DJ 6's Build Thread E46 M3
Printed From: BMW Car Club Forum
Category: Cars & Registers
Forum Name: Modified
Forum Description: Discussion forum for modified cars
URL: https://www.bmwccgbforum.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=8208
Printed Date: 26 Mar 2026 at 9:07pm
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Topic: DJ 6's Build Thread E46 M3
Posted By: DJ Syxx
Subject: DJ 6's Build Thread E46 M3
Date Posted: 19 Sep 2012 at 11:59am
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Thought I'd start my build thread up here, copying and pasting from start till present. Introducing my 2002 6 speed manual pre-facelift Steel Grey M3 with black leather, sunroof, HK system and gloss black window trim. I purchased the car approx 10 months ago. Original intentions were to keep it as standard although that decision didn't last very long! First things first. I wanted to get the car in for an inspection 2 to get the car fresh and ready to drive, so this was carried. Whilst the car was having this done, I had ordered a new Control Pressure Valve, Sump Plug and Gaskets as these do tend to go on these cars. Also I replaced the oil level sensor as well as a preventative measure as you are lucky to have them last any more than 10 years from factory. Few pics when I bought her: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817924706/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817924706/" rel="nofollow - 10bmp by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817924466/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817924466/" rel="nofollow - 13bmp by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817912145/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817912145/" rel="nofollow - 15bmp by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817912075/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817912075/" rel="nofollow - 16bmp by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817924106/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817924106/" rel="nofollow - 17bmp by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817901374/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817901374/" rel="nofollow - 19bmp by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817901054/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817901054/" rel="nofollow - 20bmp by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817910605/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817910605/" rel="nofollow - 23bmp by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817983463/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817983463/" rel="nofollow - 18 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817922956/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817922956/" rel="nofollow - 21 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817922766/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817922766/" rel="nofollow - 22 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817981473/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817981473/" rel="nofollow - 24 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817910095/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817910095/" rel="nofollow - 25 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817921346/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817921346/" rel="nofollow - 26 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817921186/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817921186/" rel="nofollow - 27 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr [size=150]Old http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817980183/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817980183/" rel="nofollow - 28 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr [size=150]New http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817984383/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817984383/" rel="nofollow - 05 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr First mod, angel eyes/corona rings. Was deciding between LED or CCFL angel rings and after looking at both pictures of them and in real life still prefer the CCFL's and liked them on my old coupe. I find the LED's are too bright for my liking! So on with fitting them. Before: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817898954/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817898954/" rel="nofollow - 26-1 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817980563/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817980563/" rel="nofollow - 27-1 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817920466/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817920466/" rel="nofollow - 28-1 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr After: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817908825/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817908825/" rel="nofollow - 30 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817897374/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817897374/" rel="nofollow - 34 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817920156/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817920156/" rel="nofollow - 32 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817908315/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817908315/" rel="nofollow - 33 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817919376/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9817919376/" rel="nofollow - 35 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Next had to sort my tracking alignment as it was out, so got it scanned and adjusted with a Hunter KDS machine. Now the car feels exactly as it should, steers correctly and feels a lot more tighter now.  Bought new carbon fibre effect badges for boot and bonnet: Old badges: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818462984/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818462984/" rel="nofollow - 39 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818488336/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818488336/" rel="nofollow - 40 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Some crud was under the badge: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818488296/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818488296/" rel="nofollow - 41 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818472855/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818472855/" rel="nofollow - 42 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Nothing a little quick clean won't fix: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818462574/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818462574/" rel="nofollow - 43 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818472755/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818472755/" rel="nofollow - 44 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr And new badges fitted: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818548233/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818548233/" rel="nofollow - 45 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818548103/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818548103/" rel="nofollow - 46 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr ------------- 
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Replies:
Posted By: DJ Syxx
Date Posted: 19 Sep 2012 at 12:00pm
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Next I bought Depo smoked indicators and side repeaters, gunsmoked Lamin-X, satin black bonnet/kidney grills and satin black wing vents. Firstly the lamin-x. I whipped off the lights from the car and swapped them with a spare set from my old 330. Outer lights were clean and didn't have any gunk but my inner boot lights which seems to be common on all E46's I've seen all have crud getting trapped inside the light. I soaked them in soapy water but me being impatient I took them apart as I didn't get anywhere! Then got started with the Lamin-X so here's my lights before: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818570855/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818570855/" rel="nofollow - 47 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr The lenses had some mud/dirt on them as well: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818586436/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818586436/" rel="nofollow - 48 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr They got glued back together again and let it dry for a day. Then got started with the Lamin-X so here's my lights before: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818570635/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818570635/" rel="nofollow - 49 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818560134/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818560134/" rel="nofollow - 52 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Got cutting to shape and using the squidgy and hairdyrer got as many air bubbles out as possible. There are few left but these disappear over time as its breathable: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818647193/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818647193/" rel="nofollow - 50 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818559914/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818559914/" rel="nofollow - 53 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr And a comparison: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818646993/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818646993/" rel="nofollow - 51 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr The finished product! http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818585246/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818585246/" rel="nofollow - 54 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818645893/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818645893/" rel="nofollow - 55 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Satin black vent grill: Before: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818559214/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818559214/" rel="nofollow - 56 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Disappeared!: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818645313/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818645313/" rel="nofollow - 57 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr New (I have the monochrome M3 badges to fit on just waiting on delivery): http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818558574/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818558574/" rel="nofollow - 58 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Side reps before and after with depo smoked: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818583396/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818583396/" rel="nofollow - 59 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818644633/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818644633/" rel="nofollow - 60 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Black grills: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818583266/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818583266/" rel="nofollow - 61 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Depo smoked indicators: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818583226/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818583226/" rel="nofollow - 62 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr And just a few latest pics of the car taken at New Forest, will be getting some more pics up soon. http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818557594/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818557594/" rel="nofollow - 63 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818644033/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818644033/" rel="nofollow - 64 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818567485/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818567485/" rel="nofollow - 65 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818567425/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818567425/" rel="nofollow - 66 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818582376/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9818582376/" rel="nofollow - 67 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Wheels were next and there was only one set of wheels that I wanted on this car and nothing else and no way I would ever fit CSL's or CSL reps. So after searching for a while I found what I was looking for. They are AC Schnitzer Type 3 racing in staggered M3 fitment, 8.5x19 front ET43 and 9.5x19 rear ET21. They weigh a little less than OEM's. Fronts weigh 12kg and the rear 12.5kg. Barrels were good but the lips needed doing as they were powdercoated so they were given to Dips at Custom Cars who stripped the powdercoat off which wasn't an easy task and split the wheels apart and centres were sent off for powdercoating. All back well and good and the lips polished which have come up nicely and look loads better. Before:     After:      I managed to find 7mm AC Schnitzer hubcentric spacers with longer bolts so fronts now ET36 and rear ET14 which bring them out nicely. Fitted them in time for a car show called DC12 and a few pics.      Next after seeing a load of E46's with white CCFL's on the web and on the roads, I decided to switch to yellow rings for a few reasons. What made me choose yellows is with the xenons you can't really make the rings on the outer whereas these because of the difference colour they stand out more and the white ones have become too common. So after doing some searching I found a set of CCFL's in yellow from an Australian company called Euro Division which I think some of you are familiar with on ths forum. I saw a set fitted on E46fanatics and was impressed with them. This is a comparison shot:  Now on:  With xenons:  Nightshot hard to capture but they look the part at night. 
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Posted By: DJ Syxx
Date Posted: 19 Sep 2012 at 12:00pm
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Now onto the recent bit of work done on the car. I had purchased a set of Intrax springs a while back. Saw a few pictures of a CSL style diffuser colour coded with carbon so found a seller on ebay who does them by the name of "mrhappynbuyitnow". My tailpipes were also a little worse for wear so after seeing a few M3's with them on I bought the Eurostyle tail pipes or as I like to call them the "Euro Trash" tail pipes. These are slightly bigger than the originals and lot more shinier! The springs suprised me quite a bit as the drop was instantly noticeable and weren't fully settled when I took the pics. Unfortunately I did get a little rubbing at the rear arch (fender) made worse with a full tank of petrol so will need to remove the 7mm spacer for now until I get a little roll at the back. Overall really happy with the springs make the car look a lot better and sets off the wheels properly now. A little stiffer than oem but ride quality still decent. Tail pipes off: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823514123/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823514123/" rel="nofollow - 113 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Tail pipes fitted. These are just pop rivetted on and the pipes are pre drilled ready to go on. http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823449996/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823449996/" rel="nofollow - 114 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr And diffuser fitted: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823513223/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823513223/" rel="nofollow - 116 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Got the car washed and took some pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823437795/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823437795/" rel="nofollow - 117 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823437625/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823437625/" rel="nofollow - 118 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823411444/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823411444/" rel="nofollow - 122 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823508303/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823508303/" rel="nofollow - 123 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823444486/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823444486/" rel="nofollow - 125 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9840882575/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9840882575/" rel="nofollow - 127 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823405004/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823405004/" rel="nofollow - 130 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823504923/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823504923/" rel="nofollow - 129 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823404914/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823404914/" rel="nofollow - 132 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823404584/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823404584/" rel="nofollow - 136 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823441046/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823441046/" rel="nofollow - 139 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10171197453/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10171197453/" rel="nofollow - 137 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr My next update will be the brakes. Not doing a BBK but have sent off my calipers for shot blasting and powdercoating in black with new seals and pistons. I am also going to change my brake discs all round and have ordered Performance Fricition Z pads all round and will be fitting new braided brake lines with new fresh fluid. -------------
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Posted By: DJ Syxx
Date Posted: 19 Sep 2012 at 12:01pm
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Right update time and lots of pics! I had to take care of the brakes as I was getting a squeel from the front passenger and rear drivers. Copper grease didnt help so wasn't sure whether it was the disc, or the caliper at fault. So decided to change all of it once and for all and not having to worry about brakes for a long time. So took the car off road just after Gaydon. Prepared the car first. http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823499533/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823499533/" rel="nofollow - 146 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823499183/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823499183/" rel="nofollow - 147 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Caliper off http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823498413/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823498413/" rel="nofollow - 151 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823398544/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823398544/" rel="nofollow - 152 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Disc off http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823497813/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823497813/" rel="nofollow - 153 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823422695/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823422695/" rel="nofollow - 155 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Old brake fluid that hadn't been changed for a long time! I checked my book and the last time it had one was in 2006! It was very old and had a few sludge bits in it. http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823397034/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823397034/" rel="nofollow - 156 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr With rear calipers off, I bought a pair of front calipers with brackets off ebay to make life easier and I only have 2 axle stands. So these were before brackets and calipers: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823396904/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823396904/" rel="nofollow - 157 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823496503/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823496503/" rel="nofollow - 158 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823432976/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823432976/" rel="nofollow - 159 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr They were all sent off to Biggred a company who refurb nothing but calipers. They were re-done with the black polymer coating. Brand new seals, new pistons, new bleed nipples, new slider pins so literally like new. So here is when they came back: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823420275/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823420275/" rel="nofollow - 163 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823494723/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823494723/" rel="nofollow - 164 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823431546/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823431546/" rel="nofollow - 165 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823419585/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823419585/" rel="nofollow - 166 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823394054/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823394054/" rel="nofollow - 167 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823418915/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823418915/" rel="nofollow - 168 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823430136/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823430136/" rel="nofollow - 169 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823393124/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823393124/" rel="nofollow - 170 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Bought new brake fluid: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823395734/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823395734/" rel="nofollow - 160 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Ordered braided brake hoses from a company called brake-lines.co.uk. Guys a heads up do not use this company. They don't respond back to your emails or answer your calls! So a bit of a dilemma as I had everything ready so I found a company called CAM Auto who had Goodridge hoses in stock so popped down to St Albans to pick them up. http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823392754/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823392754/" rel="nofollow - 171 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Rears ones you need to remove the bracket which was a b*st*rd as it was rusted and wedged on. Luckily it came off with a bit of persuasion! http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823491703/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823491703/" rel="nofollow - 172 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823491433/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823491433/" rel="nofollow - 173 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Then clipped in and secured: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823491203/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823491203/" rel="nofollow - 174 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Here's the old one: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823490393/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823490393/" rel="nofollow - 175 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr I bought brand new discs all round. Rear ones I purchased off ECP with discount. Front ones I bought off from a Cutters member original ATE cheaper from BM's! I also bought brand new Performance Friction Pads all round. Got them from Performance Prestige Centre via eBay reasonably priced. http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823420625/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823420625/" rel="nofollow - 161 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823432066/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823432066/" rel="nofollow - 162 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr With everything in place was a case of putting it back together: So rears on: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823489113/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823489113/" rel="nofollow - 176 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823487823/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823487823/" rel="nofollow - 177 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Front was a real pain trying to take off these two 16mm bolts were incredibly tight so took a long while on both sides to remove them! http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823389244/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823389244/" rel="nofollow - 178 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Found that my brake pad wear sensor at the front was not connected to the pad and was taped up! http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823388954/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823388954/" rel="nofollow - 179 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr New one fitted: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823424786/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823424786/" rel="nofollow - 180 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Old hose taken out: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823387424/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823387424/" rel="nofollow - 181 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr New hose on and this simply slides in at the front. http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823422216/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823422216/" rel="nofollow - 182 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Hoses on both sides: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823384224/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823384224/" rel="nofollow - 183 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823383654/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823383654/" rel="nofollow - 185 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr And front put back together! http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823482363/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823482363/" rel="nofollow - 184 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823481923/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823481923/" rel="nofollow - 186 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Brakes need bedding but so far are biting better as the car is driven more. No more squeeks or squeals. Was pretty expensive getting all the parts in but labour was free at least! Big thanks to Voldik for helping with the brake bleeding. Next will be getting my splitter painted and fitted. -------------
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Posted By: dteagles
Date Posted: 19 Sep 2012 at 12:53pm
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Great thread, car looks great, I'd like to see more like this on our forum, keep the photos coming! -------------  Think about what you can do for the club, not what it can do for you... |
Posted By: IEwen
Date Posted: 19 Sep 2012 at 8:54pm
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Nice build thread, I might start one too. Good to meet you on Sunday at Players. Where did you buy the tailpipes from? -------------  e46 M3 http://www.bmwccgbforum.co.uk/my-e12-project_topic7970.html" rel="nofollow - e12 528i |
Posted By: AShah
Date Posted: 20 Sep 2012 at 9:19am
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Car looks really good! ------------- E36 home of South Wales! '96 Alpina B3 3.2 Touring '91 325iSEA 4 Door Old: '93 325 Coupe '96 318is Coupe '92 320 Coupe '96 318is Coupe '97 328 Cabriolet '95 M3 4 Door '99 323 Sport Tourer |
Posted By: FwordM3
Date Posted: 20 Sep 2012 at 7:43pm
Your doing well mate!  ------------- http://www.mybannermaker.com" rel="nofollow">  |
Posted By: DJ Syxx
Date Posted: 21 Sep 2012 at 12:30am
Thanks mate.
