E46 M3 SMG CONVERTIBLE - 2004

[SebringMan]

It's looking pretty good!

How have you found the brakes in comparsion to what came off? I'm talking performance wise, or were the pads always shot when you bought it?

[Cliff J]

They were shot when I bought it. They feel much better, sharper etc, I have a lot more confidence in them now too.

[Cliff J]

A friend of mine came over, he has a black E46 330ci convertible with factory hardtop, so we took a few photos.


Generated from my Apple iPad using tools.rackonly.com


Generated from my Apple iPad using tools.rackonly.com


Generated from my Apple iPad using tools.rackonly.com


Also, I tried his hardtop on my car and now I NEED ONE!!



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Generated from my Apple iPad using tools.rackonly.com



Generated from my Apple iPad using tools.rackonly.com

[Cliff J]

So I bought a hardtop already lol



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Generated from my Apple iPhone using tools.rackonly.com

[Cliff J]

I finally sorted out the cataracts on my cars backside lol
As you can see, my inner boot lights were more white than red! Like a beautiful Matt pink!



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I bought a set of £40 depos and they fit as good as OEM, matching up with my rear LED facelift lights perfectly.



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Generated from my Apple iPad using tools.rackonly.com


Generated from my Apple iPad using tools.rackonly.com


I also dealt with an issue that has bugged the life out me because I couldn’t sort the problem out. No reverse sensors working, no sound, no clicking, no anything.

I bought a set of aftermarket reverse sensors off eBay, removed the OEM sensors and wiring and coiled it in the boot and fitted the new bits, including bleeps, plus a visual monitor if you like that kind of thing.
I’ll get better photos soon....


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The complete kit with 4 x sensors cost approx £10

[Cliff J]

I almost forgot, a mod so subtle it nearly escaped me.....


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Silver indicator bulbs!!!

[anonymous-user]

Your car looks absolutely amazing. I´m not a convertible guy but yours makes me wanna get one.

[Cliff J]

Bernie Sanders said:

Your car looks absolutely amazing. I´m not a convertible guy but yours makes me wanna get one.

Thank you kindly. Admittedly I was starting to question whether I should have bought a Coupe, but since the addition of the hardtop I definitely feel like that has been put to bed.


BMW E46 M3 CONVERTIBLE HARDTOP IN CARBON BLACK by Cliff Judson, on Flickr

BMW E46 M3 CONVERTIBLE HARDTOP IN CARBON BLACK by Cliff Judson, on Flickr

NEW HARDTOP 66 by Cliff Judson, on Flickr

[SiT]

Looking amazing Cliff cant be much more on the mod list?? It looks stunning as it is!

Si

[Cliff J]

SiT said:

Looking amazing Cliff cant be much more on the mod list?? It looks stunning as it is!

Si

Thank you, you're very kind. The mod list is still there, including Eurostyle exhaust tips, coilovers, big brake kit, loads of little bits too, but the other list is much longer, including: dents/dings removal, front end respray, new windscreen, 4 x better quality tyres, arch rolling, replacement satnav/stereo, steering wheel retrim, new mats..... it goes on and on

[Cliff J]

Very nice, I wish i’d bought a lighter colour car, the upkeep on carbon black is a mission!

[2wheelsjimmy]

Beautiful car. The stance is perfect.

[Mo28]

What is it like in terms of day to day running costs

[kin quick]

Hi Cliff,

The car is looking awesome, love the square setup!

Remember me??

20171231_113033 by ROSS HALSEY, on Flickr

Ross

[Cliff J]

2wheelsjimmy said:

Beautiful car. The stance is perfect.

Thank you, although I slightly disagree and it will be changing very soon.

[Cliff J]

Mo28 said:

What is it like in terms of day to day running costs

Well that’s pretty hard to gauge, you see on one hand, I drive it maybe 3 days a week, can see 31mpg on a long run, or 18 round town.
On the other hand, this car is so aggressive and fun, I tend to drive it harder than a daily driver probably would.
I get out of my company Skoda Octavia 1.6 diesel estate and into the M3... my heart starts racing and not long after a spirited drive I have shaking adrenaline hands struggling to put my key in my garage door lock !!!
Apart from fuel, parts are reasonable, except brake discs are ridiculously priced.

