2003 BMW M3 - The New Daily
Discussion
appletonn said:
Watching your thread with interest as I've just put a deposit on a 52 plate manual car.
Will be my daily for the next couple of years, or at least that's the current plan!!
Not sure if I'm completely nuts or whether I'm doing the right thing, time will tell!
I'm surprised my thread hasn't put you off! It's good to see that it is providing some value to you and others mind you Will be my daily for the next couple of years, or at least that's the current plan!!
Not sure if I'm completely nuts or whether I'm doing the right thing, time will tell!
.Speaking of value it's time to speak of my headlight saga.
When I bought the car I was told that the offside headlight would turn on intermittently. Indeed this seemed to be the case, albeit it did power up 80% of the time and stay powered up. Coming forward to now and that figure had dropped to 5%. Before I could "cheat" it and flick the lights on and off to turn it on but now it was not having it, even after a 30 minute journey! With an MOT looming something had to be done.
With that decided I ordered myself another headlamp ballast. I figured that having spares for the headlights was not a bad shout in all honesty. I already have a known working bulb, so adding a ballast into the mix will compliment that. But let's be honest I am getting ahead of myself. So there I began removing the affected headlight:
After removing it I decided to break the headlight apart into many parts. While it was fiddly I will find it easier in the future, not that I would want to do it again!
All of this just to change the ignitor inside the headlamp casing. This for the record is the black box with two wires coming off it with a red connector. But "while you are there" other jobs always creep onto the scene. This one being no exception. Many months ago I bought a set of genuine AL lenses at a bargainous price through the M3Cutters forum. While my lenses were not too bad it seemed a shame to fit them when I had some new items in the shed. With the new lenses dusted off it was time to clean and reassemble the lights back together.
Ah yes, I do remember the reflector:
This rather poor iPhone photo demonstrates the difference between the old and new lenses:
So I had one amazing looking headlight that would hopefully work after dissecting but naturally the other side looked worse for wear. So off came the nearside headlight. Well, it wasn't that easy. When my painter painted the car he removed the headlights and washer jet assembly as one by taking off the bumper, so the indicator removal was not necessary. The issue? The screwhead had been rounded off by yours truly. Suffice to say that with some patience, bravery and care I somehow managed to remove the headlight with the indicator while leaving the car unscathed:
But that would not get me out of the woods! I would need to remove the indicator to remove the lens! I could have used a Dremel but I decided to work indoors so I sacked off the Dremel idea. Molegrips looked like a no goer with the collar/retained being rusted onto the screw! With a hacksaw I cut down the side of the screw retainer on the headlight and indicator assembly. With this done the molegrips took care of the rest:
And so it was time to fit the new item. You can just about make out the new screw and retainer. BMW call this a bush. It doesn't look like a bush to me!:
With that all taken care of I managed to reassemble the final light with the new lens:
But would the lights work?
Edited by SebringMan on Saturday 23 September 05:55
While I gather some bits together for the light update and other stuff I can provide a rather belated video of me having fun at the Pistonheads Sunday Service back in October at Silverstone. I wasn't the quickest driver but I did have a good time . I managed a lap of 1:15 according to Harry's Laptimer on the semi worn Falkens all round so there is room for improvement :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0w72JN9Vy0
. I managed a lap of 1:15 according to Harry's Laptimer on the semi worn Falkens all round so there is room for improvement :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0w72JN9Vy0
I almost forgot that I put the lights back together. In short, they did work!. Being very excited at no longer fearing a policeman and being able to see where I was going finally I took a shot of the lights. It would have helped if I cleaned the salt etc. off them mind you!
In other news the car got another ticket! This is always a welcome addition, seeing that it passed first time too.
On another note I have booked the car into a known specialist for a known flaw on the rear of these M3s.
Normally at this point I start getting cold feet and looking at something else! But then the car is heading in the right direction, and at least in my mind a reinforced M3 is an easier car to live with and sell on.
In other news the car got another ticket! This is always a welcome addition, seeing that it passed first time too
.On another note I have booked the car into a known specialist for a known flaw on the rear of these M3s.
Normally at this point I start getting cold feet and looking at something else! But then the car is heading in the right direction, and at least in my mind a reinforced M3 is an easier car to live with and sell on
.Edited by SebringMan on Saturday 23 September 06:00
appletonn said:
Ah the dreaded rear subframe mount/boot floor issue!