Likewise! Tailpipes were purchased from Cricmcn, forum sponsor on M3 Cutters. 
Thanks mate.
Getting there! lol  |
dteagles wrote:
Posted By: dips
Date Posted: 21 Sep 2012 at 9:34am
| looking good |
Posted By: DJ Syxx
Date Posted: 01 Oct 2012 at 12:16am
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Since having my Intrax springs fitted I found the rear a bit too low compared to the front. I had looked into other springs but didn't really find what I was looking for so looked for an alternative. So I read up about spring pads. I looked on the US sites and found Turner Motorsport sell spring pads which are 14.5mm and when fitted don't drop the rear where it appears lower at the back compared to the front. In my case it was to aid in raising the rear a little so that the drop visually looks more even and also gives me a better chance of refitting my rear spacer back on. So I ordered the spring pads from BM Minibits. They are from the US Xi models and as mentioned the US boys use them. Part number is 33 53 1094754. They were £22 delivered for the pair. These are the spring pads: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823407275/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823407275/" rel="nofollow - 187 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr And this is a comparison pic of the original 5mm I removed and the 14.5mm. http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823407195/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823407195/" rel="nofollow - 189 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Yesterday I fitted them on and it has worked, the aim being to see the tyre tread. http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823406855/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823406855/" rel="nofollow - 190 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823382434/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9823382434/" rel="nofollow - 191 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Next update will be splitter being painted as we speak and hopefully will be on early this month. -------------
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Posted By: Cabrio
Date Posted: 01 Oct 2012 at 8:18am
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Good work great to see - the E46 is now affordable and it's great that that you have made improvements and mods that improve the look an drive as its still a road car ------------- E30 Register joint coordinator - Competition Secretary - Contact name Neil for PM and Email - cabrio_e30@yahoo.co.uk - be aware addicted to E numbers |
Posted By: DJ Syxx
Date Posted: 20 Oct 2012 at 8:06pm
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As some of you know I bought a little something at Gaydon show a few months back. I finally got it sprayed and fitted with Dips & Custom Cars and its now on as some saw at the Harrow meet. Its a full length replica strassenstassennnmassentech lip or whatever you call it it with the carbon insert which matches up well with my rear diffuser. Think it really fills out the front more and gives a nice meaner presence. Took some pics today after a quick wash. Comments as always welcome. http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10169312285/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10169312285/" rel="nofollow - 216 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10169381386/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10169381386/" rel="nofollow - 219 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10169450153/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10169450153/" rel="nofollow - 220 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10169381046/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10169381046/" rel="nofollow - 222 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10169449493/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10169449493/" rel="nofollow - 224 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10169380616/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10169380616/" rel="nofollow - 228 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10169380486/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10169380486/" rel="nofollow - 230 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10169449023/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10169449023/" rel="nofollow - 232 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10169310255/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10169310255/" rel="nofollow - 235 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10169202264/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10169202264/" rel="nofollow - 236 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Want a CSL or CSL style bootlid next so will look into getting one around spring next year. For now this is the last kind of major update on the car for this year..........................or is it.............????? -------------
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Posted By: dteagles
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2012 at 8:57am
That chin spoiler reminds me of the E30 Evo II chin spoiler: ------------- Think about what you can do for the club, not what it can do for you... |
Posted By: DJ Syxx
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2012 at 2:19pm
Yeah it does look similar from the posted pic of the E30. 
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Posted By: DJ Syxx
Date Posted: 20 Aug 2013 at 11:24pm
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Well its been a while since I've updated this build thread and a fair bit has happened so here goes lol. Late last year I took my car to an underground car park and got a few nice shots of it. I also managed to get the wheels I always wanted the ACS type 3 one piece in staggered M3 fitment. These now serve their purpose as my winter wheels. http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10269545326/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10269545326/" rel="nofollow - 260 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10269541016/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10269541016/" rel="nofollow - 262 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10269447604/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10269447604/" rel="nofollow - 263 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10269534046/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10269534046/" rel="nofollow - 265 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10269637183/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10269637183/" rel="nofollow - 268 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10269432184/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10269432184/" rel="nofollow - 270 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10269440884/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10269440884/" rel="nofollow - 266 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr I managed a few months later (early 2013) to get a very rare set of Cinnamon leather interior which really goes so well with the steel grey paintwork: Pics before: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10169822926/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10169822926/" rel="nofollow - P1070043 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10169751685/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10169751685/" rel="nofollow - P1070045 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr And after: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10169382866/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10169382866/" rel="nofollow - 271 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10169451443/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10169451443/" rel="nofollow - 272 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr I managed to source the design element spoke inserts for my AC splits from Rossiters. So these are the wheels before: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10169570124/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10169570124/" rel="nofollow - 275 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr These are the elements which clip into the spokes: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10169748806/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10169748806/" rel="nofollow - 276 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr And fitted to the wheel: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10169746656/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10169746656/" rel="nofollow - 277 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr  Did a little bit of minor maintaince on the M around Spring time, dropped the oil and replaced with fresh and new filter last month. I finally found my vanos filter kit which I was looking for every where as was buried under a pile of crap! Its not something that is on the service schedule but is worth replacing for the hell of it. I've seen some pictures and videos showing the filter having crud on there so was expecting the same with mine. Simple DIY job, locate the vanos filter cartridge bolt, its a 22mm socket: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819581525/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819581525/" rel="nofollow - 278 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Place some paper towels or a thick cloth underneath the bolt to stop any oil dripping and simply undo the bolt and carefully remove. You need three things part numbers are: The Filter Cartridge: 11361401971 Small black O-Ring: 11311318659 Bigger brown O-Ring: 11361403325 http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819585496/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819585496/" rel="nofollow - 279 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr This is the filter cartridge and I was surprised as to how fairly clean it was: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819582846/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819582846/" rel="nofollow - 280 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Simply remove the filter cartridge first with some needle nose pliers. The O-rings, remove the black one first followed by the brown one. Using a small flat head screw driver works best to remove them. http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819644873/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819644873/" rel="nofollow - 281 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Refit the brown O-Ring first, followed by the smaller black one and finally clip on the new vanos filter cartridge. http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819555264/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819555264/" rel="nofollow - 282 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Then simply refit back into your vanos job done. Bought amber indicators for the front and side repeaters. Had a spare set of rear lights and used amber lamin-x and got hold of facelift boot lights for a cheap price on ebay. http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819485834/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819485834/" rel="nofollow - IMG_1581 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819512316/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819512316/" rel="nofollow - IMG_1575 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819513886/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819513886/" rel="nofollow - IMG_1574 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819502305/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819502305/" rel="nofollow - IMG_1587 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Finally got round to fitting my stud conversion I bought from CA Auto (Thanks to Phil). These literally replace your normal wheel bolts and you use an open lug nut to secure bolts. Benefits of it makes it easier to take wheels on and off specially if your doing it regularly and also zero chance of cross threading your hubs, worst case you cross thread the lug they can be easily replaced cheaply. Mounting wheels is a lot easier as the lugs hold the wheel etc.. So before: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819572155/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819572155/" rel="nofollow - 305 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Gave the threads a bit of clean to get any lodged dirt out: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819639973/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819639973/" rel="nofollow - 306 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Need to add a drop of loctite for bolts: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819573716/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819573716/" rel="nofollow - 307 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Tighten them up: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819636183/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819636183/" rel="nofollow - 308 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr And job done: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819634963/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819634963/" rel="nofollow - 309 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Cheers Steve :thumbs-up: Being a little OCD sometimes when it comes to my car I just felt my car needed the valve clearances to be checked. There's a guy on M3 Cutters by the name of M3Carbon who does valve clearances and decided to get them done. So off came the rocker cover plugs etc. http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819545824/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819545824/" rel="nofollow - 310 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Mike inspected all 24 shims and he found 8 were not in spec. They got replaced and happy to report that the engine is that bit smoother and is a little more perkier too. It was definitely a worthwhile thing to get done and I would recommend if you haven't had them checked or your not sure when they were last checked do it as its a one of the most important things to do on these engines after oil changes. Which now brings me up to date with this next lot: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819631913/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819631913/" rel="nofollow - 311 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819543034/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819543034/" rel="nofollow - 312 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819629403/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819629403/" rel="nofollow - 313 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr So got on with stripping the intake manifold and airbox out. There is a youtube guide which shows pretty much how you take it out. So I viewed it and thought OK this is looks awkward. So undeterred I got underway with it and found it was actually straight forward and the youtube video guy makes too much of a meal of it! lol. To give you an idea of what is involved and parts you need: Vent Hose 11 15 7833649. £18 from BM Mini Parts Air shut-off valve 11 61 7833647 £51 from BM Mini Parts M5 Clamps x6. 07 12 9952125 £4.60 from BM Mini Parts Optional: 6x new throttle body clips. And you will need a CV boot crimp tool for the throttle body clips to help remove them. Started by removing the intake plastic, undo the airbox, remove the MAF sensor which you will need a security torx bit (T15) to remove. http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13114537144/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13114537144/" rel="nofollow - 314a by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr See ya later MAF sensor! http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13114354683/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13114354683/" rel="nofollow - 315a by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Unbolt the airbox, there is a hidden bolt under the Xenon ballast and undo the hose clamps and simply remove. You will need to remove the pollen filter housing and unclip the battery lead and hose from the cable tidy attached to it and remove the breather hoses attached to it and unbolt the dipstick think its 10mm bolt for that one. The intake manifold is attached on with two 10mm bolts attached to a metal V bracket under the box. You simply need to put your head in and you will see it. A ratchet spanner will be handy to remove them both. The tricky bit will be removing the hose clamps attached to the throttle bodies specially as you go further up as space is limited. Now if your prepared unlike me you would get a CV boot crimp type tool. You have to squeeze it and the clamp detaches so you can remove. I used needle nose pliers with a screw driver to remove. While not the correct way of doing it got the job done but I would recommend getting the tool bit as you will likely be able to reuse the clips again. Can't use mine again as they are a little weak and bent so will get new ones at a later date with the tool to put them on. Wiggle the box and eventually will free itself from the throttle bodies. At this stage you want to just loosen it away as you have two breather hoses attached to the bottom of the intake, one fat, one slim. The fat one is nearest to you and you will see it by lifting the box up and simply unclip. http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819616643/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819616643/" rel="nofollow - 318 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr The slim one is further at the back and will require you to put your hand under and feel. Once you find it unclip then the box can come out. http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819550426/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819550426/" rel="nofollow - 319 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr If you have spare time now is a good chance to clean the throttle bodies and was left with this. http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13114248135/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13114248135/" rel="nofollow - 316a by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819549485/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819549485/" rel="nofollow - 317 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr The dipstick needs to be moved to the side in order for the carbon box to sit. You simply need to move it over the side, grab top and bottom of it and give it a bit of bend just far enough so that it sits behind the strut brace right near the MAF wiring loom case. I used some black cable ties and wrapped it round the dipstick bracket to keep it into position. http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819542625/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819542625/" rel="nofollow - 320 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Prepared the airbox by taking the old rubbers off the old plenum by unscrewing them. On the inside of the rubbers it has a plastic clip which you simply remove. Do this for all 6 and then fit onto the new airbox. http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819545006/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819545006/" rel="nofollow - 321 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819544446/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819544446/" rel="nofollow - 322 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Rubbers attached to the airbox: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819538765/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819538765/" rel="nofollow - 323 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819536765/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819536765/" rel="nofollow - 324 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Attach the clamps and get them on tight except for the throttle body side end which you want a little loose and can tighten later. Now before you fit the box on myself and a few others have found the breather hose attachment underneath the box (the slim one) seems to split easily. I was speaking with Crapbag who experienced this and as a consequence the slim hose is a bit loose when you clip it in. I used a cable tie and tightened it up hard to join the split together. Crapbag recommends self amalgamating tape which he used. I will speak to Will at GSR to speak to him about this as I think it needs strengthening or a slight tweak to stop this from happening. Fitted the box onto the throttle bodies, best to get the ones furthest into the engine bay first and work it in. Now you can tighten the hose clamps on the throttle bodies. I am using normal screw clamps at the moment as mentioned as I screwed up the existing clips. If you use normal screw clamps ensure they don't foul the throttle linkages and are positioned correctly. Next you want to connect the two hoses underneath, connect the slim one by putting your hand underneath. It should make a loud click when it is in place. I found on mine by having the cable pointing in the 3 o'clock position it clipped in properly. The fat one is straight forward simply push it on. Next stage I had to do was modify the rubber intake coming from the brake duct bumper area. As Crapbag showed on his thread he cut his and squeezed it into the rubber. I decided to butcher mine and cut the top half of it so that the mouth piece can fit in and aids in getting it into the engine bay better. At this stage screw on the IAT sensor as this will make life a lot easier. Evolve sent me out the IAT in advance so that it is ready fitted. Mine is located on the mouth piece directly in the path of the airflow which is a good spot for it. http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819540856/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819540856/" rel="nofollow - 325 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819602843/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819602843/" rel="nofollow - 326 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr The 4 torx screws that the mouth piece attaches to the box I had to get the middle two on and push at the same time to line up the two outer ones. I found it was best to screw each one in evenly rather than getting just the one in tight. You then need to fit the two new hoses for the top of the box as the existing ones won't fit. http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819601373/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819601373/" rel="nofollow - 327 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819512714/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819512714/" rel="nofollow - 328 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Once that's done I fitted everything back together and started her up to make sure fired up. Got the emissions light on for the MAF sensor which is fine as now have no MAF! http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819508514/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819508514/" rel="nofollow - 330 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13114246005/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13114246005/" rel="nofollow - 331a by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Took the steady drive down to Evolve Automotive for its all important new Alpha N map. Arrived and Imran got on with reading my car via laptop. And Sal later came to wire up the IAT to the MAF wiring loom and upload my new map file. After this was done I jumped in the passenger seat and Sal took me out to check the map was running correctly. He was satisfied with the map and how it was responding to the car. The midrange was improved and you could feel this in the passenger seat in that the car was pulling better. Didn't get the rolling road test done as Sal strongly recommended I do the B&Q mod to funnel the air flow better. Took the car and had to do an errand straight after. I started to noticed the car got better as I was driving and was responding better too. You also have the loud growl from all 6 throttle bodies and with the foot down to the floor it sings at its loudest. I covered over 350 miles now and so far no complaints at all. If your driving around normally round town the car drives and behaves completely normal as it did before and your none the wiser. Is it worth it? The airbox mod and Alpha N map while its not a massive difference its a noticeable improvement from standard. I have noticed the mid range torque from around 3500rpm onwards improve more and pulls better in all the gears. There seems to be a sense of more urgency when you need to accelerate. With the sport button its better still and responds very well when you need it too. If your keeping the car its a worthwhile mod but if your only planning to keep your M3 for a few years I wouldn't recommend to and save the money. To break down costs the airbox was £1100, Alpha N mapping and IAT was £599 and adding the few bits I need call it £1800 all in to have it running. Add a bit extra if your paying someone or Evolve to strip and fit your airbox. Yes you have other options like Supercharging and the money spent on this could have gone towards that route. However I think the M3 is perfect as it is and I think it would take away a bit from the character of the car. Overall I am happy with the airbox and map and enjoying how the car performs and for me this is about as good as it gets. I finally fitted my carbon intake cover made by Josh. Unfortunately with the GSR box the cover fouls the mouthpiece so Craig a.k.a. Crapbag on M3Cutters kindly dremeled my one at Gaydon so that it fits better clears the mouthpiece. So I got one with fitting it and put some double sided tape as well for good measure. All I need now is a carbon rocker cover to finish off my engine bay. http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13114348463/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13114348463/" rel="nofollow - 332a by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Lastly with the last minute .com modding with the airbox/map done I got the last piece of the puzzle and got the CSL bootlid 4 days before Gaydon. Was a pain to adjust and get it straight on both sides but just required patience more than anything. Put a new wiring loom for the license plate lights but have to say the lights to fit. I can't understand why they fit so bad. But anyway grabbed a few pics and will get some more later this really finishes the car off nicely. http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819474324/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819474324/" rel="nofollow - IMG_2279 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819489165/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819489165/" rel="nofollow - IMG_2281 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr -------------
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Posted By: steveH
Date Posted: 24 Sep 2013 at 10:52pm
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Please speak to Matt (Editor) and get this into the mag as a feature to show what is possible with the e46 cars. Well done. ------------- Tell it how it is the Northern way. |
Posted By: issus
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2013 at 8:39pm
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DJ 6's E46 Great article and very well planned too. About the best Build Enhancement on an E46 I have seen on any BMW Forum. Well done and congratulations as your efforts are appreciated. regards Tony ------------- E46 320d Sport Myst Blue 054 reg - probably the best BMW ever |
Posted By: FwordM3
Date Posted: 03 Nov 2013 at 9:13pm
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Seeing all the pics again shows how much work has gone into it - well done mate! ------------- http://www.mybannermaker.com" rel="nofollow"> |
Posted By: DJ Syxx
Date Posted: 10 Dec 2013 at 7:23pm
Thanks Steve will probably do so once I get some more work done on the car.
