Jimbo's E46 M3 LSB
Discussion
Afternoon all,
Traded the RB5 in against another of my dream cars (got a big list of dream cars I can realistically afford!) - An E46 M3. 102K miles but with loads of history (inc. running in 1200 mile service!) and importantly, a reinforced rear subframe.
So, met the previous owner halfway at Lancaster, my old RB5 on the left
I need to get some clean pictures of her, these are from driving back after I picked it up (first hour in the car and decided to go across a snowy snake pass - brave or stupid?) however made it out unscathed.
A few pictures from when the previous owner refurbed the wheels for me - they're shadow chrome, I was tempted by the OEM diamond cut finish but they're virtually impossible to maintain
First impressions: Miles between the two cars. The Impreza was loud, quick point to point and very chuck-able. The M3 is a LOT better cruiser, lot more comfy, way more toys and generally a step up in every way. It's got a noisy Milltek exhaust on that I'm not too keen on the 2-2.5K Rpm drone, so will probably ditch it for an OE system. I'll seal the wheels to keep them looking spanking clean, and I'm picking up some heated seats this weekend, the only option I wanted that the car didn't have. Also I want a full size front plate and original plinth, the trimmed down one just doesn't sit right with me.
All in I'm over the moon with it. This view is nice as well (makes filling up that little bit less painful!)
Traded the RB5 in against another of my dream cars (got a big list of dream cars I can realistically afford!) - An E46 M3. 102K miles but with loads of history (inc. running in 1200 mile service!) and importantly, a reinforced rear subframe.
So, met the previous owner halfway at Lancaster, my old RB5 on the left
I need to get some clean pictures of her, these are from driving back after I picked it up (first hour in the car and decided to go across a snowy snake pass - brave or stupid?) however made it out unscathed.
A few pictures from when the previous owner refurbed the wheels for me - they're shadow chrome, I was tempted by the OEM diamond cut finish but they're virtually impossible to maintain
First impressions: Miles between the two cars. The Impreza was loud, quick point to point and very chuck-able. The M3 is a LOT better cruiser, lot more comfy, way more toys and generally a step up in every way. It's got a noisy Milltek exhaust on that I'm not too keen on the 2-2.5K Rpm drone, so will probably ditch it for an OE system. I'll seal the wheels to keep them looking spanking clean, and I'm picking up some heated seats this weekend, the only option I wanted that the car didn't have. Also I want a full size front plate and original plinth, the trimmed down one just doesn't sit right with me.
All in I'm over the moon with it. This view is nice as well (makes filling up that little bit less painful!)
Edited by Mr.Jimbo on Tuesday 10th February 15:04
Edited by Mr.Jimbo on Tuesday 10th February 15:06
Edited by Mr.Jimbo on Tuesday 10th October 09:21
Difficult to say really, as they're quite chalk and cheese. E46 seems very playful on these tyres at least (and it's pretty greasy round here). RB5 was a bit more raw, louder, felt everything through, well, everything in the cab. The M3 seems a better compromise, a bit more insulated, certainly more comfortable (I think due to more adjustment, nicer control surfaces etc) - gear throw is a bit longer as the WR Sport RB5 has a short shift.
RB5 pushed more in corners, especially chucking it in low speed, and obviously the M3 is a LOT more sideways if provoked, however it's very manageable, I've never driven a RWD car that I've felt so comfortable approaching the limit of adhesion in. (Modern RWD cars I've driven tend to be a lot more grabby and let go quite sharply imo)
A nice upgrade, all things considered. We occasionally go further afield so the M3 being better on Mway/cruising is appreciated. Fuel is a bit better, 27ish MPG on my commute as opposed 24/25 in the Impreza, however the 30-33 you can achieve on the motorway is far better than the Impreza, which was at it's worst (in terms of comfort, noise etc) on the Mway I feel.
Also - I was really pleasantly surprised how torquey the M3 is, quite often find myself crawling round in 3rd without realising, whereas the Impreza was quite easy to stall to be honest.
RB5 pushed more in corners, especially chucking it in low speed, and obviously the M3 is a LOT more sideways if provoked, however it's very manageable, I've never driven a RWD car that I've felt so comfortable approaching the limit of adhesion in. (Modern RWD cars I've driven tend to be a lot more grabby and let go quite sharply imo)
A nice upgrade, all things considered. We occasionally go further afield so the M3 being better on Mway/cruising is appreciated. Fuel is a bit better, 27ish MPG on my commute as opposed 24/25 in the Impreza, however the 30-33 you can achieve on the motorway is far better than the Impreza, which was at it's worst (in terms of comfort, noise etc) on the Mway I feel.
Also - I was really pleasantly surprised how torquey the M3 is, quite often find myself crawling round in 3rd without realising, whereas the Impreza was quite easy to stall to be honest.
Edited by Mr.Jimbo on Tuesday 10th February 21:04
TheAllSeeingPie said:
I keep toying with the idea of an E46 as a daily driver, you're not making it any easier it keep ignoring them. I had a 330ci club sport a while back and loved it, always wanted to see what I was missing.
To make things worse, not much man maths was really needed! I have a 20 mile round trip commute every day and fuel consumption is erring towards the Impreza but shouldn't be any worse. Tyres etc are all more but you've got to live a little.I can't talk personally between this and a 330Ci (even less the M sport) but Dad used to have an M-Sport 330 and besides being quicker, he said it felt a bit more raw (his was an Auto as well though, to be fair)
I only drove that car once and the M3 does feel sharper, but it was many years ago now.
Insurance, surprisingly, was less than the Impreza, which I wasn't expecting being (just) 26.
James
If you're used to the power of the C63, not sure you'd think the E46 is quick enough (I know the power difference is huge) but it's the way the power is delivered in the M3, perhaps its just me coming from the boosted Impreza but before the VANOS the M3 seems a bit hesitant. It's when you wind it out and look down you realise that you're going bloody fast!!
