2004 E46 M3 Carbon Black...

[rusticm3]

After owning many cars, one i really loved was my E36 M3 which i sadly had to get rid of, at the time i always wanted a E46 and in April this year i finally got one...

I really fancied an SMG as this car is never going to be used every day i decided to put the negatives aside and im glad i did as i love it.

Picked up the car with 85k Full service history and had been well looked after. Had Eibach lowering springs fitted and all the extras i was after, It also came with Imola leather which i never thought id like but i do ...







The first thing i did was replace the side grills and front grill with black ones.

I fitted cup holders in the centre console and fitted 12mm spacers all round from Chris.

I then grabbed a Supersprint Race rear box...



Tyres were getting low on the rears so grabbed these Continentals which were nearly new and only £150 for the pair...



Just recently i bought a set of BC Racing coilovers...



and some AP Racing brakes...



Then got them fitted...











Last week i set the ride height how i wanted it and took the car to AK Automotive for CSL geometry with more camber...









Very pleased with the result car is alot more stable and planted through corners and at speed compaired to before just need to play about with the rebound settings on the coilovers to get them how i want them, currently on 18 from soft front and 9 rear.

That brings things up to date what im waiting for next week is this genuine CSL boot lid which im going to get painted and get my front bumper redone at the same time as its covered in stone chips...





Going to clean the car and take some recent pictures then post some more once csl boot lid it on

[rusticm3]

gaz1234 said:

Alloys?

Sorry mate?

[rusticm3]

Muska said:

This was my car recently for around a year, I bought it through here actually after putting up a post saying I couldn't find what I wanted.

Fantastic example, glad it's in good hands!

Ah really? Thats great, Yeah its well looked after, got alot of plans

[rusticm3]

Most recent pics taken today...

[rusticm3]

Muska said:

I've got a folder of photos from when I made the for sale advert if you'd like them?

Yes mate anything you have on the car i'd be interested in cheers.

[rusticm3]

Spantney said:

Lovely car mate. Will look great with the CSL tailgate. Any plans to get some CSL style rim's on there?

I'm sorely tempted to get an E46 M3 next year as a weekend car, how are you getting on with the SMG?

Ant

Thanks mate, Wheels im not sure which way im going to go as was considering some 18's as a square setup. If i decide to stick with 19's then more then likely i will get some genuine CSLs if i can.

Im also deciding on what to do with the engine either get a carbon airbox or supercharge. Evolve are due to bring there supercharger kit out later this year which looks promising or theres the ESS kits. Cant help wanting to experience the sound of a air box though...

I went for the SMG as i wanted something different and i love it, it can also be improved with csl rev matching software but ive not got round to getting that yet.

Cheers

Russell

[rusticm3]

Had front bumper repainted and fitted csl boot lid, here's a couple of quick pictures...






Still got number plate light wiring to sort and need a csl boot lining to tidy it up.

[rusticm3]

[rusticm3]

Thanks everyone...

gaz1234 said:

Will you change them?

Ah, yeah I will be, was considering dropping to 18s and going for a wide square track setup on some apex arc8s, but there's also a good chance I will still to 19s and get some genuine csls

[rusticm3]

Yeah it's too easy to get carried away with the black which is why I'm not going to put any tint on the windows, other then a wheel change in happy visually with it. There's always a front and rear carbon splitter but I don't know..

[rusticm3]

Demanvilles said:

Much better with white indicators on the front!
Those are a little eBay special.

Great machine!

I'll have a think about it and stare at pictures for a few hours n see if I'm convinced then lol

[rusticm3]

350zStee said:

Excellent looking example. I have a soft spot for the E46 M3.

I don't suppose you bought those tyres via eBay? They look like my doing!

Thanks mate, yes I did! A bargin at that get yourself a plug in lol

[rusticm3]

D4MJT said:

This looks awesome.

Small world, but I think you may be my next door neighbour Kevin's mate, in which case you dropped him off at my wedding on Saturday night!

Cheers mate and yes it is a small world haha I am Kevin's mate! Congratulations! Ha

[rusticm3]

Done my first track day at the weekend had so much fun! Having serious thoughts about going for a more track focused build...

[rusticm3]

D4MJT said:

Aha, I thought I'd seen your car in some video's, enjoy your day then?

We're a bit in the middle of nowhere for tracks, but I think me and a friend are headed up to Knockhill on the 12th, you should get yourself up!

Nice one, any links to these videos? Yeah i loved it had such a laugh. I think were on about going back to Croft at some point soon but definitely not ruling out Knockhill. I checked online for prices for next one at Croft and it says £199!? for a open pit lane, so im asumming you can come and go as you please but seems expensive?

[rusticm3]

Think were going to do Knockhill on the 12th mate

[rusticm3]

PumaDal said:

Looks lovely, the opposite of mine

(as mine is red on the outside, black on the inside)

I looked at a red one before buying mine i was very tempted as i dont normally like a red car but think they look great in it. You done much to yours mate?

[rusticm3]

e46acs said:

Did I pass you in Burnmoor last night? Heading to NE BMW OC mtg at the Dunn Cow?

No mate wasn't me...

[rusticm3]

PumaDal said:

Nah, not a great deal to be honest. Given it a damn thorough clean to start with and fitted some spacers to fill the arches out a bit, that's all.

Some pictures >>here<< (spacers fitted on page 3 of the thread)

Edited by PumaDal on Thursday 2nd October 15:02

Looks really clean mate I like it!

[rusticm3]

thatguy11 said:

The CSL boot spoiler totally transforms the rear end, just rounds off the proportions of the car so perfectly...drool

Haha yeah I think I've wanted a csl boot longer then I've wanted an m3