Which specialist have you chosen, one near Bristol?
Has yours got signs of cracking or are you simply taking the proactive approach?
Indeedy!Which specialist have you chosen, one near Bristol?
Has yours got signs of cracking or are you simply taking the proactive approach?
I was going to choose Redish but I've chosen another by Brands Hatch. As a bonus a friend of mine recommends them, which for him is something as he is hesitant to recommend a specialist.
Honestly? It's for a few reasons, not all of them logical. But it is on the proactive side to some extent.
-I have a slight metallic knock from the rear of the car when going over certain speed bumps at low speed. I unbolted the rear dampers and there is zero play in the rear shock mounts. The shocks are also in very good condition, tying up with the dates on them. After having had myself check the balljoints on the rear as well as one or two garages/specialists near me they look to be fine.
On initial inspection my subframe bushes look OK, but not amazing ; I reckon they could be seated tighter and with less "goo" around the bottom of them ; I suspect these are the culprits ; what is strange is that the handling is fine ; my E36 on new suspension was wayward and unsettled in comparison to this! My floor however looks OK. I could change the bushes myself in the subframe but it would involve the car being off for quite some time.
-It seems a few of them will now crack past the 10 year mark. My friend's E46 328i Touring had it's mounts repaired back a few years ago.
-It's the one question that is always asked when you come to sell. While a lot of people say "it's been checked by BMW" like mine or "it's had a replacement floor by BMW" it is not always a guarantee that it won't crack.
With the reinforcements done it should help the car and its resale should that time come. I know I'll never get all of the money back but it should certainly help.
-I'm going to the Nurburgring in May, DN17 in particular. I have deliberately been a little gentle on the gearchanges etc. The above should have me using the car as intended. Knowing me, I'll probably do a few more trackdays in good time as well.
As another note I also plan to get the CSL software for the gearbox. I have the software do it all with (WinKFP), but I am lacking a charger. I plan to either get the CTEK MXS10 for the job or I'll use a mate's 20Ah Absaar charger to maintain charge.
Edited by SebringMan on Tuesday 24th January 13:44
shalmaneser said:
It's a good idea. Will certainly help resale when/if you need to move it on.
The alternative is to wait for it to go and to have random noises from the rear.I was told BMW charge between £4-5k to replace the boot floor/RACP. While I am muttering at what it will be costing me it's not too bad when you consider that the poly bushes and plates come to £300 on their own.
Edited by SebringMan on Tuesday 24th January 19:01
mudy said:
Very well written thread and kudos for doing all the work yourself - lovely car, congrats
Many thanks! It's come a long way from when I bought it! While the changes I have done are small they have had a great impact on the car overall.Uncle John said:
Just read all of it & very much enjoyed it.
Great car, but didn't realise the maintenance required on these.
Would be no good for me as I'm a cack handed oaf.
Good work & keep up the updates!
Good to see that my ramblings are keeping you all entertained and hopefully informed!Great car, but didn't realise the maintenance required on these.
Would be no good for me as I'm a cack handed oaf.
Good work & keep up the updates!
Which bit of the maintenance are you referring to? If the alternator it seems quite a few have either gone or have been replaced ; mine was the original item). If it is the valve clearances they are due every 30,000 miles or 4 years, whichever comes first. While I admit they are not pleasant or easy to do I guess it beats a cambelt change in some respects
.Speaking of updates that time has come again!
Alot of us are willing to put up with stuff. Part of it is laziness, some of it being time related, and the other being down to not wanting to find out what you will find. Finally, what you do may actually have no difference! In this case I am referring to cleaning the interior on a car that you own. Sure enough, it was a mixture of all of the above for me!
Armed with some Megs cleaning products (interior cleaner in addition to the all purpose cleaner) I decided not to waste any time in getting stuck in. After all, the car was fine externally, but not quite the same inside! With a clean rag I went around the car cleaning it up! What greeted me in the sink was not so pleasant when I was rinsing it out!:
Lovely.
That said, I am surprised at how much life I put back into the steering wheel! I was considering getting the steering wheel retrimmed by Royal Steering wheels but I really am not sure now. Sure, it's not perfect but it has come up well and it does give the car a nice honesty :
But it seemed my efforts were paying off! The seats came up well with the Gliptone cleaner ; the rears it should be pointed out I didn't touch ; they look like they have never been sat in!