Anyway, a bit more about the car, I think it'll need some new rears soon, these Falken's seem quite a handful in the greasy weather we've got (thank god for TC!) and there's a knock from the front that I've semi convinced myself is ARB bushes. Will get it up in the air this weekend hopefully and investigate. Polybushes for replacement I think. My wheel sealant also arrived from carbon collective, they promise a 2 year life which suits me fine! If the M badges for the wheels turn up before Sunday I'll get the wheels off and sealed.
Also found out tonight the car has heated mirrors (standard I think but nice to confirm) and auto-wipers, which is a nice touch!
Anyway, a bit more about the car, I think it'll need some new rears soon, these Falken's seem quite a handful in the greasy weather we've got (thank god for TC!) and there's a knock from the front that I've semi convinced myself is ARB bushes. Will get it up in the air this weekend hopefully and investigate. Polybushes for replacement I think. My wheel sealant also arrived from carbon collective, they promise a 2 year life which suits me fine! If the M badges for the wheels turn up before Sunday I'll get the wheels off and sealed.
Also found out tonight the car has heated mirrors (standard I think but nice to confirm) and auto-wipers, which is a nice touch!
Quick update - first hiccup of ownership. Done 6-700 miles in this car since I bought it, and on Friday night I heard a whine, definitely PAS related. Only on long right handers though, strange.
Checked the reservoir and yep, no ATF, b
d.
The following day I'd arranged to collect some new seats for it (same as before just heated and better condition) so we toddled off in my mates E46, as his is diesel and no-way near 3.2 litres, plus I doubt you'd get front seats in the M3 certainly without a hernia. 2 hours to Guidlford, sweet as a nut, 5 hours almost getting back due to the M1 AND M40 being closed, arse.
Anyway, threw the seats in (and forgot pictures) but it smartened the front up no end. When I get the control panel and loom from BMW they'll also be heated, but that's on the back burner now.
Anyway, after topping up the steering and checking it all seemed well. It started whining though after a 30 mile round trip so something wasn't right. I suspected the steering rack had failed, as my old E30 did this but didn't go through ATF in quite the same fashion.
Today dawned bright and early (which is rare for me to see on a Sunday!) and I set about taking the undertray off to assess. Found loads of ATF (now soaked nicely into the drive) and to my surprise (and relief in hindsight) the high pressure hose from the pump to rack was to blame. Basically the bushes that retain the HP pipe to the rack had sheared (old perished rubber) and this allowed the HP hose to move around (I suspect contacting the ARB under right hand cornering), but the crimped unions presumable also couldn't cope with the increased movement and fatigued (weeping also)
So, after just one week of ownership, she's up on axle stands waiting for BMW to quote me most certainly unhappy tomorrow for a new set of steering hoses.
- these are what took most of my time - they're 'quick' connectors where you push the plastic detent ring in, the pipe releases and all is well. Not today, they took about 2 hours each of buggering about basically manually retracting the locking tabs, with little to no access/visibility. Of course the only one I needed to remove was the back one, which is completely obscured by the front! Great!
- Access is, to be polite, fking limited.
- the offending items
So all in, an expensive weekend. Still, plus sides are, my GF is a teacher (and a saint considering I was gone all of Valentines day, and spent all day on the car today!) so I can use her car to get to work/BMW etc as its half term here, and I don't mind getting stuck in, so apart from the connectors to the cooler, today was quite enjoyable. Of course I wish the car was working, but silver linings and all that.
Also ordered some polyflex front ARB bushes whilst I'm at it, see if I can cure this knock.
Checked the reservoir and yep, no ATF, b
d.The following day I'd arranged to collect some new seats for it (same as before just heated and better condition) so we toddled off in my mates E46, as his is diesel and no-way near 3.2 litres, plus I doubt you'd get front seats in the M3 certainly without a hernia. 2 hours to Guidlford, sweet as a nut, 5 hours almost getting back due to the M1 AND M40 being closed, arse.
Anyway, threw the seats in (and forgot pictures) but it smartened the front up no end. When I get the control panel and loom from BMW they'll also be heated, but that's on the back burner now.
Anyway, after topping up the steering and checking it all seemed well. It started whining though after a 30 mile round trip so something wasn't right. I suspected the steering rack had failed, as my old E30 did this but didn't go through ATF in quite the same fashion.
Today dawned bright and early (which is rare for me to see on a Sunday!) and I set about taking the undertray off to assess. Found loads of ATF (now soaked nicely into the drive) and to my surprise (and relief in hindsight) the high pressure hose from the pump to rack was to blame. Basically the bushes that retain the HP pipe to the rack had sheared (old perished rubber) and this allowed the HP hose to move around (I suspect contacting the ARB under right hand cornering), but the crimped unions presumable also couldn't cope with the increased movement and fatigued (weeping also)
So, after just one week of ownership, she's up on axle stands waiting for BMW to quote me most certainly unhappy tomorrow for a new set of steering hoses.
- these are what took most of my time - they're 'quick' connectors where you push the plastic detent ring in, the pipe releases and all is well. Not today, they took about 2 hours each of buggering about basically manually retracting the locking tabs, with little to no access/visibility. Of course the only one I needed to remove was the back one, which is completely obscured by the front! Great!
- Access is, to be polite, f
king limited.- the offending items
So all in, an expensive weekend. Still, plus sides are, my GF is a teacher (and a saint considering I was gone all of Valentines day, and spent all day on the car today!) so I can use her car to get to work/BMW etc as its half term here, and I don't mind getting stuck in, so apart from the connectors to the cooler, today was quite enjoyable. Of course I wish the car was working, but silver linings and all that.
Also ordered some polyflex front ARB bushes whilst I'm at it, see if I can cure this knock.
