My E46 M3 Coupe
Discussion
IMO the grey leather is great but I am biased. To me quite a few black leather interiors have a whiff of "minicabber" about them 
.
It's looking great! I'd have preferred amber fronts myself but they can be tricky to get hold of.
It appears you are having better luck than me recently. Mind you, I have slapped on 5,000 miles onto it recently.
.It's looking great! I'd have preferred amber fronts myself but they can be tricky to get hold of.
It appears you are having better luck than me recently. Mind you, I have slapped on 5,000 miles onto it recently.
Almost a year since I updated this! Big expense this year was a suspension refurb. Car already had eibach springs but was on the original dampers. So I replaced the dampers with Bilstein B4s and replaced most of the rubber perishables.
Also needed new discs and pads at the rear.
It wasn't a night and day difference, but a noticeable improvement. Still nice and firm but not at all crashy and very controlled.
Not a great deal else to report, just been enjoying driving it really. Pics from trip out last week..
IMG_1594 by ben chambers, on Flickr
IMG_1592 by ben chambers, on Flickr
Still need to repair if required or at least reinforce the boot floor and will probably need front tyres fairly soon. Tempted with an alcantara wheel and gearknob, and maybe some reclining buckets?
Happy new year all!
Also needed new discs and pads at the rear.
It wasn't a night and day difference, but a noticeable improvement. Still nice and firm but not at all crashy and very controlled.
Not a great deal else to report, just been enjoying driving it really. Pics from trip out last week..
IMG_1594 by ben chambers, on FlickrIMG_1592 by ben chambers, on FlickrStill need to repair if required or at least reinforce the boot floor and will probably need front tyres fairly soon. Tempted with an alcantara wheel and gearknob, and maybe some reclining buckets?
Happy new year all!
Small cosmetic update today...
Have never been happy with the positioning of my bootlid M3 badge, so off it came today.
Before...
IMG_1383 by ben chambers, on Flickr
After
IMG_1598 by ben chambers, on Flickr
Quite like the debadged look so going to leave it for now and see how I feel!
Have never been happy with the positioning of my bootlid M3 badge, so off it came today.
Before...
IMG_1383 by ben chambers, on FlickrAfter
IMG_1598 by ben chambers, on FlickrQuite like the debadged look so going to leave it for now and see how I feel!
Max M4X WW said:
Looks good actually, a non perfect placement of the badges on BMW's always looks off (or on anything really)
Are you fitting front ambers?
Toying with the idea but not convinced myself yet. I don't really like how they look anything other than dead front or dead side on - the headlights are clear with the bulbs set back so having amber indicators with no depth to them looks a bit odd to me.Are you fitting front ambers?
Wow over 2 years since I updated this! Car itself has gone through a few minor changes in that time, but the biggest change is that it is now my daily driver.
When I bought the car 4 years ago I was in a job with 2 company cars, so it was weekend car predominantly, but bought with the view that sooner or later I would change job, and chances were it would be a job with a maximum of 1 company car.
Low and behold, as of September 2018 I moved into a job with just the 1 company car. We were living some distance away so the M3 was the wife's car whilst I was doing the long commute, but after moving last year, and then only a 22 mile commute, I wrestled it back from her indoors and it's been my daily ever since.
It has certainly justified my choice 4 years ago - I really can't think of another car that could offer as much as it does in it's role - over a commute of 5 miles x 50mph A Road, 1 mile x 30mph town driving, 5 x 50mph A Road again and then the rest dual carriageway, it is entertaining, comfortable, relaxing and exiting all at the same time, and manages to do 27.9mph! Furthermore, with our 3 kids it can do the school pick-up and a family drive out at the weekend. To make matters even better, it only costs me £280/year to insure including commuting.
Finally, and very importantly, in the 4 years and 10,000 miles I have had it it has been super reliable.
Exterior wise I've got it exactly how I want it now. The amber sides have gone and the rears replaced with facelift LED units, and I've refitted the badge in the correct position.
