Sam's Individual Manual E46 M3 Coupe
Discussion
Thought I would start a build thread on here now, I've been reading on the forum for a while but never really posted anything.
I hope to get involved with some hill climbs this year and also enter some concours/show and shine shows to see how I get on.
Owned the car just over three years now (bought in Aug 2013), it was bought off a forum member on m3cutters forum.
Any way the car.
Overview:
Car is 2003 individual, manual, 59,000 miles.
Full BMW service history, with running in service
Individual model Estoril Blue with extended platinum white leather. (bottom half of dash and the centre console are leather clad, very rare factory option)
All usual M3 luxuries
Sat Nav
Heated memory seats
Electric sunroof
The car has changed somewhat but here is a list of upgrades fitted when I purchased the car:
Standard 18” wheels refurbed in satin black
12mm spacers with bolts
Evolve carbon fibre intake with Alpha N mapping by evolve
Milltek decats
Supersprint non res centre section
Supersprint race lightweight backbox
HSD coilovers
K Sport 8 pot front brakes
Rogue engineering short shift kit
Rogue engineering rear shock mounts
AC Schnitzer 3 piece rear spoiler (factory fitted option)
CSL rear diffuser
Carbon fibre front light inserts
Smoked LED rear lights
Smoked depo front indicators
Rear ¾ windows tinted
Colour coded kidney grills with black slats
Carbon fibre side grills
Within a few days I got it into my local BMW indy for an engine service and diff oils etc changed.
I'll update the thread with all the work I've done over the past 3 years to hopefully show how I bought the car and how it stands now.
Photos from when I bought the car:
I hope to get involved with some hill climbs this year and also enter some concours/show and shine shows to see how I get on.
Owned the car just over three years now (bought in Aug 2013), it was bought off a forum member on m3cutters forum.
Any way the car.
Overview:
Car is 2003 individual, manual, 59,000 miles.
Full BMW service history, with running in service
Individual model Estoril Blue with extended platinum white leather. (bottom half of dash and the centre console are leather clad, very rare factory option)
All usual M3 luxuries
Sat Nav
Heated memory seats
Electric sunroof
The car has changed somewhat but here is a list of upgrades fitted when I purchased the car:
Standard 18” wheels refurbed in satin black
12mm spacers with bolts
Evolve carbon fibre intake with Alpha N mapping by evolve
Milltek decats
Supersprint non res centre section
Supersprint race lightweight backbox
HSD coilovers
K Sport 8 pot front brakes
Rogue engineering short shift kit
Rogue engineering rear shock mounts
AC Schnitzer 3 piece rear spoiler (factory fitted option)
CSL rear diffuser
Carbon fibre front light inserts
Smoked LED rear lights
Smoked depo front indicators
Rear ¾ windows tinted
Colour coded kidney grills with black slats
Carbon fibre side grills
Within a few days I got it into my local BMW indy for an engine service and diff oils etc changed.
I'll update the thread with all the work I've done over the past 3 years to hopefully show how I bought the car and how it stands now.
Photos from when I bought the car:
Give the car a full detail, took me about three days. Put the car up on stands took the wheels off, did the arches, suspension, wheels, tyres, etc etc.
Snow foam, wash, clay bar, de-bug/de-tar, polish, then couple of coats of wax using auto finesse illusion and bouncers sherbet fizz. Love the bouncers wax!
Detailed the interior including seats - clean and condition. Made a surprising difference.
Finished off by doing windows, window rubbers, lights and finally engine bay.
Used mostly auto finesse, autobrite and Gtechnique products.
Some beading shots a couple of days after.
Snow foam, wash, clay bar, de-bug/de-tar, polish, then couple of coats of wax using auto finesse illusion and bouncers sherbet fizz. Love the bouncers wax!
Detailed the interior including seats - clean and condition. Made a surprising difference.
Finished off by doing windows, window rubbers, lights and finally engine bay.
Used mostly auto finesse, autobrite and Gtechnique products.
Some beading shots a couple of days after.
Front had very slight play so changed front wishbones and bushes, drop links (all OEM) for new to tighten up the front.
Had the front discs skimmed and new EBC yellow stuff pads.
Fitted new HSD rear shock as one had a slight leak.
Fitted new OEM rear discs, pads and sensors. At the same time I changed the off side speed sensor as it was playing up causing issues with traction control.
Had the front discs skimmed and new EBC yellow stuff pads.
Fitted new HSD rear shock as one had a slight leak.