Edited by Mr.Jimbo on Tuesday 10th October 09:23
You'd have to be very good indeed to stay with one on a twisty wet road. I think the Impreza could be driven quickly and safe by any Tom dick or Harry (I.e. Me) but it would take a very competent driver to catch in the m3 in the same conditions. The Impreza would lose on track though, I did a day at Blyton in the RB5 and an E46 M3 was the only car quicker than me.
Looks like, at 320 quid at BMW, with discount, for both lines, I'm going to go to Pirtek for the PAS lines. I've had them done before on my e30 and they're fairly simple hose runs actually, the complexity is in the hard lines.
Looks like, at 320 quid at BMW, with discount, for both lines, I'm going to go to Pirtek for the PAS lines. I've had them done before on my e30 and they're fairly simple hose runs actually, the complexity is in the hard lines.
DanielSan said:
Gorgeous looking M3. By far the best colour for the E46, and in perfect spec with the 19's.
Thanks all! Yes I did buy it off Steve, great guy to deal with.
I've seen your E21, looks great. It's a lovely colour, glad I waited to get an LSB one (I was looking at Carbon Black to start with)
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Try here mate, although a quick glance suggests Facebook has changed the links to photos, thereby removing the pics 😠
Try here mate, although a quick glance suggests Facebook has changed the links to photos, thereby removing the pics 😠
So another quick update - it's back on the road! Whilst I was waiting for the pipe to be made up at Pirtek I got my armrest fitted (seats had been fitted Saturday before the ATF incident)
-Just need the control panel and loom from BMW to get them heated
New passenger sunvisor without a crack in - Another helpful M3cutter obtained part!
also plastic welded the undertray back together, the top section was starting to come away when I washed it (as it was covered in ATF after my ATF incident
) really easy to do with soldering iron and a cable tie as filler rod and it's surprisingly strong!
So I got my ruptured PS lines all redone by Pirtek, £56 better than £350 from BMW! - ignore the bolts/nuts the rubber vibration isolators are on order
Now my plans are to take a look at the PS hoses when the rubber isolators arrive, just to check hose runs etc are all OK - flush the ATF and refill with new and fit my poly ARB bushes. Also starting to wonder if the prop guibo needs replacing and the RTABs, which will probably be Poly if so.
-Just need the control panel and loom from BMW to get them heated
New passenger sunvisor without a crack in - Another helpful M3cutter obtained part!
also plastic welded the undertray back together, the top section was starting to come away when I washed it (as it was covered in ATF after my ATF incident
) really easy to do with soldering iron and a cable tie as filler rod and it's surprisingly strong!So I got my ruptured PS lines all redone by Pirtek, £56 better than £350 from BMW! - ignore the bolts/nuts the rubber vibration isolators are on order
Now my plans are to take a look at the PS hoses when the rubber isolators arrive, just to check hose runs etc are all OK - flush the ATF and refill with new and fit my poly ARB bushes. Also starting to wonder if the prop guibo needs replacing and the RTABs, which will probably be Poly if so.
Edited by Mr.Jimbo on Tuesday 10th October 09:23
Few pictures (the first proper ones I've taken since getting her) after a clean in today's lovely sunshine 
Things I've done recently
Removed illegal front tints (left the rears and back screen as is)
Replaced the dodgy dash tweeters and speakers in the door with components and crossovers - Much better sound
New Goodyear Eagle F1 front tyres
New OEM drop links (old seller had helpfully left the coilover specific short ones on and they were knocking like mad)
Replaced the Milltek backbox with an OEM box with 'Euro' tips
James
Things I've done recently
Removed illegal front tints (left the rears and back screen as is)
Replaced the dodgy dash tweeters and speakers in the door with components and crossovers - Much better sound
New Goodyear Eagle F1 front tyres
New OEM drop links (old seller had helpfully left the coilover specific short ones on and they were knocking like mad)
Replaced the Milltek backbox with an OEM box with 'Euro' tips
James
Edited by Mr.Jimbo on Sunday 5th April 21:45
Edited by Mr.Jimbo on Tuesday 10th October 09:26
e21Mark said:
Looks great.
Can you post a pic of the OE tips please? How do they attach?
http://www.unofficialbmw.com/images/BMW_M3_Exhaust_System.pdfCan you post a pic of the OE tips please? How do they attach?
Have a look at that. It's a white paper that Arvin produced when they created the exhaust for the E46. Quite interesting, to me at least, but it shows how the tips fit and their purpose as a crash structure.
I got a really good deal on a backbox with the tips fitted already so never changed them myself.
Few little updates, I'm properly into cleaning this car at the moment, so I got some Autoglym HD wax which is excellent (it's easy to use, no idea on the technical side of things, but it looks shiny, smells fantastic and is lasting well!)
A while ago, whilst cleaning and protecting my seats, I attempted to clean the leather wheel in the same fashion, which didn't go well, as it lifted some of the black off the surface, exposing the greyer natural leather beneath. As it was pretty tired I opted to have it reconditioned, on an exchange basis with Jack at Royal steering wheels - went for slightly thicker padding, dark grey alcantara with M-stitch and a set of matching gaiters, well chuffed with the result. Jack has done an excellent job. I originally asked for a blue chapter ring at 12pm, he recovered the wheel and forgot, but once I'd seen the pictures I much preferred without. Feels really nice to use, will be interesting to see how it holds up.
Also got my heated switch panel (took me a while to find one with all the right options) - so just need a loom from BMW (£20) and I'll have fully OEM heated seats
Fitted braided clutch line and deleted the CDV, and 3/4 of the brakes now have braided lines, passenger rear union just won't budge, so it's going to a friends garage to have the pipe cut and reflared before fitting. New 5.1 fluid, but I was surprised how good the old (presumably) Dot 4 was. After a bit of a scare with no pedal after the swap and loads of bleeding, a quick ABS bleed in INPA sorted it.
