E46 M3 - Project/Ownership Thread.

[Pep]

Put some initial pictures up of the car when I got it last week, but thought I'd keep something updated with the work I've got planned for it.So far it's completely standard on 98500 miles and looks like this:

So far I've bought some tinted lenses and black front grill, not to everyones taste but the white ones look s**te and chrome doesn't belong on any car made after the 60's.

The car went in for a 'health check' this morning at my local specialist just to make sure there's no horror stories that I missed, that came back all clear so happy days there.

Next up is a pair of new rear tyres, a decent clean and some updated sat nav software. And retaxing!

Plans in a month or so is to get the leather redyed and freshened up, a decent clean all round and some more fun!

Long term is inspection 2 with brake fluid and coolant, upgraded sat nav unit, eibach sport lines and probably new tyres!

 

[kpowell911]

How much is insp 2 on these?

 

[Wick]

^ Interested in the above also....

 

[Pep]

How much is insp 2 on these?

Local specialist quoted me today for insp.2, brake fluid and coolant change £628. BMW Derby quoted just under £1200.

 

[Ed.innit]

Id get the intrax springs if I were you...

Not enough of a change on the Eibach springs IMO..

 

[len_beach]

My old E46 on Eibachs. I did think it needed to be a tad lower and the Intrax get good reviews.
http://www.cliosport.net/forum/showthread.php?518555-My-M3-CSLike&highlight=Cslike

 

[Pep]

Cheers for the info, not really looked into the springs yet as they'll have to wait until I swap my insurance over to someone mod friendly. So plan for now is get it looking and running as it should, then go down the route of looks and noise!

 

[Sam@NP]

18inch wheels, the gents choice.

 

[Ian_182]

That is crying out for some CSL rims.Look what they did to len-beach's car.Totally made it for me.

 

[Pep]

CSL's will come, but not for a while. As above I need to change insurance company on renewal before I can play with anything non standard. So until then I'll be loving the 18's.

 

[Padso]

BMW should be a lot cheaper than the quoted 1200. They sent owners a booklet a few months back offering reduced servicing on m3 and m5 models.

 

[Pep]

Apparently that was the offer!

 

[Christopher]

18inch wheels, the gents choice.

Yup. A rarity too.

 

[Rob]

Can't say I like it on the 18's sorry

Nice car though Joe, do you feel it's the better choice than the z4mr? Quite a contrast compared to what you were looking for.

CSL's yeah?

 

[andywa]

Love it mate. My dream car but with 3 kids it will have to wait.

 

[Pep]

Rob, yeah it's awesome! Decided that having the extra seats was a lot easier, plus a lot cheaper so I can keep more cash in the bank for a rainy day.
Move always wanted an M3, the z4 was just a passing fling!

 

[VeinAST]

Looking nice indeed. Look at an Andrive or Dynavin if upgrading, epic headunits!

 

[*Badger*]

Dynavin are good, really modernises the e46, but £700 isn't cheap. Over on M3cutters a guy upgrades the amps in the HK system and the difference is night and day, will do you an aux in too, and even RCA per-outs or Bluetooth if required! Another option is Intravee, but a full setup there is near on £300 and it'd still benefit from an amp upgrade after that. Sat Nav firmware and map upgrades can also be sought for little pennies too.

 

[hughesclio]

not had any experience with the intrax but the eibachs drop it enough to make it subtle and not like its owned by a bot racer.
mine has the eibachs on and sits nicely enough imo
manual ftw
this is how mine sits on them along with 15mm spacers alround

 

[Pep]

Looks good Hughes! Love the colour, best one available by far!

First mod was the Depo's. How anyone can say they aren't better is beyond me!!

From:

To:

\

Hopefully the black grills will arrive before the weekend.

Think I'll order 2 new rear tyres tonight too.

 

[Rob]

Those lenses look brilliant. Make such a difference.

When are the CSL's coming then? Don't worry about tyres

 

[chris_p]

Sorry, really don't like the smoked corners! It makes a very expensive car look cheap. All you need is clear bulbs on silver.

Oh god, I think I just did an Alan.

 

[Rob]

What have you been smoking?

It now just looks like the lights are all one light, rather than it's had a smash and someone's bought cheap indicators.

 

[DanielJames]

Smoked corners look better IMO, doesnt work with all colours but deffo does with silver!

 

[chris_p]

What have you been smoking?

It now just looks like the lights are all one light, rather than it's had a smash and someone's bought cheap indicators.

They don't though...more like an aftermarket headlight set off eBay.

Opium, but thats another story dear boy.

I do hate smoked depos with a passion, I bought some actually as I thought it may have been the photos that were deceptive, they were sold the next day!

 

[Pep]

Chris, they're OEM+

CSL's will be a while really Rob, got a few minor plans to get sorted first, then the inspection 2. Plus I don't want to get everything done on the car in a few months and then not have anything to buy! I like tweaking cars so can't do it all at once!

 

[VeinAST]

They don't though...more like an aftermarket headlight set off eBay.

Opium, but thats another story dear boy.

I do hate smoked depos with a passion, I bought some actually as I thought it may have been the photos that were deceptive, they were sold the next day!

After having some myself I do agree with this but I didn't have the headlight lenses, they do tie in the indicators alot.

 

[hughesclio]

I prefer the smoked indicators aswell especially if he's going with a black grill, the stock ones just look out of place IMO,
Dont go with csl's every man and his dog has them, possibly because they look so good. Maybe I'm just bored of them as I had a genuine set on my last m3 for three years.
Cant beat a set of nice polished 19" oems

 

[_Tom]

Smoked depos look alright on yours. On mine however they look
gash..

 

[chriscummins7]

Looks superb!!

I will be having one at some point.

 

[Englebert]

I think the depos look great, big improvement.

I'd urge you not to do the whole black grille thing though. It is a classic chav move on an M3, and cheapens the car IMO. You're just a cheap, badly spaced private plate away from owning a shed. It is a thin line, but relatively easy to get right!

 

[*Badger*]

Please consider what I suggested in your other thread. Get an E46 front grill from a 4-pot, they have a chrome outer but with black slats, I'll see if i can find a pic.

 

[Englebert]

Good tip!

That M3 also looks great on proper CSLs. The replicas must be different in some way as they don't look quite 'right'. A lot of them are in that gash shadow chrome too.

 

[Englebert]

Oh, and 3/4 plate FTW! Hate the bulky plinth.

 

[Christopher]

The normal grilles look great! Nice tip.

 

[Pep]

Really not a fan of any chrome though...will see what they look like fitted and go from there.

Englebert, does the plate holder just unscrew then? I don't really like the look of them to be honest.

 

[Sir_Dave]

As per *Badger* black grilles are only to be fitted by those who live in Bradford, when combined with shadow chrome CSL's and tintz.

4 cylinder grille is fine however.

 

[Porkie]

Dynavin are good, really modernises the e46, but £700 isn't cheap. Over on M3cutters a guy upgrades the amps in the HK system and the difference is night and day, will do you an aux in too, and even RCA per-outs or Bluetooth if required! Another option is Intravee, but a full setup there is near on £300 and it'd still benefit from an amp upgrade after that. Sat Nav firmware and map upgrades can also be sought for little pennies too.

I did the Intravee2 and thought it was bit poop to be honest. slow witted, annoying and little unreliable in its connection to an Ipod.

 

[Waitey]

Smoked depo's look gash.

The proper ones with a clear lense and black back plastic look far better and much more like oem lights.

 

[Waitey]