BMW E46 M3 - Touring Build

[aaron_2000]

It actually looks better on those wheels. CSL wheels are so overdone now IMO, could you fit style 172's as an alternative 19 inch wheel?

[marky911]

That’s my dream daily right there.

Cracking project!

[Falcuono]

My stock 330i touring was much nicer to drive on public roads with 245-40-18 square, no under steer and meaty enough for a put hole too.
Car was on stock m suspension.
Great car !

[yavz]

aaron_2000 said:

It actually looks better on those wheels. CSL wheels are so overdone now IMO, could you fit style 172's as an alternative 19 inch wheel?

Agreed, I love the oem 18's but also love big brake so find myself in a bit of a conundrum.

I do like the style 172 wheel but am wanting to keep the tourer more true to the e46 offerings. If I was to go outside of the conventional 3 choices for the m3 then it would probably be something aftermarket.

[yavz]

marky911 said:

That’s my dream daily right there.

Cracking project!

Thank you. I probably won't daily it as I'd be wairy of where I park it, too many custom panels. but will drive it as much as possible.

[yavz]

Falcuono said:

My stock 330i touring was much nicer to drive on public roads with 245-40-18 square, no under steer and meaty enough for a put hole too.
Car was on stock m suspension.
Great car !

This is definately what steered(excude the pun) me towards the 18's. The UK roads are horrible having cracked and buckled wheels on my daily which has 19's. The 18s should help add a bit of Comfort back but with added grip too so win win.

[Court_S]

That’s a very cool project. Looking forward to more updates.

I’ve followed you on Instagram,

[yavz]

Very big day for me as I went to the BMW bodyshop to collect the car after its paintwork. To say I'm a happy man doesn't quiet capture it. The metal work and paintwork have turned out amazing and I kept on thanking and shaking my painters(Tony) hand.

Anyways less talking and here are some pics from yesterday.


e photos online


e photos online


e photos online


e photos online


e photos online


e photos online

e photos online


e photos online

The car has a great presence and being black its not too shouty and dare I say discreet unless you are in the know.

Il be spending the next couple of weeks putting everything back together. Namely the exterior trims. The arch liners. The interior with m3 seats and matching leather rear seats and door cards, Wheel refurb and finally I have managed to source(purchased a complete car just for the mod) some rare factory tinted glass which i will be installing.

I get some proper pics up when I've bolted everything back together.

[pidsy]

Lovely OP. You should be proud.

[Don1]

That's great work - kudos.

[CarPrintGuy]

The proportions, everything, FANTASTIC.

[Court_S]

That looks awesome. You must be made up.

[Gus265]

So pleased you decided to finish this project - I’d wondered if it had been abandoned- I am utterly and entirely jealous! Looks fantastic. For what it’s worth on the wheels, I think you need to keep it stock and agree with others to keep the 18s. Also the one the factory made was on 18s. I had a couple of E46 M3s and tried all the options - 18s looked best although I did like my CSLs too. I still think 18s.

Edited by Gus265 on Saturday 11th September 08:08

[helix402]

Lovely!

[Sf_Manta]

As a fellow touring owner, absolutely lovely build!

Just with a lowely 330i given doing an M3 swap i can imagine is quite a bit.

[shalmaneser]

yavz said:

aaron_2000 said:

It actually looks better on those wheels. CSL wheels are so overdone now IMO, could you fit style 172's as an alternative 19 inch wheel?

Agreed, I love the oem 18's but also love big brake so find myself in a bit of a conundrum.

I do like the style 172 wheel but am wanting to keep the tourer more true to the e46 offerings. If I was to go outside of the conventional 3 choices for the m3 then it would probably be something aftermarket.

Wrt the big brake thing you can fit csl discs (345mm) and Porsche calipers under the oem M3 18" wheels. I had this setup on my car and the brakes were tremendous.

[Mr Tidy]

Wow - that looks fantatstic.

Nearly there now!

[martin mrt]

What a build, what a car, top job.

[yavz]

Thank you everyone for the kind words. They mean a lot, especially after the journey the build has been on.

[yavz]

CarPrintGuy said:

The proportions, everything, FANTASTIC.

I find meself randomly in the driveway looking at it from different angles. The neighbours must think I've lost the plot.