E46 M3 Project
Discussion
leglessAlex said:
You seem to be quite keen on modifying all your cars to your tastes, would that be true for the Ferrari too?
I would love to think it would, but I gather Ferraris in particular crash in value with high miles and modifications.
Yes, you are quite right: the value is incredibly mileage sensitive and sound provenance is also essential to minimise depreciation. I made the decision before starting to look that the car will be used and enjoyed rather than limited sub-1000 miles per year; I'm also just too 'in' to cars/driving to leave it and forget about for most of the year.I would love to think it would, but I gather Ferraris in particular crash in value with high miles and modifications.
I will work on the car myself and already have some modifications planned, for example:
A fellow enthusiast in the states makes upgraded subwoofer boxes and has them trimmed in leather from the Ferrari tannery. The standard sound system - even the 'upgraded one - in the Spider is reputably awful. I can believe it.
The F430 also suffers from degradation of the exhaust manifolds and pre-cats, and because the manifolds sweep upwards any debris can enter the engine via the exhaust valves, and potentially wreck it (it has happened!). I shall fit a set of Fabspeed manifolds and have the car remapped which, believe it or not, takes the car from 480ish to 520ish BHP.
There may be more changes using mainly Scuderia parts, but I really don't expect to do a lot.
mwstewart said:
Yes, you are quite right: the value is incredibly mileage sensitive and sound provenance is also essential to minimise depreciation. I made the decision before starting to look that the car will be used and enjoyed rather than limited sub-1000 miles per year; I'm also just too 'in' to cars/driving to leave it and forget about for most of the year.
I will work on the car myself and already have some modifications planned...
Fantastic news! I can see why people have cars that are garage queens, but I much prefer hearing of cars being used as intended. Looking forward to the thread already I will work on the car myself and already have some modifications planned...
The 'Shadow Line' trim around the windows of the M3 is matt black as standard whereas the CSL and all M Sport variants of the standard 3 series have gloss black, which does look a lot better.
The trim on each side comprises three services: the single large section above the windows, one at the base of the each rear window, and one at the base of the front door windows. The lower sections are affixed with tape but the upper sections have no less than 15 screws each - completely over engineered!
Here's the top section mounted.
I only have the N/S/F lower trim from BMW at present and the following photo shows the comparison between matt and gloss trims.
I should have the remaining trim in a week or so.
The trim on each side comprises three services: the single large section above the windows, one at the base of the each rear window, and one at the base of the front door windows. The lower sections are affixed with tape but the upper sections have no less than 15 screws each - completely over engineered!
Here's the top section mounted.
I only have the N/S/F lower trim from BMW at present and the following photo shows the comparison between matt and gloss trims.
I should have the remaining trim in a week or so.
martin mrt said:
Did you buy the Shadowline trim from the dealers?
I priced it up for mine, as my last M3 had it, I near collapsed in a heap at the price of the large part of trim.
I believe the rear windows need to come out to replace those parts
I did, Martin. I considered used parts but in the end decided I didn't want to take the risk with any scratches or marks. I get all my bits from Toby at www.bminiparts.com - the prices are usually ~30% off of retail.I priced it up for mine, as my last M3 had it, I near collapsed in a heap at the price of the large part of trim.
I believe the rear windows need to come out to replace those parts
I left the rear windows in as I didn't want to risk marking anything. There's one screw in the rear section on each side that is close to the window, but it's still accessible enough.
I'll have the exhaust for you in the coming months
Well, what a beautiful day. I gave the M3 a polish and took it out for a run, and stopped to take a few snaps on the way:
The car continues to impress. My only criticism at the moment (aside from a lack of power) is that it can feel ever so slightly ordinary at legal speeds, but I appreciate this is usually a trade off for high grip levels. I have hope that new tyres and slight front end geometry changes will address the low speed responsiveness, but, that said, the car remains deeply impressive: triple figures, a switchback bend, and beautiful progressive oversteer. What a car for the money!
Funnily enough there was an F430 parked up at the pub so I took the change to have a bit of a nose. Lovely car, but I the E46 M3 holds its own as a design - it really has some great lines.
The car continues to impress. My only criticism at the moment (aside from a lack of power) is that it can feel ever so slightly ordinary at legal speeds, but I appreciate this is usually a trade off for high grip levels. I have hope that new tyres and slight front end geometry changes will address the low speed responsiveness, but, that said, the car remains deeply impressive: triple figures, a switchback bend, and beautiful progressive oversteer. What a car for the money!
Funnily enough there was an F430 parked up at the pub so I took the change to have a bit of a nose. Lovely car, but I the E46 M3 holds its own as a design - it really has some great lines.
mwstewart said:
My only criticism at the moment (aside from a lack of power) is that it can feel ever so slightly ordinary at legal speeds, but I appreciate this is usually a trade off for high grip levels.
This is often the case now I think, especially with German stuff. My mates C63 though, well that never feels ordinary!Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff