E46 M3 Project OEM

[martin mrt]

Now I'm not really sure how to introduce this, so please bear with me,

I took this car in part exchange for my E90 M3 that I was forced to sell due to a separation with my long term partner, I had huge reservations about the provenance of the car, however from a financial point of view I couldn't walk from the deal on offer, it was at least worth a look.

Points noted on initial viewing
Painted 19s offensive to the eye
M3 badge in the wrong place,
Exhaust hanging slightly low
Requires a thorough paint correction

Good points were
Decent Spec, Sat/Nav, Heated seats, Bluetooth, Harmon kardon etc
FBMWSH with a stack of recent receipts
86k miles
4 x Good Continental tyres
Rust free arches, only 1 small rust spot I've found, from a stonechip
100% standard and unmolested (other than those wheels)
Only 4 owners, my 2011 M3 had 3 prior to me

Some poor pics on the day I picked it up.....






Now as I plan to run this car semi daily, and I couldn't bear to look at those 19s every time if opened my front door I picked up some 18s on my drive home from collecting the car, these were fitted as soon as I got home, the 19s are now in the garage awaiting being sent off for a refurb at either Pristine or Lepsons

I had a few hours to spare on Saturday so I embarked on a quick snowfoam, rinse, and dry, then spent some time removing that horrible shiny "dressing" that dealers valet the interior of cars with.







The eagle Eye amongst you will have noticed the M3 badge is now in the correct position on the boot lid, the M3 Cutter member, Ben, whom I bought the 18s from had a brand new spare so that was thrown in FOC. Hugely appreciated.

So far the list of jobs are relatively minor and include

New OEM tail box hangers to be fitted on 14th December
Refurbish 19" wheels in diamond cut finish
Get the subframe mounts inspected for cracks before the warranty expires
Fit an intravee as the lack of I pod integration is rather annoying
Replace partially worn gear knob with a replacement OEM item
Carry out full paint correction and detail
Replace snap in telephone connector with cup holders
Replace cracked NS foglight
Repair small area of rust on OSR quarter as a result of a stone chip
Replace front pads and Discs

I'm now very much in the camp of leaving cars as intended, and a stock mint E46 M3 is now getting to be quite a rare find, many have been tracked with coilovers, stripped interiors etc and then there's the ones that have been given the black grilles and CSL replica treatment, none of this will be happening here, it will be kept and returned to as BMW intended

I'm hoping to have the car "completed" over winter and ready by April/May, in preperation for the summer months.

Thanks for taking the time to look

[XJR500bhp]

Hi, was it yourself who had the red M3 saloon? sad to hear you had to let it go

But not much of a downgrade Nice car

[martin mrt]

Sure was, I've just updated the other thread on the saloon.

I'm quite happy with the outcome if I'm honest, 90% of the capability (possibly more/less) of the E90 at a quarter of the price, it was a no brainer really

[AlVal]

have had wheels refurbed at pristine before (I work close to where they're at) - very expensive, but one of very few places which truly and properly refurbish wheels, I think I've taken 3 sets to them, definitely only worth doing for valuable wheels, as it costs around £100 per wheel, depending on size. if you can accept the cost, you definitely won't find fault with the result.

[davepoth]

I think it looks better on the 18s...

[mwstewart]

This looks to be in great condition, Martin.

[Mastodon2]

This looks really nice, though I'm sure BMW would have "intended" these to have a carbon airbox, if they could have made it work in the budget. Just sayin'.

[benny.c]

I know you want to stay OEM but if you are replacing the gear knob I'd seriously consider the Clubsport version (with separate gaiter) - Part no. 25.11.7.896.886

It looks just as good as the M3 one but it's heaver and shift is shorter. You lose the illumination but it's a cheap mod that really transforms the gear change. There's lots of threads about it on M3cutters.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-BMW-Six-Speed-Le...


OEM Carbon Black on 18's looks great IMHO. Mine….

Edited by benny.c on Tuesday 3rd December 10:20

[iacabu]

You won't get an 18 page thread for a standard M3 though...

Only joking, looks good and I'm sure the freshly refurbed wheels look great. Are you going to wait until after winter to fit them?

[Dave G fsi]

martin mrt said:

Very nice car mate

Although are you aware that the drivers side out of view of the camera appears to be a Ferrari......(see glass reflection)

[mattyevo89]

Plans sound good and in another year or two will probably be one very few that is OEM as stated. I was in the market for one but struggled to find one that hadn't been molested in some way or had high mileage. Good find!!

[melvster]

Keep it on the 18's, so much nicer than the over sized, in your face 19's.

[martin mrt]

Thanks very much for the kind words, as I said initial expectations weren't great, however going in with the attitude of it being a bit of a lemon and it turning out to be quite the opposite was the best mindset

With regards to the wheels, I had the 19s from my gerbil is E46 M3 refurbished at Pristine with some great results, I've had wheels done at Lepsons also, albeit painted, again with terrific results.

As for the gearknob, I've seen the club sport ones fitted, and agree they look better, however my mindset here is quite rigid in that I'm only replacing parts with standard items, the car has lasted this long without being changed in anyway, I'd like to keep it as such

I actually like it on the 18s, especially over winter, however the 19s will be going back on once the nicer weather returns next year

[hondafreek]

The 19's look so much better than the 18's. They look too small for the car.

[cerb4.5lee]

That looks a lovely replacement Martin & I would stick my neck out & say the E46 is more highly regarded than the E9x anyway, there is something very special about the S54 engine I think, the S65 is the business but the S54 has a massive appeal to it, enjoy it.

[Captainawesome]

Very nice car. I find that a lovely addition is smoked indicators. Really changes the look of the car and I think would look great with the carbon black.

I also found that the simple addition of braided brake lines and different pads really helped to change the brakes performance whilst still looking OEM.

ETA - Just read your post a couple above this one so ignore the indicator comment.

Are the tints BMW tints?

Edited by Captainawesome on Tuesday 3rd December 18:10

[aspirated]

Will you be removing the drug-dealer tints?

Looks a minter

[martin mrt]

I may well fit the depo indicators, as they do look good with the carbon black

The tints are another job to be removed!!!

[Court_S]

That's lovely. I really like these still. To my eyes there is just something so right about the E46 and E39's (particularly the M versions).

An unmolested one must be pretty rare these days now that they are falling into the price brackets for yoofs (well they are round here judging by the types you see in mst). I'd still really like one, but fear I've missed the boat somewhat due to work etc.

Shame the E90 had to go, but at least you're still in an M car and not a euro diesel grot box.

I prefer it with the 19's too.

[Captainawesome]

Court_S said:

That's lovely. I really like these still. To my eyes there is just something so right about the E46 and E39's (particularly the M versions).

An unmolested one must be pretty rare these days now that they are falling into the price brackets for yoofs (well they are round here judging by the types you see in mst). I'd still really like one, but fear I've missed the boat somewhat due to work etc.

Shame the E90 had to go, but at least you're still in an M car and not a euro diesel grot box.

I prefer it with the 19's too.

I have a lovely silver E46 M3 with 43,000 miles, red leather interior and full BMW service history. Standard apart from a csl boot lid and csl wheels. Easily put back to standard in an afternoon as have kept originals. The original 19" OEM wheels are off getting refurbed right now. Mrs keeps nagging me to sell it. Trying to explain to her that with those miles and condition it is an appreciating investment (the truth being that every week when she gets her run, as soon as I turn the key I don't know if I could sell her)

I think that if I do have to sell her, it's not going to take long.