2002 E46 M3 // Build Thread
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Which trans oil did you use? I tried Redline MTL, Redline D4 ATF, Pentosin MTF-2 (supposedly OE spec fluid), and Bimmerworld’s recommendation Redline MT-LV. MT-LV was the best experience followed by Pentosin MTF-2 as a close 2nd.
Life gets better after removing the CDV
Sell me your F30
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Which trans oil did you use? I tried Redline MTL, Redline D4 ATF, Pentosin MTF-2 (supposedly OE spec fluid), and Bimmerworld’s recommendation Redline MT-LV. MT-LV was the best experience followed by Pentosin MTF-2 as a close 2nd.
Life gets better after removing the CDV
Sell me your F30
I ended up doing what I think is the wrong thing and used Redline ATF lol. It feels pretty good to me, but I’ll have to checkout the MT-LV next time i swap it.
Also if you’re seriously interested I’m ready to sell it! Doesn’t get driven enough to keep it, think I’ve driven it 3 times this year
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Titan trim sucks. Such cheap build quality it shouldn't have even been an option on these cars. Mine was peeling/bubbling on every panel like you see in the photo below. I took all the pieces out, sanded them down with 200/600 grit, then primered and re-painted. Took me two tries because for whatever reason, if you don't use primer, paint has a strange reaction to the bare material and it'll bubble instantly. I ended up using Dupli-color "Storm Gray", which I believe is a GM color. Closest match I could and honestly would be hard to tell the difference. Seems like factory has a bit more warmer hue to it, but even side-by-side it's really close. Also new trim clip pins are $5 a pop!?
Edit: I want aluminum trim
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Looks good!
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Took @B C advice and downloaded ECUWorx and modified my M3 a bit this afternoon. Most notably disabled top speed limiter, enabled shift lights (flashes all segments at 7.5k RPM) and re-calibrated the warmup light sequence to more reasonable temps that doesn't promote WOT at 140F on those poor RBs. Below is a before / after on what I changed. I wrote up a blog post on how to use the software step by step here if anyone is interested: https://www.pynacl.com/blog/tune-your-e46-m3-yourself. Thanks Brian for your work in discovering and learning to use this software!
Stock:
Final:
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Finally the day has come! Pulled the trigger on tackling the subframe reinforcement as preventative maintenance. This is a project far beyond my skill level, so thank you to Austin Nelson for all his help. Decided I might as well replace just about everything nearby while the subframe is out. Here's a breakdown of what is getting replaced:
- TMS Subframe reinforcement plates
- Revshift 80A subframe bushings
- Revshift 80A differential bushings
- TMS sealed monoball RTABs
- OE differential axle seals
- OE differential input shaft seal
- OE differential center support / bearing
- OE guibo
So far most of the rear end has been removed, making way for gasket/bushing/seal replacement. Still have yet to grind down the factory undercoating to get a good idea of current hairline cracks. A quick shot of the subframe post looks solid though, so fingers crossed everything looks great underneath the undercoating!
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Finally installed the Rogue Engineering stainless clutch line I've had on the shelf for months. Mainly did this to remove the clutch delay valve for a more responsive clutch feel. Job was messy as all hell but a power bleeder made the bleeding process a breeze. Took it for a test drive and it definitely feels more responsive. Not a night and day difference per say, but totally worth it. Frig I love this car
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Where might a great condition cinnamon interior be hiding? In a rebuilt title, dumpster of an M3 of course! Bought this 110k Imola on cinnamon E46 M3 yesterday to be a donor car. I'm swapping the cinnamon interior into my Steel Gray M3, then selling the car for a break even price to another for the motor/trans. Free cinnamon interior
Also found the car has a sweet Eisenmann exhaust setup. I'm donating it to @Rekpoint for all his help dismantling the interior and helping with the swap, everybody wins!
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Where might a great condition cinnamon interior be hiding? In a rebuilt title, dumpster of an M3 of course! Bought this 110k Imola on cinnamon E46 M3 yesterday to be a donor car. I'm swapping the cinnamon interior into my Steel Gray M3, then selling the car for a break even price to another for the motor/trans. Free cinnamon interior
Also found the car has a sweet Eismann exhaust setup. I'm donating it to @Rekpoint for all his help dismantling the interior and helping with the swap, everybody wins!
Let it be known we were able to install everything besides the front door panels in just about an hour. Pretty fast...
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Well that's pretty awesome
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The seats were REAL shiny. I tried hitting them with some Lexol leather cleaner and a microfiber and it didn't put a dent in it. I know it's a sin, but I VERY carefully used a magic eraser (with zero pressure applied) and Adam's interior detail as lubricant. I was careful to only buff off the oils/grease and not damage the protective "clear coat" layer. Hard to tell from photos, but they look night and day different.
edit: still need to swap the front door cards, just haven't had time yet
Before:
After:
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Looks great, its amusing that shiny seats look bad, but yet here we are!
The car you got them from was a sweet color combo! -
Looks great, its amusing that shiny seats look bad, but yet here we are!
The car you got them from was a sweet color combo!Haha right? We want everything else shiny, except for those!
Definitely agree the donor was a sweet spec. Unfortunately it has rear trunk floor and major quarter panel damage from the wreck so it’s just not worth saving. Although it was “rebuilt”, and you can’t tell from the outside, the quarter panel has major bondo and the trunk floor has signs it’s folded in before. Might make a cool drift car or something!
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Saved the door cards for last since they were going to be the most involved. The previous owner cut the door cards for some janky ass aftermarket speakers, and used what looks like wood glue and Joann Fabrics clearance shelf felt to put it back together. So it wasn't going to be as simple as swapping door cards. The good news is the damage was exclusively the door card, and not the cinnamon insert. I was able to use a 1/2" drill to drill out the 25 or so plastic welds holding the pieces together and get the cinnamon off in perfect shape. Now I just have to do this a few more times and swap all the panels, then use some very short self tappers/glue to re-secure them in my good condition door cards.
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did you get rid of the donor car yet?
If not, do you think the person buying it would be ok if I took a couple bits? My imola M3 needs a new passenger rocker panel and side mirror caps.
2011 E92 M3 6MT ZCP - ESS 625 supercharged
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2002 E46 M3
2021 X5 40i
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