Fitted new OEM rear discs, pads and sensors. At the same time I changed the off side speed sensor as it was playing up causing issues with traction control.
The smoked rear lights were annoying me, I think they look cheap and nasty, especially when you open the boot and all the wiring is hanging out.
So bought and fitted some OEM rear LED’s, they look much better in my opinion. Also had them coded in by a fellow cutter to clear the dash warning.
Before:
Excuse the dirt, I went on a long drive out the day before fitting the lights.
After:
They look much better and much more OEM in the boot which is the bit that bothered me the most, all the wiring and ballast hanging out of the aftermarket ones just looked a mess!
I bought these off a cutter and the boot lights are faded which I didn’t know about until I got them (I wouldn’t have bought them if I knew), I’ll replace these for new when I get chance.
So bought and fitted some OEM rear LED’s, they look much better in my opinion. Also had them coded in by a fellow cutter to clear the dash warning.
Before:
Excuse the dirt, I went on a long drive out the day before fitting the lights.
After:
They look much better and much more OEM in the boot which is the bit that bothered me the most, all the wiring and ballast hanging out of the aftermarket ones just looked a mess!
I bought these off a cutter and the boot lights are faded which I didn’t know about until I got them (I wouldn’t have bought them if I knew), I’ll replace these for new when I get chance.
I have the OEM 18’s fitted (again) and I like the look, it looks quite aggressive but I wanted some 19” wheels for summer/shows etc because I don’t really like the idea of the CSL reps. I also think putting CSL’s on the e46 is common now, it looks great which is why so many do it but it’s far from different or individual.
I bought some genuine 19” BBS CH-R’s, 10.5” rear and 8.5” front, in black with silver protection lip, wrapped in 4 new Michelin pilot super sports. These will be fitted for summer. I would also like to fit a stud conversion when I fit these, purely for aesthetics. I would also like some rear turner motorsport rear camber adjustment arms to help fit the rear wheels.
My current project is suspension so bought front and rear KW anti roll bars off a cutter, I want to get them powder coated before fitting, I’ll probably fit these when doing the camber arms and wheels for summer.
I’ll get some pics up of it all fitted when the weather improves.
I bought some genuine 19” BBS CH-R’s, 10.5” rear and 8.5” front, in black with silver protection lip, wrapped in 4 new Michelin pilot super sports. These will be fitted for summer. I would also like to fit a stud conversion when I fit these, purely for aesthetics. I would also like some rear turner motorsport rear camber adjustment arms to help fit the rear wheels.
My current project is suspension so bought front and rear KW anti roll bars off a cutter, I want to get them powder coated before fitting, I’ll probably fit these when doing the camber arms and wheels for summer.
I’ll get some pics up of it all fitted when the weather improves.
As much as I love the interior I feel it was looking a little dated and certain part’s needed upgrading.
The wheel was sent off to Jack at royal steering wheels for a re-trim.
Spec – Dark alcantara top/bottom, perforated leather sides, extra padding, M stitching.
Matching dark alcantara gear and handbrake gaiters.
Also retrimmed handbrake handle in nappa leather and black stitching.
I have also bought an OEM illuminated F10 M5 gear knob, I hope this will complement the rouge SSK nicely, I certainly hope so for what BMW charge for them!
Before:
All removed and sent off:
Trial fitted the alcantara gaiters with the F10 M5 knob but didn’t think they matched the white leather so sold them on.
Heres a pic from when I test fitted the alcantara gaiters:
Now all fitted – Retrimmed wheel, re-trimmed hand-brake handle, F10 M5 knob and new OEM leather gaiters:
I think it looks great, a few small changes together really make a big difference.
It felt weird when driving it after fitting all this but soon got used to the fatter steering wheel and different material. The F10 knob felt great from the off!
Next to finish the interior is real carbon interior parts. I’ve got a few bits already but just need to get two remaining bits before fitting it all. I’ll get some before and after pics up when all fitted.
The wheel was sent off to Jack at royal steering wheels for a re-trim.
Spec – Dark alcantara top/bottom, perforated leather sides, extra padding, M stitching.
Matching dark alcantara gear and handbrake gaiters.
Also retrimmed handbrake handle in nappa leather and black stitching.
I have also bought an OEM illuminated F10 M5 gear knob, I hope this will complement the rouge SSK nicely, I certainly hope so for what BMW charge for them!
