Dream Car E46 M3

[lewisredfern001]

So, since as far as i can remember i have always lusted after one of these, my realistic dream car. I had for the last 3 years said, next year i'll get one, but this never materialised.....until 2 days ago.

Now its not the best example but with a recent house move and new family car purchase this fell into budget (CHEAP).

Spec -

2001 - so an early one
Steel Grey
Convertible
Manual
Black Leather
157k miles -Full Service history upto 117k (inspection2 completed) stamped by BMW and Specialists - self services after, documented
4 previous owners

Parts all renewed in the last 18 months:
Driveshafts
Rear springs
Steering Rack
Clutch
All Rear Bushes
Wheels all Refurbed
Michelin Pilot Sports all round
Badges all round incl wheels
side grilles
wiper arms and scuttle panels
alternator and battery
Terra Clean
light lenses
6000k bulbs
Aftermarket SatNav - full steering control, bluetooth, reverse camera

The guy i got it from has had it for 6 years and whilst spent money maintaining it, didn't really like cleaning it!

Initial Plans are:
Inspection 2 service - including Valve clearances
Drivers Wing mirror paint
Detailing session
New Mats
alcantara gaiters
Clubsport gearknob

Future Plans:
LED Rear lights
Discs all round - all have a slight lip
Exhaust modified and additional of some tail pipe tips
Exhaust clamp mod
Brake lines - rusty pipe on the rear

Ive joined M3cutters and I've spent a lot of time reading up over the years so know about all the potential problems, no obvious signs of subframe cracks, but I'm yet to even drive it as I've not insured it! This may have to wait due to hectic work schedule

What could go wrong......

 

[imprezaworks]

Looks great

 

[lewisredfern001]

More pics to come when I actually get to spend some time with it!

 

[Ian_182]

Glad you kept waiting for the car you wanted. Fair play.

 

[peedee]

I'm seriously considering one of these next. very nice mate.

 

[paddymph]

Nice. More pics!

 

[Cookie]

Welcome to the club \o

 

[CrippsCorner]

Realistic dream car for me too well, one of these or an Evo 9! Keep changing my mind lol. Looks lush mate, looking forwards to better pictures.

 

[182Trophy]

Great job! Do these go well? I hear mixed opinions but with 340bhp can't see how they wouldn't be quick.

 

[leeds_182]

Never reallY floated my boat these but glad you're happy with it.

 

[Bluebeard]

I had one and it lasted about 4 days. Great cars but you have to be doing stupid speeds to really enjoy it. And I quite like my license.

 

[lewisredfern001]

Working nights for the next 2 so hoping to spend some time on it on my days off.

Ordered -
Clubsport gearknob
Alcantara gaiters
Oil Level sensor - The yellow oil level light stays on for approx. 10 secs and the temp gauge doesn't work
Gliptone leather cleaner and condition

I have a friend who works for BMW so hoping to get a good price on inspection 2 service kit tomorrow

Things to note - No Harmon Kardon, No Original SatNav but does have an aftermarket one fitted (originally it was specced with sat nav as the drive is still in the boot - unsure what to do with this), no autofold mirrors and rear view mirror is goosed so will be replacing the glass.

More to come this week. Cant quite believe its as old as it is, but still very happy, lets hope I can get all the above completed and it still owe me Sub £4k

 

[Mr Plums]

It cost you less than 4k for that?

Looking forward to some more pics, I like these, I was looking at them quite a while back now.

 

[Bluebeard]

Lol!! That's a proper cheap car.

 

[lewisredfern001]

Just ordered some power flex black series rear trailing arm bushes as just been underneath to check subframe and they look a tiny bit perished. Slippery slope as although they've been done I can help but want to poly bush the lot!

Can't see too much of the subframe mounts so gonna get it on a ramp this week.

 

[Herr Flick]

Just ordered some power flex black series rear trailing arm bushes as just been underneath to check subframe and they look a tiny bit perished. Slippery slope as although they've been done I can help but want to poly bush the lot!

Can't see too much of the subframe mounts so gonna get it on a ramp this week.

