E46 M3 Project
Discussion
BigTom85 said:
In the absence of anything productive to say, please accept a nod of approval, and a thanks for keeping this updated as its a fabulous blog.
The standard rear silencer clamps are made from a very cheap and nasty grey cast iron. I've had some replacements laser cut from 11mm sheet steel: they won't crack like the originals.
I cut the new clamps in half and welded them over the rear silencer.
I bought a suction pump to fill the rear diff with OEM fluid. It made the job considerably simpler and less messy than using the traditional squeezy bottles with long nozzle on the end.
The rear end of the car is now essentially complete, so I cleaned the boot area and refitted all the trim, including the new 'M3' carpet.
I had to postpone final fitment of the SSV1 manifolds as I don't have enough time to work out the steering configuration and a support bearing, which also requires a mount fabricating. I've refitted the stock manifolds for now and used some of the custom steering components to make up a solid shaft to suit the stock manifolds.
I fitted new tie rods to the Z4MC rack. I used the Turner rack centring tool which is a great time saver for setting up dead centre on the rack end.
The freshly coated Convertible front ARB was equipped with refurbished mount brackets, new bushes & drop links, and then fitted to the car.
The Factory body protection wax was removed from the remaining under body heat shields and guards.
They all came up like new.
I'm writing this quite tired after devoting all of my spare time over the past few weeks to finishing the car; my friends big day is upon us and at 11:30 tomorrow I'm due at a Hotel to collect the Bridesmaids. As always, I grossly underestimated the amount of time required to finish the job!
I bought a blanking plate for the M3 bumper airflow duct which exists into the passenger wheel arch. The drivers side is blanked as standard, but now I have the CSL bumper it makes sense to blank the passenger side too.
The front wheels have been refurbished by Lepsons.
I changed the brake fluid.
The front calipers are now refurbished and refitted.
The exhaust system is fitted using new OEM fastenings. No rusty clamps here
Freshly coated rear diff brace fitted with new bolts.
And that wraps up the rear end installation - thanks to Saftlad for saving me from the embarrassment of turning up at the dealership with upside down RTAB mounts
Here's everything in place:
It really came down to the wire with the car going in to BMW yesterday for a KDS, though sadly on the journey there it became apparent there was an issue with the rear propshaft joint I'd repacked with grease; what's that old saying? 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it' :lolhit: Anyway, I was out of time so I asked BMW to replace the joint which turned a £144 alignment job into £577, but these things happen.
The car attracted attention as soon as it was at the dealership with a couple of salesmen walking out for a look. It was a particularly proud moment when several of the service staff made comments on the car today when I collected it; they hadn't seen anything like it since the E46 M3 was new!
I have of course had time to sample the CSL airbox noise. It's quite something! More to follow on the car and modifications when I've covered more miles.
I'm now praying it stays dry tomorrow because I really don't want to use the car in the wet...
I bought a blanking plate for the M3 bumper airflow duct which exists into the passenger wheel arch. The drivers side is blanked as standard, but now I have the CSL bumper it makes sense to blank the passenger side too.
The front wheels have been refurbished by Lepsons.
I changed the brake fluid.
The front calipers are now refurbished and refitted.
The exhaust system is fitted using new OEM fastenings. No rusty clamps here
Freshly coated rear diff brace fitted with new bolts.
And that wraps up the rear end installation - thanks to Saftlad for saving me from the embarrassment of turning up at the dealership with upside down RTAB mounts
Here's everything in place:
It really came down to the wire with the car going in to BMW yesterday for a KDS, though sadly on the journey there it became apparent there was an issue with the rear propshaft joint I'd repacked with grease; what's that old saying? 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it' :lolhit: Anyway, I was out of time so I asked BMW to replace the joint which turned a £144 alignment job into £577, but these things happen.
The car attracted attention as soon as it was at the dealership with a couple of salesmen walking out for a look. It was a particularly proud moment when several of the service staff made comments on the car today when I collected it; they hadn't seen anything like it since the E46 M3 was new!
I have of course had time to sample the CSL airbox noise. It's quite something! More to follow on the car and modifications when I've covered more miles.
I'm now praying it stays dry tomorrow because I really don't want to use the car in the wet...
Hi all, thanks for the comments above; the weather was very good and it was a fantastic day. Unfortunately in less pleasing news my unit was broken into this week along with several others nearby. I was lucky in that nothing was taken, but dust sheets were removed from the Fiesta and the criminals had opened tool chests etc. for a general rummage around - this is almost more worrying than if they had taken tools. CCTV from the unit next door showed them to be a group of three 16-18 year olds so they are likely opportunists on foot rather than organised criminals (at this point in their lives anyway!). The Police have been to take fingerprints.
Ironically one of the reasons I chose to keep my cars in the semi-rural location where I grew up was that I perceived it to be far safer than London, where I live. I'm currently deciding whether to sell the M3 and all of my tools etc. until I move out of London for good and can keep everything at my home address. I don't really have time for this added level of stress/worry at the moment.
Ironically one of the reasons I chose to keep my cars in the semi-rural location where I grew up was that I perceived it to be far safer than London, where I live. I'm currently deciding whether to sell the M3 and all of my tools etc. until I move out of London for good and can keep everything at my home address. I don't really have time for this added level of stress/worry at the moment.
mwstewart said:
Hi all, thanks for the comments above; the weather was very good and it was a fantastic day. Unfortunately in less pleasing news my unit was broken into this week along with several others nearby. I was lucky in that nothing was taken, but dust sheets were removed from the Fiesta and the criminals had opened tool chests etc. for a general rummage around - this is almost more worrying than if they had taken tools. CCTV from the unit next door showed them to be a group of three 16-18 year olds so they are likely opportunists on foot rather than organised criminals (at this point in their lives anyway!). The Police have been to take fingerprints.
Ironically one of the reasons I chose to keep my cars in the semi-rural location where I grew up was that I perceived it to be far safer than London, where I live. I'm currently deciding whether to sell the M3 and all of my tools etc. until I move out of London for good and can keep everything at my home address. I don't really have time for this added level of stress/worry at the moment.
It strikes me as a bit strange they went to all the trouble of breaking in only to take nothing. Do you think they were scouts or just didn't see the value in tools, etc.? It would be a shame if you were to sell everything, but then one of my cars is parked in a garage I rent in a typical block of garages near my house and I expect it will be stolen at some point if I don't move it. Unless in a gated garage, my cars in London have generally been broken into as well.Ironically one of the reasons I chose to keep my cars in the semi-rural location where I grew up was that I perceived it to be far safer than London, where I live. I'm currently deciding whether to sell the M3 and all of my tools etc. until I move out of London for good and can keep everything at my home address. I don't really have time for this added level of stress/worry at the moment.
Cash and tools were stolen from other units, but on the whole - despite many break-ins - not much was taken. A packet of crisps and soft drink for example was all that was taken from one unit.
I'm just nervous now that part of the act was reconnaissance for further break-ins at a later date, which apparently is how
s operate.
I'm just nervous now that part of the act was reconnaissance for further break-ins at a later date, which apparently is how
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