<![CDATA[2002 E46 M3 // Build Thread]]>Official start to my E46 M3 build thread! This is joining my garage along with my 2015 335i M Sport and my 2008 328i daily. Progress may be slow over the winter months, but progress is better than none at all! Car is completely bone stock minus a brake rotor upgrade and some Bilstein shocks. It also came with a mountain of maintenance receipts to sift through, but the most important are vanos and rod bearing replacements. Sadly didn't come with subframe reinforcement so that will likely be the first order of business come spring. It was inspected and in great shape, but we all know how important it is to do preventatively on these cars. Here's a quick spec list and a nice roller photo I got on the drive home!

WBSBL93492JR17883

2002 BMW M3
Steel Gray on Black Nappa
6 Speed Manual Coupe
134,210 miles

964917AC-6956-411B-899C-E6235AD237F8.jpeg

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01/2022 (@135k) Updates

Engine

  • Fabspeed catless headers
  • WPC treated rod bearings + ARP rod bolts
  • OE coolant expansion tank
  • OE expansion tank line
  • OE BMW coolant
  • OE BMW motor mounts
  • Achilles Motorsports SAP block off plate
  • SAP + valve delete
  • Valve adjustment
  • OE valve cover gasket kit
  • OE Meyle fan clutch + fan blades
  • NGK spark plugs

Transmission

  • Rogue Engineering transmission mounts
  • UUC Evo 3 short throw shifter + DSSR
  • Trans fluid change - Redline DT4 ATF (auto/manual)
  • Delrin shift carrier bushings

Chassis

  • TMS RACP reinforcement weld in plates
  • Revshift 80A differential bushings
  • Revshift 80A subframe bushings
  • Differential output flange + input shaft seals
  • Differential fluid change - OE BMW SAF-XJ + FM booster
  • TMS Zinc-Nickel plated stainless steel brake lines
  • Motul RBF600 brake fluid

Suspension

  • Turner sealed monoball RTABs
  • TCK S/A Coilovers (F - 500lb R - 600lb)
  • Ground Control race camber plates
  • OE BMW front strut reinforcement plates
  • OE Lemforder end links
  • Rogue engineering RSM + perch reinforcement plates
  • TCK RSM + buna bushings

Exterior

  • Paint matched front reflectors
  • OE BMW LED tail lights + OE BMW wiring adapters

Interior

  • OE BMW Cinnamon interior swap
  • OE BMW Aluminum trim swap
  • OE BMW M3 floor mats
  • OE Illuminated 6 speed ZHP knob
]]>https://wibimmers.com/topic/6281/2002-e46-m3-build-threadRSS for NodeWed, 16 Sep 2026 05:31:57 GMTWed, 06 Jan 2021 02:43:51 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to 2002 E46 M3 // Build Thread on Tue, 01 Apr 2025 02:28:43 GMT]]>I jumped on a set of ZCP wheels over the weekend since they're NLA and don't pop up too often for sale

IMG1298.jpg

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/121237https://wibimmers.com/post/121237Tue, 01 Apr 2025 02:28:43 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to 2002 E46 M3 // Build Thread on Mon, 02 Sep 2024 16:15:47 GMT]]>

YoungCR said:

Bummer it developed a drone, sounded great when you first put it on. What brand was the muffler?

The muffler is Top Speed, a discontinued eBay special. Sounds fantastic, but annoying as all hell.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/119593https://wibimmers.com/post/119593Mon, 02 Sep 2024 16:15:47 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to 2002 E46 M3 // Build Thread on Tue, 23 Jul 2024 21:21:20 GMT]]>

Rekpoint said:

Big words for a guy who doesn't even put 1k miles on his car a summer.

gif.gif

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/119216https://wibimmers.com/post/119216Tue, 23 Jul 2024 21:21:20 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to 2002 E46 M3 // Build Thread on Tue, 23 Jul 2024 18:27:27 GMT]]>

pynacl said:

I got really tired of the exhaust setup I had, the drone was just getting unbearable with this joke of a muffler. At first I thought it sounded good enough that it'd be fine since this is a weekend car, but it just turned me off from driving the car. I swapped back to the stock muffler for now to get the drone under control. For now I have Fabspeed catless headers, stock section 1, STG x pipe section 2, and stock muffler. I'll be on the lookout for a Rogue Engineering El Diablo muffler soon. Finally can hear the induction noise of the S54 again!

Big words for a guy who doesn't even put 1k miles on his car a summer.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/119215https://wibimmers.com/post/119215Tue, 23 Jul 2024 18:27:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to 2002 E46 M3 // Build Thread on Sun, 21 Jul 2024 12:57:40 GMT]]>Bummer it developed a drone, sounded great when you first put it on. What brand was the muffler?

