BMW E46 M3

[Diablo85]

Trtj said:

I keep meaning to join m3cutters but i have to draw the line somewhere! WHats the main difference between b6 and b12?

The B12 is just a kit consisting of B6 dampers and eibach pro springs in a box. From what I've read the part numbers on the parts match off the shelf items, so it's exactly the same as buying a set of B6 and eibach springs separately, only difference is a small saving in price. Obviously I've sampled B6 with H&Rs but according to other reviews which I trust:

B6 + OEM Springs = Ride quality from the gods (for an M3 chassis), however ride height sits taller than stock!
B6 + Eibach (B12) = Best of both, good road manners and performance with a moderate drop.
B6 + H&R = more bias towards performance with a small reduction in comfort, great on country roads.

Eventually there will come a point when my Ohlins need to be serviced. When that time arrives I'll need temporary suspension so I'll be returning to the B6, but this time trying either eibach or OEM springs just to sample it.

[Diablo85]

Trtj said:

Thanks for the info. I happen to think the m3 ride is terrible, particularly the back axle. Not to mention the terrible oem springs that lose their powder coating and crack so prematurely! I was indeed thinking of the b6 route with eibach springs, im not after a massive drop. I have the option 19s and replacing those with a lighter wheel would no doubt improve things too. There's a lot of unsprung inertia there.

I dont see how the b6 + oem option can actually increase ride height? It was my understanding that the dampers on these cars are largely passive, and the spring rate sets the ride height. Maybe the b6 are highly pressurised. Where are you based out of interest?

Exactly that, B6 are more stout and highly pressurized. I agree the rear axel can be a handful however much of that has been vastly improved with the Ohlins. I'm really happy with the ride characteristics.

I'm am done with using lowering springs for lowering ride height, it's just too much compromise on the ride comfort. If you want to go low, coilovers - otherwise stick to a good shock/spring combo (Bilstein/Koni).

I'm from Derbyshire.

nsa said:

Brilliant write up. The pictures especially are excellent - what camera are you using, or is that all talent?

The car is fantastic as well. I keep looking at the E46 M3 as a track car but the running costs would be 2-3x what I pay out for a Porsche 924/968 hybrid I currently own.

Thanks mate

The camera I use is a Panasonic LX-5 - I believe the successor is the LX-7? - It's point and shoot, no clunky DSLR housing. Whilst it may cost near entry level DSL-R it is very high spec for it's class as you've seen from the pics.

E46M's do make great track cars. At the moment there seems to be a lot of owners thinking of selling up (waiting for the E9x M3 drop I guess). So expect to see a lot of high quality parts (BBKs, airboxes) being put up for sale soon. Maintenance is the key, they really do go downhill quickly if neglected.

[Diablo85]

Hi Chaps

So back in Spring 2014, I had the Ohlins Road & Track kit installed and setup by Chris from Centre Gravity.

You've already seen the pics, however I created some short videos too.

Last week I finally got round to compiling them all to make a short vidoc, enjoy


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F88HdPRLQ14

[Diablo85]

mini update


I've been running low on a few of my detailing products so I placed an order for some products last week. I went for some different products just to mix it up.

I only managed to work on the wheels and tyres yesterday due to other commitments.


Sonax Xtreme Wheel Cleaner:



Sonax seems to be the current favourite amongst the detailing crowd. I found it did a great job of breaking down the dirt on my wheels. The only criticism is the price-to-product ratio, its expensive but it works soo well. One thing to bear in mind is that it acts as an Iron Remover too (think IronX), so although its pricey you are actually getting 2 products in 1.


Meguiars Endurance Tyre Gel



I'm normally a Zaino Z16 fan, I love the finish it gives but it simply does not last long, max 3 days. This time I went for something different, Megs Endurance Tyre Gel - the key here being endurance. It's nice to work with and quite flexible. If you want the wet look just apply multiple coats. On the other hand if your looking for the matt black look, just wipe the first coat with a towel as needed. I'll see how long it lasts.


Finish Kare FK1000p



I've found this to be a good wax to use on wheels, you really don't need that much. Amongst making the wheels look great it also makes cleaning them next time round much easier.





It was getting late so I couldn't take much pics but I took some before dusk:



















Then earlier today I met up with Joe (an M3 owner) to help him diagnose if his VANOS was ok. Everything was fine, the previous owner had carried out extensive maintenance on his car including the Beisan Vanos overhaul, the BMW vanos test was successful











The car is due for Inspection1 in two weeks - I'll have some new bits and pieces to add

[Diablo85]

melvster said:

Looks the tits on 18's.

Cheers Mel!




^^ Finally managed to track down a RE Oil Filter Cap. I've always wanted one!



Alrighty then, lets get on with an update...

One of the last areas I've been meaning to focus on are the brakes. The OEM brakes are actually pretty good for daily duty, but on a backroad or track the infamous brake fade issue comes to light.

I should mention I've been runing PF-Z pads which have worked pretty well for me so far, but it hasn't been enough. On a spirited run, hard braking upon the first few corners is good, but after that the brake fade becomes apparent and it affects your confidence with regards to braking.

BBK (Big Brake Kits) are a natural progression for many owners. Premium brand kits are quite expensive, although I am yet to hear of anyone disappointed moving from OEM brakes to a BBK solution.

A few weeks ago, I just happened to type "E46 M3 BBK" into ebay and purchased a used front set of 6-pot AP Racing Brakes:







^^ I got all of that including pads for around £1k. The kit has 3000 miles on it. The pads I believe are Ferodo DS2500, perhaps not the ultimate pad for track application but for fast road I think they'll do just fine.






... and so I went off to see the boys at Darren Wood to get them fitted

Diablo85 said:

So, as the install was about to take place I noticed my camera wouldn't take anymore photos. Why? - turns out I had forgotten to bring the damn memory card, and all the internal memory on the camera was used up

So I had to resort to iphone camera pics, they still look ok though

^^ I believe this Titan Silver M3 belongs to someone called "Lee" on m3cutters. From what I saw closeup this is one tidy motor, real credit to you pal






























I didn't get much of chance to properly test the brakes on the way back because of traffic on the A6... but from what I sampled soo far I love it! You'll often read high praise about the performance of good brakes but it's hard to quantify unless you've tried it first hand.

I'll provide an update a month or so from now about them. I've found that I need to weary of cars behind me under hard braking with these - it'll take me a short while to adjust.

I was concerned about 'braking feel' with 6 pot callipers due to what I had read. 4 pot callipers will have more 'feel' - but I found the 6pot had pretty decent feel, better than I was expecting. I'll upgrade the rears in due course.

Thanks for reading

[Diablo85]

Mirror Leak Fix

So last week following the hot weather my rear view mirror developed a bubble, essentially the start of the infamous leak that has plagued many E46 and E39 cars.




I'd known about such issues for a while amongst the E46 community, but it wasn't until I read John's (JohnH79) brilliant thread on the DIY fix I realised the seriousness of a leaking mirror. The liquid is acidic and if it leaks onto the interior it causes irreversible damage.

John's Mirror Fix Thread:
http://totalmcars.com/thread/2072/auto-dimming-mir...

John has replacements in stock, and his are much better compared to the OEM part because they use a gel instead of a liquid.

I spoke to John towards the end of last week and ordered a replacement glass and it arrived the next day. Top Man!


Here's a guide to the fix - Remember this is a guide, make sure you follow the detailed instructions by John located here: http://www.mirrorjohn.com/How_To_Fix.php




















































































Costs:
Replacement glass with GEL from www.mirrorjohn.com - £99

Alternatives are to buy a new rear view mirror unit for £400, or a 2nd hand unit off ebay ... both are still capable of failing in the same manner.

Thanks for reading

[Diablo85]

gaz1234 said:

I'm sure there is another fix out there...?

Another fix? - The only other fix would be to buy a full replacement no?

johnfm said:

SMG M3 looks more and more tempting every day...

lol it has his moments but overall I do enjoy using it (paddles).

BlimeyCharlie said:

I'd like to say what a great topic this is. Well written and the attention to detail is right up my street.
I've enjoyed everything about my e46 M3, with the exception of the brakes.

Just keep your eye on the wing mirror surrounds too, as they corrode, along with front wheel arches (lips). Bit of preventative cleaning out etc should help prevent the latter.

I bought mine with CSL's (wheels) but have warmed more and more to standard 18", but also would need the car to 'sit' like yours for it to look just right.

Nice work, enjoy your car and writing about it here.

Thanks for the kind words Charlie - I've been lucky with the mirrors so far, but maybe that's because I make sure I clean them thoroughly as you suggested?

CSLs look soo good on the E46M, OE 18"s are in a bit of a 'renaissance' period at the moment. Now that folk are getting them resprayed in the proper "shadow chrome" finish they are becoming popular. Of course my main objective was to go down to 18"s for increase sidewall, thus better road comfort

---

Suspension Update:


Just got back from Center Gravity on Friday following some changes to my Ohlins setup.

I originally booked the adjustment appointment two months ago. Prior to Friday I was running a non-Ohlins recommended ride height setup. I've had no issues with rubbing or knocking noises, the Ohlins have certainly impressed.


Ohlins recommended ride height on their E46 M3 kit is around 20mm lower than OEM stock suspension. Allow 5mm +- depending on the options the car has. Prior to Friday my ride height was much lower.

I chose to change my ride height settings to Ohlins setting because:

1. Curiosity - The ride quality at my initial ride height was satisfactory. Bumps are registered, they are quickly damped and it never beats you up... But could it be even better? (see below)
2. Negative Lowering Effects - Common suspension knowledge tells us that if the suspension is lowered 'too much' it can affect the 'free' movement of parts, thereby limiting their performance. For example, if the vehicle is lowered too much, damper travel is reduced which could compromise ride quality on bad roads.
3. Protection - Classic speedbumps are no problem for the Ohlins, even at my previously low ride height they handle them with relative ease. However, those 'nasty' cheap speedbumps you find at a superstore (planks of rubber) are something else. No matter how slowly I crawl over them, I cringe every time the car lands albeit harshly. I'm sure they are no problem for the Ohlins in reality but considering their expense and skipping stores with such speedbumps I'd rather compromise and increase my ride height for more damper travel.

Here are some pics I took on Friday at CG:








^^ First time I've seen one of these Lotus CUP cars, a propper toy car for a grown up. 260 BHP with a weight of around 700-800kg I believe


































The adjustments only took a few hours, the geo was rechecked and any necessary tweaks made. At this point you are probably expecting some 'after' pics but I'm afraid I don't have any - I will be taking some pictures later this week Also, I will conclude my final review of the Ohlins in coming weeks having spent just under six months with them.




I did take some pictures earlier this week though with the old setup, enjoy :thumbsup:















Bit of a mashup this one, was feeling creative

Edited by Diablo85 on Sunday 10th August 13:32

[Diablo85]

^^ yep, Jack from Royal Steering Wheels!

mwstewart said:

Dal, Have I missed something or are we still waiting for photos of the new ride height?

New photos will arrive next weekend as I'll be at the BMW Gaydon festival

[Diablo85]

Right then chaps, its been a while since I posted some updates...

new ride height

So as per my last update I changed the spring preload settings to match the Ohlins recommended settings. It has given me 1"inch of suspension travel back and the difference is substantial. I'm feeling much more isolation between me and imperfections on the road surface but I can still sense what the car is doing (control).

