Finally. I bought an ///M3.

[Sir_Dave]

This just turned up:

BMC panel air filter, 1k use, £12 delivered. Probably less than a standard one from BMW lol ...

 

[Padso]

It might be worthwhile getting your shims adjusted while the head gasket is being done?

 

[Sir_Dave]

It might be worthwhile getting your shims adjusted while the head gasket is being done?

Yup, they're being checked as well

Going to do the pollen/fuel filter and gearbox/diff/brake fluid when i get it back as well, so it will have essentially had an inspection2.

 

[Englebert]

You should be searching every scrappy for a damaged CSL so you can nick the Alpha N and airbox. Seriously though, worth signing up on the CSL register so you can keep an eye out on the for sale section, as well as searching eBay daily

 

[Christopher]

Does the CSL setup just bolt straight on, Rob?

 

[Englebert]

Well, i don't think it is easy but its not over complicated. It is effectively just switching parts, but the car will certainly need ECU work as you lose the MAF sensor. Otherwise, you would go for the Alpha N (the CSL has this ECU as standard). Tuners like Evolve can do it easily though.

Some clues to the installation are here.
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=359984
http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=189216

 

[Silent_Scone]

 

[Sir_Dave]

Evolve do their own version now for 3 grand: http://evolveautomotive.com/engine-ecu_656/csl-carbon-airbox_693/

Om nom nom nom, Bwaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrpppppppppppp

 

[Silent_Scone]

I'm sure Reverie had their own one which was tinkered too, think it was a one off for a customer

 

[Englebert]

Reverie i'm sure would have an airbox that fits, but they do nothing to do with mapping. Just ordered a new airbox for the NSX from them, £5k!

That evolve kit looks great, still not a cheap mod though! Doesn't really explain if any of it is fitted or not...

 

[hughesclio]

Yeah was m thriller who had mine done for me, what a helpfully bloke he is and he couldn't do enough for me, dropped me off and picked me up from the train station.
I hope you get it back soon all fixed, will be worth the wait

 

[Padso]

Yup, they're being checked as well

Going to do the pollen/fuel filter and gearbox/diff/brake fluid when i get it back as well, so it will have essentially had an inspection2.

Theres a tutorial on M3 Cutters for the gearbox and diff fluid changes. Its a pig of a job though trying to squeeze in the diff fluid so try to find a pump for the job or a piece of hose you can blow the fluid through into the filler hole.

 

[Gray]

The noise of the CSL airbox. OMG

 

[JamieG]

The company my dad works for (GSR - Geoff Steel Racing) have a cast for a copy CSL airbox, so can get them built out of CF for you

I can forward you them there details, if you want - much cheaper than the real mccoy. They can arrange the re-map too.

 

[Keith185]

Gorgeous car

Hope all gets sorted soon Dave

 

[Scoot]

Whilst the CSL airbox is ridicolously expensive if you were to buy one and fit it I can almost gaurentee you would sell it for what you paid for... Think of it as an investment! There are a few on M3cutters who have it fitted now dave... Paul46 being one of them and he wrote a fantastic review on it.

http://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/showthread.php?t=38603&highlight=evolve+airbox

 

[Sir_Dave]

Theres a tutorial on M3 Cutters for the gearbox and diff fluid changes. Its a pig of a job though trying to squeeze in the diff fluid so try to find a pump for the job or a piece of hose you can blow the fluid through into the filler hole.

Yeah, had a look at them! Does look like a bit of a pain, although i made up some bits & bobs (pump, etc) for when i did the Haldex oil on Sarah's TT, so hopefully some of that stuff will be useful.

FYI guys, i wont be buying a CSL/Evolve/GSR airbox anytime soon lol. Plans for the car are to just make it mint, in a very much OEM+ style. In fact, i just put a deposit on these sexy things, probably spent more than if i simply bought some CSL reps, but hey, its not a CSL, its an M3. Even the tyres say so

 

[Englebert]

Sounds like a plan. Would probably take up Jamie on his offer if it was me though. Clearly GSR know what they are doing, so if there is a deal to be had...