Before:
All removed and sent off:
Trial fitted the alcantara gaiters with the F10 M5 knob but didn’t think they matched the white leather so sold them on.
Heres a pic from when I test fitted the alcantara gaiters:
Now all fitted – Retrimmed wheel, re-trimmed hand-brake handle, F10 M5 knob and new OEM leather gaiters:
I think it looks great, a few small changes together really make a big difference.
It felt weird when driving it after fitting all this but soon got used to the fatter steering wheel and different material. The F10 knob felt great from the off!
Next to finish the interior is real carbon interior parts. I’ve got a few bits already but just need to get two remaining bits before fitting it all. I’ll get some before and after pics up when all fitted.
Couple of smaller bits on the outside were annoying me so ordered new OEM centre caps for the 18’s, new rear boot badge (was a little chip on it) and some white LED number plate lights.
Also ordered and fitted metal pressed plates.
Also bought some carbon kidney grills, not sure if I prefer them over the painted ones.
I have also bought a full length CSL carbon splitter they might look better when I get that fitted.
Before:
After:
LED number plate lights.
Before:
After:
Also ordered and fitted metal pressed plates.
Also bought some carbon kidney grills, not sure if I prefer them over the painted ones.
I have also bought a full length CSL carbon splitter they might look better when I get that fitted.
Before:
After:
LED number plate lights.
Before:
After:
Had a drive out to Scarborough with the missis.
I detailed the car the day before, finished with bouncers sherbet fizz.
Think the car looks great sat on the OEM 18's!
Tried to get some nice scenic shots of the car but I’m not the best with photography and only had my I phone, but this is what I got:
I detailed the car the day before, finished with bouncers sherbet fizz.
Think the car looks great sat on the OEM 18's!
Tried to get some nice scenic shots of the car but I’m not the best with photography and only had my I phone, but this is what I got:
Another thing I don’t like on the car is the brakes. The 356mm 8 pot k sports currently fitted work well and look ok but I really want some AP’s/Alcons on the car. I guess there’s nothing wrong with the k sports, they actually come out very well when tested against other more expensive brands but I’ve always wanted AP’s/alcons on my m3, I just think they look great and of course perform great!
So when a set of fronts came up on cutters at a price I couldn’t ignore I had to buy them.
They are CP7040 red AP’s to fit E46 M3, they need new rotors (hence the cheap price) but come with everything, ferodo DS2500 pads, rotors, callipers, etc.
Short term I plan to skim the rotors and just get them on so the car can be moved if needed over the next month or two. I’ll take them back off in March/April time and spray the bells, fit some new quality rotors (probably performance friction) and some new pads (not decided which pads yet) and if the calipers need it I’ll send them off for a refurb, although I don’t think this will be required as they look pretty immaculate.
Here’s pics of when I bought them:
Here’s pics of my k sports:
I sold the KSports but then decided to get the bells on the AP’s anodised in black because I wasn’t happy with the silver looking bells so I temporarily bolted up the AP callipers to keep the brake system sealed.
Here’s pics of the AP callipers fitted, waiting for the bells to be anodised and rotors skimmed:
Pics of bells split from rotors (rotors now skimmed just waiting for bells back from getting anodised in black):
New AP bolts ready, bells and rotors ready, ferodo DS2500 pads ready, just need to mount them all up and torque them together.
All torqued up ready to fit:
You will also see in the pic above I’ve bought a stud kit (82mm) from Elite Developments and some genuine Muteki SR48 nuts, I’ve also ordered some genuine Muteki SR48 matching locking nuts but there not here yet so I’ll just put these on for now.
Also did a full fluid change using ATE Super Blue Racing fluid.
Here is the AP kit fitted:
Also fitted the stud kit:
Pics showing the new stud kit and nuts, they make fitting wheels with spacers so much easier, plus looks much better.
Also fitted the OEM centre caps as the old ones looked a bit tired:
This is my favourite mod on any car so far, the braking is simply fantastic. There seems to be no fade at all. I took it out on some nice Yorkshire country roads I know well and even from high speeds corner after corner they there is no fade, stopping power feels great, not to mention they look great!
Need the rears to match now!
So when a set of fronts came up on cutters at a price I couldn’t ignore I had to buy them.
They are CP7040 red AP’s to fit E46 M3, they need new rotors (hence the cheap price) but come with everything, ferodo DS2500 pads, rotors, callipers, etc.