I was in for a surprise with the front seats however, especially the passenger seat! That responded surprisingly well to the conditioner! Even the more worn driver's seat improved but I suspect it may require further attention:
A slight improvement there...
Besides that another improvement has hit the car. Those of you with keen eyes will recall that the car had tape deck and some poor mats inside. While one of them is still a work in progress the car actually came to me with the factory mats beneath the cheap rubbish! When a set of cheap thick mats came along however I snapped them up! I may as well protect the mats that the car came with:
Guess what is still a WIP. There will be more on that later.
As said I suspect I will need to take further action with the driver's seat. It's in full working order but it would be nice to have a tidier seat. Part of me is tempted just to recolour the bolster. Another part has me wanting to search for another set of front seats. What do you folks reckon?
Grey haters look away!:
It looks a little more inviting anyway I would like to think as opposed to a grimefest!
Anyway, enough of that. I also went to the Sunday Service at Prodrive! The car looked great there, and to my surprise very tidy compared to other M3s there ; Surprising given that it has rolled over another milestone:
As for the low fuel, it's normally got a little more in than that! But my local Shell decided it would close for a refurb this week...
Anyway, back to Prodrive. I figured I may as well take the obligatory shots:
A friend of mine decided to join me at the PHSS too. Him in a car that you would no longer call exactly, well, common. A Mitsibish 3000 GTT Manual:
That said, there was plenty to like at the event. Definitely a superb way to spend a Sunday. I'll leave the pics for the SS thread, but here is a taster of what was there:
The now forlorn Manor Racing:
90s goodness at its best. Sad but a couple of us were looking at the Mondeo quite a bit as well as the Scooby:
My mate ended up becoming dillusional with so much tasty metal on display. What is he like?
Call me silly but I do get a little weak at the knees with some Rothmans goodness on display:
[IMG]http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/randhawac/2017%20Events/PHSS%20190217%2019%20of%2047.jpg[~original/IMG]
Anyway, that is all for now. Apologies for the small update!
Edited by SebringMan on Tuesday 28th February 19:21
Edited by SebringMan on Tuesday 28th February 19:24
Edited by SebringMan on Saturday 23 September 06:05
Some of you may have noticed that I have gone or a month of two without spending a small fortune on the car! While my to-do list is dwindling I decided it was time to reward the car somehow.
Today was the point where the car took a bit of a different corner. It received a modification. I said that I would attempt to keep this standard but I guess if you were once a tinkerer, you will always be a tinkerer.
So what tinkering would I do? The gearbox. Specifically, the software.
Some of you will know that I am not the keenest of manual 'boxes in BMWs. Maybe BL stuff, Fords and the MX-5 spoiled me here. That said, while I didn't mind the SMG it was not without its issues. I got used to using it and even managed to used some flaws to my advantage ; I could rev-match the gears myself for instance. That said.
-While the auto mode had its place and is handy it can be a little slow and dimwitted in D2 or D3. Any higher and the car is just a bit of a rev fest. Sure I could plant my foot to make it work but I wanted a more elegant solution.
-While heel and toeing could make the downchanges quick and be rewarding it was not a quick downchanger without doing it, and generally was not the smoothest thing if changing gears at the last minute. I heeled and toed all of the time like I do in most manuals.
-Erm? It can be a little harsh when giving it the beans but it is part of the fun!
A number of people mentioned the SMG CSL Sofware and claimed that it would practically cure world famine etc. While the reports on the face of it sounded promising I am always cautious about stuff being pushed in my direction. I always like to do a little research myself if I can.
What is it? In short the CSL Software comprises of three parts:
[b]Engine DME Side of things:[/u]
-CSL SMG Shifting / Rev Matching
-SMG Inertia Update
SMG ECU Side of things
-CSL 255 Software
Plenty of people were recommending all three. The Inertia update seems to be vaguely described and not making much sense (how can you clamp a clutch harder without changing the pressure plate for example?). It is meant to be harder on the clutch so I was wondering if I could have the other features without it.
Without paying somebody twice I wanted to make the changes on the go, at my own pace. But how would I do this?
Enter Stage Left:
Some of you will know this as being a program called BMWFlash. This program can change a few parameters of the car and can map the car through binary files. Here I was taking a backup of what the car already had.
