BMW e46 M3 drift/track car project
Discussion
I have done quite a few drift days in my supercharged z3m coupe and my supercharged mustang and at some point I decided I want to take it a bit more serious. First I had to make some space in the garage and sadly the z3m had to go. It was a mental car, pushing 500+ bhp and very capable drift toy but was way too nice and a bit pricey to crash or put drift scars on. The sale took me a bit longer than expected but at the end she found a new loving home and at the beginning of September I had a pile of cash in my pocket waiting to be spent on a new project.
I wanted to go down the Skyline route and test drove a really nice R33 but the insurance on it was almost as high as the cost of the car. Next one on my list was a Nissan S14a, always loved them, even managed to find a fresh drift build for good money. However being 6'6 there was no way I can fit inside with a helmet and rollcage no matter how low the seat was.
The next sensible choice was an M3 e46. I already own one back home so I know the car quite well, also had an e30 and an e36 and I have done fair bit of work on them in the past. Given current prices for the early e46 M3s it was a no brainer and I started checking the clasifieds. Test drove 4 cars, all had too much rust or were really tatty. At the end found a 2001 phoenix yellow manual in London. Seemed to be a straight car, FSH, 100k on the clock and I really liked the chap I bought her from. And it was yellow! (I guess owning three yellow cars tells something about my favorite color)
This is how the car looked once I picked her up and gave her a good wash. I almost wanted to use her as a daily driver.
Then I started the big shopping list
Here is what I have purchased/installed so far
Full poly bushings kit (subframe, diff, trailing arms, knuckles etc)
Rear camber arms
HSD Adjustable Coilovers Nuerburgring Spec (12kg/12kg)
Front camber plates
Stainless steel brake lines
Hydraulic handbrake with twin master cylinders
Porsche Brembo rear calipers
Brembo GT40 front calipers (to be installed)
355x32 two piece front discs (to be installed)
Front strut brace
Cobra Suzuka GT seat
Cobra Imola GT seat
TRS 5 point harnesses (to be installed)
Custom Cages welded in cage (to be installed)
Geoff Steel Carbon fibre roof skin (to be installed)
Blue Flame exhaust (awesome sound)
Turner motorsport subframe reinforcement plates
4x9j OEM wheels
20 mm spacers in the back
Stud conversion with forged lug nuts
Steering rack spacers for extra lock
Modified front knuckes for more lock (to be installed)
I still need to tidy up the cable loom and remove some of the sound proofing. I will do this in december when I weld in the cage and install the carbon fibre roof, there are too many drift days in november and I don't want to miss them.
Here are the pics of the progress, I started with servicing the car and checking that everything is ok, then the first parts arrived.
rear end on the floor, time for subframe reinforcement (as most of the M3s, this one had a small crack but nothing major)
subframe sanded and painted
reinforcement plates welded and painted
time for a diet, the black leather interior is in perfect condition and will make it's way to ebay
in the mean time more goodies arrived
things are getting into shape
my friend who owns Demo Auto Centre let me have a play at the allignment machine, not bad for a first time ever (I know I have to correct the toe in of the rear right wheel but it was Saturday night and he really wanted to go home). I have camber plates so I can dial in -4 camber in the front once I am at the track. It's still a road car and will be drive to the events.
I had to modify the handbrake a bit and decided to give it a personal touch lol, yup the extention is really a socket
notice all the wires I need to tidy up? Also the door cards will go once the cage is in.
even took it to DWYB event at Santa Pod. Had good fun, a bit different beast compared to my other cars as no low end power and definitely doesn't like slow tracks (the small kindey was a disaster) but once it's in the power range oh boy
definitely like the steering angle but need more and I will get it once I install the modified knuckles.
I have plans to supercharger her, just waiting for a kit to show up at good price, missed an ESS one two weeks grrrrrrrrrr
I wanted to go down the Skyline route and test drove a really nice R33 but the insurance on it was almost as high as the cost of the car. Next one on my list was a Nissan S14a, always loved them, even managed to find a fresh drift build for good money. However being 6'6 there was no way I can fit inside with a helmet and rollcage no matter how low the seat was.
The next sensible choice was an M3 e46. I already own one back home so I know the car quite well, also had an e30 and an e36 and I have done fair bit of work on them in the past. Given current prices for the early e46 M3s it was a no brainer and I started checking the clasifieds. Test drove 4 cars, all had too much rust or were really tatty. At the end found a 2001 phoenix yellow manual in London. Seemed to be a straight car, FSH, 100k on the clock and I really liked the chap I bought her from. And it was yellow! (I guess owning three yellow cars tells something about my favorite color)
This is how the car looked once I picked her up and gave her a good wash. I almost wanted to use her as a daily driver.