Short term I plan to skim the rotors and just get them on so the car can be moved if needed over the next month or two. I’ll take them back off in March/April time and spray the bells, fit some new quality rotors (probably performance friction) and some new pads (not decided which pads yet) and if the calipers need it I’ll send them off for a refurb, although I don’t think this will be required as they look pretty immaculate.
Here’s pics of when I bought them:
Here’s pics of my k sports:
I sold the KSports but then decided to get the bells on the AP’s anodised in black because I wasn’t happy with the silver looking bells so I temporarily bolted up the AP callipers to keep the brake system sealed.
Here’s pics of the AP callipers fitted, waiting for the bells to be anodised and rotors skimmed:
Pics of bells split from rotors (rotors now skimmed just waiting for bells back from getting anodised in black):
New AP bolts ready, bells and rotors ready, ferodo DS2500 pads ready, just need to mount them all up and torque them together.
All torqued up ready to fit:
You will also see in the pic above I’ve bought a stud kit (82mm) from Elite Developments and some genuine Muteki SR48 nuts, I’ve also ordered some genuine Muteki SR48 matching locking nuts but there not here yet so I’ll just put these on for now.
Also did a full fluid change using ATE Super Blue Racing fluid.
Here is the AP kit fitted:
Also fitted the stud kit:
Pics showing the new stud kit and nuts, they make fitting wheels with spacers so much easier, plus looks much better.
Also fitted the OEM centre caps as the old ones looked a bit tired:
This is my favourite mod on any car so far, the braking is simply fantastic. There seems to be no fade at all. I took it out on some nice Yorkshire country roads I know well and even from high speeds corner after corner they there is no fade, stopping power feels great, not to mention they look great!
Need the rears to match now!
Came back from a skiing holiday to find a part of my house guttering lying next to the car, nice dent and scratch, great!
Will have to get paintless dent remover guy out to remove dent and will add the scratch to my list of paintwork I’m getting done shortly, I’ll be getting a full re-spray at this rate!
Will have to get paintless dent remover guy out to remove dent and will add the scratch to my list of paintwork I’m getting done shortly, I’ll be getting a full re-spray at this rate!
Bought a genuine carbon pollen filter cover to match my evolve intake, it’s in the same 2x2 weave as the box, done by Mark (markCSL) on here.
The workmanship is fine but I think it looks a bit out of place, I’m going to get the rocker cover done and a couple of other bits and see how it looks, if it doesn’t go I’ll just sell it on.
Before:
After:
The workmanship is fine but I think it looks a bit out of place, I’m going to get the rocker cover done and a couple of other bits and see how it looks, if it doesn’t go I’ll just sell it on.
Before:
After:
Not up dated this thread for a while as I’ve been quite busy.
I’ve done a few small cosmetic changes and a few bigger suspension changes.
Also had the car at a couple of shows, Gaydon and a couple of local Yorkshire shows.
First of all I tackled my exhaust tips which needed attention.
I don't usually post detailing pics due to spending half my spare time detailing but after my efforts today cleaning up my supersprint tips I thought it deserved some pics!
It took me around 3-4 hours and a drill, drill attachments, wire brushes, wet and dry, detailing products, autosol, etc etc.
Now I know the best way to do them I can just maintain them, I also have a couple of fine wire wool attachments on order to finish them properly but even so I think they look 100 times better!
Before:
After:
I’ve done a few small cosmetic changes and a few bigger suspension changes.
Also had the car at a couple of shows, Gaydon and a couple of local Yorkshire shows.
First of all I tackled my exhaust tips which needed attention.
I don't usually post detailing pics due to spending half my spare time detailing but after my efforts today cleaning up my supersprint tips I thought it deserved some pics!
It took me around 3-4 hours and a drill, drill attachments, wire brushes, wet and dry, detailing products, autosol, etc etc.
Now I know the best way to do them I can just maintain them, I also have a couple of fine wire wool attachments on order to finish them properly but even so I think they look 100 times better!
Before:
After:
Car started to get slow when starting (it sits a lot) so bought a new battery from BMW.
Read bits about buying bosch ones from ECP because BMW ones are so expensive but when I rang BMW for a quote and got discount applied it was actually cheaper than bosch ones from ECP.
Also bought and optimiser for winter etc.
New battery (before I cleaned everything!):
Battery tray was marked so fitted a new one (nothing exciting):
Old:
New:
Read bits about buying bosch ones from ECP because BMW ones are so expensive but when I rang BMW for a quote and got discount applied it was actually cheaper than bosch ones from ECP.