Mechanically not a great deal to report. New front tyres to pass the MOT last year made a nice improvement. Poly flex front bushes have also made a noticeable improvement in steering feel. CDV delete has made a marginal improvement to the shift quality, but the Jaffster v2 shift knob I fitted recently and reported about on here has made a massive difference. It is now quite a joy to change gear.
Few more interior updates that I will cover next week after getting a recovered wheel fitted.
For now, a couple of recent pics...
When I bought the car 4 years ago I was in a job with 2 company cars, so it was weekend car predominantly, but bought with the view that sooner or later I would change job, and chances were it would be a job with a maximum of 1 company car.
Low and behold, as of September 2018 I moved into a job with just the 1 company car. We were living some distance away so the M3 was the wife's car whilst I was doing the long commute, but after moving last year, and then only a 22 mile commute, I wrestled it back from her indoors and it's been my daily ever since.
It has certainly justified my choice 4 years ago - I really can't think of another car that could offer as much as it does in it's role - over a commute of 5 miles x 50mph A Road, 1 mile x 30mph town driving, 5 x 50mph A Road again and then the rest dual carriageway, it is entertaining, comfortable, relaxing and exiting all at the same time, and manages to do 27.9mph! Furthermore, with our 3 kids it can do the school pick-up and a family drive out at the weekend. To make matters even better, it only costs me £280/year to insure including commuting.
Finally, and very importantly, in the 4 years and 10,000 miles I have had it it has been super reliable.
Exterior wise I've got it exactly how I want it now. The amber sides have gone and the rears replaced with facelift LED units, and I've refitted the badge in the correct position.
Mechanically not a great deal to report. New front tyres to pass the MOT last year made a nice improvement. Poly flex front bushes have also made a noticeable improvement in steering feel. CDV delete has made a marginal improvement to the shift quality, but the Jaffster v2 shift knob I fitted recently and reported about on here has made a massive difference. It is now quite a joy to change gear.
Few more interior updates that I will cover next week after getting a recovered wheel fitted.
For now, a couple of recent pics...
Edited by rainmasterb on Friday 5th June 15:17
Looks perfect! Those 18's are the wheels to have.
The CDV doesn't make a difference to the shift quality per se, it's about clutch feel. Mine felt horrible with it in and fine without it, though my friend still runs the CDV and said with new fluid it's fine too. For shift quality you need to check out the bushes on the gearbox. They're prone to wear and made a big difference when changed on my friend's car.
For steering feel, have a look at the rubber UJ in the column assembly, just above the steering rack. If it's original it'll need changing, My steering felt completely dead in the straight ahead position and excellent as soon as I started to turn a corner - it was just play in that rubber UJ.
i've moved on to an E90 M3 now but I still look at my friends E46 and wonder if I should have kept mine! In fairness the E90 is brilliant, but there were many things I loved about the E46 too
The CDV doesn't make a difference to the shift quality per se, it's about clutch feel. Mine felt horrible with it in and fine without it, though my friend still runs the CDV and said with new fluid it's fine too. For shift quality you need to check out the bushes on the gearbox. They're prone to wear and made a big difference when changed on my friend's car.
For steering feel, have a look at the rubber UJ in the column assembly, just above the steering rack. If it's original it'll need changing, My steering felt completely dead in the straight ahead position and excellent as soon as I started to turn a corner - it was just play in that rubber UJ.
i've moved on to an E90 M3 now but I still look at my friends E46 and wonder if I should have kept mine! In fairness the E90 is brilliant, but there were many things I loved about the E46 too
Gallons Per Mile said:
Looks perfect! Those 18's are the wheels to have.
The CDV doesn't make a difference to the shift quality per se, it's about clutch feel. Mine felt horrible with it in and fine without it, though my friend still runs the CDV and said with new fluid it's fine too. For shift quality you need to check out the bushes on the gearbox. They're prone to wear and made a big difference when changed on my friend's car.