Finally I've got a CSL diffuser on the way, and I'm looking to ditch the dated Alpine head unit/nav system for an android unit (probably Avin's Avant 2) - just a lot of money to pay without having a play with it first! A re-gas has sorted the HVAC out as well, now works much better (not surprising as they found it had bugger all refrigerant in!)
A while ago, whilst cleaning and protecting my seats, I attempted to clean the leather wheel in the same fashion, which didn't go well, as it lifted some of the black off the surface, exposing the greyer natural leather beneath. As it was pretty tired I opted to have it reconditioned, on an exchange basis with Jack at Royal steering wheels - went for slightly thicker padding, dark grey alcantara with M-stitch and a set of matching gaiters, well chuffed with the result. Jack has done an excellent job. I originally asked for a blue chapter ring at 12pm, he recovered the wheel and forgot, but once I'd seen the pictures I much preferred without. Feels really nice to use, will be interesting to see how it holds up.
Also got my heated switch panel (took me a while to find one with all the right options) - so just need a loom from BMW (£20) and I'll have fully OEM heated seats
Fitted braided clutch line and deleted the CDV, and 3/4 of the brakes now have braided lines, passenger rear union just won't budge, so it's going to a friends garage to have the pipe cut and reflared before fitting. New 5.1 fluid, but I was surprised how good the old (presumably) Dot 4 was. After a bit of a scare with no pedal after the swap and loads of bleeding, a quick ABS bleed in INPA sorted it.
Finally I've got a CSL diffuser on the way, and I'm looking to ditch the dated Alpine head unit/nav system for an android unit (probably Avin's Avant 2) - just a lot of money to pay without having a play with it first! A re-gas has sorted the HVAC out as well, now works much better (not surprising as they found it had bugger all refrigerant in!)
Edited by Mr.Jimbo on Tuesday 10th October 09:26
Shiny bits, after a great run down to LeMans (the car is amazingly comfortable to sleep in whilst someone else is driving, by the way) my CSL style diffuser is here. I chose 1x1 weave instead of the usual 2x2 which is what the CSL originally had, and the smaller weave suits it better I think.
Car looks amazingly clean considering it's got 1000 miles of flies and filth on it!
Annoyingly it highlights how wonky the exhaust is, which I think is being caused by the milltek centre section. Ordered all new hangers for the back box so when I can get it in the air we'll hopefully have it sorted.
Car looks amazingly clean considering it's got 1000 miles of flies and filth on it!
Annoyingly it highlights how wonky the exhaust is, which I think is being caused by the milltek centre section. Ordered all new hangers for the back box so when I can get it in the air we'll hopefully have it sorted.
Edited by Mr.Jimbo on Tuesday 10th October 09:27
Right, as I finally got round to collating all my pictures and writing some words to remind me of what I have done, I thought I'd update this as well.
The carbon vinyl interior was annoying me, just didn't look right and cheapened the car I felt. It was a 2D non glossy wrap, and whilst wrapped very well, I wasn't keen. Splashed out a bit on these:
you can see the difference here:
I also replaced the knackered front speakers, which were really expensive Focal units in the doors (sadly no longer working) and some crap looking tweeters on the dash - replaced with HK mids and tweeters (and crossovers) - and re-integrated the tweeters to the door pull area as standard.
At Christmas I was at my parents for a week, with a nice warm decent sized garage I gave it a proper clean and detail - 2 full days. Snowfoamed/washed/clayed/washed/polished twice (Autoglym SRP) and then 2 coats of HD wax, was pretty pleased when it was all done and out in the sunshine:
I'd also picked up some CM wheels BBS RC reps from here, complete with winters. I think I'm going to wear these tyres out this winter then refurb and run them as summers, really like the look of them (just a shame about the stretch on the back...)
Forgot that whilst I fitted the heated seats from an M3Cutter member, it took me quite a while to find the right heated seat switch panel (car originally had HK and no blind) but after some time I got a bargain so ordered the proper seat loom (and downloaded the seat heating instructions from BMW - yes a proper retrofit guide) and installation although time consuming to get the wires routed properly, was actually very straight forward.
Nice toasty arses all round. As this was the first car I've had with leather, this was the one thing I noticed straightaway in winter, this was a great mod.
also forgot when I bought the wheels I got a monumental bking for polishing/sealing them in the house but it was about 3 degrees outside so bugger doing them in the garage! :thumbsup:
When I first fitted them - really like these:
Love how LSB changes in different lights. This was during the mega Christmas clean:
[CENTER][SIZE="5"][COLOR="DeepSkyBlue"]2016:[/COLOR][/SIZE][/CENTER]
Managed to put the winter tyres to use for ONE day all winter:
One particularly wet week of commuting
:
But (after the most careful cleaning I've ever done) it came up good again:
Then it flooded and I lost my number plate and ripped off the front undertray
- Still haven't refitted this and haven't really noticed any change.
So drove round for a week or so like a 17 year old:
Quite liked it, but just doesn't look right to me, I was quite paranoid about getting a tug as well, so refitted the old (non-pressed) plate as a stand in...
The carbon vinyl interior was annoying me, just didn't look right and cheapened the car I felt. It was a 2D non glossy wrap, and whilst wrapped very well, I wasn't keen. Splashed out a bit on these:
you can see the difference here:
I also replaced the knackered front speakers, which were really expensive Focal units in the doors (sadly no longer working) and some crap looking tweeters on the dash - replaced with HK mids and tweeters (and crossovers) - and re-integrated the tweeters to the door pull area as standard.
At Christmas I was at my parents for a week, with a nice warm decent sized garage I gave it a proper clean and detail - 2 full days. Snowfoamed/washed/clayed/washed/polished twice (Autoglym SRP) and then 2 coats of HD wax, was pretty pleased when it was all done and out in the sunshine:
I'd also picked up some CM wheels BBS RC reps from here, complete with winters. I think I'm going to wear these tyres out this winter then refurb and run them as summers, really like the look of them (just a shame about the stretch on the back...)
