E46 M3 Touring Project
Discussion
Not content with having one build underway I now have commenced another M3 Touring project. This build will use a Silver Grey 2005 320d as it's basis that I purchased fairly cheaply due to an engine fault.
The plan is to replicate the E46 m3 touring concept as much as possible as I am going for another OEM build. Genuine CSL alloys rather than the 18 inch alloys that the factory concept wears will be the wheel of choice and an S54 engine with manual transmission will be used.
The car will remain Silver Grey as it was an original E46 M3 colour . Also it has enabled me to obtain an E46 M3 bonnet and rear bumper that matches.
Over the next month or so I will try and acquire quarter panels and a boot floor so that the bodywork phase of the project can commence.
Thanks
The plan is to replicate the E46 m3 touring concept as much as possible as I am going for another OEM build. Genuine CSL alloys rather than the 18 inch alloys that the factory concept wears will be the wheel of choice and an S54 engine with manual transmission will be used.
The car will remain Silver Grey as it was an original E46 M3 colour . Also it has enabled me to obtain an E46 M3 bonnet and rear bumper that matches.
Over the next month or so I will try and acquire quarter panels and a boot floor so that the bodywork phase of the project can commence.
Thanks
Edited by E91M3 on Monday 26th September 21:34
aspirated said:
jelluzz said:
Absolutely love this idea. Good luck!
Hopefully you keep the facelift touring headlights etc. as I think they look so much better than the pre-facelift!
Wouldn't look OEM if he did, the E46 M3 never received a front end facelift, just like the E9xHopefully you keep the facelift touring headlights etc. as I think they look so much better than the pre-facelift!
That way, it just looks more like the usual Sport touring look, except it's hiding the M3 credentials = Q car and thus more amusing blowing off Reps at the lights
We built one of these a while ago at work. Got featured in a BMW mag recently. Lots of work, but quite satisfying when it was done.
We used a donor car though (M3 CS), so pretty much EVERY 'M' stamped part could be transfered over (dirt shields, sound deadening - the lot). Converted the touring from 2001 320i auto to 2005 M3 SMG. Wanted to make it look like it came out of the factory like it.
I think we achieved it:
Here's the text from the feature:
https://drive-my.com/en/social/stream/item/7475.ht...
It was A LOT of work. The bodykit doesn't fit.
At all
We used a donor car though (M3 CS), so pretty much EVERY 'M' stamped part could be transfered over (dirt shields, sound deadening - the lot). Converted the touring from 2001 320i auto to 2005 M3 SMG. Wanted to make it look like it came out of the factory like it.
I think we achieved it:
Here's the text from the feature:
https://drive-my.com/en/social/stream/item/7475.ht...
It was A LOT of work. The bodykit doesn't fit.
At all
Kitchski said:
We built one of these a while ago at work. Got featured in a BMW mag recently. Lots of work, but quite satisfying when it was done.
We used a donor car though (M3 CS), so pretty much EVERY 'M' stamped part could be transfered over (dirt shields, sound deadening - the lot). Converted the touring from 2001 320i auto to 2005 M3 SMG. Wanted to make it look like it came out of the factory like it.
I think we achieved it:
Here's the text from the feature:
https://drive-my.com/en/social/stream/item/7475.ht...
It was A LOT of work. The bodykit doesn't fit.
At all
I remember watching your build and the amount of effort that went into it. The E91 M3 I have was the same in that nothing really fits and lots of changes were required in the end. I am also going to try and get a CAT C/D car when it comes to the mechanicals as I wasted far too much time sourcing individual parts for the E91.We used a donor car though (M3 CS), so pretty much EVERY 'M' stamped part could be transfered over (dirt shields, sound deadening - the lot). Converted the touring from 2001 320i auto to 2005 M3 SMG. Wanted to make it look like it came out of the factory like it.
I think we achieved it:
Here's the text from the feature:
https://drive-my.com/en/social/stream/item/7475.ht...
It was A LOT of work. The bodykit doesn't fit.
At all
I did contemplate keeping this one stock as I like the facelift lights on the touring however I want it to look like an M3 and that means the using the arches and bodywork from the coupe.
Finally I am going to trial fit the bonnet and rear bumper this weekend (which won't fit correctly) out of curiosity. I will post some photos when done.
Edited by E91M3 on Tuesday 27th September 20:08
Kitchski said:
To prepare you, the rear bumper needs widening by about 35mm (from memory) but it has to be done in the centre, so then the exhaust cutouts don't line up, and they need moving.
The bonnet isn't *too* bad. The front wings are the big headache, if you want to make them look OEM!
Thanks for the advice. I assume the bumper was widened as the rear is more square? What did you do with the bumper carrier as I have the carbon version attached to the M3 bumper and wanted to use that?The bonnet isn't *too* bad. The front wings are the big headache, if you want to make them look OEM!
Sf_Manta said:
Might have missed it, but are you re-enforcing the floor on the touring too?
Could always go with the Porsche Brake upgrade too.
Yes I will need to check the floor to see if there are any cracks. Fingers crossed it will be ok but I do plan on doing a floor re-enforcement when I get to swapping the mechanicals over.Could always go with the Porsche Brake upgrade too.
I'm probably going to go with CSL/Z4M brake discs and callipers.
Counted £14k of receipts for the conversion of mine (previous owner). Second one done (in the UK) and first with SMG. Not a huge fan of the box but kind of suits the touring, especially given the pace is nothing that special these days. Son in law has an M3 saloon and virtually identical pace - touring surprisingly a small fraction quicker - probably down to the gearbox.
Drives like factory. Don't under-estimate the work involved though. Great having the practicality when needed. Split commuting between this and a 997 turbo and never feels like a downer taking the touring. Had an e36 M3 Touring too but they're possibly getting a bit old for everyday use.
Hope you do it. The more of these knocking about the better!
Drives like factory. Don't under-estimate the work involved though. Great having the practicality when needed. Split commuting between this and a 997 turbo and never feels like a downer taking the touring. Had an e36 M3 Touring too but they're possibly getting a bit old for everyday use.
Hope you do it. The more of these knocking about the better!
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