My 'Marmite' E46 M3
Discussion
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!
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!
:
Soon after I bought it:
Le Mans 2013:
Le Mans 2014:
BMW National Festival @ Gaydon 2014:
and a few photos after the show:
Rich
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!
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!
:Soon after I bought it:
Le Mans 2013:
Le Mans 2014:
BMW National Festival @ Gaydon 2014:
and a few photos after the show:
Rich
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
The wheels are 1M wheels, very similar to CSL's but subtly different and personally I prefer them.
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
The wheels are 1M wheels, very similar to CSL's but subtly different and personally I prefer them.
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!)
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!
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!
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