E46 M3 New car

[PhethiK1]

Hi All,
(my previous post was deleted, for what ever reason)
Finally bought an e46 m3. am in love. see pics below.
2002 164100km SMG
it has the basic personalised items that I would pic. NO MODS on the motor, nor will there be any mods in future, unless i win lotto and get CSL airbox.
Idea is to make the car last another 20 years.
My style is simplistic and value for money apporach.

been a long 4 years of indecision and finding a fit of which car. I looked and tested F80 m3, w204 c63amg, maserati gran turismo. they are good, but just didnt have that "thing"for me. @34 years, am happy that I bought it cash and sticking to my feel for character.
finally found a car from an enthusiat, and is the one time owner of the car.

I'm basically a newb when it comes to finding and sourcing parts, on the OEM+ or replacement level,
am not looking for performance numbers as I'm not a boi racer.. Just new technology/ efficient parts that complement the car. i call this category OEM+,
eg
- Oil to use or top up between service,
- coilovers vs springs,
-

but first things first MAINTENANCE. driving it for a few days here and there so i try get used to the car and list any niggles i pickup. the SMG gearbox, not as easy as i thought, half clutch -with no clutch...
so the list of project/plans is as follows (just to mention a few)
1. due diligence inspection at a mechanic, booked already. pending outcome of whats vital to be changed or done.
- general service
- subframe
- big end bearings etc
2. brake discs+pads required (BMW already quoted , just going to laugh it off)
3. fix central locking
4. headliner replacement
5. sticker/badge replacement (sun has burnt them over the years)
6. sunroof maintenance
7. rearview mirror replace/repair (that liquid has leaked out)
8. gear knob replace
9. tint (did it same time when installing tracking unit)
10. send in for detailing and ceramic coating.

then obviously as things go along, repairs/maintenance, as its not a daily, just weekend warrior and touring the country car.

PS. inspiration came from @AdiS his first post on buying his first e46 m3. was just spot on.
Thanks Bro.

 

[Clint@MMS AUTO]

Congrats man, enjoy ur M3 , they are great cars. Looking forward to seeing what u have I store for it

 

[PhethiK1]

@momo1
@TurboLlew

sorry gents my previous post was deleted somehow.

 

[PhethiK1]

Congrats man, enjoy ur M3 , they are great cars. Looking forward to seeing what u have I store for it

thanks man.

 

[NtandoN]

Congrats and wishing you many happy miles!

 

[AdiS]

- subframe

Watch a few Redish videos on Youtube on how to check this, and do it yourself. The most important part is cleaning the underside of the body as often road dirt covers up lurking cracks.

2. brake discs+pads required (BMW already quoted , just going to laugh it off)

There aren't really cheaper alternatives, unfortuantely this is just a "pay to play" reality of the car. Get a quote from Auto Bavaria BMW Midrand, they give very generous discounts to BMWFanatics members. Deal with Deago.

7. rearview mirror replace/repair (that liquid has leaked out)

https://www.mirrorjohn.com Relatively easy DIY.

8. gear knob replace

OEM gearknob is expensive (R3k+). The cheapest OEM option is to buy the ZHP Gearknob + 330i leather shift boot. It looks good and is slightly shorter throw. You'll lose the backlighting, though.

 

[rsgordini]

Congrats and beautiful. Make it a manual

 

[VinceM]

A BMW classic.....

Nice choice....E46 M3 prices are climbing up


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Rotinaj]

Powerbrake do offer a "cheaper" alternative, but either Autobavaria Midrand or speak to Uncle Peter at AWE to sort you it will come in much cheaper than you would think, again you are now a custodian of a M car don't be cheap, or then invest in upgrading to a Mx35 caliper setup at the front.

For the love of god and all things holy, don't butcher the gearknob every single time i see a E46 with a ZHP shifter i shit in my pants, it looks absolutely revolting again you are the custodian of a M car, spend the money it will be worth it in the long run.

Rear Mirror you have options to just replace the lens by buying one off various international sites, or you can replace with a more traditional square unit that has a much lower chance of springing a leak in the future again.

Headliner and sunroof, ship it off to Wynberg autotrimmers in Wynberg, it will be more expensive than what some other places charge, but you want Mozart you pay for Mozart. I make use of her exclusively for my nice cars work and never had a comeback or a issue. Done on time as promised as quoted.

As for springs and shit, no don't. Two of my mates ran lowered E46's and unless you are gonna track it it is not worth it, breakfast runs i would pin my cabrio right up their arsepipe since they simply could not stay stuck to the road as the car hopped around, stock springs with Koni adjustables find a rutted road and drive up and down it tuning the damping to just so. It is a utter revelation when your M3 all of a sudden just hunkers down and flows with the road like your fingertips are ever so gently caressing the tar. I spent about 3 hours up and down the same little twisty broken and lumpy side road and i never touched the damping again.

