this as already mentioned, the seller has also added his own modifications which you may or may not like, this may help paint a picture of the type of owner of the car as well.
mwstewart said:
Exactly as above: once complete the car will have the performance characteristics just not the light weight.
I'm still umming and ahing about fitting a carbon roof, readon being that even the OEM UV protection isn't infallible, hence as a result a lot of the original OEM CSL carbon fibre has now yellowed. Carbon looks great when new, but looks crap (IMO) once the epoxy has dulled and yellowed. It's not such an issue for mine given it's rarely used, but I'm still not convinced I want to rip out the factory - already non-sunroof - roof panel.
Are you planning to weigh it/put it on corner scales when finished?I'm still umming and ahing about fitting a carbon roof, readon being that even the OEM UV protection isn't infallible, hence as a result a lot of the original OEM CSL carbon fibre has now yellowed. Carbon looks great when new, but looks crap (IMO) once the epoxy has dulled and yellowed. It's not such an issue for mine given it's rarely used, but I'm still not convinced I want to rip out the factory - already non-sunroof - roof panel.
s m said:
Are you planning to weigh it/put it on corner scales when finished?
The car will undergo a comprehensive alignment but I shall not specifically request corner weighting, reasons being 1) the suspension isn't adjustable, 2) the M3 is never going to be a lightweight or a sports car, and in view of that the weight isn't a big priority for me; I'm happy that it is a 'reasonable' weight and well balanced from the factory, and 3) I don't want to modify the layout or packaging of the car in any way.If corner weighting is part of the package I will of course post the results
Very enjoyable thread and inspiring quality work. I seem to be developing an e46 M3 sized itch of late, although I have more than enough going on right now.
Nice to see a build that's so detailed and comprehensive,but on a car that's going to be used as intended. I
I'm about to clean the underside of my e30'M3 so any tips?
Nice to see a build that's so detailed and comprehensive,but on a car that's going to be used as intended. I
I'm about to clean the underside of my e30'M3 so any tips?
e21Mark said:
Very enjoyable thread and inspiring quality work. I seem to be developing an e46 M3 sized itch of late, although I have more than enough going on right now.
Nice to see a build that's so detailed and comprehensive,but on a car that's going to be used as intended. I
I'm about to clean the underside of my e30'M3 so any tips?
Cheers Nice to see a build that's so detailed and comprehensive,but on a car that's going to be used as intended. I
I'm about to clean the underside of my e30'M3 so any tips?
Yes - a big one, don't do what I did
Take it somewhere to be steam cleaned or even jet wash it yourself before hand. It will save you no end of time! I couldn't take that appraoch as the car was already dismantled to fir the manifolds.mwstewart said:
e21Mark said:
Very enjoyable thread and inspiring quality work. I seem to be developing an e46 M3 sized itch of late, although I have more than enough going on right now.
Nice to see a build that's so detailed and comprehensive,but on a car that's going to be used as intended. I
I'm about to clean the underside of my e30'M3 so any tips?
Cheers Nice to see a build that's so detailed and comprehensive,but on a car that's going to be used as intended. I
I'm about to clean the underside of my e30'M3 so any tips?
Yes - a big one, don't do what I did
Take it somewhere to be steam cleaned or even jet wash it yourself before hand. It will save you no end of time! I couldn't take that appraoch as the car was already dismantled to fir the manifolds.
Actually I had it on the ramp for a few minutes today and it's pretty clean anyway. The local MOT chap said it' the best e30 he's seen so happy days!
What wheel/tyre combo will you be running? Stock CSL fare? Do they clear the new callipers?
e21Mark said:
You've talked me out of it!
Actually I had it on the ramp for a few minutes today and it's pretty clean anyway. The local MOT chap said it' the best e30 he's seen so happy days!
What wheel/tyre combo will you be running? Stock CSL fare? Do they clear the new callipers?
New callipers?Actually I had it on the ramp for a few minutes today and it's pretty clean anyway. The local MOT chap said it' the best e30 he's seen so happy days!
What wheel/tyre combo will you be running? Stock CSL fare? Do they clear the new callipers?
ATM said:
e21Mark said:
You've talked me out of it!
Actually I had it on the ramp for a few minutes today and it's pretty clean anyway. The local MOT chap said it' the best e30 he's seen so happy days!
What wheel/tyre combo will you be running? Stock CSL fare? Do they clear the new callipers?
New callipers?Actually I had it on the ramp for a few minutes today and it's pretty clean anyway. The local MOT chap said it' the best e30 he's seen so happy days!