Forgot that whilst I fitted the heated seats from an M3Cutter member, it took me quite a while to find the right heated seat switch panel (car originally had HK and no blind) but after some time I got a bargain so ordered the proper seat loom (and downloaded the seat heating instructions from BMW - yes a proper retrofit guide) and installation although time consuming to get the wires routed properly, was actually very straight forward.
Nice toasty arses all round. As this was the first car I've had with leather, this was the one thing I noticed straightaway in winter, this was a great mod.
also forgot when I bought the wheels I got a monumental b
king for polishing/sealing them in the house but it was about 3 degrees outside so bugger doing them in the garage! :thumbsup:
When I first fitted them - really like these:
Love how LSB changes in different lights. This was during the mega Christmas clean:
[CENTER][SIZE="5"][COLOR="DeepSkyBlue"]2016:[/COLOR][/SIZE][/CENTER]
Managed to put the winter tyres to use for ONE day all winter
:
One particularly wet week of commuting
:
But (after the most careful cleaning I've ever done) it came up good again:
Then it flooded and I lost my number plate and ripped off the front undertray
- Still haven't refitted this and haven't really noticed any change.
So drove round for a week or so like a 17 year old:
Quite liked it, but just doesn't look right to me, I was quite paranoid about getting a tug as well, so refitted the old (non-pressed) plate as a stand in...
Edited by Mr.Jimbo on Tuesday 10th October 09:29
Now, I'd fitted an OEM backbox with Euro tips (again purchased off M3cutters for a steal) sometime ago, and was pleased (hated the milltek drone and it was falling to bits when I removed the backbox - it was light and that was the only positive I found - apart from the sweet snarl on heel/toe downshifts, that was nice actually ) but I kept the Milltek centre as it was on the car. I wanted the rasp back, so found a supersprint non-res centre pipe cheap enough (again on M3Cutters) and went about fitting that:
Luckily I had the use of a mates garage because it was snowing HARD, and it took me about 9 hours, was an absolute bh. First off I had to fabricate and weld on a new bracket that someone had lopped off - luckily I know how to weld and aforementioned garage manufactures rollcages so no bother there (I don't weld often so it isn't pretty, but it's strong )
Then the fun started. I got new gaskets, rubbers and some of the i6 automotive clamps and set about fitting the centre pipe.
The Cat to centre fixing bolts were an absolute bh due to access, and then one of the new clamps was too small. Despite having lots of air tools and grinders/belt sanders it took an age of gently fettling material away to get it to fit. Old clamps and essential tools of the trade:
Got it done and what a difference, lovely rasp, supercar type howl in the midrange
and just 100% better all round, which I'm ****ing glad about given the absolute **** of a job this turned out to be.
One thing that always irked me a bit was the faded HK speaker surrounds for the back speakers, they're only painted plastic (to look like brushed Ali) and I think someone had either rubbed them a bit hard or used a strong chemical on them at some point - so colour coded them:
Painting the black Harmon Kardon letters were tricky
Next up: Rear subframe!
SO then, subframe and rear diff. I'd noticed a while ago that the diff input seal was leaking. Shame as that's the hardest to get to. Anyway, planned it so that over easter, 4 days off at Mum and Dad's in a proper garage, piece of piss no? All new polybushes were ordered, diff seals, rear diff cover (as it includes the bushes and I didn't want to polybush the diff itself for NVH) and a new front bush/bolts all round. Oh and that ****ing really expensive diff oil Friction modified super modified plus @ £110 for 1.5 litres
The job was long and quite arduous, but just because a few things went wrong. It's very much a case of disassembly just to get at things, nothing is very specialist. Begin with axle stands on highest setting, and make sure you're happy with where it is, it's not going anywhere for a few days!
Remove exhaust, driveshaft bolts and very precariously drop diff out of subframe. Admire handiwork.
We did it this way, as I wanted to get the diff done and sorted before I looked at dropping the subframe, so that's what we did. Input flange off (marking the locking nut/input shaft before undoing and counting the turns to remove just in case)
Remove rear cover and drain what's left of the oil - using firewood if you wish as a makeshift stand:
Examine car from odd angle whilst you have a cuppa - only cats and drunks must ever normally see an M3 from this angle
Remove old seals and fastidiously clean diff and internals. Inspect (i.e. poke about, not knowing what you're really doing) for several minutes, a furrowed brow and concerned humming noises are completely optional, but encouraged:
Realise several months later that you didn't take a picture of the new diff re-assembled which is a shame as it looked really quite good. I scraped/cleaned the two mounting faces and used grey loctite RTV for the cover to case joint. Annoyingly, you can knock the output shaft seals in too far, as I did, we kind of thought there would be a stop or shoulder but no. this will become relevant soon.
With Diff full of world's most expensive diff oil and preening itself outside the car for a change, you become encouraged, reckless even! Off with the subframe!
Now one thing to note here, 2nd top tip (1st being not knocking your seals in too tight and never eating yellow snow) - if you're going to do both these jobs (i.e. diff and subframe) - leave diff in subframe and lower the two together. Not only is access better but the shape of the subframe means without a diff it's really quite tricky to lower down out of the car safely as there's a massive hole now just where your CofG is (subframe CofG).
Onto the bushes - fnarr fnarr:
3/4 of these were fine. Yes they were tight, I'd even say they put up an admirable effort, well done chaps but you're just not quite strong enough to withstand M14 allthread and various sockets.
Chap nearest the filler flap (drivers side front, I think) however, jesus. He was a right bd. The others took a bit of grunting, then popped out without issue. This one took drilling, sawing, filing, LOTs of swearing, heat EVERYTHING before it shifted. I was genuinely worried about writing the subframe off on more than one occasion. Even sawing through the outer shell didn't get it off first time.