Then I started the big shopping list
Here is what I have purchased/installed so far
Full poly bushings kit (subframe, diff, trailing arms, knuckles etc)
Rear camber arms
HSD Adjustable Coilovers Nuerburgring Spec (12kg/12kg)
Front camber plates
Stainless steel brake lines
Hydraulic handbrake with twin master cylinders
Porsche Brembo rear calipers
Brembo GT40 front calipers (to be installed)
355x32 two piece front discs (to be installed)
Front strut brace
Cobra Suzuka GT seat
Cobra Imola GT seat
TRS 5 point harnesses (to be installed)
Custom Cages welded in cage (to be installed)
Geoff Steel Carbon fibre roof skin (to be installed)
Blue Flame exhaust (awesome sound)
Turner motorsport subframe reinforcement plates
4x9j OEM wheels
20 mm spacers in the back
Stud conversion with forged lug nuts
Steering rack spacers for extra lock
Modified front knuckes for more lock (to be installed)
I still need to tidy up the cable loom and remove some of the sound proofing. I will do this in december when I weld in the cage and install the carbon fibre roof, there are too many drift days in november and I don't want to miss them.
Here are the pics of the progress, I started with servicing the car and checking that everything is ok, then the first parts arrived.
rear end on the floor, time for subframe reinforcement (as most of the M3s, this one had a small crack but nothing major)
subframe sanded and painted
reinforcement plates welded and painted
time for a diet, the black leather interior is in perfect condition and will make it's way to ebay
in the mean time more goodies arrived
things are getting into shape
my friend who owns Demo Auto Centre let me have a play at the allignment machine, not bad for a first time ever (I know I have to correct the toe in of the rear right wheel but it was Saturday night and he really wanted to go home). I have camber plates so I can dial in -4 camber in the front once I am at the track. It's still a road car and will be drive to the events.
I had to modify the handbrake a bit and decided to give it a personal touch lol, yup the extention is really a socket
notice all the wires I need to tidy up? Also the door cards will go once the cage is in.even took it to DWYB event at Santa Pod. Had good fun, a bit different beast compared to my other cars as no low end power and definitely doesn't like slow tracks (the small kindey was a disaster) but once it's in the power range oh boy
definitely like the steering angle but need more and I will get it once I install the modified knuckles.I have plans to supercharger her, just waiting for a kit to show up at good price, missed an ESS one two weeks grrrrrrrrrr
TheHighlander said:
I was looking at that exhaust for my M3 - Dakar Yellow.
What does it sound like mate?
Is it droany as hell?
I love the sound, quite bassy in the low revs. Seems a bit loud to me, droany at 50 mph and clears up at 70 mph. However my interior is completely stripped so I can't really tell you how it is in a normal car. Will make some videos at lydden hill tomorrow and will post them here.What does it sound like mate?
Is it droany as hell?
Will make a clip driving around in London just to give you an idea.smiles1 said:
Looking good!
Couple of questions if you don't mind. I assume you pulled the rear abs sensor in order to disconnect the abs/traction etc, otherwise the hydro puts the car into limp mode sometimes. Have you sorted the dash lights or is it like a xmas tree?
Also, where are you getting the modified knuckles from?
Many thanks
Mine is a 2001 car which still has the old DSC/Traction ecu (up to June 2002). If you press and hold the DSC button for more than 15 sec it switches off the ABS and the DSC completely (it deactivates the wheel speed sensors) and you can pull the hydro all day long without going into limp mode. The only way to turn it back on is to turn off/turn on the ignition. Couple of questions if you don't mind. I assume you pulled the rear abs sensor in order to disconnect the abs/traction etc, otherwise the hydro puts the car into limp mode sometimes. Have you sorted the dash lights or is it like a xmas tree?
Also, where are you getting the modified knuckles from?
Many thanks
Edited by smiles1 on Sunday 4th November 18:35
No problems with the dash lights as well - once you remove the SRS Aribag module the ecu stops checking the airbags and the seatbelts so no dash light comes on. (hence thenMOT is still ok)
I bought a set of used knuckels off ebay, 135 GBP delivered and I have a guy who will drill them, this way you move the mounting point of tie rod about 1 inch. You don't mess up the ackerman and still get decent angle (on top of the steering rack spacers). Then you need tie rods from e92 as they are longer and you are sorted. I was worried that the knuckle is not thick enough to be drilled (at least by looking at pictures) but I have them now and there is plenty of metal so it will be still strong.
