Estoril Blue E46 M3... I've finally got one!

[dannyDC2]

e21Mark said:

Thought I heard mention of the diff on the YouTube?

Just a glut of BMW fanboys doing the trackday and then spending Sunday driving route around Brecon so as to make a weekend of it. I'm down in Cornwall so Llandow is a bit far for just the one day.

Haha yeah it does have a weldy... I haven't said that on PH yet with fear of being tarred/feathered.

Sounds like good fun. There's a club up here that have meets on the regular, I might have to get involved. Haven't been since I had my E34! Socialising IRL isn't my strong point.

[MJ85]

dannyDC2 said:

SuperVM said:

Yes, please make a thread about the E36.

I've also just bought an E46 M3, having wanted one since they came out. I'm not sure what took me so long, I just always seemed to find something else to buy. Mine doesn't feel that fast, probably because it isn't particularly compared to some stuff I've owned, but it is absolutely brilliant. I bought mine with SMG as my wife wanted to be able to drive it and at first I really didn't like it, but slowly I'm getting there. I'd still prefer to have a manual, but the gap is definitely narrowing as time goes on.

Well done with your car, it looks great.

I think their performance can feel a bit odd compared to modern stuff. I wouldn't call them slow, but they definitely demand a more 'focused' driver to get them going compared to the modern day M3, with its fancy gearbox and forced induction!

I quite like SMG - my friend had one with the CSL software and I've driven it a few times. It's cool!

They are a lot slower if they aren't perfect. VANOS o-rings, VANOS solenoid o-rings and CCV (if it burns any oil) spring to mind and can mean the car will be well down on power. Mine was night and day different from when I purchased to after sorting issues.

http://www.beisansystems.com/products.html

[SebringMan]

MJ85 said:

They are a lot slower if they aren't perfect. VANOS o-rings, VANOS solenoid o-rings and CCV (if it burns any oil) spring to mind and can mean the car will be well down on power. Mine was night and day different from when I purchased to after sorting issues.

http://www.beisansystems.com/products.html

This.

On mine I've done the valve clearances and a basic VANOS service. To quote a friend it feels like another car and felt like previously it was a 330i. I must admit it pulls far better now in comparison to when I bought it.

SuperVM, regarding the SMG get the CSL software. It makes a mediocre gearbox much much better to use. Even if you pay someone £100 it's about the best money you'll spend on a car. The same people who add the software can also add on additional functions too (Sport button memory, CSL light temperature for the rev counter and a few other things).

I before was on a fence about getting a manual. Since doing the CSL software I am quite happy with the car now ; it does what I want now. I initially had a big problem with speed limits when I first did it! As a worst case scenario they are not as hard to convert to a manual as you may think with a couple of different ways of doing it ; both the SMG and the manual share the same 'box .

It's certainly looking tidier Danny. It's amazing that a few changes can make a big difference.

[MJ85]

SebringMan said:

MJ85 said:

They are a lot slower if they aren't perfect. VANOS o-rings, VANOS solenoid o-rings and CCV (if it burns any oil) spring to mind and can mean the car will be well down on power. Mine was night and day different from when I purchased to after sorting issues.

http://www.beisansystems.com/products.html

This.

On mine I've done the valve clearances and a basic VANOS service. To quote a friend it feels like another car and felt like previously it was a 330i. I must admit it pulls far better now in comparison to when I bought it.

SuperVM, regarding the SMG get the CSL software. It makes a mediocre gearbox much much better to use. Even if you pay someone £100 it's about the best money you'll spend on a car. The same people who add the software can also add on additional functions too (Sport button memory, CSL light temperature for the rev counter and a few other things).

I before was on a fence about getting a manual. Since doing the CSL software I am quite happy with the car now ; it does what I want now. I initially had a big problem with speed limits when I first did it! As a worst case scenario they are not as hard to convert to a manual as you may think with a couple of different ways of doing it ; both the SMG and the manual share the same 'box .

It's certainly looking tidier Danny. It's amazing that a few changes can make a big difference.

Of course, I forgot, valve clearances affect power too. I had mine done and it was noticeable.

[Gooly]

Great build, glad to see you've gone for ambers and clean plates. E36 build looks great as well, clean for a drift car! Always forget how good rondells look on a 36.

[dannyDC2]

Gooly said:

Great build, glad to see you've gone for ambers and clean plates. E36 build looks great as well, clean for a drift car! Always forget how good rondells look on a 36.

Yeah they suit it perfectly. I wouldn't mind changing for some jap wheels one day, but we'll see... I've got a stud and nut conversion for 5x120 on there currently, and kinda can't be arsed taking it off.

Polished my tips yesterday and gave the car a wash.

1090370 by DanielJames., on Flickr
1090373 by DanielJames., on Flickr
1090375 by DanielJames., on Flickr


then went for a nice summer evening drive

























(in the E36)

1090390 by DanielJames., on Flickr

[james_gt3rs]

That colour is so right on E46s

[SuperVM]

SebringMan said:

This.

On mine I've done the valve clearances and a basic VANOS service. To quote a friend it feels like another car and felt like previously it was a 330i. I must admit it pulls far better now in comparison to when I bought it.

SuperVM, regarding the SMG get the CSL software. It makes a mediocre gearbox much much better to use. Even if you pay someone £100 it's about the best money you'll spend on a car. The same people who add the software can also add on additional functions too (Sport button memory, CSL light temperature for the rev counter and a few other things).

I before was on a fence about getting a manual. Since doing the CSL software I am quite happy with the car now ; it does what I want now. I initially had a big problem with speed limits when I first did it! As a worst case scenario they are not as hard to convert to a manual as you may think with a couple of different ways of doing it ; both the SMG and the manual share the same 'box .