However, it is all good and well having the program. But how do you create a binary file tailored to what you want the car to do? Simple. Get a program which can write the files. Such a program is the MSS Binary Tool supplied by Martyn Thomas and ECUWorx. Some of you will have heard of this program ; it's also known as Martyn's Binary Tool:
A rundown of what the program does can be found below:
http://www.ecuworx.co.uk/how-to/a-run-down-of-feat...
With this in mind I added the following options to my car:
-Sport button memory ; it will stay in Sport mode if I selected it even when the car is turned off
-SMG CSL Shifting/rev-matching
Depending on the above I would select the inertia update later.
And so I wrote the file using the MSS Tool as a tickbox exercise. Then it was time to upload the changes onto the car:
When I saw the tyre pressure monitor come on in addition to the car claiming it was overheating I was a little tense! However, after turning the car off and then on again all was well.
Was there a difference? You bet! The software and its creator (Martyn) certainly deserve alot of praise! The shifting/rev-matching has transformed the car! No heel and toeing is no longer required. Sure it takes away an element of fun but it really does open up alot of doors!
-Approaching a slow corner and need to grab 3rd or second without launching yourself towards the windscreen (when you can't heel and toe). Not a problem.
-Quick downchanges on the fly but also surprisingly smooth? Dead easy
-A blip on low-mid and above rpm downshifts? Done automatically upon hitting the paddle/gearstick.
-Grab a gear quickly to make that overtaking. Done without barely thinking about it.
-Reduce the low-rpm clutch slur in second when in Auto and D2 mode (or 5 modes)? Less pronounced.
-Quicker changes in auto even in the 'chilled' modes? Done.
-Quicker kickdown from a reasonable kickdown in auto? Not an issue.
Overall I am very surprised and am enjoying it even more! Corners are taken with more verve and the whole package just works so much better! If you are a reader of an SMG car or are considering buying one definitely get the rev-match done at a minimum. It really helps of the drive of the car. It won't cure world famine and definitely won't save nuns and kittens! But it does vastly improve the car for the better.
It's a bit of a shame I enjoyed the mod! I decided to go to the Pistonheads Sunday Service, where the car got quite filthy! But who cares when you are enjoying the experience?
Today was the point where the car took a bit of a different corner. It received a modification. I said that I would attempt to keep this standard but I guess if you were once a tinkerer, you will always be a tinkerer.
So what tinkering would I do? The gearbox. Specifically, the software.
Some of you will know that I am not the keenest of manual 'boxes in BMWs. Maybe BL stuff, Fords and the MX-5 spoiled me here. That said, while I didn't mind the SMG it was not without its issues. I got used to using it and even managed to used some flaws to my advantage ; I could rev-match the gears myself for instance. That said.
-While the auto mode had its place and is handy it can be a little slow and dimwitted in D2 or D3. Any higher and the car is just a bit of a rev fest. Sure I could plant my foot to make it work but I wanted a more elegant solution.
-While heel and toeing could make the downchanges quick and be rewarding it was not a quick downchanger without doing it, and generally was not the smoothest thing if changing gears at the last minute. I heeled and toed all of the time like I do in most manuals.
-Erm? It can be a little harsh when giving it the beans but it is part of the fun!
A number of people mentioned the SMG CSL Sofware and claimed that it would practically cure world famine etc. While the reports on the face of it sounded promising I am always cautious about stuff being pushed in my direction. I always like to do a little research myself if I can.
What is it? In short the CSL Software comprises of three parts:
[b]Engine DME Side of things:[/u]
-CSL SMG Shifting / Rev Matching
-SMG Inertia Update
SMG ECU Side of things
-CSL 255 Software
Plenty of people were recommending all three. The Inertia update seems to be vaguely described and not making much sense (how can you clamp a clutch harder without changing the pressure plate for example?). It is meant to be harder on the clutch so I was wondering if I could have the other features without it.
Without paying somebody twice I wanted to make the changes on the go, at my own pace. But how would I do this?
Enter Stage Left:
Some of you will know this as being a program called BMWFlash. This program can change a few parameters of the car and can map the car through binary files. Here I was taking a backup of what the car already had.
However, it is all good and well having the program. But how do you create a binary file tailored to what you want the car to do? Simple. Get a program which can write the files. Such a program is the MSS Binary Tool supplied by Martyn Thomas and ECUWorx. Some of you will have heard of this program ; it's also known as Martyn's Binary Tool:
A rundown of what the program does can be found below:
http://www.ecuworx.co.uk/how-to/a-run-down-of-feat...