Thanks Tony means a lot. Haven't done a lot since the last update so going to lift it from journal on other forums: I obtained an engine cover in carbon, got a temp M badge on but will need to get the original one at some stage. Completes the engine bay. http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13114527504/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13114527504/" rel="nofollow - 333a by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13114525904/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13114525904/" rel="nofollow - 334a by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13114523894/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13114523894/" rel="nofollow - 335a by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Attended a car show called Rollhard at the Duxford War Museum. It was held on the 14th Sept I decided to put my winters back on so just a few pics of it with the Ambers which have now been taken off. http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819487805/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819487805/" rel="nofollow - IMG_3048 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819486315/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819486315/" rel="nofollow - IMG_3051 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819465884/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819465884/" rel="nofollow - IMG_3058 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819549493/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/9819549493/" rel="nofollow - IMG_3059 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Onto the bad news but not the end of the world. I was working on the car a few days ago recoating my rear arches and while waiting for the coats to dry I decided to check my subframe for any potential problems as it is known that the E46's have subframe floor issues. The most common place for them to go is on the rear left handside. I checked the right but it is a little difficult as there is more things in the way but seemed ok. However upon inspection of the left handside I had noted some corrosion starting to appear on the spot welds around the subframe bush mount which is one telltale sign of a potential problem. Secondly above the antiroll bar where the floor folds upwards on the seam I spotted a small few mm corrosion forming. I didn't get a chance to see if the corrosion continued upwards but there is a good chance it is as its an unusual place for corrosion to form which means there is a crack developing. First two pictures you can see corrosion has started around the spot welds and in the last picture I have circled the small corrosion area. There maybe a possibility that there is other cracks forming possibly under where the subframe bush mounts to the body but obviously won't know once the whole back end gets dropped. Click these links to get a full zoom picture where you can see it clearly. http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10300011663/sizes/o/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10299892086/sizes/o/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10300075576/sizes/o/in/photostream/ So the next thing will be to get this repaired with the subframe kit Redish Motorsport sell and Dips at Custom Cars will be carrying out the repair.  [/url]http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10300011663/" rel="nofollow - P1070418 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10299892086/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10299892086/" rel="nofollow - P1070419 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10300075576/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/10300075576/" rel="nofollow - P1070421a by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr -------------
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Posted By: DJ Syxx
Date Posted: 10 Dec 2013 at 7:24pm
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Before the car gets it surgery and is off road I needed to do one final thing and that was do the Dyno Run of the car since I had the car Alpha N mapped with the GSR airbox. Back when I had it mapped at the time the dyno run wasn't carried out as I was recommended to do the drain pipe mod and plus the car only just had the map uploaded to it. For those that don't know its a £4 piece of plastic which they use for drains but fits in fog light area and wedges into the air duct area to deflect the air more efficiently (in theory). Whether it makes a massive difference no idea but like Asda every little helps. When it was mapped I was asked to come back another day to carry it out. Just over 3 months have passed and so far the car is settled really well and drives really good so spoke to Evolve to have this carried out. 18 months ago I had the car rolling roaded at a meet and it made 321bhp with 270/lb/ft torque. This wasn't a bad figure at all as most cars run around 320-330bhp and very few ever make stock power. So I had a gentlemens bet with a few friends on what it is making now as I was eagerly curious to see how much of a difference the box and map actually make. One said he thought I would make 360bhp, another 350bhp and I reckoned going by the previous dyno run that it would make 345bhp. Nothing much had changed with the car since that first dyno run. It has been run on V Power (now Nitro+) since I've owned it. Only thing to note is as you will have seen previously is I had 8 shims out of spec when Mike done his checks. Arrived at Evolve, Riz and Sal got underway with getting the car onto the dyno. Getting ready to flex its muscles: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/11295243566/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/11295243566/" rel="nofollow - 20131209_153158 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/11295316153/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/11295316153/" rel="nofollow - 20131209_153210 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr On the dyno: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/11295211725/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/11295211725/" rel="nofollow - 20131209_151338 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr A video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvqGkK8_X0Y&feature=youtu.be After doing about 3-4 runs the figure came back and was slightly more then what I expected, it made 349bhp with 280lb/ft torque. Now it would have been nice to have got a dyno run when Mike done the valve clearances but even so what they say about estimated gains you will get from a carbon airbox and Alpha N is true and you will get approx 20-25. So the proof is in the pudding as they say! Here is the graph: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/11295857403/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/11295857403/" rel="nofollow - 20131209_1522081 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr A thanks goes to Evolve for the mapping and dyno run. Some random pics I took after the dyno run. http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/11295272466/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/11295272466/" rel="nofollow - 336 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/11295231705/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/11295231705/" rel="nofollow - 337 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/11295229135/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/11295229135/" rel="nofollow - 338 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/11295263366/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/11295263366/" rel="nofollow - 339 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/11295223145/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/11295223145/" rel="nofollow - 340 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/11295217775/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/11295217775/" rel="nofollow - 342 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Thanks for looking. -------------
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Posted By: Paul Rice
Date Posted: 10 Dec 2013 at 8:23pm
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Nice write ups just found this great work ------------- Paul 2003 Z4 2.5 Sterling grey 2024 218 Grand Coupe Misano Blue In love with driving again |
Posted By: kentdriver
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2014 at 2:21pm
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Nice one, everything compleated to detail. A lovely car made perfect. As a mater of interest, how many miles on the clock?
Decided to keep mine close to standard. Only with 26,000 miles. i've kept it for 10 years now.
Cheers,
Mike.
http://s493.photobucket.com/user/kentdriver/media/IMG_1188.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: DJ Syxx
Date Posted: 20 Mar 2014 at 9:30pm
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Thanks Mike, mileage is not as low as yours but its on 59k now. I recognise your car btw from an E46 zone meet ages ago from the plate and colour. -------------
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Posted By: DJ Syxx
Date Posted: 08 May 2014 at 3:21pm
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Been a while since I done an update what with winter so just been driving the car sporadically over the winter period giving it a good run etc. I also been keeping a lookout on my rear subframe and so far no change and no cracks have developed yet. Spring round the door step and show season nearly here it was time to make a start to prepare the car for this year. Over winter I had a think with the car and wanted to step the game up a little. This meant a bit more lows. So after speaking to many respected people on the scene like Dips, Gaz, Easykam etc. D2's were the coilover of choice. So I went ahead and bought brand new D2's. Its a nice bit of kit, it comes complete with everything you need, camber adjustable top mounts and rear top mounts for the shocks etc. and has 36 way adjustable dampening from soft to hard. So didn't need to buy anything in addition other than two gaskets for the rear shocks. http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011704964/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011704964/" rel="nofollow - 344 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr I also bought brand new D2 adjustable rear arms so I can have more control on camber adjustment. Which brings me to my next thing as to why I bought coilovers, wheels. 18's seem to sit very well with the E46 if spaced out correctly with the right ride height so as some of you know via Instagram I put up a teaser pic along with tags as the potential candidates of what they could be. http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011938994/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011938994/" rel="nofollow - New wheels by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr They are 3 piece so opens up options on how I want the spec. They were imported over so not something that's off the shelf or bought from the UK. In terms of rarity not sure but to put it this way you don't see many if that with them over this side of the pond let alone across. They are with Dips who will do the magic on them to bring them out like new. So this past week with the weather being on my side I decided to crack on with fitting the coilovers. So started with the fronts: Need a 16mm spanner and 16mm socket to remove the drop link from the shock and roll bar. Once that was done the 18mm shock clamp bolt needed to be removed. http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011702414/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011702414/" rel="nofollow - 345 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011468853/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011468853/" rel="nofollow - 346 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Once that was done removed the 13mm nuts on the top: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13114267775/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13114267775/" rel="nofollow - 347a by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr The shock then slides off the clamp and can be removed out. I inspected the current drop links which seems in good condition till I spotted one of them with the rubber bushing slightly off: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011304055/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011304055/" rel="nofollow - 348 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr I had on standby 2 new Lemforder drop links from ECP. http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011293825/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011293825/" rel="nofollow - 352 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr The D2 coilovers are labelled left and right so can't get it wrong so were fitted to relevant sides. They also have a pin type groove which basically slides into the gap on the shock clamp so you know its gone in. With the help of the trolley jack raised up the knuckle so that I could get the coilover to go into the mount. So fitted and make sure the coilover sits all the way down the bottom of the shock collar ring: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011689674/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011689674/" rel="nofollow - 349 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011296475/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011296475/" rel="nofollow - 351 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Lined up note the easy access to camber adjustment: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011686334/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011686334/" rel="nofollow - 350 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Fitted the new drop links: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011291885/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011291885/" rel="nofollow - 353 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Note if your buying a Lemforder drop link from ECP, you need an 18mm spanner to hold it so you can do up the nut. You also need a very slim spanner to do the job as a normal 18mm is too thick. I ended up having to buy one from Halfords which was slim enough to grip without getting stuck once the nut was done up. Future reference be aware of this or buy from BM which should be 16mm both sides. With the fronts taken care of moved to the rears. 18mm shock bolt needs removing, make sure the knuckle is supported so that it doesn't suddenly pop off: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011678504/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011678504/" rel="nofollow - 354 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Once this was done you need to remove the boot trim both sides. It is straight forward just requiring removal of the boot tray trims and a few pop rivet clips to gain access. Two 13mm nuts need removing: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011286525/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011286525/" rel="nofollow - 355 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Then used the jack just to support it so it didn't suddenly drop out when undoing the bolts once done its out: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011442183/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011442183/" rel="nofollow - 356 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Rear spring on the platform so just required to be pushed down to remove the spring: http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011670484/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011670484/" rel="nofollow - 357 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Bought new 5mm spring pads as I was previously using 14.5mm for the Intrax springs. http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011438083/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011438083/" rel="nofollow - 358 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011277425/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011277425/" rel="nofollow - 359 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Then got the spring with adjuster installed on the arms and new shock installed. http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011275775/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011275775/" rel="nofollow - 360 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr I had a look into potentially installing my rear camber arms but having looked at how it was connected and having to drop the diff I decided against it as difficult to do on the floor and I probably be out of my depth in carrying this out so will get this fitted soon. Biggest problem was setting a height I was happy with so required a lot of faffing around till I got to a stage where it was noticeable. Also have to take into account for settling so could go a bit lower. For the adjustable dampening Chrisc recommended from full soft I go 16 clicks at the front and 10 at the rear With everything set and double checking all bolts were tightened properly. I already noticed how much lower it is from before and I barely just clear my driveway with my front splitter. So went out for a road test to see how the suspension was reacting and if there were any abnormal sounds etc. and drove through roads with speed humps to check for clearance and took a few pics today. Excuse the car being dirty I haven't had much time to give it a wash but you get the idea. I also removed my 7mm spacer off the rears as a precaution for rubbing as I am expecting the suspension to settle down plus car only had quarter tank of fuel. http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011273495/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011273495/" rel="nofollow - 361 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011658244/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011658244/" rel="nofollow - 362 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011266045/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011266045/" rel="nofollow - 363 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011263565/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011263565/" rel="nofollow - 364 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011649414/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011649414/" rel="nofollow - 365 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011257295/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011257295/" rel="nofollow - 366 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011411493/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/13011411493/" rel="nofollow - 367 by http://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr Didn't get much of a chance to push the car much but first impressions holds the corners well and will be better once its aligned and setup properly. In terms of ride quality and the way it drives I am really impressed. The D2's are bang on the money. I was expecting a bit more of a harder ride compared with my OEM shocks and Intrax Springs but could not believe how very similar it is to my previous setup. Even over bumps its not hard or crashy at all. In hindsight I do wish now I went with Coilovers now as I never thought they would be as good as this so D2's get my vote all day long. Want to say a big thank you Dips aka The Godfather of BM's for his invaluable advice and tips, Gaz and easykam for recommendations, ChrisC and Steve (m3smudge)for their additional input and advice. Thanks for looking. -------------
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Posted By: pbraden
Date Posted: 08 May 2014 at 6:08pm
| Looking good fella, it suits the schnitzers! |
Posted By: Neilb
Date Posted: 08 May 2014 at 10:13pm
| Epic thread... Any more plans for the car? |
Posted By: John Adams
Date Posted: 09 May 2014 at 11:46am
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Love this car its just like all the stuff i would with M3 E46, But i am doing up a E36 Evo . As Neilb above was saying any more plans ------------- http://s897.photobucket.com/albums/ac175/johnadams/?action=view¤t=hood001-2.jpg" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: DJ Syxx
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2014 at 10:45pm
Thanks guys In terms of plans I will need to address the subframe as I have started getting corrosion around the spot welds and have noticed a small rust line forming through where the floor folds upwards on the crease line, the usual spot where they go. Its luckily not split nor criticial yet but will need doing. I have the plates from Reddish to carry this out so will be looking to do this towards the end of the year. Meantime this brings me to my next update....... -------------
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Posted By: DJ Syxx
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2014 at 10:47pm