Although as Scoot says, a genuine CSL item could be considered as an investment. It will will always be the best eye candy when opening the bonnet.

 

[Sir_Dave]

Sounds like a plan. Would probably take up Jamie on his offer if it was me though. Clearly GSR know what they are doing, so if there is a deal to be had...

I like a good deal

To be fair, their stuff isnt too badly priced anyways:

Carbon CSL airbox: http://www.geoffsteelracing.co.uk/parts/details/50
Carbon 'Normal' M3 airbox: http://www.geoffsteelracing.co.uk/parts/details/26
Carbon Roof Panel: http://www.geoffsteelracing.co.uk/parts/details/8

Rather amusingly, imho it also makes the 1*2 tuning parts look rather overpriced ... KW V2's are more expensive for the clio lol

 

[Silent_Scone]

clean wheel is clean

 

[Herr Flick]

When were those wheels last refurbed dave?

 

[Sir_Dave]

When were those wheels last refurbed dave?

3 weeks ago - back to diamond cut finish, cost £460 :S

 

[Šįk]

God I really want a e46 M3. Just a brilliant all rounder - just can't afford one ..well, I could but couldn't live a nice comfy lifestyle I do. Love the colour of yours dave. I like your idea with the wheels but I can't get over how much nicer it would look if u got the CSL style wheels instead (sorry) lovely motor really is nice.

How are you finding the running costs ATM? How much do u spend on warranty for the M3?

 

[LIL B]

I doubt the running costs are that bad after 4 days.

 

[Šįk]

Ahhhh yea I c. Should of read the whole thread 1st... - GAY!

 

[Sir_Dave]

Ahhhh yea I c. Should of read the whole thread 1st... - GAY!

Ha ha, no problem!! Should get it back this weekend hopefully ...

Can give you an idea of costs from my 4 days anyway lol:

• Insurance: £250 on top of the 330 for remaining 6 months of my policy. Will be about £750 at next renewal, so 50% more than a 330, or Trophy.
• Fuel: Was averaging 29mpg, thats with only 4 cylinders working as they should lol. I expect to get 30-31 overall - lots of mway though. Think i got through £100 of Tesco99 in the few days i had it
• Tax: £260 a year i think.
• Tyres: Kumho's are £130 a corner (front), £150 (rear) and get very good reviews. Vred's are a little more expensive. Conti's/Pilot Sports are roughly £60-£80 a corner more.
• Servicing/Repairs: If it breaks again i'll cry.

 

[hughesclio]

God I really want a e46 M3. Just a brilliant all rounder - just can't afford one ..well, I could but couldn't live a nice comfy lifestyle I do. Love the colour of yours dave. I like your idea with the wheels but I can't get over how much nicer it would look if u got the CSL style wheels instead (sorry) lovely motor really is nice.

How are you finding the running costs ATM? How much do u spend on warranty for the M3?

csl wheels are nice(i have them) but to be fair you cannot beat a mint set of polished oem's. if mine were not genuine csl's i would of definately changed for the original polished ones.

 

[Šįk]

Cheers lol il have ask in a few weeks time once uv had it back for a while. It's annoying as there so affordable to buy.. It's such a shame it broke within 4days. I'd defo have to look into warranty if I ever bought one. As if it broke I'd most likely be fooked. Great car, loved my cousins when he had his (convertible). Briefly drove it and enjoyed it alot! I always remember coming off a roundabout (when he took me out in it) 2nd, into 3rd and the power came in and felt brilliant through the revs - epic. Unfortunately he didn't have a good experience with his so he didn't use it much or have it long (bought a bad one ).

 

[hughesclio]

have you thought about getting it remapped dave? rs tuning did mine when i worked there and my fuel economy round town increased by about 3-4mpg and on a run between 70-90mph with the wife and son in the car i can get 35mpg which for the performance you get i think is very good

 

[Šįk]

have you thought about getting it remapped dave? rs tuning did mine when i worked there and my fuel economy round town increased by about 3-4mpg and on a run between 70-90mph with the wife and son in the car i can get 35mpg which for the performance you get i think is very good

^ :O impressive!

