Discussion
Usual story ...
I've been browsing the forums for quite a while, probably since I was 17, and it has only taken me until 22 to start posting.
A bit of my car history:
- MG TF 115 - First car
- Mercedes CLK200 - After the first car had a disagreement with a tree and a lamppost
- VW Golf GTI (Mk 4 1.8T - 150) - When I realised I was 18 not 80
- BMW 530D (E39 - Manual) - When I realised why my dad whinged about petrol so much
Current: E46 M3 2003.5 Manual
Spec:
- Refurbished 19" OEM M3 alloys in Graphite Grey
- 15-18mm spacers
- Carbon CSL rear diffuser
- Scorpion quad exhaust (I am thinking about removing this and fitting an Eisenmann)
- Carbon wing grills, black kidney grills, carbon BMW badges
- TV's mounted in the back of the front headrests (to be removed!!!)
Bad points:
- It has TVs in the headrests (why?!)
- Heavy knock/clunk going through 1 & 2 slowly (worn differential bush)
- Brakes don't feel as sharp as I would have hoped (braided hoses and new discs and pads all around and a full fluid flush)
First thoughts:
I love it! I understand 100% why it received the press it did and still does. It is by far the most powerful car I have had, but it gives me so much confidence, it is not intimidating in any way. Unfortunately the car is in the UK and I am currently working in Holland so not much chance to drive but hoping to get some more miles in towards the end of the year when my contract out here is up.
Plans:
For now I am more than content with the power. As I mentioned previously I would really like to improve the brakes, perhaps going for AP Racing 6 pot with 356mm discs but I will see how it goes with the new discs, pads and fluids first.
The maintenance work to replace the differential bush and a full service.
Aesthetically I would like to re-trim the interior plastics, gaitor and steering wheel with alcantara. Also to replace the standard gear knob with a OEM club sport and a general tidy up of the leather etc.
But all in all I am extremely happy and couldn't imagine needing anything else from a fast road car.
I've been browsing the forums for quite a while, probably since I was 17, and it has only taken me until 22 to start posting.
A bit of my car history:
- MG TF 115 - First car
- Mercedes CLK200 - After the first car had a disagreement with a tree and a lamppost
- VW Golf GTI (Mk 4 1.8T - 150) - When I realised I was 18 not 80
- BMW 530D (E39 - Manual) - When I realised why my dad whinged about petrol so much
Current: E46 M3 2003.5 Manual
Spec:
- Refurbished 19" OEM M3 alloys in Graphite Grey
- 15-18mm spacers
- Carbon CSL rear diffuser
- Scorpion quad exhaust (I am thinking about removing this and fitting an Eisenmann)
- Carbon wing grills, black kidney grills, carbon BMW badges
- TV's mounted in the back of the front headrests (to be removed!!!)
Bad points:
- It has TVs in the headrests (why?!)
- Heavy knock/clunk going through 1 & 2 slowly (worn differential bush)
- Brakes don't feel as sharp as I would have hoped (braided hoses and new discs and pads all around and a full fluid flush)
First thoughts:
I love it! I understand 100% why it received the press it did and still does. It is by far the most powerful car I have had, but it gives me so much confidence, it is not intimidating in any way. Unfortunately the car is in the UK and I am currently working in Holland so not much chance to drive but hoping to get some more miles in towards the end of the year when my contract out here is up.
Plans:
For now I am more than content with the power. As I mentioned previously I would really like to improve the brakes, perhaps going for AP Racing 6 pot with 356mm discs but I will see how it goes with the new discs, pads and fluids first.
The maintenance work to replace the differential bush and a full service.
Aesthetically I would like to re-trim the interior plastics, gaitor and steering wheel with alcantara. Also to replace the standard gear knob with a OEM club sport and a general tidy up of the leather etc.
But all in all I am extremely happy and couldn't imagine needing anything else from a fast road car.
Edited by whitelockben on Monday 30th September 22:59
is it problem free at the arse end?!Thanks guys!
So far the only issue is the differential bush, but I will inspect the floor / subframe better next time I am with the car. I am hoping not
One more issue: warm ac! Oh and insurance for a 22 y/o on an M3 isn't so bad either - I was pleasantly surprised.
So far the only issue is the differential bush, but I will inspect the floor / subframe better next time I am with the car. I am hoping not
One more issue: warm ac! Oh and insurance for a 22 y/o on an M3 isn't so bad either - I was pleasantly surprised.
Edited by whitelockben on Monday 30th September 23:11
I paid £1,500 to insure my 320bhp Impreza and feel sick to my stomach thinking about it now, at £2,200 there's no way I could do it! Fair play to you though, awesome car to have at your age. At 22 though where do you go after this lol? I'm 29 now and thinking about getting an M3 in 5-10 years time...
BUG4LIFE said:
I feel for you mate, that's crazy! That's an amazing holiday per year on insurance 
Rubbish, isn't it? The strange thing is that it makes no difference to the premium if it's parked outside or in a locked garage overnight. The only good thing is that mine is a 2004 car, so at least the tax is still in the lower bracket.OP do you have any sound clips with the Scorprion? I hear they are pretty loud
I'm ordering a Superpsrint system and manifolds for mine, and using it with CSL rear sliencer. The gains are really impressive.
http://supersprintlabs.com/portfolio/taking-a-look...
king hell, I thought you said it wasn't bad!
Thanks for all the comments guys.
@mwstewart: I don't but I will post some up next time I am with the car. It isn't too loud around town but full chat it does make a good noise. Thanks for the exhaust link too, that may have just changed my mind! More research requires I think.
Few things ordered now:
- Alcantara steering wheel
- Alcantara interior trim and carbon fibre interior trim (going to pick one and resell the other)
- Replacement BMW badges (bonnet/boot emblems)
On the to buy list when I'm back in the country:
- Carbon fibre kidney girlls
- Carbon fibre side girlls
@mwstewart: I don't but I will post some up next time I am with the car. It isn't too loud around town but full chat it does make a good noise. Thanks for the exhaust link too, that may have just changed my mind! More research requires I think.
Few things ordered now:
- Alcantara steering wheel
- Alcantara interior trim and carbon fibre interior trim (going to pick one and resell the other)
- Replacement BMW badges (bonnet/boot emblems)
On the to buy list when I'm back in the country:
- Carbon fibre kidney girlls
- Carbon fibre side girlls
Edited by whitelockben on Tuesday 1st October 19:23
Edited by whitelockben on Tuesday 1st October 19:26
Fellow silver m3 owners! Underrated colour if you ask me.
Sell me your scorpion if you change.... Fancy a change from my oem modded one.
Front splitters look good on silver though. I was never quite happy with my grill all black but it seems to work.
Quite happy with my £500 insurance though...!!!
Anyway enjoy.
Sell me your scorpion if you change.... Fancy a change from my oem modded one.
Front splitters look good on silver though. I was never quite happy with my grill all black but it seems to work.
Quite happy with my £500 insurance though...!!!
Anyway enjoy.
Edited by joema on Tuesday 1st October 23:51
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