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In April did some maintenance on the car. Needed its annual oil change and I also decided to tackle replacing the fuel filter as I had no record or idea of it ever being changed. So first thing was to drive the car around to get the oil nice and runny to drain out better and watch oil run free. https://flic.kr/p/ndDzCx" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/ndDzCx" rel="nofollow - 375 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on FlickrOld filter out and new OEM one waiting to go in. https://flic.kr/p/ndFUAs" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/ndFUAs" rel="nofollow - 368 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on FlickrThe filter kits always come with the crush washer for the drain plug, https://flic.kr/p/nbBaVL" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/nbBaVL" rel="nofollow - 369 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on FlickrAlong with the crush washer for the oil filter housing, bolt and seal, https://flic.kr/p/nbBaah" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/nbBaah" rel="nofollow - 371 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on FlickrFresh oil courtesy of ECP: https://flic.kr/p/nbB8XG" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/nbB8XG" rel="nofollow - 370 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on FlickrGave the oil filter housing a clean, I cleaned it up more after this pic and got it very shiny :lol: https://flic.kr/p/nbB5MP" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/nbB5MP" rel="nofollow - 372 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on FlickrCleaned the filter housing cap and fitted the new seal: https://flic.kr/p/ndDT3k" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/ndDT3k" rel="nofollow - 373 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on FlickrFilter in its new home: https://flic.kr/p/ndDSPz" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/ndDSPz" rel="nofollow - 374 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on FlickrAnd filled up with around 5.5 litres of the good stuff. Next task was to fit the fuel filter. Before carrying out this job, I removed Fuse 54 to stop the fuel pump working started the car up a few times till it cut out to relieve the pressure. This helps in stopping a lot of fuel spraying everywhere under pressure. This was a little difficult doing it on the floor as you need to remove the two plastic shields and the metal one protecting the filter. I started at the front and you need a 19mm spanner and a monkey wrench or vice grip etc to loosen it from the fuel line. As you will see I loosened it already. And disconnect the breather pipes attached. https://flic.kr/p/ndFRCo" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/ndFRCo" rel="nofollow - 376 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on FlickrNew vs old filter. https://flic.kr/p/ndDyZ8" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/ndDyZ8" rel="nofollow - 377 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on FlickrAs you see the build date for my new filter is recent: https://flic.kr/p/ndDQZH" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/ndDQZH" rel="nofollow - 379 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on FlickrAnd this is the old, the same build date as my car so original one from factory!!! https://flic.kr/p/nbB3RV" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/nbB3RV" rel="nofollow - 378 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on FlickrNew one now fitted: https://flic.kr/p/nbB73A" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/nbB73A" rel="nofollow - 380 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on FlickrLastly since fitting my coilovers I was advised by a few and read on the internet to fit reinforcement plates for the rear top mounts to reduce stress on the mount. You can buy Z3 ones or get ones made by Phoenix Motorsport so I ordered a pair from them and slipped them on for added protection. Thanks to Kash for the recommendation. https://flic.kr/p/nbB2VM" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/nbB2VM" rel="nofollow - 381 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on FlickrSimply go over the top and bolt them down: https://flic.kr/p/nbB51U" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/nbB51U" rel="nofollow - 382 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/nbB4Jb" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/nbB4Jb" rel="nofollow - 383 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr-------------
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Posted By: DJ Syxx
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2014 at 10:54pm
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End of May I was a bit bored so I thought I'd go see my good close friend Dips from Custom Cars for a catch up. He also had a little surprise for me in store with my wheels finally ready and built up. They were all sealed up a few days ago to allow for the bead seal to harden. So while I set out to load up the tyres he got the new metal valves ready. Last year I had made my mind up to sell my AC Schnitzer type 3 splits which then left me with the question of what do I run as something different. As many of you know I was after hartge splits in 18" form but they are rare and when they do come up come with a massive price tag. So after looking at different styles and looking on M3forum an Stanceworks to get some inspiration I looked to see what was for sale which I could put my stamp on. I very nearly bought a set of Oz Futuras around Xmas time but due to me being indecisive they got sold. So I looked at other possibilities. Criteria had to be something old school but not too old, 3 piece and with usable offsets in order to make them wider without having much issue to getting them to fit. A lot of people thought I might have gone with AC Schnitzer type 2 splits as it seemed a logical choice as some of you know I'm a big fan of the early stuff but had to be something different that no one else had. Beginning of the year I had a number of wheels as possible contenders and with advice from Dips I went ahead done the deal on the wheels whilst on a holiday in Morocco! So they arrived after I came back from holiday and were promptly dropped off to Dips who kept them for safe keeping. The wheels hadn't been refurbed as it still had the time stamp stickers of October 1999! After doing an initial trial fit and working out what lips to run, Dips had them ordered up and a full refurb was carried out, so all 4 barrels stripped and powdercoated along with the centres. Two lips that were ordered were already polished ready to go which just left the lips that were going on the front to be polished. I was amazed when they came back in its new form and couldn't believe how stunning they were and Dips had done a damn fine job with them. These are also very rare and don't come up often in 18's as opposed to the ones with the bolts going around the centre and have yet to see another M3 with them on. So here they are in there finished form, they measure up as 9x18 for the front and 10.75x18 for the rear. Tyre sizes I went for 235/40/18 and 265/35/18 respectively and through a mate managed to get a set of Continental Sport Contact 3 all round for a very good price. https://flic.kr/p/nJHHQJ" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/nJHHQJ" rel="nofollow - 386 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/nspQvW" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/nspQvW" rel="nofollow - 385 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/nJHHwN" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/nJHHwN" rel="nofollow - 387 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on FlickrAfter a trial fitment it needed an arch roll so Dips done his magic to clear a bit more room: https://flic.kr/p/nGRXCJ" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/nGRXCJ" rel="nofollow - 388 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on FlickrAfter fitting them on it was recommended by Steve who happened to be passing through to put a 5mm spacer on for the front just to push it out slightly so here they are. https://flic.kr/p/nJSiqW" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/nJSiqW" rel="nofollow - 390 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/nJHGKC" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/nJHGKC" rel="nofollow - 400 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/nJHGpC" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/nJHGpC" rel="nofollow - 401 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/nsq2jS" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/nsq2jS" rel="nofollow - 403 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/nMfMmi" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/nMfMmi" rel="nofollow - 404 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on FlickrA big thanks to goes to Dips from Custom Cars for an excellent job on the wheels and arch rolling and to Steve for the spacer recommendation. -------------
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Posted By: DJ Syxx
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2014 at 10:54pm
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Just recently put it through its MOT and touchwood went through without dramas. Little while back I bought a set of stainless steel exhaust clamps as my old ones were basically rotted through so I got these ones which were made up by a forum member on m3cutters which will last a hell of a lot longer than buying a replacement OEM set. Haven't got a pic of the corroded clamps but I'm sure its visible in a couple of pics when I was fitting my coilovers. I bought new gasket rings, nuts and bolts to do the job. Was around Dips place at the Custom Cars, grounded off whatever remants where left of the old ones and Dips got on with fitting them in place. https://flic.kr/p/oexYWq" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/oexYWq" rel="nofollow - 480 by https://www.flickr.com/people//" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/nZpYy4" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/nZpYy4" rel="nofollow - 483 by https://www.flickr.com/people//" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on FlickrI was out and about the other day and took some fresh photos up in Chalfont making the usual change to the industrial estate backgrounds I normally use lol. Thanks for looking. :) https://flic.kr/p/nZ6Fx6" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/nZ6Fx6" rel="nofollow - 453 by https://www.flickr.com/people//" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/oimfGk" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/oimfGk" rel="nofollow - 456 by https://www.flickr.com/people//" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/nZ6EVp" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/nZ6EVp" rel="nofollow - 457 by https://www.flickr.com/people//" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/nZ7Fsn" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/nZ7Fsn" rel="nofollow - 458 by https://www.flickr.com/people//" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/nZ6DX2" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/nZ6DX2" rel="nofollow - 459 by https://www.flickr.com/people//" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/nZ6uMY" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/nZ6uMY" rel="nofollow - 467 by https://www.flickr.com/people//" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/oexXDf" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/oexXDf" rel="nofollow - 468 by https://www.flickr.com/people//" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/ogphMQ" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/ogphMQ" rel="nofollow - 469 by https://www.flickr.com/people//" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/nZ6hff" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/nZ6hff" rel="nofollow - 473 by https://www.flickr.com/people//" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/nZ6CEc" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/nZ6CEc" rel="nofollow - 476 by https://www.flickr.com/people//" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/ogzV24" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/ogzV24" rel="nofollow - 478 by https://www.flickr.com/people//" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickr-------------
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Posted By: FwordM3
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2014 at 9:42pm
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Love it! ------------- http://www.mybannermaker.com" rel="nofollow"> |
Posted By: DJ Syxx
Date Posted: 04 Sep 2014 at 12:32pm
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Thanks guys. Not much to report, found a few pics online of mine from Gaydon: http://s629.photobucket.com/user/Cam-1/media/Gaydon%20BMW%20Festival%202014/gaydon_31.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">  http://s629.photobucket.com/user/Cam-1/media/Gaydon%20BMW%20Festival%202014/gaydon_41.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">      Kos from C-Unit took this excellent rolling shot on our way to Gaydon.  I recently purchased a Matt Haley oil filter cover housing custom machined from Aluminum and fits on top of the oil filter cover which makes a nice addition to the engine bay. Hit it with some britemax metal polish and has come out a treat. https://flic.kr/p/oUhBVo" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/oUhBVo" rel="nofollow - 20140827_162557 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/oDPNHs" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/oDPNHs" rel="nofollow - 20140827_162615 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/oDQc2U" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/oDQc2U" rel="nofollow - 20140827_162644 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on FlickrTook some photos the other night trying out a 30mm fixed lens I bought a while back. Got a lot to learn with it I took a whole load of shots trying to get the car more in focus with the backdrop blurred out a little. Getting the hang of it but with some practice I can get a little better. https://flic.kr/p/p4c22Y" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/p4c22Y" rel="nofollow - 484 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/p2c6oQ" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/p2c6oQ" rel="nofollow - 485 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/oLJPBM" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/oLJPBM" rel="nofollow - 486 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/p4c17S" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/p4c17S" rel="nofollow - 487 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/oLJ5H2" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/oLJ5H2" rel="nofollow - 488 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/p2c4Yf" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/p2c4Yf" rel="nofollow - 489 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/p2c4qm" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/p2c4qm" rel="nofollow - 490 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/p3XCbn" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/p3XCbn" rel="nofollow - 491 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/p4dXUK" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/p4dXUK" rel="nofollow - 493 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/oLJ3Q4" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/oLJ3Q4" rel="nofollow - 494 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/p4bXm1" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/p4bXm1" rel="nofollow - 495 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/oLJ3eK" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/oLJ3eK" rel="nofollow - 498 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/oLJ318" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/oLJ318" rel="nofollow - 499 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/p4bWwq" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/p4bWwq" rel="nofollow - 506 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on FlickrCheers for looking :) -------------
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Posted By: DJ Syxx
Date Posted: 19 Oct 2014 at 7:34pm
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We are well into Autumn and with winter approaching and show season finished for this year I polished the mitos up ready for storage till next year. Few weeks ago I decided to get my winter wheels refurbed as they were never touched and had some pitting as well as being a little discoloured and dull. There were a few kerb marks here and there but nothing major so Dips did his usual magic. Haven't got any before shots but here is how they are now and are like new: https://flic.kr/p/prMZhD" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/prMZhD" rel="nofollow - 507 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/pHZHRx" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/pHZHRx" rel="nofollow - 508 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/prMjvw" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/prMjvw" rel="nofollow - 509 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on FlickrSome wheel refurbers when they powdercoat they lay it on too thick but these came out just right. The inside of the barrels and the back of the spokes came out very well. The stamps with the logos and part numbers are perfectly visible and not mushed due to a thick layer etc. https://flic.kr/p/oMnSmC" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/oMnSmC" rel="nofollow - 510 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/prMjbd" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/prMjbd" rel="nofollow - 511 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/pJiGo7" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/pJiGo7" rel="nofollow - 512 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/pJiFSs" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/pJiFSs" rel="nofollow - 513 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/prMXAc" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/prMXAc" rel="nofollow - 514 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/prMigs" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/prMigs" rel="nofollow - 515 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on FlickrNext to add a little twist to the wheels those that remember my 2 piece racing versions I had the design element spoke inserts which give a different look to the wheels. I managed to grab a set designed to fit the 19" spokes which make it look a bit like an AC Schnitzer type 2 hybrid, plus these are rare. Having never seen them fitted to the one piece type 3's it was a bit of gamble. So comments if you think they look good with them on is appreciated. So I got cracking with fitting the elements on: https://flic.kr/p/prQVHm" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/prQVHm" rel="nofollow - 533 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on FlickrWent out for a little drive and I grabbed a few photos. Excuse the quality I used a compact camera but you get the idea.....oh and the smoked lights are back on lol https://flic.kr/p/prK122" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/prK122" rel="nofollow - 516 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/prN782" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/prN782" rel="nofollow - 518 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/prQ5gf" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/prQ5gf" rel="nofollow - 520 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/oMnYNf" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/oMnYNf" rel="nofollow - 522 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/oMnYtC" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/oMnYtC" rel="nofollow - 523 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/prJWsZ" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/prJWsZ" rel="nofollow - 528 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/pJiMeu" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/pJiMeu" rel="nofollow - 529 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on FlickrBig thank you to Dips for bringing my wheels back to life. :) -------------
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Posted By: rpennington
Date Posted: 19 Oct 2014 at 9:01pm
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It was good to chat with you & to see the car in the flesh at gaydon,looked stunning. Wheels look great & I think the smoked lights look a lot better than the amber. I have clear lenses on my e46, where do you get the stuff from to smoke them & is it easy to do? Regards Rich ------------- 1999 E46 323i se Saloon - sold 2011 E90 325d msport - sold 2014 F30 335d xdrive msport plus pack - sold 2018 f36 420d msport gran coupe xdrive - written off 2020 f44 m235i gran coupe xdrive |
Posted By: DJ Syxx
Date Posted: 20 Oct 2014 at 1:06pm
Thanks Rich good to meet you to and have a chat as well. My front and side indicators are replacement smoked lights made by Depo. They have them available for the saloon as well. The rear lights I used Lamin-X which is a bit like tint film but slightly thicker and more hard wearing. Its not the easiest thing to use though as you need to cut to shape so a little patience and borrowing the missus hairdryer makes it easier to apply. -------------
