Rekpoints 05 E46 M3 Build Thread
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A tiny update, After testing a few times the mirror did not work. Found more info online and after swapping pin 2 to pin 7 on the mirror side it worked!
Oval mirror will be glued up and installed soon.
Also got a few goodies in the mail. Finally got my hands on a set of backordered M3 floormats from FCP along with the matching trunk mat.
Now if I ever ruin them I have a lifetime warranty. Also received a new hood vent, thermostat, VC gasket, some random hardware to install fog lights and a few other miscellaneous bits I needed.
I will say the new construction on the mats are piss poor. Here are my complaints if you guys care.
Not as plush and more stiff, M3 is now a PATCH and not embroidered in, no more purple in the M colors and the funniest part. The 3 in "M3" is the wrong font.
Cant wait to actually start working on this stuff in the spring.
Next to order, New tires, AB&C pillar fabric and some fresh RBF 600
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3/7/2022
Sitting here at 3am dreaming about driving this car again. Car is in cold storage and I hope I can be driving it by the end of March? Wishful thinking as there is still plenty of snow and tons of salt on the ground up north as of now...
I have decided that everything I did to the car back in December wasn't up to my standards. Here is a slight update/explanation and solutions of everything starting from the top...
The sweet new steering wheel had a weird gap between the M trim and leather that bugged the hell out of me. (I paid a decent amount for it so I wanted perfection) I proceeded to send it back to Germany to get a new one. Should be arriving there today. Then I should be getting an ETA on my new one.
I refinished the M trim on the wheel before the original wheel came. I didn't notice at the time but it was too blue.. I ordered a brand new M wheel trim from FCP euro. Should be arriving today.
The F80 knob retrofit turned out great and I loved the knob. But unfortunately when looking at the lightly used knob right next to the brand new steering wheel it just didn't look quite right. I decided that ordering a new F10 M5 knob would be the way to go. As I can just switch boot rings and not have to go though the extra effort as I did with the F80 knob. The F10 knob is still illuminated and I can retain that.
Oval mirror retrofit was awesome, gluing back the trim wasn't as easy as I thought. I purchased a new oval mirror from a guy that switched from the oval to the BMW assist mirror that I am taking out of the car back in 2008. So I got a perfect oval mirror that doesn't need glass replacement as of now for DIRT cheap. I have already performed the de-pin. I am keeping my replacement mirror for when I need to replace it in the future. Ill run it as is for now as I don't want to risk braking the housing again.
So now I need to re-install the new steering wheel when that comes in, install the F10 m5 shift knob and oval mirror. In addition to that stuff the section 2 and OEM muffler need to be removed and the Eisenmann Race + section 2 needs to be installed as @pynacl is wanting to sell the "Parts" car. So I need to remove the stuff I need before that leaves.
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So I need to remove the stuff I need before that leaves.
Yeah get yo ass out there and turn some bolts
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So a huge update as I am very behind with this thread. Eisenmann was removed from @pynacls parts car. Paid a shop down the road $300 to remove and re-install my welded section 2+muffler to the parts car. Only to find out the Eisenmann was sorta butchered up. Brackets were cut, rewelded to other places and was actually welded to the car on some places. Whoever "Rebuilt" that car was a total hack. I decided that I wasn't going to let such an expensive muffler go to waste. One email to Eisenmann and another to IND and I ordered a set of new stainless brackets that I will have my local machine shop weld to the muffler to make it usable again. at $90 shipped to my door. I couldn't say no still waiting on those..
In the meantime, @pynacllent me his stock muffler that I could pare up to the stock section 2. I installed both of those to prepare for the car to be pulled out on April 21st. Knowing I froze the 200TW Hankook RS4s, I was looking for a better option for more street driving then track driving. After consulting with @jgustyand @patsbimmer1I decided on a set of Michelin PS4s tires from non other then BLAINS FARM AND FLEET. Huge thanks to Pat as I got the set of new tires for $1003 installed utilizing their B3G1 sale. Name dropping Pat also included no fuck-ups to my wheels aswell, its hard to find good help around these parts as @KaiserRollsknows. Only problem with the new tires is that they rub on the fender liner when turning. I will let that self clearance.