This was (THING NUMBER 1) that slowed us down. Much tea was consumed during labour, and many beers were had to celebrate it's removal from the frame.
During victory beers, lubricate and fit polybushes. Making sure to remark how you wish the old ones were this easy! Retire to fire/beer fridge to have a drink and think about how you wish you'd painted the subframe and diff casing before re-assembly.
Day 4:
Admire handiwork
I found out here that my car actually had Powerflex RTABs before, but I took them out to inspect/regrease them and found them dry, hole was slightly ovalised and some monkey had chobbled off a massive area inside to make them fit, so fitted my new ones as I had them.
Refitting of all of this is the reverse of disassembly as they say, but not if, like me, you:
(THING NUMBER 2) Go to tighten the first bolt (47Nm for the rear diff mount bolt) and find your torque wrench is shagged so have to walk down to Halfords and replace under warranty
and
(THING NUMBER 3) Find you've inadvertently damaged the drivers side damper thread in buggering about with the bush the night before. Threaded straight into the trailing arm so no chance of just obtaining a new one Hence take a panicked trip to get a helicoil kit (luckily the motor industry, well my bit, takes odd easters where we work good Friday and have Tuesday off - so things are open) from Cromwell's 56!! miles away (only kit in the country )
to repair.
Also, as I mentioned above, the cat to centre section bolts are a real pain to do, so we tried lowering the cat sections. One bolt here was seized solid, so I redid it and just accepted my future contained a lot of grazed knuckles and profanity. I also forgot to re-install the pre-cat exhaust gas temperature sensor (THING NUMBER 4!!) I also discovered at this point, far too late, it's possible with the M3 exhaust clamps to 'time' your centre pipe, and by that, I mean time it's position. Time it in fact so perfectly that it's resting on the V brace without you realising. That was a ****ing loud journey home.
When you've finished and managed to clean 4 days worth of oil and grime off yourself, and thanked your Dad for his efforts (:thumbsup::thumbsup and packed all your tools and things and bits/bobs/girlfriend into the car - just ask yourself - did you refit that EGT sensor? Nope? Back you go skippy! 
To be fair, I have no idea to this day why I thought about that, I'd test driven it, thought it was a bit loud but it was only when I sat down to have a last cup of tea before driving home I just thought "EGT sensor!"
Anyway, remember I said I knocked a seal in too far? Yup. All that nice new expensive diff oil is now decorated all up the passenger side boot floor and smelling lovely as it burns off the exhaust... ****.
So the next weekend after not driving it for a couple of days waiting for the seal to arrive, and hours before we flew off on Holiday I was on the drive re-doing the passenger side It would have to be the side with the exhaust, V brace in the way etc etc...
You can see here that the seal (black rubbing on seal face) was only 5mm or so too far in, ARSE!
No nice big warm clean garage here, no, just a newbuild garage you struggle to get a HotWheels in for a big plastic wheel change
I found that with it being the longer output flange, you have to not only line it up with the passenger side splines in the diff, but also the drivers side. As it's a fine spline this can take some time and buggering around, as I found out.
Got it done, and then it was time for an oil service (I don't mean it took me that long that it timed out, just a coincidence)
And then recently my Exhaust cam sensor packed in, well, I changed it recently, the engine light had been on for a few months but it drove fine (just kangarooed a bit more cold and fuel economy down a smidge I thought) but the new one really made a difference, much smoother. I was hesitating on getting it as it's £120 odd, and I couldn't be sure if it was this or the VANOS. Fitted it and straight away the engine light stayed off and the car was much smoother. I did write a DIY, but in reality it's quite easy (the Yanks all seem to struggle if you read on the American forums, must be all that soft beer they have.)
Why you should always have a magnet on a stick:
And that friends, is about it, mechanically. For now.
The VANOS needs attention and I'm beginning to wonder about the bottom end, might refresh the bearing shells...
) but I kept the Milltek centre as it was on the car. I wanted the rasp back, so found a supersprint non-res centre pipe cheap enough (again on M3Cutters) and went about fitting that:
Luckily I had the use of a mates garage because it was snowing HARD, and it took me about 9 hours, was an absolute b
h. First off I had to fabricate and weld on a new bracket that someone had lopped off - luckily I know how to weld and aforementioned garage manufactures rollcages so no bother there (I don't weld often so it isn't pretty, but it's strong )
Then the fun started. I got new gaskets, rubbers and some of the i6 automotive clamps and set about fitting the centre pipe.
The Cat to centre fixing bolts were an absolute b
h due to access, and then one of the new clamps was too small. Despite having lots of air tools and grinders/belt sanders it took an age of gently fettling material away to get it to fit. Old clamps and essential tools of the trade:
Got it done and what a difference, lovely rasp, supercar type howl in the midrange
and just 100% better all round, which I'm ****ing glad about given the absolute **** of a job this turned out to be. One thing that always irked me a bit was the faded HK speaker surrounds for the back speakers, they're only painted plastic (to look like brushed Ali) and I think someone had either rubbed them a bit hard or used a strong chemical on them at some point - so colour coded them:
Painting the black Harmon Kardon letters were tricky
Next up: Rear subframe!
SO then, subframe and rear diff. I'd noticed a while ago that the diff input seal was leaking. Shame as that's the hardest to get to. Anyway, planned it so that over easter, 4 days off at Mum and Dad's in a proper garage, piece of piss no? All new polybushes were ordered, diff seals, rear diff cover (as it includes the bushes and I didn't want to polybush the diff itself for NVH) and a new front bush/bolts all round. Oh and that ****ing really expensive diff oil
Friction modified super modified plus @ £110 for 1.5 litres The job was long and quite arduous, but just because a few things went wrong. It's very much a case of disassembly just to get at things, nothing is very specialist. Begin with axle stands on highest setting, and make sure you're happy with where it is, it's not going anywhere for a few days!