For steering feel, have a look at the rubber UJ in the column assembly, just above the steering rack. If it's original it'll need changing, My steering felt completely dead in the straight ahead position and excellent as soon as I started to turn a corner - it was just play in that rubber UJ.
i've moved on to an E90 M3 now but I still look at my friends E46 and wonder if I should have kept mine! In fairness the E90 is brilliant, but there were many things I loved about the E46 too
Thanks! Yes you're right about the CDV affecting the clutch feel, was just summing it up with the weighted shifter too. Pretty satisfied with the shift now but appreciate it could be improved further.The CDV doesn't make a difference to the shift quality per se, it's about clutch feel. Mine felt horrible with it in and fine without it, though my friend still runs the CDV and said with new fluid it's fine too. For shift quality you need to check out the bushes on the gearbox. They're prone to wear and made a big difference when changed on my friend's car.
For steering feel, have a look at the rubber UJ in the column assembly, just above the steering rack. If it's original it'll need changing, My steering felt completely dead in the straight ahead position and excellent as soon as I started to turn a corner - it was just play in that rubber UJ.
i've moved on to an E90 M3 now but I still look at my friends E46 and wonder if I should have kept mine! In fairness the E90 is brilliant, but there were many things I loved about the E46 too
Also quite happy with the steering feel since I've put the oversized front tyres on.
I keep my eye on E90 prices but am not sure I like the look as much and don't think I could live with the <20 mpg!
The leather I did still holding out well I trust? Are you still running Horsepower ATH btw? If so could you ping me over some meet dates, as in to 2020 I'd like to get attending some car meets, with two before and after car seats (I'm a poet and I didn't know it..) to try and drum up some business (if this CV lurgy doesn't get us all!)
Fermit and Sexy Sarah said:
The leather I did still holding out well I trust? Are you still running Horsepower ATH btw? If so could you ping me over some meet dates, as in to 2020 I'd like to get attending some car meets, with two before and after car seats (I'm a poet and I didn't know it..) to try and drum up some business (if this CV lurgy doesn't get us all!)
Hi mate yes it's still holding up very well thanks.We moved away from Lincoln last year so I passed the show on to a local club who ran a couple last year. Unfortunately they've had to cancel them all this year now, but send them a message on the Facebook page because they're always looking for exhibitors
Good to see you still have the car, and are still enjoying it !
Just wondering where you had your servicing done ?
I used Forrest Motors for many years myself, but when Derrick died, it was taken over by somebody else, and I don't think it was quite the same.
I work close to Sopers myself, but they are a bit pricey !
Hope you enjoy the car for many more years
Just wondering where you had your servicing done ?
I used Forrest Motors for many years myself, but when Derrick died, it was taken over by somebody else, and I don't think it was quite the same.
I work close to Sopers myself, but they are a bit pricey !
Hope you enjoy the car for many more years
Fermit and Sexy Sarah said:
The leather I did still holding out well I trust? Are you still running Horsepower ATH btw? If so could you ping me over some meet dates, as in to 2020 I'd like to get attending some car meets, with two before and after car seats (I'm a poet and I didn't know it..) to try and drum up some business (if this CV lurgy doesn't get us all!)
I was very impressed with the work you did on the seats. My E46 has the tan leather but have seen better days!!Sadly I am in Woking, Surrey so I doubt you guys come down this far, but if not can you recommend someone that you might know?
Many thanks.
coopedup said:
Fermit and Sexy Sarah said:
The leather I did still holding out well I trust? Are you still running Horsepower ATH btw? If so could you ping me over some meet dates, as in to 2020 I'd like to get attending some car meets, with two before and after car seats (I'm a poet and I didn't know it..) to try and drum up some business (if this CV lurgy doesn't get us all!)
I was very impressed with the work you did on the seats. My E46 has the tan leather but have seen better days!!Sadly I am in Woking, Surrey so I doubt you guys come down this far, but if not can you recommend someone that you might know?
Many thanks.
I don't know anyone your way unfortunately, but if you find someone, the important question is do they guarantee durability. We provide a full durability guarantee, but many jokers do most of their work for car dealers, who want it cheap as, hence it usually doesn't last.
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