My 'Marmite' E46 M3

Author
Discussion

Refined Detail

Original Poster:

369 posts

179 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
Been meaning to post in here for a while now, but until this weekend just gone, never really had any photos of my car!

Having previously owned 3 Corsa's (1.2 8V 'B', 1.2 16v 'C' and a 2.0 XE 'B') followed by a R53 Mini Cooper S JCW & an E46 325 Sport I finally pulled my finger out and bought a proper car - one that'd been on my 'want list' for quite a while.

I spent a good few months waiting for a car with the right spec to come up. Colour was less important at the time, and I wasn't too fussed between coupe and convertible as I had my own personal pro's and con's for both. Eventually this one popped up in Suffolk with pretty much every option available (Harman Kardon, Sat Nav, Heated Seats, Electric Folding Mirrors, Telephone (old skool Motorola flip phone!) and factory hard top.) Also, it was manual which I'd been specifically looking for and black leather (most were Kiwi with PY when I looked) Headed up the next day to view it, a deal was done and I drove it home! biggrin

Since I've bought it, I've spent a small fortune rectifying numerous mechanical issues that have come to light in the time I've owned it (just under 2 years now) which has been testing at times to say the least! Cosmetically all I've done for now is a set of 1M wheels and a set of Eibach Pro springs. You may also notice the AP Big Brake set up on the front too. Main aim is just to keep it as a clean example, I still need to actually detail it properly at some point, but as it's my own car, this always take a back seat over customers!

Anyway on with the photos. Personally I love Phoenix Yellow - it's a colour that changes quite a lot with the light, and therefore can look quite dull, but when the sun hits it! yum:

Soon after I bought it:



Le Mans 2013:



Le Mans 2014:



BMW National Festival @ Gaydon 2014:



and a few photos after the show:











Rich

tobybmw535i

289 posts

191 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
Love it mate that's beaut! I think we saw you at Le Mans too we were in the PH campsite opposite you???

Kev T360

366 posts

150 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
I knew it would be a Phoenix from the title, personally I like it. The wheels really set the car off well and make it look younger than it is! Any pics io the flip phone, I'm curious?

okie592

2,711 posts

166 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
Follow you on Instagram and love your work. Cars looking great too!

mwstewart

7,554 posts

187 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
Refined Detail said:
Do you know what the black cylinder is which is mounted next to the brake fluid reservoir? Mine doesn't have anything like that.

thatguy11

640 posts

122 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
Love it! An E46 M3 is one of the few cabrios I'd consider getting over the coupe version, have you driven a hard top for comparison?

Also loving your LM liveries smile

Captainawesome

1,817 posts

162 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
They do look amazing with the roof down don't they. Kinda wish the coupe didn't have the upwardly sloping boot. Still not made up my mind about Phoenix Yellow, sometimes I think it looks great, sometimes not.

Lovely car though.

wolfy1988

1,426 posts

162 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
mwstewart said:
Do you know what the black cylinder is which is mounted next to the brake fluid reservoir? Mine doesn't have anything like that.
I don't know what it is.. but you need it! ;P

MajorProblem

4,700 posts

163 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
It's the compressor for the DSC.

mwstewart

7,554 posts

187 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
wolfy1988 said:
I don't know what it is.. but you need it! ;P
Haha - done quite enough for this year.

MajorProblem said:
It's the compressor for the DSC.
Cheers - Pre-MK60 I take it.

AB

16,969 posts

194 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
Fantastic.

Just what I'd look for in an E46 M3. CSL wheels are stunning.

davamer23

1,126 posts

153 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
My favourite colour in these. That's lovely.

Refined Detail

Original Poster:

369 posts

179 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
Thank you all, appreciate your comments! Seems the colour on here at least is less Marmite too. Generally I find people who are petrolheads like it, anybody else tends to come out with comments comparing it to baby poo!

Thanks for clearing up what the cylinder was, I had no idea as I'm not hugely mechanically minded I'm afraid! I know the very basics, but all work on my car is carried out by Walkers Autotech smile

The wheels are 1M wheels, very similar to CSL's but subtly different and personally I prefer them.

Refined Detail

Original Poster:

369 posts

179 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
Kev T360 said:
Any pics io the flip phone, I'm curious?
As requested:





I've never tried it to see if it works. There's a wire (out of sight) that charges it but also links it to the car to run through the headunit etc. Eventually I'll get round to removing it and fitting bluetooth anyway (or cupholders as the lack of winds me up!)

marky911

4,417 posts

218 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
Very cool car OP!

I love E46 M3s. The colour definitely looks better in the sunshine. Enjoy.

While I'm on are the 1M alloys any different to E46 CSL alloys? If so, why choose them over the CSLs? Just personal preference? They look great mind. thumbup

Refined Detail

Original Poster:

369 posts

179 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
Thanks chap. Yes once the sun hits the colour it really comes to life. Having worked on quite a few of these in the past I know that once it's properly polished up it'll look even better (and mine needs it!)

Re. wheels, I opted for 1M's as I personally prefer them, and the intention was to try and be a little bit different although in reality to most people it just looks like I went down the generic CSL route still!

For comparison:

1M:



CSL:



The spokes on the 1M's extend to the edge of the rim, and the centre is a little smaller. All very subtle to non BMW geeks though!

Gingerbread Man

9,171 posts

212 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
Love the yellow of these. Was a close choice between this and the 7 which I ended up buying.

Refined Detail

Original Poster:

369 posts

179 months

Thursday 21st August 2014
quotequote all
Gingerbread Man said:
Love the yellow of these. Was a close choice between this and the 7 which I ended up buying.
Thanks smile

That's 2 quite different car choices you were picking between?! laugh

marky911

4,417 posts

218 months

Thursday 21st August 2014
quotequote all
Refined Detail said:
Thanks chap. Yes once the sun hits the colour it really comes to life. Having worked on quite a few of these in the past I know that once it's properly polished up it'll look even better (and mine needs it!)

Re. wheels, I opted for 1M's as I personally prefer them, and the intention was to try and be a little bit different although in reality to most people it just looks like I went down the generic CSL route still!

For comparison:

1M:



CSL:



The spokes on the 1M's extend to the edge of the rim, and the centre is a little smaller. All very subtle to non BMW geeks though!
Thanks for the explanation. The pics show it well. Like you say it's a subtle difference but that's what adds up to complete the look. I see you explained a bit earlier actually. Must have had my nightshift zombie head on.

Having just sold my GT3 to finish our house refurb I'm trying to squirrel some money away for another 911 or an E46 cab. First choice is Laguna Seca Blue, but failing that I could be tempted by Phoenix yellow. Hard to find a good one full stop though so I'll just buy on condition. I cringe when I see them running a squared setup (rear wheels all round). It can look ok but they can't drive as well.

Anyway keep the thread updated. Especially with any post detail photos. smile

anomaly

459 posts

172 months

Thursday 21st August 2014
quotequote all
Refined Detail said:
Thanks chap. Yes once the sun hits the colour it really comes to life. Having worked on quite a few of these in the past I know that once it's properly polished up it'll look even better (and mine needs it!)

Re. wheels, I opted for 1M's as I personally prefer them, and the intention was to try and be a little bit different although in reality to most people it just looks like I went down the generic CSL route still!

For comparison:

1M:



CSL:



The spokes on the 1M's extend to the edge of the rim, and the centre is a little smaller. All very subtle to non BMW geeks though!
I believe the 1M alloys are identical to those from the e92 M3 with the Competition Pack. Lovely M3 btw and the wheels really suit it!