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Posted By: JimF
Date Posted: 17 Jan 2015 at 6:41pm
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I absolutely love this car! Ambers, cinnammon interior, splits... Gorgeous! |
Posted By: DJ Syxx
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2016 at 10:35pm
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Neglected this thread for quite sometime so going to copy and paste what's been done since the last time, here goes! So........ I saw a video demo of a P3 gauge which fits in your air vent so a replacement. It basically gives you a read out of the car in terms of RPM, oil temp, coolant etc. etc. Unfortunately they don't seem to work properly with the E46 M3. I then found by chance a company in the states who were selling these digital vent gauges which again are a replacement. I then found out through more google searching that the gauges were made by a German company called Awron who sell them for various BMW models. I really liked the look of it and after seeing a demo of it working I had to have one. So I contacted them and got them to send me one out for my RHD car. They also make them for LHD cars too. The gauge is pre installed by them in the factory vent and all you do is replace your existing one. You can also ask for yours to feature boost pressure etc. if your running a turbo/S/C. Its touchscreen as well so you simply touch it to view the parameters you want. Here is what you can view: RPM Level Oil Temperature Water Temperature Intake Temperature Exhaust Temperature Throttle Angle O2 sensor values Voltage Two Axis G-Meter 0-60 mph & 0-120 mph Acceleration Timer Maximum Recorded Values Here's the unit as it comes: https://flic.kr/p/r4rhFk" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/r4rhFk" rel="nofollow - 571 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/rHMf8c" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/rHMf8c" rel="nofollow - 572 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on FlickrThe supplied wiring loom: https://flic.kr/p/rHDd59" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/rHDd59" rel="nofollow - 574 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on FlickrWiring is pretty straightforward as is removing the existing vent. You need to unscrew the drivers underpanel and unclip the OBD wire plug. 3 wires are connected to the plug. https://flic.kr/p/rFUEbi" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/rFUEbi" rel="nofollow - 573 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on FlickrThen need to remove and unplug the LCM: https://flic.kr/p/rXWyH3" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/rXWyH3" rel="nofollow - 575 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on FlickrSlide out the connectors and connect one wire from the loom: https://flic.kr/p/s1aLbk" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/s1aLbk" rel="nofollow - 576 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/r4espy" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/r4espy" rel="nofollow - 577 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on FlickrThen simply put it all back together and unit fitted: https://flic.kr/p/rHMdzH" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/rHMdzH" rel="nofollow - 578 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/r4rfvZ" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/r4rfvZ" rel="nofollow - 579 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on FlickrThese are what you can view on the screen: https://flic.kr/p/rFUCoF" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/rFUCoF" rel="nofollow - 580 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/s1ezVM" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/s1ezVM" rel="nofollow - 583 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/r4rdZH" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/r4rdZH" rel="nofollow - 584 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/r4rdvg" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/r4rdvg" rel="nofollow - 585 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/rHD9BY" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/rHD9BY" rel="nofollow - 586 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/rHD993" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/rHD993" rel="nofollow - 587 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/rHMa68" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/rHMa68" rel="nofollow - 588 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/rFUz2v" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/rFUz2v" rel="nofollow - 589 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on FlickrCouple of pics shown in the dash: https://flic.kr/p/rHD835" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/rHD835" rel="nofollow - 590 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/r4rbrg" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/r4rbrg" rel="nofollow - 591 by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on FlickrHere's a video demo: [youtube] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJxkDMmbm1o" rel="nofollow - Awron Digital Vent Gauge BMW E46 M3 - YouTube [/youtube] Its a nice bit of kit and adds a little something to the dash. Downside is you lose one vent but to be honest I never use the dash vents except for controlling the temp. Is a nice bit of kit and for the geeks out there wanting to see what's going with their car while driving it. -------------
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Posted By: DJ Syxx
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2016 at 10:36pm
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Next on the list was the exhaust. Currently I have the Eurostyle
tailpipes on the OEM backbox which is fine but always wanted an a back
box just for a little added noise. The OEM exhaust is still a great
thing so I wanted something that would be still on par with it but gave
more. You have the likes of Supersprint, Scorpion, Borla, Active Autowerks etc. etc. but Eisenmann for me is still the best one out there. So random browsing on ebay and I found a secondhand one for sale which was in good condition. So struck a deal and got it collected. I finally got round to getting fitted on the Easter weekend. So started to undo my exhaust clamps which were a doddle as there the 2 piece stainless steel versions. https://flic.kr/p/rXWtgm" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/rXWtgm" rel="nofollow - 593
by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on
FlickrRemoved my back bumper to make the job easier and got a support for the exhaust and undone the exhaust hanger bolts which took ages to remove. https://flic.kr/p/rHD6WC" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/rHD6WC" rel="nofollow - 594
by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on
FlickrGot the jacks in place and pulled the exhaust down: https://flic.kr/p/rHD6yd" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/rHD6yd" rel="nofollow - 595
by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on
Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/rFUwSk" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/rFUwSk" rel="nofollow - 596
by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on
FlickrUndo the bolt attaching the hanger to the exhaust: https://flic.kr/p/r4ekVb" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/r4ekVb" rel="nofollow - 597
by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on
FlickrHere's my Eisenmann in all its glory. This one is the Race Version and has 82mm tailpipes https://flic.kr/p/rHM6Yr" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/rHM6Yr" rel="nofollow - 598
by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on
Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/rFUvHB" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/rFUvHB" rel="nofollow - 599
by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on
Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/s1eucc" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/s1eucc" rel="nofollow - 600
by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on
FlickrGot the hangers attached to the Eisenmann and then a case of mounting it to the car so got the connecting pipes joined together: https://flic.kr/p/r4ejRh" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/r4ejRh" rel="nofollow - 601
by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on
FlickrAll mounted in place: https://flic.kr/p/rHEi4N" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/rHEi4N" rel="nofollow - 603
by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on
FlickrCopper greased the threads to help prevent seizing and to make it easier to tighten up the bolts: https://flic.kr/p/rHEixo" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/rHEixo" rel="nofollow - 602
by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on
Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/rHD3B1" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/rHD3B1" rel="nofollow - 604
by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on
FlickrAnd job done: https://flic.kr/p/s1aAYH" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/s1aAYH" rel="nofollow - 605
by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on
Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/rFUtEt" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/rFUtEt" rel="nofollow - 606
by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on
Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/rHM498" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/rHM498" rel="nofollow - 607
by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on
FlickrHere's a little sound clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_CF-jwPPMk" rel="nofollow - Eisenmann Race Exhaust BMW E46 M3 - YouTube Plans later this year is: Subframe repair Going 1/2 inch wider on the Mitos making it 11.25x18 Recolonise leather interior Steering wheel retrim by Jack with cinnamon stitching Few more carbon goodies for the engine bay Also picked up these too 6 pot front and 4 pot rear but will need to do a trial fit to see if there is clearance issues with the Mitos and if spacers are needed and what sizes etc. If they clear or don't need a massive spacer they will then get repainted in a dark orange. https://flic.kr/p/r4enF5" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/r4enF5" rel="nofollow - 592
by https://www.flickr.com/people/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - djsyxx6 , on
Flickr-------------
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Posted By: DJ Syxx
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2016 at 10:37pm
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My car had suffered the fate of the dreaded subframe boot crack albeit not critical. I had been checking on it and it had not spread much partly as I don't drive the car much and doesn't see track days etc. This year I wanted to get it done without fail as I didn't want to neglect it any longer. Originally plan was to buy the plates and weld them in to contain the problem. After a seeing a large number of threads on the subject on m3cutters with ETA motorsport being praised on how they do the job and not charging as much as Reddish I gave a call to them to see what was what. After speaking to whoever it was on the phone, they use their own metal plates and were not interested in the Reddish plates or for that matter to use them. They briefly explained their process but I did feel after the conversation with whoever it was on the phone they gave quite a blunt type of response to my questions and what they do more so when I mentioned about the reddish plates. So pondering on it I remember a while back Blair's E46 LS1 engined E46 had the boot floor strengthened by Craig at Dynotorque and after seeing the pics on Blairs build thread as well as the big Driftwork projects they undertake along with his great fabrication skills I decided to give Craig a call to find out what he charges and his process. He explained his repair method in detail but doesn't use reinforcement plates anymore as it doesn't solve the issue of the boot floor flexing and cracking. Thing I found was Craig gives you the time of day when he talked through his process. I also spoke to a few others who had their boot floors repaired by Craig and they were happy with the job and how it was done and none have reported any cracks or failures since, price wise it is a little more expensive than ETA but cheaper than Reddish. Being as the subframe carrier was going to come out for the job I wanted to get replacement bushes so I spoke to Ben Koflach at Hack Engineering who also praised his work and recommended I would be in good hands if he does the job. Ben recommended the Revshift bushes but the slightly softer compound which would be perfect for my needs and I decided to keep with OEM RTAB. So after giving it much thought I got the car finally booked in last month and took the drive up to Birmingham to Dynotorque to leave the car there for about a week. Here's the crack which I spotted first time round, pic was taken around a year ago this was after cleaning the underseal. The crack hadn't spread but was obviously still present. https://flic.kr/p/uFZUnZ" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/uFZUnZ" rel="nofollow - 608 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrCraig couldn't send me many pictures of the repair but managed a few but his process involves checking for any cracks in the floor area and repair. Upon inspection the only crack that was present was the one above on the rear passenger where they start to go first. Boot floor area cut open: https://flic.kr/p/uGezsx" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/uGezsx" rel="nofollow - 610 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/upq8b3" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/upq8b3" rel="nofollow - 612 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrCrack visible from the inside of the boot floor where its been cut open https://flic.kr/p/upxLBF" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/upxLBF" rel="nofollow - 611 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrWelded up: https://flic.kr/p/uDFj23" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/uDFj23" rel="nofollow - 613 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrAs you see he has cut open the boot floor area. Those wondering why its simple, he does this to weld in metal bars across the mounting areas to strengthen and reinforce. This basically beefs up the area and Craig said this reinforcement method ensures that the floor will never flex and for that matter crack again. While the subframe was dropped out to have the work done Craig replaced the subframe bushes along with the RTAB. Big thanks to Ben at Hack Engineering for getting the revshift bushes in for me in time. https://flic.kr/p/uDFov3" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/uDFov3" rel="nofollow - 609 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrFitted: https://flic.kr/p/uDFiYN" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/uDFiYN" rel="nofollow - 614 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/upq8aG" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/upq8aG" rel="nofollow - 615 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/uGeziz" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/uGeziz" rel="nofollow - 616 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrCraig noted that my old bushes were perfectly fine upon inspection which is not bad going considering they have never been replaced. He also checked if my brake lines were not corroded and they were fine too. Once all put back together he then underseals it to protect from corrosion as well as the boot floor. Couldn't get any proper pics from underneath but you get the idea. https://flic.kr/p/tK9Y8z" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/tK9Y8z" rel="nofollow - 617 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/uFy4Mj" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/uFy4Mj" rel="nofollow - 618 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/tK9Xn6" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/tK9Xn6" rel="nofollow - 619 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/uFxQFQ" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/uFxQFQ" rel="nofollow - 620 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/uppES9" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/uppES9" rel="nofollow - 621 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrAfter getting the car back Craig did praise and say the car has been looked after and there was little to no issue when taking apart the rear end which was a great compliment by him. Impressions now its been reinforced? The car did noticeably feel tighter at the rear end and feels more planted. After getting it aligned back home it felt better than before. Early days yet I know but so far I am satisfied with the work done and definitely would recommend Dynotorque for the subframe repair. So with the boot floor done and dusted I moved onto doing a few subtle things. Firstly bought a set of smoked fog lights to replace my stone chipped ones and I found a set of Hamann fog covers which sit further in to the bumper as opposed to sitting flush plus these ones fit so much better. I gave them to Dips to spray up and now fitted to the car. https://flic.kr/p/uGeBxK" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/uGeBxK" rel="nofollow - 622 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrNext I wanted to make my Oz Mito's a little wider. It kinda bugged me they weren't proper 11x18 as they were 10.75x18. At the time of working out dish sizes I played it safe and went for a 3.25 which looked good but really wanted it to be 3.5 or more to make it a 11" wide wheel. So I got Dips to order 2 new lips for me measuring 3.75 taking my wheels to 11.25x18. Dips stripped the rears down and rebuilt them back up. https://flic.kr/p/uG168B" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/uG168B" rel="nofollow - 623 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrI also thought going up half an inch wouldn't make much difference but unfortunately my 265/35/18 would catch the arches even though it was rolled and running 2 deg camber. It was two options at this point, camber arms or downsize tyres. So not wanting to have increase tyre wear due to camber I bought a new set of tyres and for the front too as it wouldn't have looked right so fresh Continental sport 3 255/35/18 and 225/40/18 were ordered. Going down to these sizes has enabled me to drop it a little more as well as fronts couldn't go lower with previous setup and has given me the much needed clearance. So I now have the previous tyre setup taking space but they will be used for another set of wheels I picked up not long ago, so watch this space. ;) -------------
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Posted By: DJ Syxx
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2016 at 10:38pm