What wheel/tyre combo will you be running? Stock CSL fare? Do they clear the new callipers?
e21Mark said:
I'm now thinking I may have misread that the callipers were being replaced/upgraded? It was late and I'm a bit jet lagged though, so may be totally wrong, so will scan back through.
The CSL wheels won't clear the Porsche GT3 6 pots I have, but I've decided against those due to their fluid volume. I'm going for a new Alcon kit, F & R. The CSL wheels will clear mwstewart said:
e21Mark said:
I'm now thinking I may have misread that the callipers were being replaced/upgraded? It was late and I'm a bit jet lagged though, so may be totally wrong, so will scan back through.
The CSL wheels won't clear the Porsche GT3 6 pots I have, but I've decided against those due to their fluid volume. I'm going for a new Alcon kit, F & R. The CSL wheels will clear I'm sorely tempted to start saving for an E46 and it's all your fault.
mohitos said:
That's interesting. Do you think values of good standard (I.e non CSL) E46 M3's are on the up? Great news if they are as I have a belter!
Low mileage coupés definitely are: mid 30's cars could be had for 13-14k last year, but that type of car will now fetch anything up to 19k, depending on spec.Mileage aside, the nicer examples are starting to become hard to find in general.
Something arrived from BMW Motorsport...
...the 3.91:1 CWP
New diff cover and gasket.
I had every single good fastening and fitting from the rear end plated. I've replaced bolts which needed to be e.g. the driveshaft CV joint retainers, and diff mount bolts.
I have sprayed the freshly plated parts in zinc primer, this will enhance the corrosion resistance and match the OEM Dacromet finish.
New Lemförder bushes and ball joints for the rear. I didn't know until today, but along with Sachs, Lemförder is a division of ZF.
Here's where the BMW part numbers are ground off! I paid half the dealer price for these.
I had my CSL lower arms out today for another look, and I realised they use a ball joint in place of the standard M3's bush.
3M 08800 sealant for the seam welding and RACP reinforcements. This is the closet to OEM and best quality sealer I've used - see my other project for an example http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I've never been a big fan of powder coating aluminium components unless really necessary, so I've had the rear upper arms vapour blasted to restore the OEM finish.
All the rear end parts and also the Convertible front ARB are back from blasting and coating. I'm always like a kid at Christmas when unwrapping freshly coated parts! I bought new disc back plates and the subframe reinforcement piece.
Turner limiters fitted to freshly coated RTAB mounts.
...the 3.91:1 CWP
New diff cover and gasket.
I had every single good fastening and fitting from the rear end plated. I've replaced bolts which needed to be e.g. the driveshaft CV joint retainers, and diff mount bolts.
I have sprayed the freshly plated parts in zinc primer, this will enhance the corrosion resistance and match the OEM Dacromet finish.
New Lemförder bushes and ball joints for the rear. I didn't know until today, but along with Sachs, Lemförder is a division of ZF.
Here's where the BMW part numbers are ground off! I paid half the dealer price for these.
I had my CSL lower arms out today for another look, and I realised they use a ball joint in place of the standard M3's bush.
3M 08800 sealant for the seam welding and RACP reinforcements. This is the closet to OEM and best quality sealer I've used - see my other project for an example http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I've never been a big fan of powder coating aluminium components unless really necessary, so I've had the rear upper arms vapour blasted to restore the OEM finish.
All the rear end parts and also the Convertible front ARB are back from blasting and coating. I'm always like a kid at Christmas when unwrapping freshly coated parts! I bought new disc back plates and the subframe reinforcement piece.
Turner limiters fitted to freshly coated RTAB mounts.
melvster said:
Astounding level of detail as ever 
Cheers Babw said:
Brilliant detail but a part of me wishes you kept the standard bumper + bootlid.
Did you manage to fit the Z4M steering rack? I bought a 330 club sport rack from BMW (as it's faster) which is yet to be fitted, now I'm wondering whether I'll come across similar issues to you....
Yes, the rack has been on for a year and I'm really pleased with it. I also figured out the correct coding for the MK60 DSC module, and aside from that small job the the rack was a straight swap.Did you manage to fit the Z4M steering rack? I bought a 330 club sport rack from BMW (as it's faster) which is yet to be fitted, now I'm wondering whether I'll come across similar issues to you....
The 330 Club Sport rack ratio is 13.7:1, which is the same as the CS, CSL, and Z4M Roadster. Didn't you fancy the 12.8:1 Z4M Coupe rack?
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