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/119208https://wibimmers.com/post/119208Sun, 21 Jul 2024 12:57:40 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to 2002 E46 M3 // Build Thread on Thu, 18 Jul 2024 23:07:59 GMT]]>I got really tired of the exhaust setup I had, the drone was just getting unbearable with this joke of a muffler. At first I thought it sounded good enough that it'd be fine since this is a weekend car, but it just turned me off from driving the car. I swapped back to the stock muffler for now to get the drone under control. For now I have Fabspeed catless headers, stock section 1, STG x pipe section 2, and stock muffler. I'll be on the lookout for a Rogue Engineering El Diablo muffler soon. Finally can hear the induction noise of the S54 again!

image.jpg

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/119200https://wibimmers.com/post/119200Thu, 18 Jul 2024 23:07:59 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to 2002 E46 M3 // Build Thread on Wed, 07 Jun 2023 16:42:52 GMT]]>

pynacl said:

Agreed, the Wisconsin options are pretty ugly IMO. I am already kinda regretting not trying to get “E46” with collectors. Maybe in the future!

You can do that in MN? We cant do vanity on collector or hobbyist plates in Wisco. I  painted my hobbyist plates about 5 years ago and never had issues. (Joking because my car never leaves my shop) 

IMG4328.JPG

From what I understand, its illegal to alter the plates in any way (hell a license plate frame is considered illegal). On the other hand, any cop I have asked always says its NBD as long as its legible. Its in line with most modifications, be honest and polite when cops ask questions, you are more likely to get a warning.

Attachments:

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/116303https://wibimmers.com/post/116303Wed, 07 Jun 2023 16:42:52 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to 2002 E46 M3 // Build Thread on Thu, 01 Jun 2023 22:25:32 GMT]]>Really wish we had vanity collector plates too.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/116265https://wibimmers.com/post/116265Thu, 01 Jun 2023 22:25:32 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to 2002 E46 M3 // Build Thread on Thu, 01 Jun 2023 02:22:57 GMT]]>

pynacl said:

Agreed, the Wisconsin options are pretty ugly IMO. I am already kinda regretting not trying to get “E46” with collectors. Maybe in the future!

I might do it in the future and go the @Partiallypurple route and paint it.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/116249https://wibimmers.com/post/116249Thu, 01 Jun 2023 02:22:57 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to 2002 E46 M3 // Build Thread on Thu, 01 Jun 2023 00:09:53 GMT]]>

SteelBlue said:

These are much better than our collector plates. The blue and red is horrid.

Doing a vanity plate with a collector plate is also a nice option that we also do not have.

This is a great color combination as well.

Agreed, the Wisconsin options are pretty ugly IMO. I am already kinda regretting not trying to get “E46” with collectors. Maybe in the future!

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/116248https://wibimmers.com/post/116248Thu, 01 Jun 2023 00:09:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to 2002 E46 M3 // Build Thread on Wed, 31 May 2023 20:15:15 GMT]]>These are much better than our collector plates. The blue and red is horrid.

Doing a vanity plate with a collector plate is also a nice option that we also do not have.

This is a great color combination as well.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/116246https://wibimmers.com/post/116246Wed, 31 May 2023 20:15:15 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to 2002 E46 M3 // Build Thread on Wed, 31 May 2023 19:45:54 GMT]]>Retiring the “E46”plates in favor of collector plates. Always liked how clean and minimal MN’s collector plates looked, plus no more registration each season! They do give the option to do vanity collector plates but I preferred the anonymity this time around. Someone steal my old plates, quick!

87CE81AD-E04F-45D4-BCE2-A8A4E5DB392B.jpeg45191845-D0F1-4C83-9176-F5FDF725D676.jpeg

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/116244https://wibimmers.com/post/116244Wed, 31 May 2023 19:45:54 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to 2002 E46 M3 // Build Thread on Tue, 23 May 2023 18:51:45 GMT]]>Looks great man! They are popular wheels for a reason 😄

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/116168https://wibimmers.com/post/116168Tue, 23 May 2023 18:51:45 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to 2002 E46 M3 // Build Thread on Fri, 19 May 2023 19:43:51 GMT]]>Nicer pic of the setup once the suspension settled a bit

5291017805461f99dee8ck.jpg

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/116158https://wibimmers.com/post/116158Fri, 19 May 2023 19:43:51 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to 2002 E46 M3 // Build Thread on Fri, 19 May 2023 18:20:23 GMT]]>Bought a new wheel setup finally! Sorry to disappoint they're just arc 8s. Just hard to argue the price and weight factor of these things. 