It's quite hard to see even up on a ramp.

 

[ColinG]

That's a bargain at £4k!

I loved my old e46 M3 cab, ballin'!

 

[lewisredfern001]

So ive spent a bit of time on ///M

N/S bearing and upper and lower arm bushes plus Trailing arm bush changed for Powerflex Black series – I have proof of them all being done in 2013 but as it was apart they got refreshed - What a great job that was on the drive.

Next up was some cleaning of the rear plate recess as it had about 8 sticky pads on it – the boot switch isn’t working currently so that’s on the list of things to do – bit of corrosion found in the rear number plate lights so may renew the loom.

Interior parts turned up so have renewed gaitors and gearknob for alcantara and a clubsport gearknob.

Here are some pics to show interior after drivers has been hovered, wheels and current paint condition, shall give it a clean and assess it properly this week but I have a few scratches, which may require paint. Im handy with a polisher so I’ll see how it comes up after a going over with that.

My friend works for BMW so had him price up some parts (none of which have been ordered yet) and check recalls. Looks like it’s due its airbag recall, Conrod bearing recall has been completed.

Inspection 2 service kit is very well priced
Also in there is vanos filter, new ///M3 badge, new key, new mats and discs

Also looks like it does have Harman Kardon, not really tested the speakers but it doesnt sound too great

 

[Bluebeard]

E46 (or any BMW of that era) have utterly useless audio systems, HK upgrade or not.

 

[CrippsCorner]

f**k! Bargain mate.

 

[lewisredfern001]

First drive this morning in the M all 16 miles of it.
The Gearstick made it not as I would have liked, the bushing is worn meaning I have some vertical play so moving through gears at pace wasnt really an option - these will be ordered tomorrow.

From cold it was a bit lumpy, coupled with the gearstick saga it was an interesting drive for me at 0600 through town roads to get to the motorway junction I needed, (all I could think coming from my family an auto Mercedes) was that I should have gone with SMG!!

I've read about the lights going out on the rev gauge giving an indication for when 'its ready' to have the balls kicked out of it, so that being adhered to.

It really does shift for such a big car, engine sounds sweet and the rasp from the exhaust is nice, its exactly as it thought it would be. You don't get a kick in the back quick like an evo or similar as it really needs to be up in the rev range to get the real feel for the power.

I love the way it looks, bulging all over the place, arches, bumpers and bonnet make it look so aggressive, plus I love the 19's, I don't know why people like the 18's but I suppose it personal preference, Maybe because racecar? Its yet to be cleaned externally since I've had it so that's on the list this week along with gearstick bushes then I can really get some miles on it.

 

[Mr Plums]

Yours has the 18's doesnt it?

 

[lewisredfern001]

No mate, diamond cut 19's

 

[lewisredfern001]

So have put a few miles on this now, approx 85 to the £25 worth of fuel I put in it yesterday!
Been perfect weather today for some roof down action and a really really quick fairy liquid clean.

[URL=http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/lewisredfern001/media/62C5BDCE-DC00-4EE7-921D-4B28ECC357CD_zpsbko8w5xq.jpg.html]
Love how pictures make it look quite tidy, in reality it’s got a key scratch on most panels, yet to see if they will wet sand out.
Hanging with some friends at BMW – collected the bush for the worn gearstick, yet to be fitted.
[URL=http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/lewisredfern001/media/6B2CADF0-26FB-487B-A6F9-6AEC49852954_zps8ocdkcly.jpg.html]
[URL=http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/lewisredfern001/media/66e0eee6-ca5b-4cfc-adc0-5deda59f7198_zpswhtuoi6d.jpg.html]


Went to my local specialists to have a chat about the car as I have a couple of issues, firstly the noise of the engine, Injectors ticking and generally loud – he said there are no noises which are of concern, and that it didn’t even sound like the valve adjustments were a definite in needing doing, he has quoted me a good price for an inspection 2 with me supplying parts and he will be carrying out valve adjustment – they were done 30k ago.[/URL][/URL][/URL]

 

[yeecup]

You washed it with fairy liquid......:weary:

 

[lewisredfern001]

all my detailing gear is a few miles away and i didn't have much time, was that or some lynx africa!!!

full service this week including diff fluid, took it on an A road blast yesterday and it really does get a shift on, I've secured a modified back box this week so that should be on by the end of the week

 

[Cookie]

First drive this morning in the M all 16 miles of it.
The Gearstick made it not as I would have liked, the bushing is worn meaning I have some vertical play so moving through gears at pace wasnt really an option - these will be ordered tomorrow.