Some pics from saturday
the camera is there but no battery grrrrrrrrrrrrr
can't wait for end of the month to put it on
went to the first drift day at Anglesey on Sunday. very very happy with the car 
just a short teaser here...have so much footage, hopefully can cut it this week.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wrwxOwG6Rg
also just ordered 4 Federal RS-R in 255/35/18, going to Bedford for a track day on Saturday and really hope they will arrive on time.
just a short teaser here...have so much footage, hopefully can cut it this week.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wrwxOwG6Rg
also just ordered 4 Federal RS-R in 255/35/18, going to Bedford for a track day on Saturday and really hope they will arrive on time.
time for some update
didn't like the inside finish of the roof panel - problem solved with black alcantara
preparing the roof for bonding
the cage is in, the quality of the welds is amazing, cannot praise enough the guy who painted the whole interior and the cage!
gotta love that color!!!
the roof is on! perfect fit, big up to Geoff Steel Racing for the great quality!
dashboard almost in, going to tidy up a little bit tomorrow and fit the rest of the interior
really lovin the alcantara!
didn't like the inside finish of the roof panel - problem solved with black alcantara
preparing the roof for bonding
the cage is in, the quality of the welds is amazing, cannot praise enough the guy who painted the whole interior and the cage!
gotta love that color!!!
the roof is on! perfect fit, big up to Geoff Steel Racing for the great quality!
dashboard almost in, going to tidy up a little bit tomorrow and fit the rest of the interior
really lovin the alcantara!
Edited by oxam on Thursday 7th February 22:29
it's all good now, up and running and putting a large grin on my face. went to anglesey drift day last weekend. soaking wet but so much fun. here are some pics, courtesy of Becca Amy Clark. got tons of onboard footage, just don't have the time to cut it.
the car is almost ready, totally driveable, but still need to sort out some small things.
- fit the big brakes in the front
- put the fire extinguisher and the cut off switch in
- make some door cards from carbon sheets
- get some padding for the cage
and when you run out of talent you go for a drift picnic on the grass
the car is almost ready, totally driveable, but still need to sort out some small things.
- fit the big brakes in the front
- put the fire extinguisher and the cut off switch in
- make some door cards from carbon sheets
- get some padding for the cage
and when you run out of talent you go for a drift picnic on the grass
some recent updates
one of the front control arm bushings failed and after seeing the eyewatering oem price, decided to go for the serious stuff - ordered the SLRspeed steering angle kit. Adjustable ackerman and wider track plus much quicker steering and 50 deg angle at the moment (need to change to narrower wheels or remove the ARB and will be getting 65+) I cannot believe I have been waiting so long to do this mod. It's night and day, makes things so much easier
last lydden hill drift day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JFp5EamPhQ
the kit itself
got angle?
it really makes things a lot easier
and the latest update picked up a new daily driver which will be converted back to stock and the supercharger is going on the drifter (just need to find the time to do it)
one of the front control arm bushings failed and after seeing the eyewatering oem price, decided to go for the serious stuff - ordered the SLRspeed steering angle kit. Adjustable ackerman and wider track plus much quicker steering and 50 deg angle at the moment (need to change to narrower wheels or remove the ARB and will be getting 65+) I cannot believe I have been waiting so long to do this mod. It's night and day, makes things so much easier
last lydden hill drift day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JFp5EamPhQ
the kit itself
got angle?
it really makes things a lot easier
and the latest update
picked up a new daily driver which will be converted back to stock and the supercharger is going on the drifter (just need to find the time to do it)Gibbo205 said:
Hi m8
Mine is a Feb 2002, so the old DSC system, never knew that a 15s press de-activated ABS, awesome to know, so do you literally just press and hold it for 15s until the light shows or just count to 15 and then let go?
Whats the hydro?
Lastly my SRS airbag light still shows, what is this SRS module located? I removed the small computer/ECU near the gear shifter thinking that was it, but light still shows, is there another?
Yup, you press and hold it for about 15s, the warning light (triangle with caution sign) comes and stays on after that, no matter if you press the button again. You have to switch off the engine to put it back to normal.Mine is a Feb 2002, so the old DSC system, never knew that a 15s press de-activated ABS, awesome to know, so do you literally just press and hold it for 15s until the light shows or just count to 15 and then let go?
Whats the hydro?
Lastly my SRS airbag light still shows, what is this SRS module located? I removed the small computer/ECU near the gear shifter thinking that was it, but light still shows, is there another?
the hydro is OBP (Optimum Balance Products) but to be honest not that happy with the quality. When I get a bit more time will get on the case and have one CNCed from alloy. It's a dual cylinder one which is pretty good if you want to keep the DSC and the ABS. If you are ready to ditch them and loose some weight you can use a single cylinder one.
Hmm the only SRS module is the one near the gear shifter. I removed all the airbags, seatbelts, cables etc and don't have any light on the dash (if you run the error codes tho you get a very long list
Have you removed the sensors/small modules for the front seats which are under the front carpets? If they are still there they might be giving an error signal to the main ECU.Next step for me would be swapping the rear window and the rear quarter windows for lexan. You don't loose any comfort and you are looking at 10-12 kg (lexan is half weight and you remove the rear windows electric motors)
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