So as promised, here are pics below of the new ride height. The increase is noticeable but I'm ok with it. The improvements make it worth it to me.

ohlins final review

I concluded my final thoughts on the Ohlins Road and Track kit for the E46 M3. After six months of use and testing on a custom course I explained my findings in detail here.

Here are some pics I took during testing:







test route

Clutch & Flywheel Install

I visited Darren Wood earlier to get a new clutch and flywheel installed.

I really wanted to take lots of detailed pics of the install but it wasn't practical - it would only slow the guys down on what is already a length job. Now if I had my own workshop things would be different lol

I had Mike from Darren Wood order a LUK clutch and flywheel and some other parts. In addition I supplied some basic parts like the clutch fork, transmission mounts and a rear main seal kit.

From my understanding, any time the flywheel is removed, the rear main seal should be inspected and ideally replaced. You can get away with just the gasket if you have to, but the full kit offers better piece of mind. Unless its obviously leaking, replacement of the rear main seal is for preventative measures (it would suck to have to remove the transmission again in 3 months if your rear main seal decided fail).

Anyway here are some pics:










































































Parts List
Clutch & Flywheel - Garage supplied these, check ebay for "LUK clutch E46 M3"
11142247867 x1 - set of covers (rear main seal) £70.96
21517570284 x1 - spring clip £3.59
21511223302 x1 - clutch fork £15.84
23117512866 x1 - guide bush £31.15
22322282340 x2 - gearbox mount £28.09


Transmission feels soo much smoother now - I had some 'chatter' which had become worse over time on inclines, that's all gone. I'm taking it easy though as I'm in the process of bedding in the clutch and flywheel surfaces.

weekend drive

This is one my favourite M3 videos from the BMW library.

The combination of muscular looks paired with a seductive soundtrack makes this an absolute classic!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNzGy0m4yqc

After watching it again I was in the mood to clean the car and take it for a good drive...










The car drives beautifully now, probably not surprising when you consider the work done in the past year, vanos refurb, new suspension, inspection1, new clutch/flywheel and more...


As we head into Winter there are some interior bits I wish to focus on.

Well if you made it this far, thanks for reading

[Diablo85]

^^ thanks chaps

Winter Update

A lot has happened since my last update, so I'll get straight to the point

1. new job in the city = more rough roads to deal with, a need for greater compliance in the suspension
2. removed eibach anti-rollbars and replaced them with the stock anti-rollbars to allow greater independence across the axle for poorer roads
3. full bush replacement on the front axle

Review

The improvement in ride quality on poorer surfaces is massive. I'm just can't get over how much better the front axle handles the rougher imperfections like drain covers, it's fantastic -

The car is much faster on rough streets than before, it just glides over. I'm having to change my driving style a little to adjust as I keep closing up to the car infront quickly lol.

Anti-Roll bars and their hidden cost (road use).
I'd always assumed that anti-roll bars were a win win upgrade, so I was led to believe. My M3 had eibach anti-roll bars installed by the previous owner. It wasn't until I started researching more into how anti-roll bars work that I realised they have significant downsides.

This video does a great job at explaining the pros/cons of anti-rollbars if you are interested: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhWZ57baTOw

Nightfall

I had a chance to take some dusk/nightfall pics last weekend. It was unplanned so I had no tripod, quite happy with the results.



















Well that's all for now, thanks for reading

[Diablo85]

Windscreen Replacement

Around two months ago, a crack had developed on my windscreen. It was a "crack-line" to be more specific. With the winter weather oncoming and my MOT due in Jan I had to get it fixed quickly.



Finding the right glass
My M3 came with the Climate Comfort Windscreen. This screen contains a special film which reflects the UV rays from the Sun. In short, it keeps the cabin cooler. I had to make sure I replaced it with the same type. There's a huge debate on the Internet about OE glass = Pilkington/Sekurit aftermarkets and those who say the opposite - I suggest doing your own research. I have my own opinions, this is a great article by Paul R from glasstec: http://www.glasstecpaul.com/windscreen-manufacture...





