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Read the WELCOME ALL BMWFANATICS post.
2003 Titan Silver M3
- Thread starter Gizmo
- Start date
Philip Foglar
///Member
That's very thorough! Out of interest, what is the reason for replacing these? Just precaution or was there something wrong with the old ones?
Philip Foglar
///Member
Ah, was actually wondering about that after posting. Thanks for explaining.
Gizmo
Banned
Today's work.
Refitted the front callipers with their new bolts.
Copper grease on the pads of course!
Old engine mount rubbers are tired.
New ones about to be fitted.
New ones fitted.
Propshaft/diff CV repacked with new CV grease.
New gearbox rubber mounts about to go in, old engine mounts in the background.
Propshaft back in place. Gearbox mount rubbers fitted.
All the nuts, bolts and screws spend 12hours in prepsol to loosen the stubborn dirt. Karcher afterwards removes the rest of the stubborn dirt.
Penultimate update tomorrow.:chef:
Refitted the front callipers with their new bolts.
Copper grease on the pads of course!
Old engine mount rubbers are tired.
New ones about to be fitted.
New ones fitted.
Propshaft/diff CV repacked with new CV grease.
New gearbox rubber mounts about to go in, old engine mounts in the background.
Propshaft back in place. Gearbox mount rubbers fitted.
All the nuts, bolts and screws spend 12hours in prepsol to loosen the stubborn dirt. Karcher afterwards removes the rest of the stubborn dirt.
Penultimate update tomorrow.:chef:
cOlDFuSiOn
New member
Awesome work 
raise:
raise:
Gizmo
Banned
Here's the last day of work done.
After 12 hours in prepsol and a rinsing with the karcher, the nuts and bolts look much better.
Next item on the list to tackle was the new exhaust mounts. Here are the ones we will be replacing.
New OEM parts.
Old vs new.
The two passenger side ones were the originals from 2003, the driver's side one had been replaced in 2006/2007.
Fitted, along with the rest of the exhaust system.
Next up was the leaking oil pressure valve, threw in some prepsol into a trigger bottle to clean those hard to reach spots.
Start off by cleaning the oily area from the leak.
That's when I noticed 2 missing bolts from the gearbox bell housing, this one being one of the 4 main bolts that hold the gearbox to the engine.
The second being not so important which fixes the dust shield to the bell housing.
This M8 bolt I had in stock, the main torx bolt I had to order from the agents.
Leaking oil pressure valve removed with obligatory side-by-side shot. What a PITA to removed and replace!
Space for tools is seriously limited.
Sump guard all cleaned up and ready for install.
Same goes for the splash cover, although Peter asked I not refit it just yet so I threw the fastening screws into a ziplock bag and cable tied it to the cover so they don't get lost.
Put the splash cover into two bin bags and put it in the boot.
Rest of the covers refitted. I cleaned all of them yet the undersides still look dirty due to the yellow wax all over the underside of the car, the dirt REALLY sticks to that darn wax!
Finish off the underside by fitting the rear brace.
Next was to adjust the handbrake, first at the drums and then at the cables.
While inside the cabin I noticed the lack of the E46 M3 mirror, I think this one comes from a 1 series.
Second last item on the agenda was to remove a few stickers around the car, bye bye Amazing Glaze sticker!
Last item on the list, the owner asked if I could see why the passenger side mirror glass was rattling, I made the mistake of thinking the mirror glass detaches the same way as other E46 models, it doesn't and I accidentally broke the glass!
It was only then I figured out that it has a different way of attaching to the motor.
I went to the agents to collect the missing gearbox bolt I had ordered this morning and also placed an order for a new mirror glass, lucky for me they have in stock at Midrand so I will have the replacement by tomorrow afternoon at a cost to me of a whopping R1873! Expensive lesson learned indeed!:blueCry:
As for the missing bolt, the customer will have it installed at a later stage when more work is done around the gearbox area.
Once the new mirror glass arrives tomorrow and installed, the car will then go off to Peter for engine work.
After 12 hours in prepsol and a rinsing with the karcher, the nuts and bolts look much better.
Next item on the list to tackle was the new exhaust mounts. Here are the ones we will be replacing.
New OEM parts.
Old vs new.
The two passenger side ones were the originals from 2003, the driver's side one had been replaced in 2006/2007.
Fitted, along with the rest of the exhaust system.
Next up was the leaking oil pressure valve, threw in some prepsol into a trigger bottle to clean those hard to reach spots.
Start off by cleaning the oily area from the leak.
That's when I noticed 2 missing bolts from the gearbox bell housing, this one being one of the 4 main bolts that hold the gearbox to the engine.
The second being not so important which fixes the dust shield to the bell housing.
This M8 bolt I had in stock, the main torx bolt I had to order from the agents.
Leaking oil pressure valve removed with obligatory side-by-side shot. What a PITA to removed and replace!
Space for tools is seriously limited.
Sump guard all cleaned up and ready for install.
Same goes for the splash cover, although Peter asked I not refit it just yet so I threw the fastening screws into a ziplock bag and cable tied it to the cover so they don't get lost.
Put the splash cover into two bin bags and put it in the boot.
Rest of the covers refitted. I cleaned all of them yet the undersides still look dirty due to the yellow wax all over the underside of the car, the dirt REALLY sticks to that darn wax!
Finish off the underside by fitting the rear brace.
Next was to adjust the handbrake, first at the drums and then at the cables.