 

[Jamie86]

Only 260quid a year tax?

I need to buy some more stuff off you Dave so you can take me out in it when it's fixed!

 

[JamieG]

I like a good deal

To be fair, their stuff isnt too badly priced anyways:

Carbon CSL airbox: http://www.geoffsteelracing.co.uk/parts/details/50
Carbon 'Normal' M3 airbox: http://www.geoffsteelracing.co.uk/parts/details/26
Carbon Roof Panel: http://www.geoffsteelracing.co.uk/parts/details/8

Rather amusingly, imho it also makes the 1*2 tuning parts look rather overpriced ... KW V2's are more expensive for the clio lol

Give me a shout, if you do need anything - i'm sure they'd be more than willing to help you out.

 

[azrael]

Let me know if you find a csl rear diffuser on your travels Dave

 

[Sir_Dave]

have you thought about getting it remapped dave? rs tuning did mine when i worked there and my fuel economy round town increased by about 3-4mpg and on a run between 70-90mph with the wife and son in the car i can get 35mpg which for the performance you get i think is very good

Hadnt actually considered it tbh, do quite fancy doing the pikey B&Q intake mod though .... bit more mpg sounds great, although an extra 3mpg, at 20k miles a year, would take me 12 months to break even on (assuming the map is roughly £350) and lets be honest, i wont have it that long Still something to add to the list of wants though ...

I need to buy some more stuff off you Dave so you can take me out in it when it's fixed!

What are you after? Pm me. But yeah, im sure i could take you out for a quick spin. Hopefully not literally lol.

 

[Sir_Dave]

Not getting it back tomorrow now :dapprove:

Warranty company wont be inspecting it until Monday morning. Have had to tax the Trophy for 6 months - instead of SORN'ing it for winter.

Dave is not a happy bunny, & more to the point, £134.75 poorer than i should be. FFS.

 

[*Badger*]

<3 the M3, as a few have said its a great all rounder, as long as you get a good 'un with a warranty!
Its either an M3 or a 350z next for me... We'll see come the spring. Good write up Dave on the costings so far.

 

[Christopher]

Not getting it back tomorrow now :dapprove:

Warranty company wont be inspecting it until Monday morning. Have had to tax the Trophy for 6 months - instead of SORN'ing it for winter.

Dave is not a happy bunny, & more to the point, £134.75 poorer than i should be. FFS.

Sod taxing it for a day. Can you not get a lift or miraculously become ill?

 

[Sir_Dave]

Sod taxing it for a day. Can you not get a lift or miraculously become ill?

Wont get it back till next weekend now really, & i have a 90 mile daily commute to get to work ... in all seriousness, i'm blooming lucky to have a 2nd car, or i'd be buggered lol!! How amusing, having to use the French backup car as the German engineering has failed

 

[olliewebbuk]

How amusing, having to use the French backup car as the German engineering has failed

Standard tbh.

 

[chris_p]

Ha ha, no problem!! Should get it back this weekend hopefully ...

Can give you an idea of costs from my 4 days anyway lol:

• Insurance: £250 on top of the 330 for remaining 6 months of my policy. Will be about £750 at next renewal, so 50% more than a 330, or Trophy.
• Fuel: Was averaging 29mpg, thats with only 4 cylinders working as they should lol. I expect to get 30-31 overall - lots of mway though. Think i got through £100 of Tesco99 in the few days i had it
• Tax: £260 a year i think.
• Tyres: Kumho's are £130 a corner (front), £150 (rear) and get very good reviews. Vred's are a little more expensive. Conti's/Pilot Sports are roughly £60-£80 a corner more.
• Servicing/Repairs: If it breaks again i'll cry.

Kumhos are crap, had them on mine when I got it and was not impressed tbh. Fitted m3 contis and they completely changed the car, SO much better! The grip on the exit of a corner is phenomenal.

Vreds are good for a budget tyre though.