Finding the right Windscreen Installer
As with other services, tyres, geo specialists, bodyshops it is imperative (in my opinion) to find the right shop that cares about the customer and their work... it leads to consistency and consumer satisfaction.

Simply calling Autoglass to bring out an anonymous fitter was a big no no for me. There is just no 'reliability', you could have a good fitter or bad fitter. Aside from the need of a good seal and operable rain sensor the windscreen forms part of the structural integrity of the vehicle... the job must be done right.


I began researching on pistonheads to seek the best windows fitters in the business. It was evident that there were two names which kept coming up with high praise for their windscreen installations:



Glasstec - Paul Ralhan: http://www.glasstecauto.co.uk/index.html



National Windscreens - Phil Lomas: http://www.nationalwindscreens.co.uk/


I decided to contact both of them to see where it would lead. Paul from Glasstec is for the most part "mobile-based", however he can secure a workshop if required. His base of operations is mainly the London area, which would mean me driving there for the installation. Paul is a busy man, quite high in demand - a particularly good choice for Londoners.

Phil Lomas is one of the directors of National Windscreens. Phil understood very well my concerns about sourcing the right glass and getting it installed correctly, just as any enthusiast would. Phil is a regular on pistonheads.

At the time, I wasn't aware Phil was a director. I assumed he'd be fitting the screen. So when Phil discussed about having the install done at the Tamworth branch by another fitter I was a little unsure. Phil put my mind at ease once he told me Neil and his team at the Tamworth branch would be carrying out the work. Phil mentioned that Neil has many years experience replacing glass on classics and high performance vehicles - he had utter confidence that I would not be disappointed. So I bit the bullet and Phil got in touch with Neil at the Tamworth Branch.




National Windscreens - Tamworth (Neil Payne)

In the first week of November, Neil called me to discuss the parts (windscreen, windscreen gasket). I supplied the part number for the OEM climate comfort windscreen and Neil put in an order via BMW UK.

Neil kept me up to date on the progress, he also discovered that BMW had changed the provider of the glass in the middle of the E46 production. The newer variant no longer contains the green strip at the top. Despite changing the provider the part number itself remains the same.


Windscreen Rejection:
A few days passed and then I received a call from Neil. The oem glass had arrived! But Neil wasn't happy with it. From what I recall he wasn't pleased with the quality of the coating. He mentioned that to the casual observer they probably wouldn't notice, but the glass itself was of a substandard quality.

He wanted to return it and order another. This would mean ordering from Germany (direct) which would take another two weeks. I agreed and went ahead with ordering another screen. I was really impressed with Neil's integrity on this issue - he could have just ignored the imperfection and installed it, but he didn't!







Windscreen Installation

A few weeks on I received a call from Neil, the windscreen from Germany had arrived. We arranged a weekend in December for installation at the Tamworth Branch.

I arrived at 9ish in the morning, it was cold and frosty....











































































Special thanks to Neil and Phil from National Windscreens

The fitment and quality of workmanship on the screen is bang on, the interior is totally fine, I'm delighted!

Never underestimate the clarity of a new windscreen, everything looks soo much sharper

Neil and his team were fantastic, they made me feel very welcome. Even after the job was done I stayed for an hour, we all enjoyed a good chit chat about the M3 and performance cars.

Neil has been a true gent throughout this process. I initially sought out to find a great, reliable windscreen fitter. In the end I got so much more than I was expecting.

A big thanks to Phil and Neil for such a "stellar" service

Thanks for reading!

sinbad666 said:

Love it

Amirhussain said:

One of the best E46 M3 I've ever seen, and one of the best reader's car thread I have read. Love what you've done, and all your attention to detail.

I WILL own a E46 M3 one day! Laguna Seca Blue, Dakar Yellow or Imola Red

Thanks guys, all those colours you mentioned are my favourites if I was to buy another!

pti said:

Is this thing for sale yet?