While inside the cabin I noticed the lack of the E46 M3 mirror, I think this one comes from a 1 series.
Second last item on the agenda was to remove a few stickers around the car, bye bye Amazing Glaze sticker!
Last item on the list, the owner asked if I could see why the passenger side mirror glass was rattling, I made the mistake of thinking the mirror glass detaches the same way as other E46 models, it doesn't and I accidentally broke the glass!
It was only then I figured out that it has a different way of attaching to the motor.
I went to the agents to collect the missing gearbox bolt I had ordered this morning and also placed an order for a new mirror glass, lucky for me they have in stock at Midrand so I will have the replacement by tomorrow afternoon at a cost to me of a whopping R1873! Expensive lesson learned indeed!:blueCry:
As for the missing bolt, the customer will have it installed at a later stage when more work is done around the gearbox area.
Once the new mirror glass arrives tomorrow and installed, the car will then go off to Peter for engine work.
AdiS
Well-known member
I think it is time for me to chime in on this thread. As some might have assumed, this is my new E46 M3, something that I have dreamed of owning for many years. I purchased the car privately in Durban and my initial plan was to drive it straight back to Cape Town, where I would progressively deal with any work that it requires.
Whilst in Durban planning my route back home, I noticed that Jhb really wasn’t that far off. Further, during the mechanical inspection we had found some issues, and I decided that while the car is in the area, I would take the opportunity to have the right people working on my car. As such, I decided to rather drive the car up to JHB first, and get Gizmo to sort out the diff and the all the important wear and tear items, and then the car would go for the obligatory Peter treatment.
Warren does a fantastic job of documenting his work, and it really demonstrates his attention to detail. This definitely creates reassurance and inspires confidence for an owner when your vehicle is having work done, especially when you are far away, and its a big job spread out over several days. I am confident that the work Warren has done has been to a high standard, and that creates a peace of mind that one does not normally get when having mechanical work done.
Warren also facilitated the rebuild of my diff, and has tolerated my many questions and some what micromanagement style of interaction. He replies to any questions on Whatsapp, and also makes contact and sends photos if he finds anything unexpected.
Many thanks to Warren for his hard work, updates, and detailed write up on the whole process - it's wonderful to have this thread as part of the service history of the car. The broken mirror glass was most unfortunate, and what an awful hit to take after all that work on the car. However, I commend Warren for taking responsibility and thank him for that!
I simply cannot wait to have this car back in my possession.
Whilst in Durban planning my route back home, I noticed that Jhb really wasn’t that far off. Further, during the mechanical inspection we had found some issues, and I decided that while the car is in the area, I would take the opportunity to have the right people working on my car. As such, I decided to rather drive the car up to JHB first, and get Gizmo to sort out the diff and the all the important wear and tear items, and then the car would go for the obligatory Peter treatment.
Warren does a fantastic job of documenting his work, and it really demonstrates his attention to detail. This definitely creates reassurance and inspires confidence for an owner when your vehicle is having work done, especially when you are far away, and its a big job spread out over several days. I am confident that the work Warren has done has been to a high standard, and that creates a peace of mind that one does not normally get when having mechanical work done.
Warren also facilitated the rebuild of my diff, and has tolerated my many questions and some what micromanagement style of interaction. He replies to any questions on Whatsapp, and also makes contact and sends photos if he finds anything unexpected.
Many thanks to Warren for his hard work, updates, and detailed write up on the whole process - it's wonderful to have this thread as part of the service history of the car. The broken mirror glass was most unfortunate, and what an awful hit to take after all that work on the car. However, I commend Warren for taking responsibility and thank him for that!
I simply cannot wait to have this car back in my possession.
DINODENASH
Active member
:clapper::clapper:
Congrats Adis
Shes getting proper now !
Congrats Adis
Shes getting proper now !
Tehwalleth
Banned
Mine has the exact same mirror. Presume the old one leaked and the previous owner died a little when informed of the cost so had that slapped on.
AdiS
Well-known member
Tehwalleth said:
Mine has the exact same mirror. Presume the old one leaked and the previous owner died a little when informed of the cost so had that slapped on.
Oh yes, the mirror was replaced under motorplan. I am not sure why it's not the normal oval kind, but I found out that it's the same one from the z4. Apparently it provides better rear view coverage in any case, so I'm not unhappy.
Tehwalleth
Banned
Correct you are sir.
http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=728485
I am also prefectly fine with it. The extra viewing means nothing roofup though, i am just happy these seem to be far less prone to leaking as that leaking fluid can really damage the trim.
http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=728485
I am also prefectly fine with it. The extra viewing means nothing roofup though, i am just happy these seem to be far less prone to leaking as that leaking fluid can really damage the trim.
kabal
Active member
AdiS said:Tehwalleth said:
Mine has the exact same mirror. Presume the old one leaked and the previous owner died a little when informed of the cost so had that slapped on.
Oh yes, the mirror was replaced under motorplan. I am not sure why it's not the normal oval kind, but I found out that it's the same one from the z4. Apparently it provides better rear view coverage in any case, so I'm not unhappy.
My M3's oval mirror also had the internal leak, and was replaced with the same one you have under motorplan
Sirhan
Member
AdiS said:
you spending alot of money on this car, and it sounds like you intend keeping it for a long time.
would you fit bearings?
https://store.vacmotorsports.com/vac-performance-coated-rod-bearing-set-bmw-s54-engine-p1336.aspx
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