E46 M3 Project
Discussion
Extremely impressed by Soper BMW of Lincoln (main dealer) - the customer service from them was excellent during the Inspection II. I asked for a record of the valve clearances for my history file so the technician produced a video, which I've downloaded to keep:
https://video.citnow.com/vtJY7GfPNb2
It's good to see the lack of oil varnish in the engine is commensurate with the low mileage.
On the subject of valve clearances there is talk that some dealerships don't even bother checking them, but Soper called up to say they would need the car overnight to ensure the engine was completely cold, and again when the rocker cover was removed and they saw Schrick cams; they wanted to check if the clearances were set differently to stock. The service manager even called Geoff Steel Racing when he couldn't reach me! I feel a bit bad about that as I should have advised them beforehand, but it slipped my mind - anyway, great service. For reference the Schrick clearance is 0.25mm for everything.
All in it was £840 and I don't that's bad value for money given the air filter, plugs, gearbox oil, and diff oil are replaced, then a host of other checks including valve clearances (which I know have been done correctly). The passenger airbag also replaced as part of a recall, but that's obviously free.
https://video.citnow.com/vtJY7GfPNb2
It's good to see the lack of oil varnish in the engine is commensurate with the low mileage.
On the subject of valve clearances there is talk that some dealerships don't even bother checking them, but Soper called up to say they would need the car overnight to ensure the engine was completely cold, and again when the rocker cover was removed and they saw Schrick cams; they wanted to check if the clearances were set differently to stock. The service manager even called Geoff Steel Racing when he couldn't reach me! I feel a bit bad about that as I should have advised them beforehand, but it slipped my mind - anyway, great service. For reference the Schrick clearance is 0.25mm for everything.
All in it was £840 and I don't that's bad value for money given the air filter, plugs, gearbox oil, and diff oil are replaced, then a host of other checks including valve clearances (which I know have been done correctly). The passenger airbag also replaced as part of a recall, but that's obviously free.
EJH said:
That actually sounds like a very reasonable price, considering the work involved in an Inspection II (assuming it’s pretty similar to the work needed for an E36 Evo).
I was pretty worried by some of the prices quoted by specialists for my old E36’s servicing; even more so by the time I had priced up the wet and dry items needed for the service (filters, gaskets, plugs, oils) as none of the individual items are particularly cheap!
Yes, I was quite happy with the price and service.I was pretty worried by some of the prices quoted by specialists for my old E36’s servicing; even more so by the time I had priced up the wet and dry items needed for the service (filters, gaskets, plugs, oils) as none of the individual items are particularly cheap!
I also found these in the car.
What a nice touch.
BMW picked up that the rear discs were a little corroded and like the fronts I recently replaced they are the originals the car was built with. I've ordered a new set of genuine discs from Cotswold BMW on eBay. They were the cheapest genuine discs I could find.
dom9 said:
That would be good CS money, so I was expecting the answer to start with a '2'.
I guess the issue for many will be the potential for depreciation Vs. a CS or low mile M3.
This is the sort of car there ill always be a market for, just a very small market!
Did you get all the engine tuning you wanted to do done in the end?
I haven't had a remap yet, as it goes quie well as is, though I've no doubt there's maybe 15-20bhp (flywheel) to come from optimising it.I guess the issue for many will be the potential for depreciation Vs. a CS or low mile M3.
This is the sort of car there ill always be a market for, just a very small market!
Did you get all the engine tuning you wanted to do done in the end?
I will hang on to it for a few years, as I think they'll come into their own again in the future, much like E36's are now.
jackd87 said:
does anyone know what the benefits of the CSL rear suspension arms are?
The standard M3 has a rubber bush on the inner side whereas the CSL has the same type of ball joint used elsewhere on the M3's rear suspension. It sharpens up the rear quite a bit.The CSL arm is also stronger, and lighter.
Ahh, yes - that is my auction. The rear APs are a larger type than those that come in the regular kit and will require a custom bell/disc combination. I did try the caliper and bracket on mine and they do bolt on. I stuck with standard brakes in the end so never took it further than that.
The front brackets are E36 specific but the bells will suit both E36 and E46.
The front brackets are E36 specific but the bells will suit both E36 and E46.
jackd87 said:
Thanks Mark. I have to say you inspired me to do a similar restoration on my E46 hence the question, but with the price of CSL arms being what they were, I gave in and bought some lemforder OE spec ones.
Sadly as my brake lines had a little more than surface rust I've had to replace them, which sadly means one piece from the abs unit to the rear and they come as a straight piece of pipe from BMW
I have to admire your commitment as for me the job is bad enough on its own let alone uploading photos on a forum at the same time!
No problem, Jack. I seem to remember that the arms shot up in price shortly after I purcahsed mine. I do really recommend them if you see a second hand set as they make a nice difference.Sadly as my brake lines had a little more than surface rust I've had to replace them, which sadly means one piece from the abs unit to the rear and they come as a straight piece of pipe from BMW
I have to admire your commitment as for me the job is bad enough on its own let alone uploading photos on a forum at the same time!
I've treated the car to some new splitters. I've made the decision now that the car will be sold so I'm going through it making sure everything is as new. It's hit 37k miles and won't be doing any more in my ownership other than to BMW for a service.
Removed the dust sheets and gave it a polish.
Removed the dust sheets and gave it a polish.
stichill99 said:
Just a lovely looking car. I was killing time at Lloyds of Carlisle and I didn't know at first glance what series a lot of the cars were' especially from the front! They all looked the same!
I agree - classic shape. Everything is 'right' on them, including the interior 
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