Estoril Blue E46 M3... I've finally got one!
Discussion
e30m3Mark said:
Nice score on the lower final drive. The same thing on my E30 and it certainly makes more lively.
Can't wait to get it in there. Triple figures in 3rd gear currently!Went for another little drive last night
P1110550 by DanielJames., on Flickr
P1110610 by DanielJames., on FlickrI've been putting together a video giving my thoughts on what it's like owning a stock E46 M3 in 2017. Should hopefully get something completed on Saturday.
Afternoon all - haven't updated this for a while but over the past few weeks I've been getting busy with the M3.
Changes as follows:
Few pictures; I'll get some more showing the interior too after a wash this weekend.
IMG_20180416_111155_931 by DanielJames., on Flickr
IMG_20180415_161152_688 by DanielJames., on Flickr
and a quick one of the brakes going on
IMG_20180330_192348_681 by DanielJames., on Flickr
I had the car aligned yesterday and wow - the front end turn in is insane. I'm really happy with the ride too, I did my best to try and keep this a fast road car for use on UK roads. If anything the ride is no different now to how it was on the factory 19s and OEM dampers. Both my rear dampers were shagged, the tyres on the 19s weren't great either, so all together these modifications have made a huge improvement.
I'm daily driving the car at the moment, just to get a feel for it. Over summer (once I've saved up a bit) it'll be going in for the final drive change (4.1) and a rear end refresh with subframe reinforcement, as I'm intending to do a few track days as well.
The brake pedal feel with the Brembo calipers is great. Installation was a bit tricky as one of the brake lines rounded off, partly due to me not having the correct size brake pipe spanner, so I had to change one of the hard lines. BMW sell the lines for £12 though, so not the end of the world. Be aware however that they come in straight lengths, and you must bend them yourself which took a bit of practice!
The main bug about my car in OEM spec was the lack of feel/response from the front end when entering a bend. Now with the 255s up front, purple tag rack & solid coupler, the turn in has been transformed!
Any questions fire away, I highly recommend these modifications. Perhaps not the coilovers, you can do better, but they were a billy bargain and so far, so good! I had them on my E36 as well, so wasn't scared to give the Taiwan brand a chance. Will see how they fare on the track, but for a fast road setup, they seem capable of delivering above adequate performance.
Cheers,
Dan
Changes as follows:
- 18x9J ET27 OEM Style 67 on all 4 corners
- 255/35/18 Yokohama AD08R tyres
- 'Purple tag' steering rack with solid alloy coupler
- New inner/outer tie rods
- Recaro Pole Position drivers seat (reinstall)
- BC Racing coilovers (8kg front springs, 12kg rear)
- Powerflex RTAB
- Powerflex Lollipops
- Front Brembos from a Porsche 987 Boxster S with Pagid RS4-2 pads (OEM rear with Mintex 1155)
- ATE Typ200 Brake Fluid
- Stud & Nut conversion
- PCW Exhaust Backbox (Modified OEM for slightly more bass, sounds great for £150!)
- Engine service (transmission oils being changed this weekend using OEM Castrol fluids)
Few pictures; I'll get some more showing the interior too after a wash this weekend.
IMG_20180416_111155_931 by DanielJames., on FlickrIMG_20180415_161152_688 by DanielJames., on Flickrand a quick one of the brakes going on
IMG_20180330_192348_681 by DanielJames., on FlickrI had the car aligned yesterday and wow - the front end turn in is insane. I'm really happy with the ride too, I did my best to try and keep this a fast road car for use on UK roads. If anything the ride is no different now to how it was on the factory 19s and OEM dampers. Both my rear dampers were shagged, the tyres on the 19s weren't great either, so all together these modifications have made a huge improvement.
I'm daily driving the car at the moment, just to get a feel for it. Over summer (once I've saved up a bit) it'll be going in for the final drive change (4.1) and a rear end refresh with subframe reinforcement, as I'm intending to do a few track days as well.
The brake pedal feel with the Brembo calipers is great. Installation was a bit tricky as one of the brake lines rounded off, partly due to me not having the correct size brake pipe spanner, so I had to change one of the hard lines. BMW sell the lines for £12 though, so not the end of the world. Be aware however that they come in straight lengths, and you must bend them yourself which took a bit of practice!