[Cliff J]

kin quick said:

Hi Cliff,

The car is looking awesome, love the square setup!

Remember me??

20171231_113033 by ROSS HALSEY, on Flickr

Ross

Hey Ross, of course mate, we’re destined to walk through life together

How you getting on with your M3?
Missing the Impreza life?

[kin quick]

Cliff J said:

Hey Ross, of course mate, we’re destined to walk through life together

How you getting on with your M3?
Missing the Impreza life?

I think you're right!

For a start I can't find any rattles.
It's a lovely car to cruise about in and then turns into a bit of an animal when you stab the throttle in sports mode, great fun!
I keep seeing James's pictures of my old Spec C on Facebook, I definitely miss it after almost 8 years but I'm still really happy with the M3 and glad I moved on after 15 years of Impreza's, although I seem to get quite a few looks and smiles in the really low key colour!
Fancy taking it on the odd trackday but it's a bit scary just thinking of corners, grass and barriers, plus I get vertigo so spinning round in circles wouldn't do me much good

Hope you carry on enjoying your's, you never know our paths may cross at some point!

[Cliff J]

So today, I took on a challenge of fitting my new Eurostyle tips, bought in the Group buy, with thanks to M3cutters member NVUM3
It shouldn't have been that hard, but I found it not as easy as suggested, possibly due to substandard tools, probably also my lack of patience

This is the before shot:

Untitled by Cliff Judson, on Flickr


Step 1: I removed the rear bumper for better access to the top rivets

Untitled by Cliff Judson, on Flickr



Step 2: I tried to drill out the rivets but my drill bits kept breaking and they generally were not up to the job... So I used my angle grinder to take off the heads of the rivets..
I will be throwing away my old tips, I don't suggest this if you intend to keep them or sell on...



Untitled by Cliff Judson, on Flickr



Step 3: once all of the rivet heads had been removed, I used a small screw driver and hammer to knock out the final part of the rivet, removed the old tips with brute force and this is where I got to...

Untitled by Cliff Judson, on Flickr



Step 4: 4mm pop rivets used and riveted on..... 3 per tip.

Untitled by Cliff Judson, on Flickr
Untitled by Cliff Judson, on Flickr


Step 5: Admire and take photos after bumper refitted....

Untitled by Cliff Judson, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/23gBBBm]
[/url] Untitled by Cliff Judson, on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/HTLop5]
[/url] Untitled by Cliff Judson, on Flickr


and a comparison of before and after....

Untitled by Cliff Judson, on Flickr

[Cliff J]

HSD coilovers now fitted, using OEM length drop links

BEFORE:

BMW E46 M3 CONVERTIBLE SMGII by Cliff Judson, on Flickr


AFTER:


BMW E46 M3 CONVERTIBLE CARBON BLACK SMG by Cliff Judson, on Flickr


Further adjustment might happen, just standing back and looking right now.

This is a photo from last week...

Untitled by Cliff Judson, on Flickr

You can see the back was high.... the car had serious rake issues!!!

and today...

BMW E46 M3 CONVERTIBLE CARBON BLACK SMG by Cliff Judson, on Flickr


Here are a few more I took today...

BMW E46 M3 CONVERTIBLE CARBON BLACK SMG by Cliff Judson, on Flickr

BMW E46 M3 CONVERTIBLE CARBON BLACK SMG by Cliff Judson, on Flickr

BMW E46 M3 CONVERTIBLE CARBON BLACK SMG by Cliff Judson, on Flickr

BMW E46 M3 CONVERTIBLE CARBON BLACK SMG by Cliff Judson, on Flickr

BMW E46 M3 CONVERTIBLE CARBON BLACK SMG by Cliff Judson, on Flickr

Comments and feedback on the stance are very welcome, I'm contemplating going 10-15mm lower on the front?