It's certainly looking tidier Danny. It's amazing that a few changes can make a big difference.

Mine supposedly has the CSL software already, though I may have a look at Martyn's webpage to have a look at confirming it for myself. I really need to get out in the car and just drive it to get properly used to the gearbox. As you say, they aren't exactly difficult to convert to manual and I may acquire the bits now as a just in case before everyone starts doing it (thinking of V160 prices here). Of course, with the E46 I assume prices for the parts won't go quite as nuts as one can actually convert the SMG box itself, rather than having to get a completely different manual gearbox.

[SebringMan]

SuperVM said:

Mine supposedly has the CSL software already, though I may have a look at Martyn's webpage to have a look at confirming it for myself. I really need to get out in the car and just drive it to get properly used to the gearbox. As you say, they aren't exactly difficult to convert to manual and I may acquire the bits now as a just in case before everyone starts doing it (thinking of V160 prices here). Of course, with the E46 I assume prices for the parts won't go quite as nuts as one can actually convert the SMG box itself, rather than having to get a completely different manual gearbox.

Without disturbing this thread too much (you can PM me or go onto my thread) does it blip on the down changes? If not, it's not got the software. It's quite noticeable how it blips too.

[HybridAero]

Absolutely epic car, congrats on your purchase it's pretty much depreciation-proof. A mod I'd have to do would be a CSL airbox.

Not cheap but imagine the induction roar; like half a McLaren F1!

https://www.geoffsteel.co.uk/shop/e46-csl-carbon-a...

Edited by HybridAero on Tuesday 27th June 04:06

[e21Mark]

HybridAero said:

Absolutely epic car, congrats on your purchase it's pretty much depreciation-proof. A mod I'd have to do would be a CSL airbox.

Not cheap but imagine the induction roar; like half a McLaren F1!

https://www.geoffsteel.co.uk/shop/e46-csl-carbon-a...

Edited by HybridAero on Tuesday 27th June 04:06

This. Isn't cheap but it's worth every penny for that noise alone. It's certainly the mod I like best about my own car.

[xjay1337]

WHA U DOIN? DIK'EDDDDD.

[dannyDC2]

Well I got a bit bored last night, and I've had this idea in my head for a while.



I've had the seat in my living room for a while now, it came with the E36. It was my gaming seat, but as I've not really been doing a lot of that lately I thought it would be nice in the M3. They're my favourite seats. Just need to find some rails now as these ones were borrowed from the E36.

Car feels loads better, as you'd imagine!

[e21Mark]

Despite being an unashamed BMW fanboy I just never liked Vadar type seats and that's a huge improvement in my book.

Edited by e21Mark on Saturday 5th August 11:52

[rossub]

I've never even considered wanting one of these before, but that blue is utterly gorgeous. The E36 looks stunning in estoril too

[dannyDC2]

e21Mark said:

Despite being an unashamed BMW fanboy I just never liked Vadar type seats and that's a huge improvement in my book.

Edited by e21Mark on Saturday 5th August 11:52

It's a massive improvement bud.

[e21Mark]

I think a few mods to personalise your M3 and make it more suited to your needs has to be a good thing. I mean you can always put it back to stock if need be but a Club Sport type theme gets a huge thumbs up from me. KW Club Sport suspension and some AP's, oh and a Samsona shifter, will just focus things a little harder, without taking anything away from what a great car it really is.

[SuperVM]

dannyDC2 said:

e21Mark said:

Despite being an unashamed BMW fanboy I just never liked Vadar type seats and that's a huge improvement in my book.

Edited by e21Mark on Saturday 5th August 11:52

It's a massive improvement bud.

Standard M seats of the E36 and E46 era just kill my back. I've also had two E39 M5s, one with comfort and one with sport, the latter also killed my back. I don't have the money after a load of building work on our house, but I'd really like to put some Recaro Sportster CSes in my E46 M3. I had Pole Positions in my EP3 CTR track car, which were great, but I'd like to retain use of the rear seats from both sides of the car as I have two kids and about once a week I use the M3 for the school runs.

[dannyDC2]

I've begun to collect some parts ready for a Nurburgring trip in October.

I won't be going mad, I just want to go back to the Nurburgring and the M3 will be a nice drive down. My Integra is broken again unfortunately so that won't be going back this year.

First up is a BMW Motorsport 4.1 CWP to replace the factory 3.6 ratio.

IMAG1372 by DanielJames., on Flickr

The standard gearing in an M3 is geared to do 215mph flat out in 6th. With this FD that will drop to 180mph, which is still plenty, but acceleration and overall performance should increase. Top speed in each gear is roughly 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180... That is still quite long to what I'm used to in the Hondas, but it will be a lot better than factory.

At 70mph, the revs will increase by 300rpm. That is a price worth paying IMO.

I also finally fitted some genuine clear indicator lenses on the front courtesy of a M3cutters member.

1110512 by DanielJames., on Flickr
1110515 by DanielJames., on Flickr


Note, I know she's a bit dirty. I've still only washed the car once since buying it in May, it's a beautiful car when clean or dirty in my eyes. Unfortunately I don't have facilities at home to wash it there.

As well as the 4.1 I have a few other little jobs to do before Nurburgring. I have the MOT on Saturday so I'll have a good look underneath and see what needs replacing. Other than that, some decent tyres need to go on as well as some better brakes. I think I will just be upgrading the pads and fluid for now. I did bid on an AP BBK last week on eBay, but lost my bottle at £1200... As it's not a massive requirement yet, I'll see how I get on with the stock setup with better pads and fluid. I'm not going for lap times anyway, just setting a benchmark with stock brakes, suspension, and weight.

Dan

[e30m3Mark]

Nice score on the lower final drive. The same thing on my E30 and it certainly makes more lively.