The main bug about my car in OEM spec was the lack of feel/response from the front end when entering a bend. Now with the 255s up front, purple tag rack & solid coupler, the turn in has been transformed!
Any questions fire away, I highly recommend these modifications. Perhaps not the coilovers, you can do better, but they were a billy bargain and so far, so good! I had them on my E36 as well, so wasn't scared to give the Taiwan brand a chance. Will see how they fare on the track, but for a fast road setup, they seem capable of delivering above adequate performance.
Cheers,
Dan
As far as I'm concerned, the mods you have done add to the M3 experience and focus the car on the elements you enjoy. As a stock car they're great but clearly more of a compromise. There's nothing you've done that couldn't easily be reversed anyway.
The square set-up and ride height look spot on, as well as obviously being vastly better when it comes to handling. Just goes to show you don't need to spend silly money and a bit of effort, in seeking out bargains, plus well considered modifications can improve upon an already excellent platform.
Look forward to seeing how you get on when finally take it on track and your thoughts in comparison to the Teg.
Mark
The square set-up and ride height look spot on, as well as obviously being vastly better when it comes to handling. Just goes to show you don't need to spend silly money and a bit of effort, in seeking out bargains, plus well considered modifications can improve upon an already excellent platform.
Look forward to seeing how you get on when finally take it on track and your thoughts in comparison to the Teg.
Mark
This really makes me want to junk the 19’s and go for an all square 18 inch setup...
Main question, are you running the standard size discs with the Brembo’s? Thinking of doing a brake upgrade of some sort on mine but have a feeling it’s more the standard caliper/pad combo that’s the issue than disc size for what just daily/fast road use.
Main question, are you running the standard size discs with the Brembo’s? Thinking of doing a brake upgrade of some sort on mine but have a feeling it’s more the standard caliper/pad combo that’s the issue than disc size for what just daily/fast road use.
Lovely car, im looking at getting one soon as well. Out of interest what is the mileage on this car? I have read on other forums that the pre 2003 models had a recall for connecting rod bearings so am worried about some of the higher mileage cars. Has your car had that recall?
Thanks
Scott
Thanks
Scott
DanielSan said:
This really makes me want to junk the 19’s and go for an all square 18 inch setup...
Main question, are you running the standard size discs with the Brembo’s? Thinking of doing a brake upgrade of some sort on mine but have a feeling it’s more the standard caliper/pad combo that’s the issue than disc size for what just daily/fast road use.
The Boxster S Calipers fit perfectly with adaptors and CSL discs so I imagine that's what OP has done.Main question, are you running the standard size discs with the Brembo’s? Thinking of doing a brake upgrade of some sort on mine but have a feeling it’s more the standard caliper/pad combo that’s the issue than disc size for what just daily/fast road use.
You could make them fit standard M3 discs by milling the mating face of the calipers without too much trouble however so that's an option too.
Nice to see the thread pop back up, been enjoying all the barn videos recently and had forgotten you had a decent thread going on here too!
I've been looking at getting a 46 M3 as a daily as we come up to the summer, had the same kind of thoughts about them growing up and thinking I need to get it done as they are on the way back up in value now aren't they. Do like the mods you've been making to this tbh, a push towards being more track orientated without ruining the looks or the fun of dailying it. A real sweet looking Fast Road Car now!
Do you have spacers going on the rear or is it just camera angles - the rears seem a bit lost in these photos, but maybe it's just me?
I've been looking at getting a 46 M3 as a daily as we come up to the summer, had the same kind of thoughts about them growing up and thinking I need to get it done as they are on the way back up in value now aren't they. Do like the mods you've been making to this tbh, a push towards being more track orientated without ruining the looks or the fun of dailying it. A real sweet looking Fast Road Car now!
Do you have spacers going on the rear or is it just camera angles - the rears seem a bit lost in these photos, but maybe it's just me?
I just got back from an awesome week at the Nurburgring in the M3. The car was mostly faultless, only losing an indicator lense, and having to change the front pads.
Some pics bought from RaceTracker:
E46 M3 Nurburgring Nordschleife by DanielJames., on Flickr
E46 M3 Nurburgring Nordschleife by DanielJames., on Flickr
E46 M3 Nurburgring Nordschleife by DanielJames., on Flickr
I was really happy with the car, given it's current spec it performed really well. The AD08Rs were on the limit, and did let go a couple of times, but they are very controllable. I did around 25 laps, and a session on the GP track.