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As many of you know I have the rare cinnamon interior which I got very lucky to find in the first place a few years back. The only thing I was always a little disappointed with was the condition of the leather as it had been taken out of a car that had done over 130k miles so wasn't the best but least it made a nice addition against the steel grey exterior. Apart from going full re-trim which would have cost a fair wedge I looked into colonising the leather as the interior was in a state where it was still salvageable. So Dips got me in contact with Alex at Elite Car Care who specialises in detailing paintwork, leather colonising, interior detailing and detailing products which can be found on his website http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/" rel="nofollow - http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/ So after speaking with Alex to get the car booked in, finally got a slot to drop the car off to his workshop in Maidenhead a few weeks back and left the car in his hands. So process was to clean the interior down, make any repairs needed and then to recolonise the seats and door cards. His process brings the interior back to a point in keeping with the cars age and the natural crease lines are left alone as filling them would very likely crack and peel which will make the interior look worse. Only thing he couldn't do was redo my stitching on the drivers bolster which has come away a little but no biggie. As cinnamon is not an easy match it took a little longer to get the right match for my interior and as Alex wanted to make sure the job was spot on I was happy to wait. Got the call to collect the car and made my way down last week. Soon as I opened the drivers door the difference was literally like night and day and he done a great job in bringing the leathers back to life. The drivers seat had excessive wear as well as a hole on the bolster which Alex said is not a problem at all to repair along with a cigarette burn on the rear bench seat. All the scuff marks had gone and the interior has a uniform colour compared to before where it was a little discoloured in some places. Here's the before pics: https://flic.kr/p/xHVYGa" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/xHVYGa" rel="nofollow - 658 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/yoikG2" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/yoikG2" rel="nofollow - 659 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/yFyL4D" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/yFyL4D" rel="nofollow - 660 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/yocnbY" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/yocnbY" rel="nofollow - 661 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/yodyiJ" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/yodyiJ" rel="nofollow - 662 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/xHML6q" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/xHML6q" rel="nofollow - 663 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/xHVVEZ" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/xHVVEZ" rel="nofollow - 664 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/xHMK5h" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/xHMK5h" rel="nofollow - 665 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/yFyGQK" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/yFyGQK" rel="nofollow - 666 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/yFyGiH" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/yFyGiH" rel="nofollow - 667 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/yEP8KB" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/yEP8KB" rel="nofollow - 668 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/xHVT7T" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/xHVT7T" rel="nofollow - 669 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrAnd here's after with Alex's handy work: https://flic.kr/p/yocht1" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/yocht1" rel="nofollow - 670 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/yoient" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/yoient" rel="nofollow - 671 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/yodtfh" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/yodtfh" rel="nofollow - 672 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/yDQYHC" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/yDQYHC" rel="nofollow - 673 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/yDQYhh" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/yDQYhh" rel="nofollow - 674 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/yocf15" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/yocf15" rel="nofollow - 675 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/xHVPZF" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/xHVPZF" rel="nofollow - 676 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/xHMDs5" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/xHMDs5" rel="nofollow - 677 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/yCuDBS" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/yCuDBS" rel="nofollow - 678 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/yocdam" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/yocdam" rel="nofollow - 679 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/yEP3bk" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/yEP3bk" rel="nofollow - 680 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/yFyzXg" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/yFyzXg" rel="nofollow - 681 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrA big thanks goes to Alex at Elite Car Care for an excellent job bringing the interior back to life. -------------
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Posted By: DJ Syxx
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2016 at 10:39pm
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Some of you will have already seen how my engine bay looks from shows this year but haven't posted on my build thread what was added since fitting a GSR airbox along with a carbon fibre intake piece and rocker cover over a year ago. So beginning of the year I wanted to add some more just to finish it off so I looked through some options like carbon hydro dipping but seen a few examples of it and wasn't impressed with the finish so looking to find someone who could do carbon skinning properly. I found a guy in Thailand named Prapan from NVD Autosport who does carbon skinning of original parts and done in an excellent way from the work I saw. So I took the plunge and send him a few bits which were my xenon ballast cover, ecu cover and emission pump cover. I got him to supply me a pollen filter cover as it saved me on sending a bigger box to him. So they came back and I was amazed with the quality and workmanship. There is not one lacquer overspray or carbon overhanging corners etc. I really couldn't fault it. I'll let the pics do the talking..... ECU Cover https://flic.kr/p/B88Zrb" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/B88Zrb" rel="nofollow - Carbon Engine Bits (1) by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/BV47DQ" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/BV47DQ" rel="nofollow - Carbon Engine Bits (2) by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrXenon Ballast Cover https://flic.kr/p/Bw8Cdr" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/Bw8Cdr" rel="nofollow - Carbon Engine Bits (3) by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/BCw5t3" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/BCw5t3" rel="nofollow - Carbon Engine Bits (4) by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/C5E1jp" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/C5E1jp" rel="nofollow - Carbon Engine Bits (5) by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrEmissions Pump Cover https://flic.kr/p/BXnm5D" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/BXnm5D" rel="nofollow - Carbon Engine Bits (6) by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/C3mhSy" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/C3mhSy" rel="nofollow - Carbon Engine Bits (7) by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrPollen Filter Cover https://flic.kr/p/C3mhts" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/C3mhts" rel="nofollow - Carbon Engine Bits (8) by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/B8fmJt" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/B8fmJt" rel="nofollow - Carbon Engine Bits (9) by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/Bw9kue" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/Bw9kue" rel="nofollow - Carbon Engine Bits (10) by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrFitted to the engine bay: https://flic.kr/p/B8fkUx" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/B8fkUx" rel="nofollow - Carbon Engine Bits (11) by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/BXnuoc" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/BXnuoc" rel="nofollow - Carbon Engine Bits (12) by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/B89Mx9" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/B89Mx9" rel="nofollow - Carbon Engine Bits (13) by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/B89LWu" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/B89LWu" rel="nofollow - Carbon Engine Bits (14) by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/B8fqDx" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/B8fqDx" rel="nofollow - Carbon Engine Bits (15) by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/BCwRGE" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/BCwRGE" rel="nofollow - Carbon Engine Bits (16) by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/B8fwvH" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/B8fwvH" rel="nofollow - Carbon Engine Bits (17) by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/Bw9vi2" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/Bw9vi2" rel="nofollow - Carbon Engine Bits (18) by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickr-------------
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Posted By: DJ Syxx
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2016 at 10:42pm
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So brings me to my newest additions to the car (which was fitted 2 months back lol). As many know I was running D2 coilovers which were decent but the only thing that let them down was the top mounts not being offset. As many know the M3 use offset top mounts to increase the castor angle. I asked D2 directly if an offset mount was available after numerous emails in explaining why the M3 is different and was told there isn't one that is supplied with the coilovers for the M3. They do a separate top mount which apparently is their 3d mount which has castor adjust. So I asked the distributors here in the UK for info and a price but to no avail so due to the lack of decent support I got pissed off and decided to see if a set of 2nd hand BC coilovers would turn up. Luckily Styler the forum sponsor on M3Cutters was doing a special offer on BC coilovers so I decided to snap it. You can get them in different spring rates and the normal default package is 8kg front and 12kg rear. I had read on here that some found it a little on the hard side so I had Styler order them for me with 10kg rear for a better compromise. Didn't take many pics as you get the idea of what they look like. https://flic.kr/p/B8a3vq" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/B8a3vq" rel="nofollow - 746 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrInitial thoughts were good, they felt similar to the D2's I had and perform as they should. Downside which I noticed was it does transmit more noise through the body mainly when you go over say cracks or ruts in the road, but other than that can't fault them. Most importantly I got my castor angle back to what it should be as previously it was around 5.3-5.4 and now its up to 7.2-7.3 which is the perfect range. While I swapped out my suspension I wanted something to finish off the engine bay in terms of strut bar. I looked into the AC schnitzer item but it was hit and miss if they fit with camber plates. I came across a different bar one evening and had a browse on Rogue Engineerings website and really liked the look of it. Its a one piece bar made from steel and had the rigid and sturdy look I was looking for. So I contacted Ejaz at 0-60motorsport to order in one for me. The only downside to the bar is when fitting you have to move the strut a little so its lined properly to fit it down on to the strut tower. https://flic.kr/p/B8a2VC" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/B8a2VC" rel="nofollow - 747 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrCompared with the stock bar this is just so much more beefier and strong: https://flic.kr/p/BXnRn6" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/BXnRn6" rel="nofollow - 748 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrBig thanks to Ejaz for supplying the bar. Cheers for looking :) -------------
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Posted By: DJ Syxx
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2016 at 10:43pm
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So been some weeks since I've updated this thread not done a lot this year but there's always something! Firstly needed to replace my battery the old one had sadly seen better days and wasn't holding its charge as good weirdly didn't come up with a yellow to replace as it was showing a black circle plus being the original battery I'm surprised it lasted this long. https://flic.kr/p/F1NWcf" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/F1NWcf" rel="nofollow - 762 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrSo went and got a brand new Bosch S5 010, ordered from carparts4less for £90 delivered. It fits perfect and you simply remove the hose connector and black plastic plug from your old battery and fit to this one. https://flic.kr/p/EeN5Z9" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/EeN5Z9" rel="nofollow - 763 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrAs a comparison the Bosch S5 weighs in at 19kg but the OEM battery I removed weighed 21.6kg. Not that I am after weight saving but a nice to know and every little helps. Most importantly car now starts up more positively. -------------
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Posted By: DJ Syxx
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2016 at 10:44pm
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Next I finally got round to fitting my boot release switch which I bought nearly a year ago. Anyone wanting to do it the part numbers you need are: 61130005197 x4 pin wires 61136954554 x1 housing connector 61318365579 x1 boot switch Also need around a couple of meters of speaker wire to use to extend the wiring from the switch, there's various DIY's on how to do it so not hard just taking various trims from the dash off. You can get plenty of boot switches on ebay for around £5 so all in with the above you need should cost less than £20 fitted. Its a handy mod specially with a CSL boot as it has no handle. https://flic.kr/p/FcvpPT" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/FcvpPT" rel="nofollow - 764 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickr
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Posted By: DJ Syxx
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2016 at 10:45pm
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Considered the holy grail of exhaust mods I decided to on impulse to grab a set of Supersprint Headers after getting fustrated with Status Gruppe not making the RHD versions for our cars. As many know they are pricey to begin with so soon as this set came up I had to have it so went to pick it up. Took some pics of it and have to say the workmanship is top notch the smoothness of the welds and the overall design is brilliant. Its just a shame you can't see these on show. I'll let the pics do the talking.... https://flic.kr/p/DkxT8R" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/DkxT8R" rel="nofollow - 750 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/DsPtBc" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/DsPtBc" rel="nofollow - 751 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/DkxNNP" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/DkxNNP" rel="nofollow - 752 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/CvqTf8" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/CvqTf8" rel="nofollow - 753 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/Diffbm" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/Diffbm" rel="nofollow - 754 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/DkxGh2" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/DkxGh2" rel="nofollow - 755 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/CviVUm" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/CviVUm" rel="nofollow - 756 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/D1GF8J" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/D1GF8J" rel="nofollow - 757 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/Dif6gY" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/Dif6gY" rel="nofollow - 758 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/Dkxyfk" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/Dkxyfk" rel="nofollow - 759 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/Dkxw7H" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/Dkxw7H" rel="nofollow - 760 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/CviKk5" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/CviKk5" rel="nofollow - 761 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrI usually DIY on this car but seeing what I was up against and really you need a ramp for this job I asked a few indy's who have a good rep and have experience with fitting these. Got in touch in Matt at ETA Motorsport after a recommendation and got the car booked in for fitting. As they were busy took a few weeks to get in which worked out perfect as I could order all new nuts, bolts and gaskets for the job. While it was up on the ramp Matt had a look to see if there was anything that needed addressing and apart from new gearbox mounts Matt said everything else is all good, which is good to know. As the expansion tank connector had to be removed I asked Matt to renew the coolant as it was also on my to do list. Verdict? It seems a bit more eager and responsive now and has a bit more of a growl. They did recommend I get the map tweaked to get the most out of it as I also have 100 cell cats and Eisenmann Race rear fitted so will be getting that done with Evolve and will get a dyno printout to see what the true power is now. -------------
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Posted By: DJ Syxx
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2016 at 10:47pm
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Wanting to make my engine bay properly complete with all the carbon goodies in there, I had a carbon fibre cover while looking great kinda wished it looked like the OEM with the spine grooves. After seeing Paul46's one I bought a spare cover so this could be done. I was going to use my guy in Thailand, NVD Autosport but because of shipping and import charges it would likely become a little expensive specially as the cover is quite big. So I then found another carbon skinning specialist who seemed to have the same work quality but is based in Poland called Jaydee Customs. After seeing his work I enquired about getting it skinned and we agreed a price and I sent it off. I got it back and like a excited kid opening up a present I had a big grin. He skinned it beautifully with no visible signs of defects etc. https://flic.kr/p/HsA8kJ" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/HsA8kJ" rel="nofollow - 765 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/JeJFVf" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/JeJFVf" rel="nofollow - 766 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/JeJDvA" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/JeJDvA" rel="nofollow - 768 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrSo I got on with fitting it on, as its OEM it fits perfectly and I think it completes my bay. https://flic.kr/p/Jif5iK" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/Jif5iK" rel="nofollow - 779 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/HtSApq" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/HtSApq" rel="nofollow - 780 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/JmVXCY" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/JmVXCY" rel="nofollow - 781 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/JpX9JV" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/JpX9JV" rel="nofollow - 782 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickr-------------
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Posted By: DJ Syxx
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2016 at 10:49pm
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And now for the big update! Always wanting a BBK but never quite pulling the trigger well last year I did. A set of front and rears came up and after a phonecall went to collect them from Imran at Evolve. They were in the original red but I wanted to make them a little different so I gave them to Dips at Custom Cars to strip and paint in a nice orange hue. Here they are painted: https://flic.kr/p/JeJA8y" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/JeJA8y" rel="nofollow - 771 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/JkD8qo" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/JkD8qo" rel="nofollow - 772 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/HsCREZ" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/HsCREZ" rel="nofollow - 774 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrSo got on with fitting them on, rears had to trim the backing plate and same for the front but otherwise easy enough fit the only ball ache was bleeding as they have 2 bleed nipples per caliper. Couple of pics of the car recent with brakes on. https://flic.kr/p/JgYuQ8" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/JgYuQ8" rel="nofollow - 776 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/JoFJi6" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/JoFJi6" rel="nofollow - 777 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/JoFHWe" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/JoFHWe" rel="nofollow - 778 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrThanks to Dips for painting these. -------------
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Posted By: DJ Syxx
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2016 at 10:51pm