Remove exhaust, driveshaft bolts and very precariously drop diff out of subframe. Admire handiwork.
We did it this way, as I wanted to get the diff done and sorted before I looked at dropping the subframe, so that's what we did. Input flange off (marking the locking nut/input shaft before undoing and counting the turns to remove just in case)
Remove rear cover and drain what's left of the oil - using firewood if you wish as a makeshift stand:
Examine car from odd angle whilst you have a cuppa - only cats and drunks must ever normally see an M3 from this angle
Remove old seals and fastidiously clean diff and internals. Inspect (i.e. poke about, not knowing what you're really doing) for several minutes, a furrowed brow and concerned humming noises are completely optional, but encouraged:
Realise several months later that you didn't take a picture of the new diff re-assembled which is a shame as it looked really quite good. I scraped/cleaned the two mounting faces and used grey loctite RTV for the cover to case joint. Annoyingly, you can knock the output shaft seals in too far, as I did, we kind of thought there would be a stop or shoulder but no. this will become relevant soon.
With Diff full of world's most expensive diff oil and preening itself outside the car for a change, you become encouraged, reckless even! Off with the subframe!
Now one thing to note here, 2nd top tip (1st being not knocking your seals in too tight and never eating yellow snow) - if you're going to do both these jobs (i.e. diff and subframe) - leave diff in subframe and lower the two together. Not only is access better but the shape of the subframe means without a diff it's really quite tricky to lower down out of the car safely as there's a massive hole now just where your CofG is (subframe CofG).
Onto the bushes - fnarr fnarr:
3/4 of these were fine. Yes they were tight, I'd even say they put up an admirable effort, well done chaps but you're just not quite strong enough to withstand M14 allthread and various sockets.
Chap nearest the filler flap (drivers side front, I think) however, jesus. He was a right b
d. The others took a bit of grunting, then popped out without issue. This one took drilling, sawing, filing, LOTs of swearing, heat EVERYTHING before it shifted. I was genuinely worried about writing the subframe off on more than one occasion. Even sawing through the outer shell didn't get it off first time.
This was (THING NUMBER 1) that slowed us down. Much tea was consumed during labour, and many beers were had to celebrate it's removal from the frame.
During victory beers, lubricate and fit polybushes. Making sure to remark how you wish the old ones were this easy! Retire to fire/beer fridge to have a drink and think about how you wish you'd painted the subframe and diff casing before re-assembly.
Day 4:
Admire handiwork
I found out here that my car actually had Powerflex RTABs before, but I took them out to inspect/regrease them and found them dry, hole was slightly ovalised and some monkey had chobbled off a massive area inside to make them fit, so fitted my new ones as I had them.
Refitting of all of this is the reverse of disassembly as they say, but not if, like me, you:
(THING NUMBER 2) Go to tighten the first bolt (47Nm for the rear diff mount bolt) and find your torque wrench is shagged so have to walk down to Halfords and replace under warranty
and
(THING NUMBER 3) Find you've inadvertently damaged the drivers side damper thread in buggering about with the bush the night before. Threaded straight into the trailing arm so no chance of just obtaining a new one
Hence take a panicked trip to get a helicoil kit (luckily the motor industry, well my bit, takes odd easters where we work good Friday and have Tuesday off - so things are open) from Cromwell's 56!! miles away (only kit in the country )to repair.
Also, as I mentioned above, the cat to centre section bolts are a real pain to do, so we tried lowering the cat sections. One bolt here was seized solid, so I redid it and just accepted my future contained a lot of grazed knuckles and profanity. I also forgot to re-install the pre-cat exhaust gas temperature sensor (THING NUMBER 4!!) I also discovered at this point, far too late, it's possible with the M3 exhaust clamps to 'time' your centre pipe, and by that, I mean time it's position. Time it in fact so perfectly that it's resting on the V brace without you realising. That was a ****ing loud journey home.
When you've finished and managed to clean 4 days worth of oil and grime off yourself, and thanked your Dad for his efforts (:thumbsup::thumbsup
and packed all your tools and things and bits/bobs/girlfriend into the car - just ask yourself - did you refit that EGT sensor? Nope? Back you go skippy! To be fair, I have no idea to this day why I thought about that, I'd test driven it, thought it was a bit loud but it was only when I sat down to have a last cup of tea before driving home I just thought "EGT sensor!"
Anyway, remember I said I knocked a seal in too far? Yup. All that nice new expensive diff oil is now decorated all up the passenger side boot floor and smelling lovely as it burns off the exhaust... ****.
So the next weekend after not driving it for a couple of days waiting for the seal to arrive, and hours before we flew off on Holiday I was on the drive re-doing the passenger side
It would have to be the side with the exhaust, V brace in the way etc etc... 
You can see here that the seal (black rubbing on seal face) was only 5mm or so too far in, ARSE!
No nice big warm clean garage here, no, just a newbuild garage you struggle to get a HotWheels in for a big plastic wheel change
I found that with it being the longer output flange, you have to not only line it up with the passenger side splines in the diff, but also the drivers side. As it's a fine spline this can take some time and buggering around, as I found out.
Got it done, and then it was time for an oil service (I don't mean it took me that long that it timed out, just a coincidence)
And then recently my Exhaust cam sensor packed in, well, I changed it recently, the engine light had been on for a few months but it drove fine (just kangarooed a bit more cold and fuel economy down a smidge I thought) but the new one really made a difference, much smoother. I was hesitating on getting it as it's £120 odd, and I couldn't be sure if it was this or the VANOS. Fitted it and straight away the engine light stayed off and the car was much smoother. I did write a DIY, but in reality it's quite easy (the Yanks all seem to struggle if you read on the American forums, must be all that soft beer they have.)