POV tourist lap:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffBakpNXyDc
POV GP track:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfL5Cjawxq8
Some pics bought from RaceTracker:
E46 M3 Nurburgring Nordschleife by DanielJames., on FlickrE46 M3 Nurburgring Nordschleife by DanielJames., on FlickrE46 M3 Nurburgring Nordschleife by DanielJames., on FlickrI was really happy with the car, given it's current spec it performed really well. The AD08Rs were on the limit, and did let go a couple of times, but they are very controllable. I did around 25 laps, and a session on the GP track.
POV tourist lap:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffBakpNXyDc
POV GP track:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfL5Cjawxq8
Wilksy288 said:
Lovely car, im looking at getting one soon as well. Out of interest what is the mileage on this car? I have read on other forums that the pre 2003 models had a recall for connecting rod bearings so am worried about some of the higher mileage cars. Has your car had that recall?
Thanks
Scott
Yeah the rod bearings are known to be weak on my engine, I don't know if it's had the recall but it seems fine to me. Took some abuse last week as well! Thanks
Scott
dannyDC2 said:
I just got back from an awesome week at the Nurburgring in the M3. The car was mostly faultless, only losing an indicator lense, and having to change the front pads.
Some pics bought from RaceTracker:
E46 M3 Nurburgring Nordschleife by DanielJames., on Flickr
E46 M3 Nurburgring Nordschleife by DanielJames., on Flickr
E46 M3 Nurburgring Nordschleife by DanielJames., on Flickr
I was really happy with the car, given it's current spec it performed really well. The AD08Rs were on the limit, and did let go a couple of times, but they are very controllable. I did around 25 laps, and a session on the GP track.
POV tourist lap:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffBakpNXyDc
POV GP track:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfL5Cjawxq8
Awesome pics, awesome car Some pics bought from RaceTracker:
E46 M3 Nurburgring Nordschleife by DanielJames., on FlickrE46 M3 Nurburgring Nordschleife by DanielJames., on FlickrE46 M3 Nurburgring Nordschleife by DanielJames., on FlickrI was really happy with the car, given it's current spec it performed really well. The AD08Rs were on the limit, and did let go a couple of times, but they are very controllable. I did around 25 laps, and a session on the GP track.
POV tourist lap:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffBakpNXyDc
POV GP track:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfL5Cjawxq8
nice one
It's looking very good indeed and seems to be working nicely! It seems mission creep does kick in with these cars!
My only concern with Boxster S calipers are the piston sizes. They are smaller than the stock M3 calipers. This will give a firmer pedal but at the expense of force applied to the disc.
Even Rally Design advise not to drop from the piston size:
https://www.rallydesign.co.uk/pdf/designing_4_pot_...
And yes, I've gone from a car with 4 pot Wilwoods to Sliding Sierra Cosworth calipers and noticed a huge difference in braking power due to the above. In my case it was the following for me. I went from putting all of my weight on the pedal to almost going through the windscreen and the car stopping on a 5p piece.
shalmaneser said:
The Boxster S Calipers fit perfectly with adaptors and CSL discs so I imagine that's what OP has done.
You could make them fit standard M3 discs by milling the mating face of the calipers without too much trouble however so that's an option too.
Indeed.You could make them fit standard M3 discs by milling the mating face of the calipers without too much trouble however so that's an option too.
My only concern with Boxster S calipers are the piston sizes. They are smaller than the stock M3 calipers. This will give a firmer pedal but at the expense of force applied to the disc.
| Caliper Type | Piston Size (mmSQ) | Difference (%) |
| M3 Boxster 322mm | 4536 | -19.78 |
| Stock/CSL 322mm | 5655 | 0 |
Even Rally Design advise not to drop from the piston size:
https://www.rallydesign.co.uk/pdf/designing_4_pot_...
And yes, I've gone from a car with 4 pot Wilwoods to Sliding Sierra Cosworth calipers and noticed a huge difference in braking power due to the above. In my case it was the following for me. I went from putting all of my weight on the pedal to almost going through the windscreen and the car stopping on a 5p piece.
| Caliper Type | Piston Size (mmSQ) | Difference (%) |
| Escort Willwood 283mm | 3019 | -46.60 |
| Cosworth 283mm | 5654 | 0 |
e30m3Mark said:
Car looks great Dan. Such a lovely colour, especially with a bit of sun on it. 