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And this brings us up to date. After seeing the F10 M5 gear knob being fitted in quite a few cars now and being illuminated I decided to take the plunge on one. Part number for it is 25112284205. So I got on with removing the old gear knob. After reading stories of being smacked in the face I did wonder if the same fate would happen but it was very stubborn and I couldn't lift it up but luckily I had a monkey wrench to help remove it. I also hadn't realised or noticed my original gear knob not lighting up until I found the two wires had broken clean off the wiring connector. My old one was quite worn and the top had started to peel so ideal time to replace: https://flic.kr/p/Kddxdx" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/Kddxdx" rel="nofollow - 784 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrThe F10 M5 gearknob comes with the leather gaiter attached to the frame so you would need to remove it first by removing all the staples and then carefully detatching it from the frame as it is glued. https://flic.kr/p/JoFjDb" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/JoFjDb" rel="nofollow - 785 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/KaTV85" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/KaTV85" rel="nofollow - 786 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrOnce that's done you need remove the gaiter off your existing frame so that you can attach the new gaiter to it. Done a quick trial fit. https://flic.kr/p/JoFiZW" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/JoFiZW" rel="nofollow - 787 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrI used clothes pegs to position the gaiter until I was happy and then removed a few and applied adhesive so that it bonds to the frame. Once that's done then you can fit it back to the car and connect the loom for the illumination which is plug and play and here's the result: https://flic.kr/p/KddvBM" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/KddvBM" rel="nofollow - 788 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/JUa62C" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/JUa62C" rel="nofollow - 789 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrTo compliment the gear knob and after reading many postitive reviews I went ahead and bought an E60 short shift kit which is used on the 530/545/550 models. As I don't have small hands and being awkard to do on the driveway I took it to a place where a few mates had theirs done. https://flic.kr/p/JXoAGA" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/JXoAGA" rel="nofollow - 794 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrAfter fitting it I was really impressed, firstly the gear change now is much more precise and direct, the gear lever is not sloppy anymore which probably was down to the worn bush but makes such a nice difference. Its not too short or overly notchy so a worthwhile upgrade. As you can see the lever sits lower over the OEM. https://flic.kr/p/Koq5CD" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/Koq5CD" rel="nofollow - 795 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrPart numbers are 25117546373 for the lever, 25111220600 bush and 25117571899 circlip. Next up is the steering wheel and I got Jack at Royal Steering Wheels on the case. After speaking with him on the phone to discuss what I wanted he got on with it and took a drive up to him to have my old one swapped over for the newly trimmed one. I went for perforated sides and smooth top/bottom padded with cinnamon stitching and a cinnamon centre stripe. Here's before: https://flic.kr/p/KhhGe1" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/KhhGe1" rel="nofollow - 790 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrAnd after: https://flic.kr/p/Kdduyz" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/Kdduyz" rel="nofollow - 791 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/Kk9Qvi" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/Kk9Qvi" rel="nofollow - 792 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/JoHi6M" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/JoHi6M" rel="nofollow - 793 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrMy old wheel was in pretty good condition but you can't beat this new wheel. It just feels so much nicer to grip when your driving along now. -------------
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Posted By: rpennington
Date Posted: 23 Jul 2016 at 3:50pm
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Hi dj It has been a while!!! & I can see you have also been a busy boy with all the mods & reburbishments. Fantastic improvement on the seats & I like the look of that steering wheel. I have thought about having my leather done & possibly a few carbon engine detailing. If you are at Gaydon festival I would love to have a better look & have a chat regarding these & get some contact info from you if that's ok. Keep up the good work Regards Rich ------------- 1999 E46 323i se Saloon - sold 2011 E90 325d msport - sold 2014 F30 335d xdrive msport plus pack - sold 2018 f36 420d msport gran coupe xdrive - written off 2020 f44 m235i gran coupe xdrive |
Posted By: DJ Syxx
Date Posted: 27 Jul 2016 at 12:50pm
Thanks Rich and it certainly has lol. I shall be at Gaydon on the Custom Cars stand so will see you then  Rich. -------------
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Posted By: rpennington
Date Posted: 27 Jul 2016 at 5:51pm
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I'll look out for you ------------- 1999 E46 323i se Saloon - sold 2011 E90 325d msport - sold 2014 F30 335d xdrive msport plus pack - sold 2018 f36 420d msport gran coupe xdrive - written off 2020 f44 m235i gran coupe xdrive |
Posted By: mr.eldridge
Date Posted: 12 Nov 2016 at 1:06pm
| Such a nice looking M3, looks fantastic after all the hard work you've put into it! Brakes look sweet and that gauge pod thing too. |
Posted By: DJ Syxx
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2018 at 4:26pm
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Afternoon fellow club members. Been a while since I've updated this thread! Done a bit work with it and next month it will be 7 years of ownership which is the longest time I have ever owned a car. I do have no plans to sell ever and be a nice hand me down to my son once he grows up! So going to copy and paste what has been done so far and maybe useful to members reading this if working on their own cars. So I've done what I wanted to do with the car and getting it where it is so now I'm gonna concentrate on the maintenance side and changing bits here and there and this starts off with replacing the windscreen cowl. My one has faded badly and has cracked in areas so I ordered a replacement. The part number you need is 51718232896 and costs around £42 (2016 prices). So here's the cowl in its current condition: https://flic.kr/p/Y7JmzH" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/Y7JmzH" rel="nofollow - 926 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/Y7Jmf4" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/Y7Jmf4" rel="nofollow - 927 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrSo I started by marking out the wiper position. Don't have to but just gives you an idea when you refit: https://flic.kr/p/Y7JkRD" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/Y7JkRD" rel="nofollow - 928 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/Y7JksH" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/Y7JksH" rel="nofollow - 929 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrYou need to pop the cover off and undo the 15mm nut: https://flic.kr/p/Z8RL58" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/Z8RL58" rel="nofollow - 930 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrNext you will need a puller tool as you won't get the wiper arm off with just pulling at it: https://flic.kr/p/Z8RKxg" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/Z8RKxg" rel="nofollow - 931 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrOnce that is done, remove the pollen filter cover and filter and undo the Torx T27 bolts holding the housing. Remember to unclip the cable and hose connector beneath. https://flic.kr/p/Z4CmaE" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/Z4CmaE" rel="nofollow - 932 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrYou then need to start lifting up the cowl from one side and pop it off. They are held in with clips, you may find one or two still in the body of the car so simply use pliers to remove. Once that is done you need to take the big long rubber seal off so you can use it on your new one as shown. https://flic.kr/p/Z4CkX5" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/Z4CkX5" rel="nofollow - 933 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrThere's the old knackered one as you will see and the manufacturer date of June 2002: https://flic.kr/p/Z4Cjz5" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/Z4Cjz5" rel="nofollow - 934 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/Z4Cj7G" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/Z4Cj7G" rel="nofollow - 935 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrHere is the new one, I coated it with black vinyl dressing: https://flic.kr/p/Y7JobZ" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/Y7JobZ" rel="nofollow - 936 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrFit the long rubber seal on the new one and make sure both sides are equal in terms of gap. Now you simply refit and as you will see it really freshens up the car. https://flic.kr/p/Z4CiF1" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/Z4CiF1" rel="nofollow - 937 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrNext I finally got round to taking the car to my local dealer to have passenger and driver airbags replaced under the recall. As you will know I had my steering wheel retrimmed and the new airbag is unit is fresher. Before: https://flic.kr/p/Z8RGec" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/Z8RGec" rel="nofollow - 939 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrAfter: https://flic.kr/p/Z4Chxj" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/Z4Chxj" rel="nofollow - 940 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrMy AC diffuser comes with silver bolts which I am not a huge fan as it sticks out too much against the black. So after trying a set of replacement black bolts they lasted for all but 5 minutes and had corroded. I then found a company through ebay who sell stainless steel hex screws that are coated in black. The company is carbolts.co.uk and he said these have a special coating on them so are highly resistant to the elements/normal washing etc. So I gave them a go and happy to report they look no different to when I first swapped them. The size you need is M4x16mm socket button in black. As you can see it blends in much better with the gloss black of the diffuser: https://flic.kr/p/YK3Wxs" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/YK3Wxs" rel="nofollow - 941 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/Y47FYU" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/Y47FYU" rel="nofollow - 942 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/YK3Vfs" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/YK3Vfs" rel="nofollow - 943 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/Z4Cgt5" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/Z4Cgt5" rel="nofollow - 944 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickr-------------
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Posted By: DJ Syxx
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2018 at 4:27pm
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So as some of you know I sold off my 3 piece Oz Mito wheels. Kinda regret doing it but at the same time it was hassle maintaining them and having to adjust the ride height to have the right look. I made a promise not to buy anymore wheels and concentrate on the car but there's always a temptation. As an ACS fan I am a big fan of the type 2 monobloc wheels so casual browsing on ebay a few years back I found a set and made a deal. These are quite rare as they are the 10x18 rear and 8.5x18 front. As usual I gave them to Dips at Custom Cars to refurb them back to new in the same colour. https://flic.kr/p/Z4CfLU" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/Z4CfLU" rel="nofollow - 945 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/C2L3VA" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/C2L3VA" rel="nofollow - 946 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/Z8R4me" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/Z8R4me" rel="nofollow - 947 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/C2L3qY" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/C2L3qY" rel="nofollow - 948 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/Y7HyRi" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/Y7HyRi" rel="nofollow - 949 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrHad a spare set of tyres off the previous wheels so got them mounted on: https://flic.kr/p/Y7HyAt" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/Y7HyAt" rel="nofollow - 950 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/C2L2hW" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/C2L2hW" rel="nofollow - 951 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/Y7HxQR" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/Y7HxQR" rel="nofollow - 952 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrAnd some photos I took at Gaydon BMW Show: https://flic.kr/p/Z6rKRb" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/Z6rKRb" rel="nofollow - 953 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/Co5AXW" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/Co5AXW" rel="nofollow - 956 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/Ypvqub" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/Ypvqub" rel="nofollow - 958 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/ZroR8m" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/ZroR8m" rel="nofollow - 960 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/ZucCtB" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/ZucCtB" rel="nofollow - 962 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/YsYMqB" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/YsYMqB" rel="nofollow - 963 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/ZucAZ4" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/ZucAZ4" rel="nofollow - 964 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/YsYJTT" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/YsYJTT" rel="nofollow - 966 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/ZroFNQ" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/ZroFNQ" rel="nofollow - 967 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickr-------------
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Posted By: DJ Syxx
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2018 at 4:32pm
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Since owning my M3 I have always tried to keep up with the maintenance of the car and it has been relatively plain sailing until I found out my steering rack was weeping. So after looking into exactly what is involved in removing the rack I decided to give it some thought first. So around October it had been 6 years since picking the grey beast up and apart from reciepts of parts I have bought it during that time I had a look through again the history of the car prior to my ownership. Its not needed that much or had the common stuff replaced like track rods or other wear and tear bits. I have reciept bills for a replacement control arm and bush and apart from brake pads, coilpacks, usual servicing but not had a lot thrown at it. So going back to giving it some thought and with the steering rack in the condition it was in I figured kill a bunch of birds with one stone. I was debating whether to tackle the job myself or give it to a independant due to time constraints with working and looking after my son. So I made a plan of doing some work myself and some will be given to a trustworthy independant. So onto the shopping list and initial plan of work: Refurb steering rack New track/tie rods and ends New gaiters and clips New front control arms and pre pressed OEM bushes. New lower steering column guibo Gearbox mounts All 3 diff seals Updated diff bolts Propshaft coupler (flex disc) Propshaft centre bearing The jobs I have decided to tackle is anything related to the front axle but this of course you need parts so I went on a shopping spree! So I made an order for this lot: https://flic.kr/p/YwZ7gj" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/YwZ7gj" rel="nofollow - 968 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrObligatory nuts bolts and washers: https://flic.kr/p/YwYUpJ" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/YwYUpJ" rel="nofollow - 981 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrLemforder track/tie rods and febi gaiters. https://flic.kr/p/YwZ61o" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/YwZ61o" rel="nofollow - 969 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrLemforder control arms and bushes: https://flic.kr/p/YwZ4Kh" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/YwZ4Kh" rel="nofollow - 970 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrDiff seals, propshaft flex disc, centre bearing and gearbox mounts: https://flic.kr/p/CvAwUJ" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/CvAwUJ" rel="nofollow - 973 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrLower steering arm joint: https://flic.kr/p/ZdURth" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/ZdURth" rel="nofollow - 974 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrNuts and bolts: https://flic.kr/p/YwYUpJ" rel="nofollow"> https://flic.kr/p/YwYUpJ" rel="nofollow - 981 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrFound something interesting. Most of these parts were not bought from the dealer but a reputable parts company for much less and are OEM parts that BMW would have sold you but with a premium. It is known that for example that lemforder supply BMW for the control arms, tie rods and bushes. My FCA bushes are lemforder items but notice the part number has been removed along with BMW: https://flic.kr/p/CvAyrS" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/CvAyrS" rel="nofollow - 971 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrThe front control arms here if you notice the BMW logo and ///M logo has been removed: https://flic.kr/p/CvAxDE" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/CvAxDE" rel="nofollow - 972 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrThe flex disc guibo is supplied by febi bilstein but is originally made by SGF again this is the same part BM would have sold you notice the removed part number and BMW logo: https://flic.kr/p/CvAswW" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/CvAswW" rel="nofollow - 977 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/CvAtw1" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/CvAtw1" rel="nofollow - 976 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrThe centre bearing supplied through febi bilstein also has the BMW and part number removed: https://flic.kr/p/CvAp7u" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/CvAp7u" rel="nofollow - 980 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/CvArk7" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/CvArk7" rel="nofollow - 978 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/CvAzdw" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/CvAzdw" rel="nofollow - 979 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickr-------------
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Posted By: DJ Syxx
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2018 at 4:34pm
