UR R26R.5, VW Golf R
Having sold my previous M3 prematurely to pay off a loan or two, I thought I'd go back to old ground again, hopefully this time for a little while longer. Won't be to everyone's tastes, but nevertheless:
Quick spec of the car, as purchased:
Parts I've bought and fitted
One thing I was debating was whether to go for a big brake upgrade or simply stick to OEM and save over £800. I ended up going for the CSL upgrade which was new, larger discs and carriers whilst retaining the OEM calipers, I also bought a set of Performance Friction Z rated pads, Goodridge stainless hoses and Super Blue brake fluid which was fitted recently. Wasn't cheap at around £800 overall but a good saving on a BBK all the same.
I also contemplated whether Depo smoked front indicators were the way to go. At night, this thing looks fantastic parked up. However, during the day, I just can't put my finger on it. I think it might be that it looks a little "soft" with the smoked indicators. It's lost its aggressive, rugged edge in a way. I hope you can see what I'm trying to get across from the first few images, prior to me removing them. Don't get me wrong, it still looks great with them on, and honestly the pictures do not do this car justice - when I took it in to the local bodyshop to get a quote on spraying the CSL diffuser and kidney grills, the lad was surprised at how well the front end has coped with stone chips, as there's a distinct lack of them. One thing that does need rectified, however, is the drivers side wing mirror mount - it's suffered the common aluminium oxidisation and started to bubble up. Sadly this isn't covered by BMW's anti-corrosion warranty, so I'll have to get that sorted myself. But sort it I will.
I also had a couple of tiny - like pin sized - dings taken out of the door and rear quarter panel. The chap from the dent removal company said it was like trying to get into Fort Knox trying to manoeuvre through the crash barriers that line the inside of the M3's skin; "Bloody hell. It's well protected this thing, eh?"
I took the car to my local BMW Dealer for a once over, and for them to check the subframe. Darren Woods checked it in 2012 and then Redish had a look in 2013; both found no crack. The guy at Lloyds raised the car up and then took me through for a look at the underside and to talk through where the problems would be. Thankfully it was perfect. Not a mark or problem at all, he said. Most of the components and items were still M3 stamped and it was really clean. It's still under warranty for the subframe until May 2015, but still nice knowing it was in such great condition.
Anyway, like I say, work in progress but the later pictures show I'm almost there!
Pictures Prior to Mods
Pictures as she is now
Think that's me done. Originally wanted a CSL bootlid over anything else, but now I think I'll leave it.
Comments welcome
Quick spec of the car, as purchased:
- 2005 Silver Grey
- 48k
- SMG II
- Sat Nav, Digital TV, Bluetooth HFT
- Full Black Nappa Heated Leather
- Electric Memory Seats
- Parking Sensors
- Folding Heated Mirrors
- Outer Skin Protection
- CSL Alloys
- OEM 19's
- FBMWSH and Inspection II by Redish
Parts I've bought and fitted
- Depo Smoked Front Indicators and Silver Bulbs (since removed)
- Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta 265 Rears, Vredestein Vorti 235 Fronts
- 12mm Hubcentric Rear Spacers
- 15mm Hubcentric Front Spacers (since removed)
- 12mm Hubcentric Front Spacers
- BM54 Stage 2 Upgrade
- Intravee II
- Alpine KCA-420i
- BC-R Coilovers
- CSL Style Diffuser (Don't like. Selling)
- Matt Black Kidney Grills (colour coded outers)
- Exhaust Clamp Upgrade
- Exhaust Euro Tips
- CSL 345mm Brake Discs
- CSL Brake Carriers
- Performance Friction Z rated pads
- Goodridge Stainless Hoses front and rear
- Super Blue Brake Fluid
One thing I was debating was whether to go for a big brake upgrade or simply stick to OEM and save over £800. I ended up going for the CSL upgrade which was new, larger discs and carriers whilst retaining the OEM calipers, I also bought a set of Performance Friction Z rated pads, Goodridge stainless hoses and Super Blue brake fluid which was fitted recently. Wasn't cheap at around £800 overall but a good saving on a BBK all the same.
I also contemplated whether Depo smoked front indicators were the way to go. At night, this thing looks fantastic parked up. However, during the day, I just can't put my finger on it. I think it might be that it looks a little "soft" with the smoked indicators. It's lost its aggressive, rugged edge in a way. I hope you can see what I'm trying to get across from the first few images, prior to me removing them. Don't get me wrong, it still looks great with them on, and honestly the pictures do not do this car justice - when I took it in to the local bodyshop to get a quote on spraying the CSL diffuser and kidney grills, the lad was surprised at how well the front end has coped with stone chips, as there's a distinct lack of them. One thing that does need rectified, however, is the drivers side wing mirror mount - it's suffered the common aluminium oxidisation and started to bubble up. Sadly this isn't covered by BMW's anti-corrosion warranty, so I'll have to get that sorted myself. But sort it I will.
I also had a couple of tiny - like pin sized - dings taken out of the door and rear quarter panel. The chap from the dent removal company said it was like trying to get into Fort Knox trying to manoeuvre through the crash barriers that line the inside of the M3's skin; "Bloody hell. It's well protected this thing, eh?"
I took the car to my local BMW Dealer for a once over, and for them to check the subframe. Darren Woods checked it in 2012 and then Redish had a look in 2013; both found no crack. The guy at Lloyds raised the car up and then took me through for a look at the underside and to talk through where the problems would be. Thankfully it was perfect. Not a mark or problem at all, he said. Most of the components and items were still M3 stamped and it was really clean. It's still under warranty for the subframe until May 2015, but still nice knowing it was in such great condition.
Anyway, like I say, work in progress but the later pictures show I'm almost there!
Pictures Prior to Mods
Pictures as she is now
Think that's me done. Originally wanted a CSL bootlid over anything else, but now I think I'll leave it.
Comments welcome