Why you should always have a magnet on a stick:
And that friends, is about it, mechanically. For now.
The VANOS needs attention and I'm beginning to wonder about the bottom end, might refresh the bearing shells...
Edited by Mr.Jimbo on Tuesday 10th October 09:31
And thus - the reason for the mechanical work...
The subframe and diff jobs were all in preparation for a Nurburgring trip a colleague and mate of mine organised. We went out for a 4 day weekend, with Friday night TF, and Sat/Sun all day. I have been out there a couple of times working in the pits at VLN races, including a class win for our team in the 2012 24hr in D3T class (and first Diesel overall) but only been once for pleasure and that was in my E30 318iS 6 years ago.
First of all got some new tyres fitted as the rears were low - Goodyear Eagle F1 Assymetric 2's - just rolls off the tongue. I was replacing Falken FK452s which came with them, having done the fronts previously, really like these.
They're slightly wider than the Falkens as they have a kerbing lip (which if you look close I could have used ages ago!) which I think looks much better, no stretch here.
After a nightmare journey stuck in traffic around Belgium, Eurotunnel delays and breakdowns we finally arrived Friday night - missed the evening TF, but was fed up of driving by then!
With my mate's E36:
The next day, driving from Adenau up to the 'Ring itself, view from another mate's 350z:
Parked up at the JLR testcentre (as we all work for JLR, left bags etc here for the day)
And then spent two days lapping the best track in the world! Conditions were awesome, just a shame my brakes fell off after about 1/3rd of a lap, lots of juddering and no confidence thereafter meant that a 9:27 was the best I managed. Very pleased with lines etc, just want to see what decent brakes might net me. (ignore my mate Rich rabbiting on!)
[YOUTUBE] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71lFkP0c68c[/YOUTUBE]
Few pics from ring Photographers:
Parked next to an amazing beast of an M3 at the end of Saturday:
My German is schiebe, his English was not good but the message was clear "lots of nights im der garage!" Full E92 running gear, real aero, properly sorted bit of kit.
End of day 1:
Nice LSB E92:
All the necessities:
Nice Yas Marina(?) M4
My favourite picture of the whole weekend:
Really good trip, will definitely be back again soon. Happened to meet some guys I had met before from the M3cutters website, I also had lots of people coming up and having a good look at the car, with some nice comments. Notably an american chap who has just ordered an F82 in Laguna Seca, had a nice long chat, it's the kind of place you can lose hours talking to like minded car enthusiasts, love that.
Finally a random pic from a drive across the Snake pass whilst visiting my Folks:
The subframe and diff jobs were all in preparation for a Nurburgring trip a colleague and mate of mine organised. We went out for a 4 day weekend, with Friday night TF, and Sat/Sun all day. I have been out there a couple of times working in the pits at VLN races, including a class win for our team in the 2012 24hr in D3T class (and first Diesel overall
) but only been once for pleasure and that was in my E30 318iS 6 years ago.
First of all got some new tyres fitted as the rears were low - Goodyear Eagle F1 Assymetric 2's - just rolls off the tongue. I was replacing Falken FK452s which came with them, having done the fronts previously, really like these.
They're slightly wider than the Falkens as they have a kerbing lip (which if you look close I could have used ages ago!) which I think looks much better, no stretch here.
After a nightmare journey stuck in traffic around Belgium, Eurotunnel delays and breakdowns we finally arrived Friday night - missed the evening TF, but was fed up of driving by then!
With my mate's E36:
The next day, driving from Adenau up to the 'Ring itself, view from another mate's 350z:
Parked up at the JLR testcentre (as we all work for JLR, left bags etc here for the day)
And then spent two days lapping the best track in the world! Conditions were awesome, just a shame my brakes fell off after about 1/3rd of a lap, lots of juddering and no confidence thereafter meant that a 9:27 was the best I managed. Very pleased with lines etc, just want to see what decent brakes might net me. (ignore my mate Rich rabbiting on!)
[YOUTUBE] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71lFkP0c68c[/YOUTUBE]
Few pics from ring Photographers:
Parked next to an amazing beast of an M3 at the end of Saturday:
My German is schiebe, his English was not good but the message was clear "lots of nights im der garage!" Full E92 running gear, real aero, properly sorted bit of kit.
End of day 1:
Nice LSB E92:
All the necessities:
Nice Yas Marina(?) M4
My favourite picture of the whole weekend:
Really good trip, will definitely be back again soon. Happened to meet some guys I had met before from the M3cutters website, I also had lots of people coming up and having a good look at the car, with some nice comments. Notably an american chap who has just ordered an F82 in Laguna Seca, had a nice long chat, it's the kind of place you can lose hours talking to like minded car enthusiasts, love that.
Finally a random pic from a drive across the Snake pass whilst visiting my Folks:
Edited by Mr.Jimbo on Tuesday 10th October 11:23
These ought to sort it, arrived this week but the car is away having some bodywork done at the moment (which I'll show off when done) but I'm quite content with them not being on the car just yet, quite enjoying just ogling them, really nice bits of kit. They're all sealed up now so will hopefully stay quite pretty.
D2 6 Pots with 356x32mm discs & Bluestuff NDX pads (for reference the standard car has 1 pot calipers with 325x28mm - car came with red stuffs) - bit of overkill but I've never liked the appearance of the stock brakes, and decent pads (i.e. endless/pagid RS29s) are big bucks. So with judicious ManMaths(tm) I reasoned that these were suitable
About half the price of AP's or Brembos, but very good reviews and decent pad availability.
e21Mark said:
Really fancy an E46 M3 in LSB, once I get a bit too old/fat to climb in and out of the E30. They look great.
See I really fancy an E30 to go with this one, but haven't got the room. Miss my E30 a lot.Edited by Mr.Jimbo on Thursday 11th August 10:18
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