With this in mind I added the following options to my car:
-Sport button memory ; it will stay in Sport mode if I selected it even when the car is turned off
-SMG CSL Shifting/rev-matching
Depending on the above I would select the inertia update later.
And so I wrote the file using the MSS Tool as a tickbox exercise. Then it was time to upload the changes onto the car:
When I saw the tyre pressure monitor come on in addition to the car claiming it was overheating I was a little tense! However, after turning the car off and then on again all was well.
Was there a difference? You bet! The software and its creator (Martyn) certainly deserve alot of praise! The shifting/rev-matching has transformed the car! No heel and toeing is no longer required. Sure it takes away an element of fun but it really does open up alot of doors!
-Approaching a slow corner and need to grab 3rd or second without launching yourself towards the windscreen (when you can't heel and toe). Not a problem.
-Quick downchanges on the fly but also surprisingly smooth? Dead easy
-A blip on low-mid and above rpm downshifts? Done automatically upon hitting the paddle/gearstick.
-Grab a gear quickly to make that overtaking. Done without barely thinking about it.
-Reduce the low-rpm clutch slur in second when in Auto and D2 mode (or 5 modes)? Less pronounced.
-Quicker changes in auto even in the 'chilled' modes? Done.
-Quicker kickdown from a reasonable kickdown in auto? Not an issue.
Overall I am very surprised and am enjoying it even more! Corners are taken with more verve and the whole package just works so much better! If you are a reader of an SMG car or are considering buying one definitely get the rev-match done at a minimum. It really helps of the drive of the car. It won't cure world famine and definitely won't save nuns and kittens! But it does vastly improve the car for the better.
It's a bit of a shame I enjoyed the mod! I decided to go to the Pistonheads Sunday Service, where the car got quite filthy! But who cares when you are enjoying the experience?
Edited by SebringMan on Saturday 23 September 06:24
Cheers for all of the comments folks . C&C is welcome.
. I originally wanted a red interior. LSB was out of the equation as was Cinnamon. How is yours coming along?
. C&C is welcome.charltjr said:
Great thread, I've just bought an 02 SMG with the CSL rev matching mod and 100% echo your comments on it.
It is surprising the difference it makes isn't it? It transforms the car, for the better. At the risk of being called a heretic the gearbox actually compliments the car very well with the CSL software. The only issue now is that keeping hold of my licence just became alot harder.appletonn said:
I've just swapped the interior on mine back to its original Kiwi - an acquired taste for many but I love it!
Need to tackle the headlight like you've done as I've got a reluctant n/s lamp that occasionally doesn't want to fire up!
Cleaned up and crack free Kiwi looks good Need to tackle the headlight like you've done as I've got a reluctant n/s lamp that occasionally doesn't want to fire up!
. I originally wanted a red interior. LSB was out of the equation as was Cinnamon. How is yours coming along?Well mine was 'cheap' for manual coupe & hence had its issues!
Gradually working through my snagging list!
So far:
- New clutch & flywheel, not done by me!
- Refurb gear linkage whilst box was out
- Wheel refurb
- clean/refurb of kiwi leather. Not come up too badly tbh. Used Glyptone leather solvent cleaner & dye
- New thermostat & coolant so now runs at correct temps!
- Full service - oils & filters inc box & diff. Plugs & new coil packs. Clearances still to do!
Needs to the 2 scabs on front arches sorting & then will be becoming my daily driver, gulp!
Feels like a quality thing to use, despite it's age. No clonks or rattles, even after I'd swapped the interior over! The refurbished gear linkage has made a huge difference the shift action. Was a little tired before
Not driven it that much as yet, as I've been fettling it. Much prefer the kiwi interior with the grey exterior - has lightened the feel & also made it somehow more special to sit it! I know, it's not universally popular though!
Plenty still to do, including an occasionally reluctant n/s headlight that sounds similar to yours, although it comes on immediately if I wiggle (technical term) the cable to the back of the lamp unit, so hoping that some contact cleaner & disassembly might cure that.
Gradually working through my snagging list!
So far:
- New clutch & flywheel, not done by me!
- Refurb gear linkage whilst box was out
- Wheel refurb
- clean/refurb of kiwi leather. Not come up too badly tbh. Used Glyptone leather solvent cleaner & dye
- New thermostat & coolant so now runs at correct temps!