Before pulling the car out I had to install my new Tanik wheel from Germany with no trim gap, a new steering wheel trim piece, the new rear view mirror, new floormats front and rear, new F10 m5 knob retrofitted to the E46 boot frame and finally a BLUEBUS. I scored 2 bluebusses, one for $300 and one on ebay for $200. Knowing they were still unavailable I was checking eBay one night to see how much the one I bought for $300 was going for. Only to find one listed for $200 that I purchased instantly. Ended up selling the $300 one for $420 on ebay. Scumbag decided to file a chargeback. So we will see what happens with that.
The BlueBus is fantastic, displays coolant temp, auto plays and displays music, tons of other options with it. LED displays RED when disconnected and GREEN when connected. Not to mention, it sounds fantastic. Truly an awesome open source device for the I-Bus equipped cars. Even plugged it in to my computer to rename it "M3" when connecting to it on Bluetooth. I still need to install the phone adaptor that goes to it as the M3 is factory equipped with the BMW Assist system and I couldn't find the plug. I did though install it with the USB wire connected and routed it for easy updates. So that's cool. I also purchased an OEM BMW sunshade for my birthday as a gift to myself as they came back in stock
Having not seen @pynaclsince my birthday weekend. We took a drive on the St. Croix river starting in Prescott Wisconsin ending in Durand just south of Menomonie for some Stone barn Pizza. When I woke up of course I had to start the day on the wrong foot. My new mirror already started leaking. Cant say it wasn't expected but didn't expect that so soon. Will send it out to Radar Mirror to redo it for me as I don't want to break any tabs. Mid way though the drive I got pulled over and got my first speeding ticket. Lets just say, I found a lawyer that will handle that one, as it wasn't one I could just let slide.
On Thursday I did a full "Leatherique Treatment" to the interior of the car. I am happy to say the seats are softer then ever and cleaner then ever aswell. While I was doing that something cool showed up via UPS. I scored a Supersprint non-catted section 2 X pipe for $225 shipped to my door. After @pynacls experiment I really wanted a resonated X pipe. But at $225 I couldn't say no. If I don't like the sound I will add a resonator for not much more.
Fast forward to this weekend the 15th I participated in the CVSCC (Chippewa Valley Sports Car Club) Auto-X at the Northern Wisconsin State Fair Grounds. I had a blast of a time. Fastest time being 52.73. Beating out a 2018 m3 in the Novice class and a bunch of other noobies. My twin brother got second place in his 128i and can no longer be in the novice class.. Shout out to Ethyn and Sam for the photos and video of my last run of the day. Also, 0 cones hit though the day, so I think I can go faster...
Next event will be the BMW spring Picnic on the 28th I am helping @wasnt m3put on. Cant wait to see my MKE friends again.
Bonus pic of me leaving the UW-Stout Auto Club car show that my business sponsored.
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Quick little update, Returned from the Badger BMWs Spring picnic with an M3 loaded with 4 printer paper boxes full of 80s-2010s Roundel magazines and I also picked up a set of BBS RC300/301s from @i_love_cars off his new E39. Playing some Tetris we were able to fit everything into the car for the 4 hour drive home. Thank god for moving blankets. Now I need to find a daily they will fit on once the E36 gets cleaned up and sold.
This weekend I decided to visit @pynacl have a ton of beer and work on a few projects. First on the agenda was to replace the valve cover gasket on the M3. When blasting heat you could smell a bit of oil though the vents. So glad to have that done finally, We also ended up installing fog lights. But an update on that will have to wait. Due to the connectors having junk in them. I need to pull them apart and clean them. Or just replace the contacts and reassemble. Also have OEM fog surrounds on order as my nice amazon once didn't seem to want to click in (They clicked in the imola parts car so they stayed on it). Enjoy some rare pictures of me ACTUALLY working on this car as its usually just me fucking around.
The second major project I wanted to complete was to help wash & detail @pynacls Imola red parts car. He had never washed the car since he bought it and it was time to go to fund some house projects... Or another car, I know how it is.. Anyway, Id say it came out fantastic. We had a little argument on how much to sell it for. He was happy with 7k. I said list it for $8500 and accept 8k. After 150 messages at 8500 someone from Wausau came and bought it yesterday. Less then 24 hours after posting. Nice come up on a parts car @pynaclthe E46 m3 gods were looking out for you.
Next on the list of things to do include a new starter, as I have started to have some issues in MKE. I bet @wasnt m3was ecstatic pushing my ass in the Walmart parking lot LOL. Order more headliner material + better glue to redo my butchered A+c pillar job, Finish up the fog install with new connectors, contact RADAR mirror to see what the ETA is on having my rear view mirror glass replaced, Source a full set of clear corners, sides and tails. (I know the ambers did not last long. But the car will look better with clears with what I have planned this next season) and last but not least buy some base and clear coat for a piece I have been sitting on for 3 months.
Still no update from IND when my fucking Eisenmann muffler brackets will get here to repair my muffler. But once those are here I can start digging into making this a tiny bit louder.
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Starter update, Started the job on Saturday. It took 2 hours to disassemble and remove the starter. (1 of those hours was just fucking with the intake manifold clamps) Finished the job up today as I had to wait for the proper intake manifold clamp tool. Took an hour to put everything back together and 3 minutes to re-install the manifold clamps with the proper tool. Way better then struggling for an hour.
While the intake manifold was off I took time to remove the ICV and spray it out with some carb cleaner so the flap could move freely. Wasn't an issue more just a while I was in there type deal. I did the same by also cleaning the throttle bodies. They weren't too dirty but now they are fresh and clean. I also lubed up the throttle body springs + long metal thing with white lithium grease spray.
AFE calls to re-oil your filter every 30k miles. The filter was no longer blue. So while it was out sitting I cleaned it with the supplied cleaner. Hosed it out, waited for it to dry and re-oiled the filter.
I 100% credit how fast I did this to the new tools I purchased. Got an awesome deal on a Milwaukee fuel mini impact, ratchet and impact drill. The proper tool to remove and install the manifold clamps. And this crazy harbor freight T handle ratchet so I could reach the starter from on top of the engine bay.
Besides looking like crap there was no visible failure on the old starter. Even the gear was solid, Just inconsistent. But took it on a test run today and the car started right up 90 degrees out and engine hot like it wouldn't have in the past.
Muffler brackets will be here tomorrow. Will tackle that and my X pipe when I get back from San Diego.
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T handle ratchet goes crazy
MVP out of this project honestly.
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M12 3/8 stubby impact is a beast, ratchet is still on my list. Nice work! People always dismiss the factory tools as silly or expensive but you end up saving so much time because that’s what they were designed for lol.
Highly recommend the m18 mid torque as a beefier gun for suspension/driveline/brake work, I use it arguably more than the stubby. They’re great complements to one another, especially if you ever work on anything heavier.
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Highly recommend the m18 mid torque as a beefier gun for suspension/driveline/brake work, I use it arguably more than the stubby. They’re great complements to one another, especially if you ever work on anything heavier.
I also have an m18 half inch impact. That thing is awesome for wheels, suspension or anything beefy. I'm just happy to no need to use it on small fasteners anymore as its pretty heavy.
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Here is a long past due update. Back in August I decided it was time to switch out the Amber Corners/Sides/Tails to clears in preparation for what I thought was coming this next year. I also did an oil change with OE BMW oil as they switched back to Castrol. Took a Blackstone test that I also haven't sent out yet.
First week of September I got the exhaust back from the machine shop new brackets were welded up very nicely. So both the Eisenmann Race + SuperSprint X pipe were installed! Sounds so much better. OEM+ Tone deeper and not too loud either.
In September I participated in another CVSCC Auto X at the Northern Wisconsin State Fair Grounds. Ended up winning First in F street Class and 10th place in PAX time. 11th overall time.
Fast Forward to yesterday I picked up a full Imola E46 M3 interior from @wasnt m3. Couldn't resist that will go in the car in the spring or whenever.
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Is that a sunbeam tiger in the background of one of those photos? What’s the story on that?
Nice eye, Yeah its a 1967 Sunbeam Tiger MKII, (Not an alpine Clone lol) My dad has owned it since the early 80s and parked it in the 90s. He wanted an AC Cobra but didn't have Cobra money at the time. So he settled with the next best thing. Weird car as Sunbeam was acquired by Chrysler. So Ford V8, in a British car. With Chrysler Stars on the seatbelts. From what he has told me in the past they made just under 700 of the MKIIs and way less then half are left as everyone totaled them.
It was originally a BRG car and he plans to start restoring it when he retires, If he ever does.
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That interior looks perfect.
83k Miles! So stoked!
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That interior will look great in there! Also I love Sunbeam Tigers!
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