From cold it was a bit lumpy, coupled with the gearstick saga it was an interesting drive for me at 0600 through town roads to get to the motorway junction I needed, (all I could think coming from my family an auto Mercedes) was that I should have gone with SMG!!

I've read about the lights going out on the rev gauge giving an indication for when 'its ready' to have the balls kicked out of it, so that being adhered to.

It really does shift for such a big car, engine sounds sweet and the rasp from the exhaust is nice, its exactly as it thought it would be. You don't get a kick in the back quick like an evo or similar as it really needs to be up in the rev range to get the real feel for the power.

I love the way it looks, bulging all over the place, arches, bumpers and bonnet make it look so aggressive, plus I love the 19's, I don't know why people like the 18's but I suppose it personal preference, Maybe because racecar? Its yet to be cleaned externally since I've had it so that's on the list this week along with gearstick bushes then I can really get some miles on it.

They are all lumpy when cold tbh
Lights going out on the rev gauge are (as standard) an indication of the water temperature being where it needs to be. Should also have the oil temperature in one of the gauges below it, I'd pay more attention to that for when to kick the f**k out of it.

 

[lewisredfern001]

i hate the lumpiness, just leave it to idle a bit before warming up and its ok.

i did notice the lights go out pretty quick, makes sense being water temp.

my oil temp sensor is defective at the moment, its on the list of things to change along with the service. Ive also changed the gearstick bush which was worn, selecting gears is as it should be now.

 

[Ali]

A lot of car for the money... But also a lot of bills if you buy a lemon.

 

[lewisredfern001]

It would appear to be well maintained, the only downside is the paint. It's spent 4 years living on a main road hence the key scratches.
I'm spending a certain amount of money on it to get it how I want then I'd still have to spend about £1500-2000 to be out of pocket I reckon

 

[Ali]

Good cars and with basic mods capable of sub 8mins around the ring.

 

[CrippsCorner]

I don't usually like convertibles but that look []D[][]V[][]D[][]\[] on your driveway!

 

[C l a r k e y]

Had mine for 9 years and loved it. takes some getting used to when cold especially with the SMG box.
Put a smile on my face every time I drove it, even the wife got to love it

 

[lewisredfern001]

put a couple of hundred more miles on it since wed. 160 miles on half a tank, 120 have been motorway and the other have been a A road blasts and some town driving. Really puts a smile on my face, and I do like the look but really not getting on with it being a convertible when im actually in it.

I Carried out a service myself on Thursday, All filters, oil and plugs and new temp sensor. Diff oil and additive are due this week from opie oils but they're currently out of stock. It feels so much better for the oil and plug change, so much smoother, and a massive difference in cold running, I have also cleaned the MAF and fitted the £7 B&Q air box cold feed mod.

After getting to know a car a few issues have come to light and the below work will cover them, along with some further maintenance I want to carry out

CDV remove
rear boot lock only works from key - not the boot switch
Pass door handle cable needs securing - causing the door to be difficult to open from outside
traction control light is on permanently - possible needs wheel position sensor calibrating/Renewing - needs to purchase INPA and a cable
airbag light is on - its due airbag recall so BMW shall have it in a couple of weeks and they can give it a health check

Coolant/Brake fluid change
valve clearances
Diff oil

Wet sand some scratches
wheel refurb on 1 wheel

Then hopefully it will leave me with a completely trouble free M3! The above work will be done as and when I get any free time but the daily is due MOT and some tyres this week so the M shall probably be parked up for a week or so.