- Full service - oils & filters inc box & diff. Plugs & new coil packs. Clearances still to do!
Needs to the 2 scabs on front arches sorting & then will be becoming my daily driver, gulp!
Feels like a quality thing to use, despite it's age. No clonks or rattles, even after I'd swapped the interior over! The refurbished gear linkage has made a huge difference the shift action. Was a little tired before
Not driven it that much as yet, as I've been fettling it. Much prefer the kiwi interior with the grey exterior - has lightened the feel & also made it somehow more special to sit it! I know, it's not universally popular though!
Plenty still to do, including an occasionally reluctant n/s headlight that sounds similar to yours, although it comes on immediately if I wiggle (technical term) the cable to the back of the lamp unit, so hoping that some contact cleaner & disassembly might cure that.
Edited by appletonn on Tuesday 7th March 11:53
olly22n said:
I had a CSL and always wondered why SMG got such a panning. I liked it, it suited the car and was still involving. You had to master it.
Sounds like the regular SMG wasn't as good!
You are right about the mastering and involving bit. I will be honest. A day after owning mine I was beginning to hate the SMG but I came around to working with and mastering it as you say. After a week I was pretty much at home with it and picked up more things along the way. The CSL update removes a little of that but it also opens up alot of great things about it and the car overall.Sounds like the regular SMG wasn't as good!
The issue IMO is that the SMG was developed over the E46's time. Mine for instance had the BMW update done as part of a recall which is meant to really improve things; I wonder how many received this.
That and I think people also enjoy jumping on a bandwagon. When at a PHSS and even in this thread I mentioned that you can heel and toe in a non rev-matched/non-CSL SMG; it was a strange concept for some to understand on how it was possible. That is before I get to people thinking the pump is the price of Myrrh. Yes it does/can go but the repair is generally a £400 part (the motor) and the knowledge for repairing it does seem better than it used to be. *Touchwood* mine has been fine and will hopefully stay that way.
Even the CSL software doesn't seem to be too well known about ; I only found out by a friend mentioning it to me with others being oblivious to it.
That said, with some people, only a manual will always satisfy them, but that's a discussion for another thread
.But I guess I am a risk lover in some respects. I owned a Triumph Stag with the Triumph V8 (a car I said I'd never buy due to the reputation) ; that was fine, but God I heard some rubbish being thrown around regarding the engine and what a moneypit it would be. The car was a moneypit but the engine never really had much cash thrown towards it.
I once had a journalist saying to me at the Ace Cafe "They crack at the weld in the block where the two Dolomite engines are welded together don't they?" How I was not tempted to lead him on with that comment...
Edited by SebringMan on Wednesday 8th March 18:05
SebringMan said:
You are right about the mastering and involving bit. I will be honest. A day after owning mine I was beginning to hate the SMG but I came around to working with and mastering it as you say. After a week I was pretty much at home with it and picked up more things along the way. The CSL update removes a little of that but it also opens up alot of great things about it and the car overall.
The issue IMO is that the SMG was developed over the E46's time. Mine for instance had the BMW update done as part of a recall which is meant to really improve things; I wonder how many received this.
That and I think people also enjoy jumping on a bandwagon. When at a PHSS and even in this thread I mentioned that you can heel and toe in a non rev-matched/CSL SMG; it was a strange concept for some to understand on how it was possible. That is before I get to people thinking the pump is the price of Myrrh. Yes it does but the repair is generally a £400 part (the motor) and the knowledge for repairing it does seem better than it used to be. *Touchwood* mine has been fine and will hopefully stay that way.
Even the CSL software doesn't seem to be too well known about ; I only found out by a friend mentioning it to me with others being oblivious to it.
That said, with some people, only a manual will always satisfy them, but that's a discussion for another thread.
But I guess I am a risk lover in some respects. I owned a Triumph Stag with the Triumph V8 (a I said I'd never buy due to the reputation) ; that was fine, but God I heard some rubbish being thrown around regarding the engine and what a moneypit it would be. The car was a moneypit but the engine never really had much cash thrown towards it.
I once had a journalist saying to me at the Ace Cafe "They crack at the weld in the block where the two Dolomite engines are welded together don't they?". How I was not tempted to lead him on with that comment...
Love the Stag engine quote - a little knowledge is usually a dangerous thing!The issue IMO is that the SMG was developed over the E46's time. Mine for instance had the BMW update done as part of a recall which is meant to really improve things; I wonder how many received this.
That and I think people also enjoy jumping on a bandwagon. When at a PHSS and even in this thread I mentioned that you can heel and toe in a non rev-matched/CSL SMG; it was a strange concept for some to understand on how it was possible. That is before I get to people thinking the pump is the price of Myrrh. Yes it does but the repair is generally a £400 part (the motor) and the knowledge for repairing it does seem better than it used to be. *Touchwood* mine has been fine and will hopefully stay that way.
Even the CSL software doesn't seem to be too well known about ; I only found out by a friend mentioning it to me with others being oblivious to it.
That said, with some people, only a manual will always satisfy them, but that's a discussion for another thread
.But I guess I am a risk lover in some respects. I owned a Triumph Stag with the Triumph V8 (a I said I'd never buy due to the reputation) ; that was fine, but God I heard some rubbish being thrown around regarding the engine and what a moneypit it would be. The car was a moneypit but the engine never really had much cash thrown towards it.
I once had a journalist saying to me at the Ace Cafe "They crack at the weld in the block where the two Dolomite engines are welded together don't they?". How I was not tempted to lead him on with that comment...
Ref the whole SMG debate, for me the weak link in the manual M3 is the gearbox/gear-change as it's occasionally recalcitrant when warm & downright awkward when cold, so it's not like it has the delicious & sweet gear-change of an MX5 etc!
I'm curious to try an updated & improved SMG in one of these, as the gear-change in mine is still not as good as the rest of the car, after new clutch, flywheel & gear linkage.
My wheels are away for blasting & powder-coating this week, so I'm slowly working my way through te smaller items on the snagging list - last night was PAS fluid change & also reattaching the loose AC Schnitzer rear window 'spoiler'. Onwards & upwards!
Your car is a great colour & I like the slightly darker wheels - was never a fan of the slightly 'blingy' diamond cut faces on those wheels.
appletonn said:
Love the Stag engine quote - a little knowledge is usually a dangerous thing!
Ref the whole SMG debate, for me the weak link in the manual M3 is the gearbox/gear-change as it's occasionally recalcitrant when warm & downright awkward when cold, so it's not like it has the delicious & sweet gear-change of an MX5 etc!
I'm curious to try an updated & improved SMG in one of these, as the gear-change in mine is still not as good as the rest of the car, after new clutch, flywheel & gear linkage.
My wheels are away for blasting & powder-coating this week, so I'm slowly working my way through te smaller items on the snagging list - last night was PAS fluid change & also reattaching the loose AC Schnitzer rear window 'spoiler'. Onwards & upwards!
Your car is a great colour & I like the slightly darker wheels - was never a fan of the slightly 'blingy' diamond cut faces on those wheels.
Indeed it is!Ref the whole SMG debate, for me the weak link in the manual M3 is the gearbox/gear-change as it's occasionally recalcitrant when warm & downright awkward when cold, so it's not like it has the delicious & sweet gear-change of an MX5 etc!
I'm curious to try an updated & improved SMG in one of these, as the gear-change in mine is still not as good as the rest of the car, after new clutch, flywheel & gear linkage.
My wheels are away for blasting & powder-coating this week, so I'm slowly working my way through te smaller items on the snagging list - last night was PAS fluid change & also reattaching the loose AC Schnitzer rear window 'spoiler'. Onwards & upwards!
Your car is a great colour & I like the slightly darker wheels - was never a fan of the slightly 'blingy' diamond cut faces on those wheels.
If you are locallish you're welcome to give mine a go. I'm in Warwick. But prior to the updates it took me a day to work with the gearbox and a week to get used to it. With the update that time would come down dramatically
.That reminds me, I better do the gearbox oil change!
Cheers on the looks. I plan to keep the wheels in that shade or go to a slightly lighter shade. They are "Smoked Chrome" at the moment (a Grey on top of a black paint) so I may go to Shadow Chrome where the Silver is on top of a black coat. But that is way down on the priority list for now as you shall see.
Good to hear yours is going onwards and upwards
.Today, a package arrived. Some of you will already know where these puppies go on the car. The days are getting closer...
Edited by SebringMan on Thursday 23 March 19:02
Edited by SebringMan on Saturday 23 September 05:57
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