Also bought and optimiser for winter etc.
New battery (before I cleaned everything!):
Battery tray was marked so fitted a new one (nothing exciting):
Old:
New:
The boot lights needed replacing as they were fading and the usual meguiars lens restorer didn’t do anything.
Ordered some OEM ones from BMW cotswalds and fitted them, looks much better, it’s amazing how some little faded boot lights can make the rear look so poor. The pics don’t really show this but in the flesh it does make a surprising difference.
Before:
After:
Ordered some OEM ones from BMW cotswalds and fitted them, looks much better, it’s amazing how some little faded boot lights can make the rear look so poor. The pics don’t really show this but in the flesh it does make a surprising difference.
Before:
After:
The centre tray had a couple of small marks plus it’s crazy the m3 having no cup holders so fitted some OEM cup holders and coin tray.
Before:
After:
Also sorted out the leather gaitor on the F10 gear stick, the bottom right corner was pulled a bit tight so refitted it so it sits like it should now (OEM).
Before:
After:
Before:
After:
Also sorted out the leather gaitor on the F10 gear stick, the bottom right corner was pulled a bit tight so refitted it so it sits like it should now (OEM).
Before:
After:
Car at Gaydon BMW show, chatted to some good guys and got some inspiration, especially in the engine bay area.
Also picked up my suspension turner parts I ordered off John (mirror John) and he also did some coding for me. He coded rear OEM LEDs in so they don’t flicker now and enabled pop and bang (sounds great)! Nice to meet John and his better half and he knows his stuff if anyone wants turner parts or coding doing.
Also just after the show my new set of Goodyear Eagle Asymmetrics turned up from tyre leader for the OEM 18’s (not in the photos).
Prep all finished for Gaydon. Applied a new ‘show wax’ I bought, the wax is bouncers ‘capture the rapture’ it made the car paint work look awesome but been a show wax it only last around 4 weeks but my god it looks good!:
Getting coding done:
Some pics from the show:
Also someone from the show got some ‘moving’ shots of my car as they passed on the motorway and sent me them, I think they look great!
Also picked up my suspension turner parts I ordered off John (mirror John) and he also did some coding for me. He coded rear OEM LEDs in so they don’t flicker now and enabled pop and bang (sounds great)! Nice to meet John and his better half and he knows his stuff if anyone wants turner parts or coding doing.
Also just after the show my new set of Goodyear Eagle Asymmetrics turned up from tyre leader for the OEM 18’s (not in the photos).
Prep all finished for Gaydon. Applied a new ‘show wax’ I bought, the wax is bouncers ‘capture the rapture’ it made the car paint work look awesome but been a show wax it only last around 4 weeks but my god it looks good!:
Getting coding done:
Some pics from the show:
Also someone from the show got some ‘moving’ shots of my car as they passed on the motorway and sent me them, I think they look great!
Big suspension work to start.
Sent the KW V3’s springs off to be powder coated and same with the KW anti roll bars, both to be done in original KW colors.
Also bought a boat load of other parts to do my suspension restoration.
Bought from turner motorsport, BMW, KW and lemforder parts (OEM), etc etc.
V3’s and anti roll bars before powder coating:
All the parts back from powder coating and all other parts also arrived ready for fitting.
What I bought to fit:
Also remember the car already has:
You will also notice from the pics I spent some time detailing the full wheels arches to bring them back to how they should look, took some serious cleaning. Used detailing brushes, auto finesse iron out, Gtechnique trim restorer for plastic and a quick spray wax for the metal (couldn’t get in whith a wax applicator to use normal wax hence the spray).
Parts ready to fit:
Top mounts on ready to go:
Here’s a few shots before I started:
Old HSD’s and new KW’s:
Old front ARB and new KW ARB going in:
Old top mounts and new top mounts (also showing the OEM reinforcement plates I fitted):
Stripped and cleaning/restoring/detailing in progress:
New tie rods and then track rods installed:
Finished article:
Really happy with how it finished up, I only intended to fit the KW’s and it turned into this! So I might as well go all out and finish it properly so I plan to buy some used hub carriers, send them off for shot blasting and then powder coating, fit new bearings and I’ll then fit them with new dust plates.
But that aside I think it is a good job and I can’t imagine many go to these lengths so I’m quite proud.
I haven’t got time to upload the rear pics so I’ll do it when I get chance.
The car is booked into Track Torque (above York) for a full geometry set up and corner weighting in a couple of weeks so I can’t really drive it until then. Once it’s set up and I get some time I’ll update the thread with pics of the rear and pics of how the car sits.