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So onto starting the jobs. If you plan on doing a power steering overhaul, be warned. Its a very messy job and will require a little patience as you will have fluid coming out of every orifice you can think of. As the steering rack and lower joint was to be removed, straighten your wheel first and then lock the steering wheel. Do not under any cirumstance unlock it and move it about so you can get make life easy for removing certain bolts as you will be in sh*t creek when it comes to making sure everything is straight. First you need to remove the undertray which is 7mm bolts dotted around easy to do. Once that is done you now need to remove the aluminium chassis plate taking off all 12 bolts. You need a 17mm socket for these. https://flic.kr/p/EM7Nuz" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/EM7Nuz" rel="nofollow - 982 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrNow onto the outer track/tie rod and get a 16mm socket on the nut and crack it open. The nut is a one time use only so with your new rods, it will come with a new nut. I found it was easy to undo for a bit and then gave some resistance so you will need a longer bar so you can give it more torque to remove. https://flic.kr/p/EM7MYV" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/EM7MYV" rel="nofollow - 983 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrOnce its off you will need to use a ball joint seperator tool to free it from the hub or a pickle fork and hammer it out. Once both ends are free you now need to start extracting power steering fluid from the resovoir. To access it I had to remove my airbox and then it was a case of using my fluid extractor. You can use a suction baster etc. https://flic.kr/p/EM7MAR" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/EM7MAR" rel="nofollow - 984 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrNow back under the car as you can see both sides of the rack is weepy fluid which points to the seals in the rack have failed. https://flic.kr/p/EM7M36" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/EM7M36" rel="nofollow - 985 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/234UZKT" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/234UZKT" rel="nofollow - 986 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrTook the one time use oetiker clips off https://flic.kr/p/EM7L2Z" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/EM7L2Z" rel="nofollow - 987 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrUsed my special tool to clamp and remove the inner tie rod from the rack: https://flic.kr/p/24neog5" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/24neog5" rel="nofollow - 988 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrPictured is the steering coupler. You need a E10 socket to remove and there is two. The one below you will need an E10 wrench as you won't get a ratchet on there. https://flic.kr/p/21FojVU" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/21FojVU" rel="nofollow - 989 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrIf you're removing the control arms, the middle nut is a 22mm and is awkward to remove with a ratchet. I found it was easier to use the double spanner method to crack them open so patience is needed to remove. https://flic.kr/p/EM7K7H" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/EM7K7H" rel="nofollow - 990 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/21FoiLQ" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/21FoiLQ" rel="nofollow - 991 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrThe rack is bolted through the subframe using a 15 and 16mm nut and bolt and are simple to remove: https://flic.kr/p/21Foi4h" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/21Foi4h" rel="nofollow - 992 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrYou then need to remove the lines off the rack, so starting with the banjo bolts which are 22mm and 19mm. The banjo bolts have a crush washer either side so you will need new ones. You will need a pan to catch the fluid so will be a little waiting game: https://flic.kr/p/23mowwG" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/23mowwG" rel="nofollow - 993 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/21Foh3j" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/21Foh3j" rel="nofollow - 994 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrThe lines have a 10mm bolt that connects to the rack so you will need to remove that: https://flic.kr/p/23movBq" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/23movBq" rel="nofollow - 995 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrOnce that's done the rack is out: https://flic.kr/p/21FofSo" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/21FofSo" rel="nofollow - 996 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrOne of the hoses is a high pressure hose and that goes to the power steering pump so after reading up about owners having to replace them or rebuilding due to leakage I decided to get it refurbed. So simply remove the 22mm banjo bolt from the pump. Again be careful as fluid will seep out: https://flic.kr/p/234UDjc" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/234UDjc" rel="nofollow - 997 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrRack and steering coupler removed: https://flic.kr/p/21Fofp9" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/21Fofp9" rel="nofollow - 998 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrHigh pressure hose removed and ready for rebuilding: https://flic.kr/p/24nemWw" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/24nemWw" rel="nofollow - 999 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrLooking a little bare. I dropped the antiroll bar from the brackets as it got in the way: https://flic.kr/p/234UT5Z" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/234UT5Z" rel="nofollow - 1000 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrSo with the overhaul I decided to remove the pump. It was in working order but figured it would save time later on from having to deal with it later. I also wanted the original pump refurbed rather than buying an exchange unit just for OCD more than anything. https://flic.kr/p/21Foe9o" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/21Foe9o" rel="nofollow - 1001 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/GiqWQj" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/GiqWQj" rel="nofollow - 1002 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/234USit" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/234USit" rel="nofollow - 1003 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrSo while the rack and pump was sent off for rebuilding. I got on with other things that needed doing. One of the things I noticed was when replacing my drive belts two years back, the deflection pulley was making a skateboard sound when you spun it so I got on with removing it IIRC is a 16mm bolt: https://flic.kr/p/GiqVWW" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/GiqVWW" rel="nofollow - 1004 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrRemoved: https://flic.kr/p/GiqVn9" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/GiqVn9" rel="nofollow - 1005 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrAs I was working in the same area I removed the old adjusting pulley as I found that was exhibiting similar symptoms. To remove you need a Hex H8 male socket bit: https://flic.kr/p/GiqUTo" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/GiqUTo" rel="nofollow - 1006 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrRemoved: https://flic.kr/p/GiqUbw" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/GiqUbw" rel="nofollow - 1007 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrSo in with the new and bought genuine ones from BMW which are INA branded: https://flic.kr/p/234UQnp" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/234UQnp" rel="nofollow - 1008 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/GiqThh" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/GiqThh" rel="nofollow - 1009 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrNote the deflection pulley has a notch and is off centre so you simply fit it back in the same way: https://flic.kr/p/GiqSJo" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/GiqSJo" rel="nofollow - 1010 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/234UP7D" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/234UP7D" rel="nofollow - 1011 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrSo this left me with removing the final lines and power steering resoirvoir. You have a hose connecting from the resoirvoir to the cooling coil. Word of warning these are a nightmare to remove as they use a quick disconnect fitting. The tool to remove it is one of these: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B009VI9P62/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1&tag=pda0e-21" rel="nofollow - CTA Tools 3466 BMW Power Steering and Transmission Line Disconnect Tool: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools So I got the first one off: https://flic.kr/p/234UNAP" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/234UNAP" rel="nofollow - 1012 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrUnfortunately the second one which is one of the power steering lines to the coil did not want to come off with the tool. It was literally siezed on and no amount of WD40 helped with freeing it up. So I ended up having to carefully cut the shell of the clip using a mini dremel. As you will see there was no way it could be removed as corrosion had set in. https://flic.kr/p/234UNba" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/234UNba" rel="nofollow - 1013 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrFinally free: https://flic.kr/p/24reCMK" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/24reCMK" rel="nofollow - 1014 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrOld parts chucked away and new parts on order: https://flic.kr/p/234UMcg" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/234UMcg" rel="nofollow - 1015 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrMy rack came back from Western Power Steering all rebuilt and should last for a long while with no issues: https://flic.kr/p/24reCan" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/24reCan" rel="nofollow - 1016 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrThe rebuilt pump came back from ACS Powersteering: https://flic.kr/p/234ULpK" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/234ULpK" rel="nofollow - 1017 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/24reBFM" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/24reBFM" rel="nofollow - 1018 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/24newoC" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/24newoC" rel="nofollow - 1019 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrAfter finding out that the main pressure hose was over £200 from the dealers I settled on rebuilding my existing one. So I took it down to Pirtek to have it rebuilt while retaining the banjo connectors and cooling loop. There's also a reason I asked them to keep the loop intact as you will see later: https://flic.kr/p/GiqFc5" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/GiqFc5" rel="nofollow - 1020 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrBrand new hoses ordered and new Vaico tank: https://flic.kr/p/GiqNGA" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/GiqNGA" rel="nofollow - 1021 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/EM7pjr" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/EM7pjr" rel="nofollow - 1022 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrTie rods lengthened the same to the existing ones and new gaiters fitted: https://flic.kr/p/24reAZB" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/24reAZB" rel="nofollow - 1023 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrSo was time to fit it all back. The steering coupler if you notice there is a notch you simply place the coupler in the correct orientation so that the E10 bolt goes through recess: https://flic.kr/p/EM7oYr" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/EM7oYr" rel="nofollow - 1024 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/EM7y8Z" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/EM7y8Z" rel="nofollow - 1025 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrOnto the control arms, when taking them off remember to remove the xenon self levelling adjuster. The clip that goes round the control arm is a bit of a pain to remove so careful not to break it. Once its removed, fit it on last once you have the control arms in: https://flic.kr/p/EM7xwD" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/EM7xwD" rel="nofollow - 1026 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrNext was to put the new bushes/brackets onto the arms. Get some fairy liquid and water for lube and push it on. Ensure its put on in the correct position ie not to far in. I used my existing arms as a guide to match: https://flic.kr/p/234UJ5V" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/234UJ5V" rel="nofollow - 1027 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrFitted and ready to go on: https://flic.kr/p/24neueh" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/24neueh" rel="nofollow - 1028 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrWhile everything was out and with easy access I decided to replace the o2 sensors on the manifolds. You simply remove the engine cover off to expose the plugs. To remove the o2 sensors on the manifolds, you will need a special socket for this which can be bought on ebay. https://flic.kr/p/EM7vqz" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/EM7vqz" rel="nofollow - 1029 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrBrand new Bosch sensors. Do one sensor at a time so you don't get mixed up: https://flic.kr/p/24net2N" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/24net2N" rel="nofollow - 1030 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrSo this brings us back to the power steering lines and the reason I kept the coil on the main pressure hose. As you will see it is connected up to the other power steering line using a special type of rubber grommet which can be bought seperately. However they are pricey at £10 each from the dealer. This would likely explain why the high pressure hose costs a lot as it has those 3 grommets attached to the coil. My ones had broken in half and had been held together with cable ties. So rather than doing this and for the matter of principle of not paying £30 for a small piece of rubber that will degrade again, I made up my own using plastic nylon spacers at approx the right length to the original grommets. So I found a company who sell on ebay and bought a pack of 10 for £3.70 and got some nuts and bolts from my work place. So here's the rubber grommet: https://flic.kr/p/23moiX3" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/23moiX3" rel="nofollow - 1031 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrAnd replacements: https://flic.kr/p/234UFVV" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/234UFVV" rel="nofollow - 1032 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrSo got the rack back and was time to fit the lines back in as you will see its connected together: https://flic.kr/p/24rexzv" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/24rexzv" rel="nofollow - 1033 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/24ner1U" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/24ner1U" rel="nofollow - 1034 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/24neqt1" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/24neqt1" rel="nofollow - 1035 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrThen it was a case of putting the tank in, and connecting up the quick release lines to the cooling coil. https://flic.kr/p/24neq43" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/24neq43" rel="nofollow - 1036 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/24nepvj" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/24nepvj" rel="nofollow - 1037 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrFinal inspection and all fitted in place: https://flic.kr/p/24nep6w" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/24nep6w" rel="nofollow - 1038 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/GiqE7u" rel="nofollow">  https://flic.kr/p/GiqE7u" rel="nofollow - 1039 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrAll I needed to do now was fill up the power steering reservoir with fresh fluid and checked for any leaks before dropping the car back down. So next was a wheel alignment so took it down to Wheel Power on a recommendation. So with now everything lined up correctly it will be outstanding jobs which I'll give to an indy to do. -------------
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Posted By: rpennington
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2018 at 9:22pm
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hi Dj Good to see you posting more stuff on here with this thread. I had my E46 for 12 years & apart from servicing & maintenance items & the usual things like bushes etc like yourself with your E46 the only other things I did to mine were cosmetic things. I did keep mine the same as when I bought it all those years ago. I changed the windscreen scuttle panel trim because like yours had perished & split but mine was in a worst state than yours but I guess that’s due to being an older car, when i changed mine I didn’t use a puller tool. I changed all the possible front bushes to powerflex but still ended up going through the lower wishbone arms about twice due to the bushes perishing,mine were lemforder purchased from eurocar parts. I did a few other things during my ownership but I wasn’t prepared to spend anymore money on it after it went for an mot & was told the near side jacking points were starting to corrode & would need cutting out & welding,another common problem area on the E46’s. Rich ------------- 1999 E46 323i se Saloon - sold 2011 E90 325d msport - sold 2014 F30 335d xdrive msport plus pack - sold 2018 f36 420d msport gran coupe xdrive - written off 2020 f44 m235i gran coupe xdrive |
Posted By: DJ Syxx
Date Posted: 17 Oct 2018 at 1:31pm
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Hey Rich, noticed you sold your E46. I guess it comes to a stage when how much can you spend before it comes unviable. I dread to think what I have spent on this knowing I could have something newer but......can't part with it as I can't imagine driving anything else. What probably helps is the fact I do a lot of work myself if I feel confident and competent to do it. Plus thinking long term as it is an investment in a way but would be nice if I can hand it down to my son 20 years down the line. Thankfully its still pretty good underneath compared to other 18 year or younger cars out there but of course now she does need paintwork so fresh respray of the whole car will be done soon. -------------
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Posted By: DJ Syxx
Date Posted: 02 Dec 2020 at 12:06pm
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Over 2&½ years ago since I've last updated this thread! Car is still with me and haven't done many miles in it in the last few years. Due to do an oil change as I haven't carried out one for over a year so will get that done at some stage this month. In the meantime I managed to do a job which I've put off for someone time and that's my front brake discs. My AP kit was second hand and while there is no issue with using secondhand brakes I did find later on I had a bit of a vibration when braking. The discs while still ok were far from perfect and the pads were down to 8mm. I also had an annoying high pitched squeel when braking once they were warmed up. I ordered a pair of Reyland discs and had bought some new pads a while back and had been sat on the shelf until I finally decided on round 2. Probably wondering round 2? Well first time round when the discs arrived I had attempted to remove the nuts from the bell housing. As I didn't have much time I bailed on it. This time round with more time on my hands I gave it a go. Well I tried to use sockets, spanner wrenches etc. and it would not budge. I tried cutting the bolts off but that was a no go too. So I ended up taking it to a mate and he had an impact gun and managed to get some of them off. Some had to be grounded which he managed to do. I have never seen bolts rusted up as much as this. I've normally been able to get nuts/bolts undone but this was completely ridiculous. Considering these are only supposed to be torqued to around 10lb/ft they were stubborn. Even with getting the nuts off, some of the bolts had rusted stuck to the housing and took quite a few goes with a lump hammer. Here is the back of the disc: https://flic.kr/p/2k8dnsP" rel="nofollow">  1040 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrAnd finally freed from the bell housings to be thrown away: https://flic.kr/p/2k8dUMU" rel="nofollow">  1041 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/2k89yJG" rel="nofollow">  1042 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/2k8dnkj" rel="nofollow">  1044 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrNew relyland discs and fitted up to the bell housings. The bolts are a different design in terms of the socket head so hopefully next time it will be easier. As I didn't have a torque wrench that goes that low to 10lb/ft I used my smallest ratchet to nip the bolts: https://flic.kr/p/2k89yAv" rel="nofollow">  1043 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on Flickrhttps://flic.kr/p/2k89yLA" rel="nofollow">  1045 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrThen refitted everything back and installed brand new pads and back together: https://flic.kr/p/2k89yy6" rel="nofollow">  1046 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/101120460@N04/" rel="nofollow - DJ Syxx , on FlickrSo after taking it out for a test drive, even with the fact the brakes haven't fully bedded in, the stopping response is so much quicker and needs little pedal effort. Still have plans of doing a refresh of the paintwork but that is probably going to be some years away until I save up enough to get it done. Thankfully it still looks tidy despite the age so its passable for now. Plan wise I do have a set of 3 piece wheels I am wanting to fit on this for a new look so that will probably be next year when they get rebuilt and I'll try and not leave it another 2 years in updating this thread! -------------
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Posted By: Ant Man
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2021 at 4:48pm
Great job. I've just read your entire thread. Credit to yourself for doing so much of the work.
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