Really enjoyed the videos. The MX5 was a bit slow moving to the right on the POV vid.
How were the pads from cold? Did they give off much dust? I'm looking for new pads myself, hence the questions.
They're dusty and suck from cold, but all decent pads do. Really enjoyed the videos. The MX5 was a bit slow moving to the right on the POV vid.
How were the pads from cold? Did they give off much dust? I'm looking for new pads myself, hence the questions.
SebringMan said:
Indeed.
My only concern with Boxster S calipers are the piston sizes. They are smaller than the stock M3 calipers. This will give a firmer pedal but at the expense of force applied to the disc.
Even Rally Design advise not to drop from the piston size:
https://www.rallydesign.co.uk/pdf/designing_4_pot_...
And yes, I've gone from a car with 4 pot Wilwoods to Sliding Sierra Cosworth calipers and noticed a huge difference in braking power due to the above. In my case it was the following for me. I went from putting all of my weight on the pedal to almost going through the windscreen and the car stopping on a 5p piece.
That's interesting, I didn't do much research tbh just went for a tried and tested setup. So the single piston OEM caliper has more surface area than the 4 piston brembos?My only concern with Boxster S calipers are the piston sizes. They are smaller than the stock M3 calipers. This will give a firmer pedal but at the expense of force applied to the disc.
| Caliper Type | Piston Size (mmSQ) | Difference (%) |
| M3 Boxster 322mm | 4536 | -19.78 |
| Stock/CSL 322mm | 5655 | 0 |
Even Rally Design advise not to drop from the piston size:
https://www.rallydesign.co.uk/pdf/designing_4_pot_...
And yes, I've gone from a car with 4 pot Wilwoods to Sliding Sierra Cosworth calipers and noticed a huge difference in braking power due to the above. In my case it was the following for me. I went from putting all of my weight on the pedal to almost going through the windscreen and the car stopping on a 5p piece.
| Caliper Type | Piston Size (mmSQ) | Difference (%) |
| Escort Willwood 283mm | 3019 | -46.60 |
| Cosworth 283mm | 5654 | 0 |
No complaints with my brakes after swapping the pads - they did well considering the weight of the car
dannyDC2 said:
That's interesting, I didn't do much research tbh just went for a tried and tested setup. So the single piston OEM caliper has more surface area than the 4 piston brembos?
No complaints with my brakes after swapping the pads - they did well considering the weight of the car
Indeedy. I never used to research things either. Two things changed that.No complaints with my brakes after swapping the pads - they did well considering the weight of the car
1) Reading an article in PPC. Will Holman however was on a bit of a crusade to say that Princess 4 pots were s
t. He was biased but he had a point. CapriSport's kits were better even with Mondeo calipers!2) My RST situation.
Because of how hydraulics work it has an effect on the power you can exert. With everything kept the same a larger effective piston area will give more braking power, but at the expense of an iffier/longer pedal. A smaller piston will do the opposite.
Just to muddy things further the opposite of the above is correct for the master cylinder. A bigger cylinder give you less pedal travel, but less pedal power. A smaller MC gives you a longer pedal and more power. But of course it's a minefield. Larger pads will for instance take more heat than a smaller one etc and it's the same for the discs.
I think the issue with the stock M3 setups (and even CSL) is that many fit cheaper pads, with many vendors selling 330i pads instead of the M items; I ended up throwing back a set at ECP.
That and because the discs are pricey, any new setup feels better as the discs will be hanging. I'll admit that for sustained track use M3s need good discs and track pads at a bare minimum, along with decent brake fluid.
SebringMan said:
Indeedy. I never used to research things either. Two things changed that.
1) Reading an article in PPC. Will Holman however was on a bit of a crusade to say that Princess 4 pots were st. He was biased but he had a point. CapriSport's kits were better even with Mondeo calipers!
2) My RST situation.
Because of how hydraulics work it has an effect on the power you can exert. With everything kept the same a larger effective piston area will give more braking power, but at the expense of an iffier/longer pedal. A smaller piston will do the opposite.