Fantastic attention to detail.

... maybe ask me that again in the summer, haha - thanks for the kind words!

joema said:

Clutch looked ok? Was it slipping then?

Yeah, it didn't look too bad at all. The problem was with the flywheel - it wasn't replaced during the last clutch change. There is a huge debate on this regarding the longevity of the flywheel to survive at least two clutches. Having installed a new clutch AND flywheel I no longer have chatter - it completely cured it.

Edited by Diablo85 on Monday 22 December 22:14

Edited by Diablo85 on Monday 22 December 22:15

Edited by Diablo85 on Wednesday 24th December 15:09

[Diablo85]

mcelliott said:

I am a bit biased but beautiful car OP - the E46 M3 shape just gets better with age, future classic for sure.

pstruck said:

Superbly detailed log and a beautiful M3. If I could find and buy one just like yours I would be very happy.

Cheers chaps!

I think the 46's are getting to a classic age now where the OEM/OEM+ theme feels right.

ATM said:

Do you know which calipers these are and which pad you're using?

Hi

The callipers are from the 'CP7040' family. From my research these are often found on high performance Japanese cars.

The pads are DS2500. To be honest there is a chance I might remove the kit all together next year. At the time, I purchased them under the impression that they were the official E46 M3 kit, which they are not. My installer did point out at the time that there was something 'different' about them compared to all the previous AP kits he had installed on M3s. It was a fellow M3 owner who then identified they were CP7040 with modified brackets to fit the M3.

As for the DS2500s I'm not a fan. Not only do they dust too much, but I'm finding they are leaving pad deposits on the discs. (I've tried various hard breaking tests, to no avail) I have noticed this month some subtle vibration when de-accelerating from 60mph+. It's off to the shop first week on Jan 2015 to inspect. Depending on the outcome I'll either refit OEM brakes with PF pads as a temporary measure or keep the APs and buy some new discs/pads.

Actually, the more I think about it, the more I'd prefer to purchase the AP CP5555/CP5575 official E46M kit as this was my original intention, those kits are specifically built for the E46M. The make shift kit fits the M3 well, and I suppose one can't really argue at such a kit for £1k .... compared the official E46M kit at £2.4k! - I'll post an update on what happens regarding the BBK next year

Glassman said:

Thanks for the namecheck

Diablo85 said:

Did he break the glass for illustration, or did this happen when during the removal process? (How?)

Diablo85 said:

Did he pour this on?

From what I remember that corner of the glass initially broke during the removal. I then chipped away at it curiously some more before taking the picture. Neil reminded me the glass was still sharp hahah so I stopped.


No, he used a brush and went the whole way round. I quickly took this picture as he was coating the otherside at the time (work in progress). Neil and his team were very open to me taking random photos of the process which I really appreciated

[Diablo85]

Glassman said:

It appears consistent with a 'snap', ie, the glass flexed before being cut/released from the adhesive.

Was he using a yellow-handled knife to cut the bottom?

I'm not sure what tool was used there - looking back at my photos that part of the screen was obscured to me at the time due to the open bonnet.

[Diablo85]

Could such a device have been used to make the initial cut though?

I'm sure I saw wire being used, like cheese-wire?

Here is a full res photo after the removal, it may yield some clues:

http://www.imageupload.co.uk/images/2014/12/24/P10...

As for the powdered glass edge, I'm not a window fitter, but if you look at the glass edge of the newer glass on the stand, it also has powdered edges? - I had a new gasket installed too.

ATM said:

Slow down there Cowboy.

I have the same 7040 calipers on my E46. These were fitted by the last owner. I've done some research and from what I can find this was the caliper which was used on the early e46 conversions. It has since been changed to the newer types. From what I can tell the only difference is that the newer types have bolts holding in the pads and they're a slightly different shape. So before you decide they're unofficial think again. Now it is possible that someone has home brewed the brackets and discs rather than buy the official ap kit. That's definitely what has been done to mine. I have PF discs and I'd guess the brackets are home made. My car came with DS3000 pads I believe which I'm currently in the process of changing. I was going to go for APF404 pads but I'm not definite yet.

I also have an AP 2 pot caliper on the back which I think is used on TVR's and the like.

Honestly, ^^ that is the first I've read about any relation of that calliper and the E46M thanks for sharing - very interesting!

Yes, the newer callipers do appear to have a different bolt design for holding the pads. I'd love to run PF discs - could you please share you specs? I assume you have the same bells as mine?

[Diablo85]

wow - that's perfect, thanks ATM!

My brackets don't look like those. One thing that is bugging me about current set of bells is that I'm sure upon install there appeared to be what looked like a very thin 'spacer' inside of them? They had some surface rust. Would love to know the bells used in that thread - I'll read through it all, looks epic

[Diablo85]

Boyles11 said:

Hi glass man to set the record straight no long knife was used on the vehicle we are no longer a lowed to use these, the glass actually broke up from prising the original trim out as it was solid in the glue, the screen was Kented round the edge and wire inside and out across the bottom, the screen once out was perposly broke up by the manager to show dal the the in between layers and explained how it all worked, and for pouring the primer on is it not better to have enough than not enough? Sorry to high jack the thread I felt the need to defend mine and my work colleges work

P.s this car is perfect in the flesh

Thank you for your input

Glassman said:

Wouldn't you say that's excessive? The idea is to 'promote' adhesion by providing a better substrate, not layer it with a blob of liquid.

Thanks for your contribution in this thread Glassman but I wish end all discussion/critique about the Windscreen install from this point on. I've answered your questions as best as I can, 'Boyles11' from NW has also chimed in. I do not want my build thread turning into a pissing match between two competing firms, it's highly unprofessional. Genuine readers of my thread are well aware of the lengths I go to ensure great workmanship.

While it is true that we touched base a few months ago about a possible install, I later found about Phil Lomas (NW) who I respect in 'equal terms' with yourself. There were a few reasons why I chose NW (Phil Lomas). The main reasons aside from equal rep were location and knowing the total cost. The install workshop is based in Tamworth, very close to me (Derby) compared to travelling to London.

Looking back at my Windscreen install post through another pair of glasses, the thought did cross my mind as to whether the reference to Glasstec and National Windscreens might have been misinterpreted as a 'who's better' slogan. This was not the case as I have outlined my reasons above (logistics). My intention was to share with others reputable windscreens installers I had discovered through my research, that is all. Whilst I chose NW for my needs I know you are passionate about your work and the industry too, hence why I felt you deserved a mention.

If you feel the reference does not come across this way just let me know and I'll to remove it (I have the post on other forums too).

All that said, I need to get back to the celebrations!

Have a great new year!

ATM said:

More info on the PF discs by looking at the part numbers on the boxes.

356.32.0054.03
356.32.0054.04

http://www.part-box.com/product_info.php?products_...

I found them for sale at a several places. They are sold as a direct replacement for the AP rotors which I assume you have now. If you compare the AP disc part numbers with the AP site they match.

http://www.apracing.com/product_details/road_car_u...

Many thanks yet again ATM!

I did have a new years resolution to "limit spending on nice things for the ///M", I guess if I purchased these in the next hour I can circumvent it, muhahah


Have a great new year!

Cheers

[Diablo85]

Small update chaps - slight tweak to the front grills and corners to freshen things up a bit:

















My original intent was to try a chrome outer bezel and gloss black slats for the grills. I wanted to use the gloss black slats from an aftermarket gloss black grill set because the slats are thicker (chunky) and it looks great!

Sadly, the aftermarket slats don't fit the OEM chrome bezel properly. So I'll have to paint the OEM slats black when I have time. For now though I've thrown on the gloss black set.

I've also added some cf side grills for detail.