My new genuine BBS CH-R’s (with new MPSS) will also be going on for the set up in a couple of weeks so once it’s all set up I’ll also get pics of how these sit and look on the car.
Sent the KW V3’s springs off to be powder coated and same with the KW anti roll bars, both to be done in original KW colors.
Also bought a boat load of other parts to do my suspension restoration.
Bought from turner motorsport, BMW, KW and lemforder parts (OEM), etc etc.
V3’s and anti roll bars before powder coating:
All the parts back from powder coating and all other parts also arrived ready for fitting.
What I bought to fit:
- KW V3’s
- KW front anti roll bar
- KW rear anti roll bar
- KW polly bushes for roll bars
- OEM wish bones
- OEM wish bone rear bushes
- OEM reinforcement plates
- Turner motorsport adjustable top mounts
- Turner motorsport adjustable rear camber arms
- Turner motorsport adjustable front drop links
- OEM rear drop links
- OEM track rod ends
Also remember the car already has:
- RTAB turner motorsport bushes
- Turner motorsport subframe bushes
- Rear turner motorsport top mounts
You will also notice from the pics I spent some time detailing the full wheels arches to bring them back to how they should look, took some serious cleaning. Used detailing brushes, auto finesse iron out, Gtechnique trim restorer for plastic and a quick spray wax for the metal (couldn’t get in whith a wax applicator to use normal wax hence the spray).
Parts ready to fit:
Top mounts on ready to go:
Here’s a few shots before I started:
Old HSD’s and new KW’s:
Old front ARB and new KW ARB going in:
Old top mounts and new top mounts (also showing the OEM reinforcement plates I fitted):
Stripped and cleaning/restoring/detailing in progress:
New tie rods and then track rods installed:
Finished article:
Really happy with how it finished up, I only intended to fit the KW’s and it turned into this! So I might as well go all out and finish it properly so I plan to buy some used hub carriers, send them off for shot blasting and then powder coating, fit new bearings and I’ll then fit them with new dust plates.
But that aside I think it is a good job and I can’t imagine many go to these lengths so I’m quite proud.
I haven’t got time to upload the rear pics so I’ll do it when I get chance.
The car is booked into Track Torque (above York) for a full geometry set up and corner weighting in a couple of weeks so I can’t really drive it until then. Once it’s set up and I get some time I’ll update the thread with pics of the rear and pics of how the car sits.
My new genuine BBS CH-R’s (with new MPSS) will also be going on for the set up in a couple of weeks so once it’s all set up I’ll also get pics of how these sit and look on the car.
Ok here’s some pics of the rear.
I thought the camber arms were going to be a quick 10min bolt out old ones and bolt in new ones, how wrong was I! Both side bottom bushes were seized so the bolts couldn’t be removed so had to burn out both the bushes and then wait another day for BMW to get them in. Then had to split the diff from the prop, drop it slightly and lever it backwards just to get the top bolts in, pain of a job!
So fitted:
• KW springs and dampers
• KW ARB
• KW ARB bushes
• OEM both bottom camber arm bushes
• OEM drop links
• Turner Motorsport camber arms
I loosely fitted in the spring and damper before cleaning the wheel arch, couldn’t believe how bad they were, it’s no wonder these arches rust! Cleaned all the wheel arch and arch lip out with the same products as the fronts, it took some serious scrubbing and effort but now it’s clean I can keep it that way.
Before pics (with new spring and damper fitted):
After pics with everything fitted and cleaned:
I thought the camber arms were going to be a quick 10min bolt out old ones and bolt in new ones, how wrong was I! Both side bottom bushes were seized so the bolts couldn’t be removed so had to burn out both the bushes and then wait another day for BMW to get them in. Then had to split the diff from the prop, drop it slightly and lever it backwards just to get the top bolts in, pain of a job!
So fitted:
• KW springs and dampers
• KW ARB
• KW ARB bushes
• OEM both bottom camber arm bushes
• OEM drop links
• Turner Motorsport camber arms
I loosely fitted in the spring and damper before cleaning the wheel arch, couldn’t believe how bad they were, it’s no wonder these arches rust! Cleaned all the wheel arch and arch lip out with the same products as the fronts, it took some serious scrubbing and effort but now it’s clean I can keep it that way.
Before pics (with new spring and damper fitted):
After pics with everything fitted and cleaned:
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