BMW E46 M3

[Mr.Jimbo]

Yellow calipers imo look great against LSB Mark, that's why I went for Yellow D2s for mine. Pics on my thread on cutters if you want a look, but I went the extra step in getting yellow bilsteins to match

Those plain (i.e. non drilled) US spec brakes must be bloody awful for driving fast, even the Euro ones aren't great, I can feel those non drilled ones overheating just looking at them

Car looks great, if you ever think of selling the interior please give me a shout

[HM-2]

e46m3Mark said:

Apex look much like these. Also think I may have the AP brake callipers painted yellow?

Apex SM-10s are probably my absolute favourite wheels on an M-car.
I'd have put them on my M140i by now if they did them in correct offset.

[e46m3Mark]

scottos said:

That e21 sits incredible how did you find your e21's, you obviously like them but they always seemed to get criticised for their lack of handling compared to the 02's and the e30's, whats your view?

Plans for the e46 sound good, sounds like what im doing with the 2002, keep it a nice halfway house between road car and track car! On standard engines with Schrick cams and our modified heads alone we've been getting over 400hp on the m power 6's, plenty for an e46!

If honest, they look way better than they drive. I've had a fair few over the years and the best handling one was M42 powered, close ratio box, LSD, Gaz coilovers with 600lb / 240lb f/r springs and Whiteline ARB's. The best mod though, was when I finally persuaded Kyle Clinton to start making quick-rack as the stock rack are 4 turns between locks! Personally I think that was probably part of the reason so many E21 flew through hedges backwards when they were new. The steering was so bloody slow you didn't have a hope in hell of catching the bloody thing! Were I ever to buy another E21, the 2.5 turn quick-rack would be pretty much the first thing I did to it. They absolutely transform the way the E21 feel. They're still not the best handling car though, as the front suspension and ARB design is a bit strange, with how the ARB locates and allows all sorts of flex / geo changes on the limit. Sadly they just don't drive as nicely as 02's and E30's. I still love them though and I'd have that LSB car back in a heartbeat assuming it's as it was when I sold it? It was as near to being a brand new E21 as you could get. I just couldn't afford that and the E30 M3 at the time.

Mr.Jimbo said:

Yellow calipers imo look great against LSB Mark, that's why I went for Yellow D2s for mine. Pics on my thread on cutters if you want a look, but I went the extra step in getting yellow bilsteins to match

Those plain (i.e. non drilled) US spec brakes must be bloody awful for driving fast, even the Euro ones aren't great, I can feel those non drilled ones overheating just looking at them

Car looks great, if you ever think of selling the interior please give me a shout

I'm sure I've seen it whilst obsessively searching LSB cars. Defo an odd decision to go with non drilled discs in the US. You'd think they'd warp in no time?!

I can't see me selling the interior I'm afraid. I never really liked leather and it was one of the negatives on my 'Do I buy an E46 pros and cons' list. I'd never even seen the M cloth option till I went to view my car and with the air box, exhaust & 4:1 final drive it couldn't have been more perfect, hence my doing all the wrong things and snapping up the first car I viewed.

[e46m3Mark]

HM-2 said:

Apex SM-10s are probably my absolute favourite wheels on an M-car.
I'd have put them on my M140i by now if they did them in correct offset.

I'm surprised more UK E46 don't run them but I guess the ARC-8 are more like the CSL rims? I'm hoping the SM-10's will accentuate the width of the M3, especially at the rear.

I'm hoping to do some reviews for Apex Racing and have a video planned with one of the popular YouTube channels, with a driver who's way more talented than I am ever likely to be. I hear he likes going sideways? Anyway, am looking forward to that.

Am also looking forward to Deutschfest and getting on track at Brands Hatch. I love that circuit, although 'new job' allowing, I want to get to the Nurburgring this year. The last time I drove it I was in an Austin Montego Countryman (diesel turbo!) with 4 passengers and a set of Formula Opel wheels in the boot! What makes it worse is that it was still a current model at the time!

[Felix79]

e46m3Mark said:

I'm surprised more UK E46 don't run them but I guess the ARC-8 are more like the CSL rims? I'm hoping the SM-10's will accentuate the width of the M3, especially at the rear.

I'm hoping to do some reviews for Apex Racing and have a video planned with one of the popular YouTube channels, with a driver who's way more talented than I am ever likely to be. I hear he likes going sideways? Anyway, am looking forward to that.

Am also looking forward to Deutschfest and getting on track at Brands Hatch. I love that circuit, although 'new job' allowing, I want to get to the Nurburgring this year. The last time I drove it I was in an Austin Montego Countryman (diesel turbo!) with 4 passengers and a set of Formula Opel wheels in the boot! What makes it worse is that it was still a current model at the time!

Deutschfest , is that the one at Castle Combe in July? Back in the late 00's I use to go to a lot of German/BMW car shows , but I've not been able to find any shows bar the Castle Combe one.

When I had my Impreza P1, I would go to things like Japfest, which is one of the most packed shows I've been too. I'm hoping there is something like that for German cars, as I'm now driving a Z4M.

[e46m3Mark]

Felix79 said:

Deutschfest , is that the one at Castle Combe in July? Back in the late 00's I use to go to a lot of German/BMW car shows , but I've not been able to find any shows bar the Castle Combe one.

When I had my Impreza P1, I would go to things like Japfest, which is one of the most packed shows I've been too. I'm hoping there is something like that for German cars, as I'm now driving a Z4M.

https://www.deutschefest.co.uk/latest-news/take-to-the-track-in-your-german-car-at-brands-hatch-deutsche-fest/

[e46m3Mark]

Well I tried. I really really did give it my best shot.

The E46 M3 has gone back to the guy I bought it from. Much as I liked it, it just wasn't me. It was just too modern and the performance too much to enjoy safely and without risking my licence.

Instead I'm going to do what any sensible person would do and travel 2300 miles to buy another old BMW.

[Butter Face]

That’s a shame after all the stuff you’ve done with it mate but if it’s not right it’s not right!

Is that a 2002? Lovely car.

[helix402]

If you like the older cars, you like the older cars! I used to find the 02s dated when I worked on them, but I think I’m a tad younger than you.

My bread and butter BMWs were the E30 and 46, hence I have an E46 now. Hope the new car brings you joy!

[Nunga]

Shame you didn't get on with it, but the replacement looks very good! Any details?

[amc_adam]

e46m3Mark said:

Well I tried. I really really did give it my best shot.

The E46 M3 has gone back to the guy I bought it from. Much as I liked it, it just wasn't me. It was just too modern and the performance too much to enjoy safely and without risking my licence.

Instead I'm going to do what any sensible person would do and travel 2300 miles to buy another old BMW.

Ah that's a shame! well, at least the previous owner has a pretty well kitted out M3 now! Looking forward to the next build thread, and a good read on the road trip to purchase it