E46 M3 Project

[ATM]

Need some advice please.

I bought a Moton suspension setup from the Cutters for sale section - http://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/showthread.php?t=124...

I tried to fit one of the rears last night and had to abort. The top mount which is fitted to the shock looks like it is on upside down to me. You can probably make this out from the pic below. Also it looks a bit rusty inside the top mount. Also annoyingly it does not have captive bolts like the HSD's I have now - so fitting could be a 2 man job as I'd need to hold the bolt and fasten the nut. Finally there was no rubber boot or protective cover on the shock, surely for a road car I need some form of rubber boot over the shock to keep sheet out of it.

1. Do I need new top mounts - if so do I just buy any or get some Moton specific ones.
2. Do I need some rubber boots / covers?

[sprouting]

Sorry i have nothing constructive to say, but the logos on the shocks make it look like you bought them at Morrisons.

[mwstewart]

ATM said:

Need some advice please.

I bought a Moton suspension setup from the Cutters for sale section - http://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/showthread.php?t=124...

I tried to fit one of the rears last night and had to abort. The top mount which is fitted to the shock looks like it is on upside down to me. You can probably make this out from the pic below. Also it looks a bit rusty inside the top mount. Also annoyingly it does not have captive bolts like the HSD's I have now - so fitting could be a 2 man job as I'd need to hold the bolt and fasten the nut. Finally there was no rubber boot or protective cover on the shock, surely for a road car I need some form of rubber boot over the shock to keep sheet out of it.

1. Do I need new top mounts - if so do I just buy any or get some Moton specific ones.
2. Do I need some rubber boots / covers?

You don't need new top mounts - they look just like the Rogue Engineering RSM's that I have fitted.

Coilovers aren't really designed for street use hence they don't really come with protection for sat and water etc. Perhaps you can smear some grease over the rusty parts to prevent out any more water ingress.

[mwstewart]

I now have a digital TV tuner:

[richtea78]

What's going on with the Fiesta lately?

[mwstewart]

richtea78 said:

What's going on with the Fiesta lately?

Absolutely nothing at the moment...not forgotten it though.

[ATM]

mwstewart said:

You don't need new top mounts - they look just like the Rogue Engineering RSM's that I have fitted.

Coilovers aren't really designed for street use hence they don't really come with protection for sat and water etc. Perhaps you can smear some grease over the rusty parts to prevent out any more water ingress.

Its the rears shockers that I think need a rubber boot.

I dont think they're Rogue. They look like they have a spherical bearing which is a little rusty. I'll get some better pics.

[mwstewart]

ATM said:

Its the rears shockers that I think need a rubber boot.

I dont think they're Rogue. They look like they have a spherical bearing which is a little rusty. I'll get some better pics.

No, they're not Rogue but the mounting style looks the same. I can see yours have a spherical bearing in place of a rubber isolator. On mine the thicker reinforcement piece goes inside the wheelarch, and there is another reinforcement piece on the inside of the car which has some captive studs. It looks like you may be missing that piece? They will still bolt up fine just a lot more fiddly as you say.

[Nunga]

I've read the build thread a couple of times now, and the attention-to-detail still beggars belief. So impressive.

Who did the DME modifications and tune? I'm having a great deal of trouble here on the continent finding a company that will actually do the required hardware alterations AND software mods. Might be I need to send it to the UK.

Have you enjoyed driving the car in the current nice sunny weather?

[mwstewart]

Nunga said:

I've read the build thread a couple of times now, and the attention-to-detail still beggars belief. So impressive.

Who did the DME modifications and tune? I'm having a great deal of trouble here on the continent finding a company that will actually do the required hardware alterations AND software mods. Might be I need to send it to the UK.

Have you enjoyed driving the car in the current nice sunny weather?

Thank you. I will message you the DME information.

I've not used the car for several weeks now, but it is running well

[rows]

Hi there,
Nice work on this car.
I was wondering if you can help me?
I have recently got a twin charging socket compartment for the centre console myself and was hoping to fit it like you did.
But I can't find a part number for the two Purple connectors and the metal prongs that go inside?
Can you remember what they are or where I can get them?
Tried BM and Real OEM but no luck.
Cheers Neil.

[mwstewart]

rows said:

Hi there,
Nice work on this car.
I was wondering if you can help me?
I have recently got a twin charging socket compartment for the centre console myself and was hoping to fit it like you did.
But I can't find a part number for the two Purple connectors and the metal prongs that go inside?
Can you remember what they are or where I can get them?
Tried BM and Real OEM but no luck.
Cheers Neil.

Neil,
Thank you. Sorry but that's about the only piece of info I didn't log. I've been asked a few times but cannot for the life of me find the part numbers.

Cheers,
Mark

[mwstewart]

I stopped using the M3 a few months ago and went back to the Golf. She's now on 36k and will be for sale after an inspection 2 at BMW.

I did have a small issue whereby the starter motor wouldn't engage with the first turn of the key, and this got progressively worse until it took a minute or so of trying before the car would start. I diagnosed a sticking starter motor solenoid so I fitted a new OEM part. Issue resolved.

For the benefit of anyone else replacing the starter I did so from above by removing the inlet manifold. The two torx bolts securing the motor are tricky to access, and to break them loose I cut an E11 3/8" drive bit in half then welded an M10 threaded bar to it, which I bent in a way that allowed me to work easily from the engine bay. I used a 10mm ratchet spanner to undo the bolts once they were free.

I understand the procedure is more difficult on SMG cars but is still possible from above.

[Podie]

mwstewart said:

I stopped using the M3 a few months ago and went back to the Golf. She's now on 36k and will be for sale after an inspection 2 at BMW.

Didn't see that coming...

[mwstewart]

Podie said:

Didn't see that coming...

In truth, neither did I, but it's too nice to be outside on the street in London and I have the other car in the fun/garaged/occasional role, hence in my case the M3 began to seem a bit superflous.

It's a fantastic car and will likely suit someone who wants to keep it in a garage for occasional use.

[Podie]

mwstewart said:

Podie said:

Didn't see that coming...

In truth, neither did I, but it's too nice to be outside on the street in London and I have the other car in the fun/garaged/occasional role, hence in my case the M3 began to seem a bit superflous.

It's a fantastic car and will likely suit someone who wants to keep it in a garage for occasional use.

Fair point.

Looking forward to the next project thread

[neilbauer]

mwstewart said:

Podie said:

Didn't see that coming...

In truth, neither did I, but it's too nice to be outside on the street in London and I have the other car in the fun/garaged/occasional role, hence in my case the M3 began to seem a bit superflous.

It's a fantastic car and will likely suit someone who wants to keep it in a garage for occasional use.

Yes and you can finally finish the Fiesta

[m3sye]

MW

I need a few new parts for my M3, when yuo say bought from BMW - where do I go exactly?

What cost what your new interior trim too (cube) mine has been damaged in a break in of my car so need new.

[mwstewart]

m3sye said:

MW

I need a few new parts for my M3, when yuo say bought from BMW - where do I go exactly?

What cost what your new interior trim too (cube) mine has been damaged in a break in of my car so need new.

Sorry to hear that. I now use www.bmminiparts.com as they are often a lot cheaper than the dealer. Cost for the trims was in the reigon of £500.

Cheers.

[m3sye]

Thanks pal

Car looks great - impressive commitment