Just to muddy things further the opposite of the above is correct for the master cylinder. A bigger cylinder give you less pedal travel, but less pedal power. A smaller MC gives you a longer pedal and more power. But of course it's a minefield. Larger pads will for instance take more heat than a smaller one etc and it's the same for the discs.
I think the issue with the stock M3 setups (and even CSL) is that many fit cheaper pads, with many vendors selling 330i pads instead of the M items; I ended up throwing back a set at ECP.
That and because the discs are pricey, any new setup feels better as the discs will be hanging. I'll admit that for sustained track use M3s need good discs and track pads at a bare minimum, along with decent brake fluid.
1) Reading an article in PPC. Will Holman however was on a bit of a crusade to say that Princess 4 pots were s
t. He was biased but he had a point. CapriSport's kits were better even with Mondeo calipers!2) My RST situation.
Because of how hydraulics work it has an effect on the power you can exert. With everything kept the same a larger effective piston area will give more braking power, but at the expense of an iffier/longer pedal. A smaller piston will do the opposite.
Just to muddy things further the opposite of the above is correct for the master cylinder. A bigger cylinder give you less pedal travel, but less pedal power. A smaller MC gives you a longer pedal and more power. But of course it's a minefield. Larger pads will for instance take more heat than a smaller one etc and it's the same for the discs.
I think the issue with the stock M3 setups (and even CSL) is that many fit cheaper pads, with many vendors selling 330i pads instead of the M items; I ended up throwing back a set at ECP.
That and because the discs are pricey, any new setup feels better as the discs will be hanging. I'll admit that for sustained track use M3s need good discs and track pads at a bare minimum, along with decent brake fluid.
good info.Another video, chased by E92 M3 + DC5 Type R.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp0WKV7Oasc&lc...
Car was pretty loose on this one, being chased by the E92 I was pushing a bit harder and lost the back end a few times. Good fun though
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp0WKV7Oasc&lc...
Car was pretty loose on this one, being chased by the E92 I was pushing a bit harder and lost the back end a few times. Good fun though
Definitely looking good there Danny
One day I may have funds for a M3, always tempted, though worried about the whole boot floor ripping out of them given it's a known issue on high power BMW E46s' including my 330i Touring...
Did you install that wear sensor i dropped the link for on your youtube video on the calipers? Just found when i installed it on mine, the DS2500 pads have the locating cutout in the pad, but no actual hole in the pad for the sensors (had to get creative with a masonry bit and carefully drilled mine)
One day I may have funds for a M3, always tempted, though worried about the whole boot floor ripping out of them given it's a known issue on high power BMW E46s' including my 330i Touring...
Did you install that wear sensor i dropped the link for on your youtube video on the calipers? Just found when i installed it on mine, the DS2500 pads have the locating cutout in the pad, but no actual hole in the pad for the sensors (had to get creative with a masonry bit and carefully drilled mine)
Sf_Manta said:
Definitely looking good there Danny
One day I may have funds for a M3, always tempted, though worried about the whole boot floor ripping out of them given it's a known issue on high power BMW E46s' including my 330i Touring...
Did you install that wear sensor i dropped the link for on your youtube video on the calipers? Just found when i installed it on mine, the DS2500 pads have the locating cutout in the pad, but no actual hole in the pad for the sensors (had to get creative with a masonry bit and carefully drilled mine)
Hey mate, I didn't end up going for the wear sensor no. Perhaps I'm a bit One day I may have funds for a M3, always tempted, though worried about the whole boot floor ripping out of them given it's a known issue on high power BMW E46s' including my 330i Touring...
Did you install that wear sensor i dropped the link for on your youtube video on the calipers? Just found when i installed it on mine, the DS2500 pads have the locating cutout in the pad, but no actual hole in the pad for the sensors (had to get creative with a masonry bit and carefully drilled mine)
but the light doesn't annoy me that much, and I also accidentally broke the wiring for the rear sensor. I changed the rear pads, forgot to plug the sensor back in and went for a test drive... You can imagine what happened The boot floor is an issue yeah, yet to inspect mine post-ring, no creaking noises yet though.
cerb4.5lee said:
You have some serious skills mate and I really enjoyed watching that! 
Haha thanks, it's all the car! Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff