My new BMW M3 SMG
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Paul_M3

Original Poster:

2,530 posts

213 months

Saturday 18th April 2009
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Hi guys,

Bought this last Saturday, and today I gave it a clean and took it to a nearby country lane for some pics.

It's Silver Grey, Black leather, SMG, Sat Nav, Digital TV, HK Stereo, Heated seats, and Bluetooth.

I've done a couple of quick mods to it already. I've changed the front indicator bulbs for silver ones, and installed an Intravee II so I can access my ipod via the standard stereo controls.

I've extremely happy with it, and hope you like the pics.











Lil' Joe

1,548 posts

214 months

Saturday 18th April 2009
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Looks like a minter mate. Congratulations. smile

Ecurie Ecosse

4,812 posts

246 months

Sunday 19th April 2009
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That looks fantastic. Lucky you!

Martin_Hx

4,023 posts

226 months

Sunday 19th April 2009
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Ecurie Ecosse said:
That looks fantastic. Lucky you!
Defiantly biggrin


Flanders.

6,435 posts

236 months

Sunday 19th April 2009
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I'm not jealous in the slightest....

skylinecrazy

13,986 posts

222 months

Sunday 19th April 2009
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Ooh that looks gorgeous cloud9

SXi Lad

2,964 posts

217 months

Sunday 19th April 2009
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Great colour

Paul_M3

Original Poster:

2,530 posts

213 months

Monday 18th May 2009
quotequote all
Just completed a little mod I've wanted to do since I got the car.

As much as I think BMW are generally spot on when it comes to engineering, I think they missed a trick with the SMG pedals.
They should have fitted a bigger brake pedal like Auto's have, so that people can left foot brake if they so wish.

Therefore I decided I needed to do something about it. smile

I remembered seeing some pedals in Demon Tweeks ages ago, that had a big pedal with lots of holes in it. (For mounting options). After a bit of searching I found what I was thinking of. The big pedal is actually supposed to be an accelerator pedal:




It was bolted in position with plates behind to spread the load. Then just a quick test to see if the desired effect was achieved. Yep, I can have my left leg in a normal position, and left foot brake:



Final step was obviously just to fit the accelerator pedal. (Using self tapping screws, as the bolts were too awkward due to the plastic grid on the rear of the bmw pedal.



In conclusion, I'm happy with my cheap pedal mod.

They're not the best looking pedals in the world, but they certainly don't look bad in the flesh. I was going to paint them black, but thought it would rub off and up up looking even worse. (And this is a case of function over form anyway wink )


Edited by Paul_M3 on Saturday 28th May 08:58

gj88

1,961 posts

222 months

Monday 18th May 2009
quotequote all
I like the pedal modification. I think it would look better if you were to spray them black although in time it would wear off. But as you say they're function over form.

Lovely car by the way!

Paul_M3

Original Poster:

2,530 posts

213 months

Monday 18th May 2009
quotequote all
gj88 said:
I like the pedal modification. I think it would look better if you were to spray them black although in time it would wear off. But as you say they're function over form.

Lovely car by the way!
I had exactly the same thought. Black would look better initially, but terrible once it was worn through in places.

Pui

112 posts

212 months

Monday 18th May 2009
quotequote all
Might want to consider getting some rubber bungs for the pedal holes as they might be a bit slippery when wet.

S3_Graham

12,835 posts

227 months

Monday 18th May 2009
quotequote all
Pui said:
Might want to consider getting some rubber bungs for the pedal holes as they might be a bit slippery when wet.
IIRC its an MOT fail to NOT have rubber bits due to that exact reason!

Paul_M3

Original Poster:

2,530 posts

213 months

Monday 18th May 2009
quotequote all
Pui said:
Might want to consider getting some rubber bungs for the pedal holes as they might be a bit slippery when wet.
Its a very rough surface, not shiny like most aftermarket pedals.

It rained here earlier, and grip was fine.



sjj84

2,396 posts

247 months

Monday 18th May 2009
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Where did you get the indicator bulbs and intravee from mate? Picking my M3 up later this week and want to do both to it.
Cheers
Simon

AndyBe

6,916 posts

235 months

Monday 18th May 2009
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I thought at first you were making it easier to heel & toe. But it's an auto.

dfen5

2,398 posts

240 months

Monday 18th May 2009
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I'd be worried about that brake pedal. If it wasn't designed for the purpose when it comes to brakes, I wouldn't use it.

Lovely looking motor tho'.

Paul_M3

Original Poster:

2,530 posts

213 months

Tuesday 19th May 2009
quotequote all
sjj84 said:
Where did you get the indicator bulbs and intravee from mate? Picking my M3 up later this week and want to do both to it.
Cheers
Simon
I got the Intravee from http://www.toysinyourcar.com.

The bulbs were just from ebay.

AndyBe said:
I thought at first you were making it easier to heel & toe. But it's an auto.
banghead I'm not even going to bother.....

dfen5 said:
I'd be worried about that brake pedal. If it wasn't designed for the purpose when it comes to brakes, I wouldn't use it.
What's to worry about? Its a thick piece of metal, securely fastened to the brake pedal. It'll be fine. wink

dfen5

2,398 posts

240 months

Tuesday 19th May 2009
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Paul_M3 said:
What's to worry about? Its a thick piece of metal, securely fastened to the brake pedal. It'll be fine. wink
Looks like it's cast metal which is quite brittle and its offset position is creating a twisting effect on the pedal. As you'll be using your right foot when you really want to stop I guess the pressure will then be in the right place anyway.

Paul_M3

Original Poster:

2,530 posts

213 months

Tuesday 19th May 2009
quotequote all
dfen5 said:
Paul_M3 said:
What's to worry about? Its a thick piece of metal, securely fastened to the brake pedal. It'll be fine. wink
Looks like it's cast metal which is quite brittle and its offset position is creating a twisting effect on the pedal. As you'll be using your right foot when you really want to stop I guess the pressure will then be in the right place anyway.
Yeah, it's almost certainly grey cast iron.

I did consider the aspects you are talking about, and decided that given the forces involved etc that it should be ok.

Funnily enough I've just finished a failure analysis of a grey cast iron valve yoke from work as part of my part time engineering degree.

AndyBe

6,916 posts

235 months

Tuesday 19th May 2009
quotequote all
Paul_M3 said:
AndyBe said:
I thought at first you were making it easier to heel & toe. But it's an auto.
banghead I'm not even going to bother.....
Aaah - I see - SMG !

getmecoat