Apex ARC 8 18x9.5 +22 

Continental ExtremeContact Sport 265/35/18

Edit: I noticed the contis have a much more rounded side profile than the more square PS4S. Doesn’t look quite as good as the PS IMO, but makes clearance a bit easier.

EAB60072-6DEB-4384-B068-8C367D40677B.jpeg

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]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/116157https://wibimmers.com/post/116157Fri, 19 May 2023 18:20:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to 2002 E46 M3 // Build Thread on Tue, 11 Apr 2023 18:42:53 GMT]]>

pynacl said:

Current mileage: 136,136

Is your ODO broken?

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/115912https://wibimmers.com/post/115912Tue, 11 Apr 2023 18:42:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to 2002 E46 M3 // Build Thread on Tue, 11 Apr 2023 18:12:22 GMT]]>Spring '23 mileage update - 136,586

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/115911https://wibimmers.com/post/115911Tue, 11 Apr 2023 18:12:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to 2002 E46 M3 // Build Thread on Tue, 11 Apr 2023 18:10:50 GMT]]>Getting pretty warm out here and the snow is nearly gone! Fired up the M3 to bask in the sun and do a speaker system overhaul. The factory HK system was pretty toast and rattling like a mf so I bought a bavsound kit from @wasnt m3. Installed and sounds pretty good, can finally listen to my tswift without getting a headache

IMG7237.jpegIMG7233.jpegIMG7234.jpegIMG7245.jpeg

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/115910https://wibimmers.com/post/115910Tue, 11 Apr 2023 18:10:50 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to 2002 E46 M3 // Build Thread on Thu, 09 Mar 2023 02:09:04 GMT]]>

Rekpoint said:

Live look at the abandoned m3s battery tray 3350976668843873859517635709999354845516540n.jpg

Fish tank mod

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/115736https://wibimmers.com/post/115736Thu, 09 Mar 2023 02:09:04 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to 2002 E46 M3 // Build Thread on Thu, 09 Mar 2023 01:33:33 GMT]]>Live look at the abandoned m3s battery tray 3350976668843873859517635709999354845516540n.jpg

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/115735https://wibimmers.com/post/115735Thu, 09 Mar 2023 01:33:33 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to 2002 E46 M3 // Build Thread on Thu, 09 Feb 2023 01:14:27 GMT]]>Legend has it this car was abandoned in an unfinished garage and not driven last year. IMG6213.jpg

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/115543https://wibimmers.com/post/115543Thu, 09 Feb 2023 01:14:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to 2002 E46 M3 // Build Thread on Thu, 18 Aug 2022 19:40:33 GMT]]>personally I always get "warm white" LED's when I can, I can't stand bright white either

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/114235https://wibimmers.com/post/114235Thu, 18 Aug 2022 19:40:33 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to 2002 E46 M3 // Build Thread on Wed, 17 Aug 2022 03:32:09 GMT]]>

pynacl said:

Small change - I swapped all the interior lights to LED a while back and just never really liked it. Feel like it modernized the car in a way that didn’t feel right. I’m an idiot and threw away all the original bulbs, so I recently had to go through realoem and gather each bulb part number to buy them through FCP. Feel like the standard bulbs just fit the car better and pair nicely against the cinnamon interior.

Heres a few crappy pics of LED vs standard

B6E38CF8-BF4D-4F88-A7D1-AE8F10974DB6.jpeg594F0976-4162-465A-ADB4-0F1DEDE4C5E4.jpeg9DE48DC6-B143-4941-848D-F86F4F4CE0F3.jpeg6D974BD2-0331-40B0-8F16-D005C30B9C79.jpeg

I love the LEDs with my black interior because the car is so dark anyways. But I can agree, the original bulbs are the way with Cinnamon.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/114216https://wibimmers.com/post/114216Wed, 17 Aug 2022 03:32:09 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to 2002 E46 M3 // Build Thread on Wed, 17 Aug 2022 01:23:34 GMT]]>Small change - I swapped all the interior lights to LED a while back and just never really liked it. Feel like it modernized the car in a way that didn’t feel right. I’m an idiot and threw away all the original bulbs, so I recently had to go through realoem and gather each bulb part number to buy them through FCP. Feel like the standard bulbs just fit the car better and pair nicely against the cinnamon interior.

Heres a few crappy pics of LED vs standard

B6E38CF8-BF4D-4F88-A7D1-AE8F10974DB6.jpeg594F0976-4162-465A-ADB4-0F1DEDE4C5E4.jpeg9DE48DC6-B143-4941-848D-F86F4F4CE0F3.jpeg6D974BD2-0331-40B0-8F16-D005C30B9C79.jpeg

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/114215https://wibimmers.com/post/114215Wed, 17 Aug 2022 01:23:34 GMT