Also, I treated the car to a set of PIAA wipers, I've heard a lot about them and keen to see if they live up to the hype:











PIAA Part Numbers:
PIAA SI TECH Flat Wiper 20": WUK50E
PIAA SI TECH Flat Wiper 22": WUK55E


Thanks for reading, and I'll be back soon with some more updates

---

Lancia888 said:

Really enjoyed reading this thread…. fantastic attention to detail is what it's all about! Thank you.

Thanks Lancia, very much appreciated, glad you enjoyed it

Edited by Diablo85 on Sunday 1st February 15:18

[Diablo85]

Hello PH'ers - time for another update.

I had the opportunity to purchase a Stoptech ST40 Big Brake Kit a few weeks ago so I bit the bullet. The AP's were sold to a fellow M3 owner who is very happy with the kit.

I've long followed ST, they are big in the USA along with a good variety of pads, but finding a good price was always difficult in the UK. Indigo GT had a great offer on them, I placed the order and 2 weeks later they were shipped from the US.

The callipers are 4-pot and the discs size is 355mm. I chose black as I prefer a more concealed look.

Unboxing the ST40

FAG Wheel Bearings

As a pre-emptive measure, I replaced both front wheel bearings too. FAG is the OE wheel bearing supplier.

Install

... after taking that last picture, I went back into the office, sat on the couch and ended up falling asleep until the job was done. Working too hard obviously




Z3m Coupe
It's probably obvious by now that I have a 'thing' for the Z3M coupe, I always have! This particular one is very well known amongst the Z3M crowd in the UK. From what I remember, the owner left the car in storage and the underside started to rot due to moisture contamination. So he decided to have the entire underside replaced by Darren Wood with brand new OEM parts. The car looked soo fresh.



Stoptech Post Install
I have no feedback to give just yet as I drove home very carefully to avoid using the brakes too much. I had to wait until I arrived home and then plan a "midnight run" on a long stretch of quiet road to perform the bedding in procedure outlined by ST.

The install itself was fine apart from two things. OPIE oils dispatched my Motul brake fluid later than expected, so I had to use a spare can of ATE Super Blue. Once the Moutl arrives I may give that a go.

The other problem was clearance. I have spacers setup on the car, so clearance along this plane wasn't an issue. Some wheel weights however did cause rubbing so we had to remove some of them during the install. My next priority is to fix this. It may mean purchasing some performance 18"s or possibly 19" in the future

Part Numbers:
StopTech BBK
Calliper: ST-40
Rotor: 355 x 32
Color: Black - #83.137.4700.53

FAG Wheel Bearing: 713649400 x2


I'll be back with an update on the kit and those PIAA blades!

Thanks for reading!

Dal

[Diablo85]

joesnow said:

This thread is probably the blueprint for all M3 owners. Great read with lots of insight, looking forward to the next post.

Thanks Joe, I'm glad folks find the DIYs useful

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My new grills arrived last week (chrome outer + black slats): - I took some pics of them and the Stoptechs below:





















Stoptech ST40
I had the brake fluid flushed and replaced with Motul RBF600 as originally intended. Also the wheel weights have now been reapplied in such positions as to not interfere with the callipers - all is good! No complaints on the ST40 so far, they are excellent. The braking feel is different compared to the AP racing 6 pot, you tend to 'feel' a lot more of the braking action if that makes sense.... boy do they stop!


From a maintenance perspective the M3 is running sweet, no immediate issues left to resolve... for now

[Diablo85]

coopedup said:

That Sir is a complete work of art, hats off to your dedication

Thank you - honestly the E46M looks great these days in near-stock form.

joesnow said:

incidentally I think I saw you coming out of the carpark at the bottom of Agard St. Car looked clean as a whistle, yet quite unassuming amongst the traffic.
Hoping to get my bum back in an M soon.

haha, yes that would be me

Were I too get another one if would have to be either jet black, dakar yellow or LSB!