Given your car is a silver one, perhaps look at some smoked clear Depo front and side indicators, it just makes it look so much better.

I wish you all the joy and rage and jubilation and tears that S54 ownership brings.

I miss mine dearly but not prepared to pay the kind of money people are charging for their subpar junk.

 

[individj]

Powerbrake do offer a "cheaper" alternative, but either Autobavaria Midrand or speak to Uncle Peter at AWE to sort you it will come in much cheaper than you would think, again you are now a custodian of a M car don't be cheap, or then invest in upgrading to a Mx35 caliper setup at the front.

For the love of god and all things holy, don't butcher the gearknob every single time i see a E46 with a ZHP shifter i shit in my pants, it looks absolutely revolting again you are the custodian of a M car, spend the money it will be worth it in the long run.

Rear Mirror you have options to just replace the lens by buying one off various international sites, or you can replace with a more traditional square unit that has a much lower chance of springing a leak in the future again.

Headliner and sunroof, ship it off to Wynberg autotrimmers in Wynberg, it will be more expensive than what some other places charge, but you want Mozart you pay for Mozart. I make use of her exclusively for my nice cars work and never had a comeback or a issue. Done on time as promised as quoted.

As for springs and shit, no don't. Two of my mates ran lowered E46's and unless you are gonna track it it is not worth it, breakfast runs i would pin my cabrio right up their arsepipe since they simply could not stay stuck to the road as the car hopped around, stock springs with Koni adjustables find a rutted road and drive up and down it tuning the damping to just so. It is a utter revelation when your M3 all of a sudden just hunkers down and flows with the road like your fingertips are ever so gently caressing the tar. I spent about 3 hours up and down the same little twisty broken and lumpy side road and i never touched the damping again.

Given your car is a silver one, perhaps look at some smoked clear Depo front and side indicators, it just makes it look so much better.

I wish you all the joy and rage and jubilation and tears that S54 ownership brings.

I miss mine dearly but not prepared to pay the kind of money people are charging for their subpar junk.

you say dont replace shifter with a ZHP shifter but then you say you can replace the mirror with the more traditional square unit!

 

[individj]

congratulations on the //M OP...may you have many happy miles...nothing like bringing one back to its former glory.

 

[shauwn]

Well done and congrats bud

 

[Rotinaj]

you say dont replace shifter with a ZHP shifter but then you say you can replace the mirror with the more traditional square unit!

Very simple the oval one is a flawed design and will keep on failing till the ends of time, possibly destroying your interior when it leaks that toxic gunk over the dash.

 

[shauwn]

Congrats and beautiful. Make it a manual

agree 100% , had smg for five years and used some tricks to help it stopping it from "popping" out of gear

if you intend to keep smg do service on smg pump asap!!!, check the actuator as well

also please for sake of all man kind DONT MAKE SMG YOUR DAILY!!..The pump gets very hot especially in traffic and the actuator does not like that at all, there is a fix for the SMG HYD Pump temp sensor being mounted way too close to the engine.

all you need is a 500-1K ohm resistor and splice it in series with the temp sensor located in the in ecu box:

 

[individj]

Very simple the oval one is a flawed design and will keep on failing till the ends of time, possibly destroying your interior when it leaks that toxic gunk over the dash.

oh i suppose one could lose auto dimming

 

[Clint@MMS AUTO]

I’ve emailed mirror John if they can quote using a courier service instead of the postal service. Will let u guys know, maybe we can do a group buy if other people want as I need to replace my mirror glass too so will most likely order it from them .

If u need assistance with SMG, csl software or pump repairs or upgrades , msg me, I know someone who does it in jhb.

Power brake are moving over to only supporting the 4x4 community which is what Peter said to me . So if u can get brakes from them for the m3, rather do it sooner than later because u may not get it later on.

 

[zabbo]

Congratulations!!! Enjoy the journey.

 

[Rotinaj]

oh i suppose one could lose auto dimming

Nope, you can use the square autodimming design as used in the lessor models.

 

[individj]

Nope, you can use the square autodimming design as used in the lessor models.

haha but its square and lesser...to each their own i guess...

 

[PhethiK1]

agree 100% , had smg for five years and used some tricks to help it stopping it from "popping" out of gear

if you intend to keep smg do service on smg pump asap!!!, check the actuator as well

also please for sake of all man kind DONT MAKE SMG YOUR DAILY!!..The pump gets very hot especially in traffic and the actuator does not like that at all, there is a fix for the SMG HYD Pump temp sensor being mounted way too close to the engine.

all you need is a 500-1K ohm resistor and splice it in series with the temp sensor located in the in ecu box:

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Thanks bro.

It's my weekend car, barely will be in traffic.

Still using my polo for daily.