[RoyalFlushness]

Grimey..


The old paint on the door is really starting to match up well with the other fresh paint after an initial cut

[RoyalFlushness]

The new style BMW centre caps I bought for the EC7's weren't flowing right with me. I felt as if they were too modern for the car. As much as I like the look without center caps I wanted to find a solution. So I sourced some period specific center caps and cleaned them up before ceramic coating them.


The paint correction is now finished. Crazy how the car has changed after 3 days of wet sanding and cutting. Topped of with Ceramic Pro and its looking wet. I drove the car into my storage garage to let the ceramic coat cure for a few days because we are expecting light snow in Toronto this weekend (yes in May). I have some other odds and ends I am going to install over the coming days and then time for a proper photoshoot.

Some teaser pictures in the meantime.

[RoyalFlushness]

Couple more odds and ends starting to come in. The seals on my old front turn signals went bad long ago and the turn signals began to retain water. So I figured it would be a good time to replace with some new OEM goodies. I also ordered to some stealth bulbs for the front and the back to get rid of the annoying "egg yolk" effect the orange bulbs have inside the lights. I also got some new euro clear side markers to get rid of the old grungy ones.

Will be installing once my ceramic coat cures in a few more days.

Moisture in old turn signals:


Fresh Parts:






Stealth Bulbs Installed:

[Haagen-Dazs]

Great work on your car mate.

I have a question about the subframe powerflex bushings. After installing them, how do you describe the comfort? I have powerflex bushings (yellow), installed by the previous owner, and CSL dampers. I have a jarring feeling when going over speed bumps, which I don't know if it's due to the bushings or dampers. It's not pliant at all, but I'm trying to figure out what's the cause behind this.

Especially since I'm installing coilovers, in search for some comfort

[RoyalFlushness]

Originally Posted by Haagen-Dazs

Great work on your car mate.

I have a question about the subframe powerflex bushings. After installing them, how do you describe the comfort? I have powerflex bushings (yellow), installed by the previous owner, and CSL dampers. I have a jarring feeling when going over speed bumps, which I don't know if it's due to the bushings or dampers. It's not pliant at all, but I'm trying to figure out what's the cause behind this.

Especially since I'm installing coilovers, in search for some comfort

Hey man, the Powerflex yellow are way softer than the Powerflex blacks I installed. Subframe bushings should have very little effect on what you are experiencing. The PO could have replaced other bushings in the driveline that could be causing it.

[swagon]

Looking amazing, always nice to see older cars getting refreshed.

[RoyalFlushness]

Some photos from today:

[geroz1]

Love it! Looks so fresh. Thinking to repaint my front bumper too and rear fender sides for the rock chips. Are you keeping the black grills? I found the oem stainless ones looking better and higher quality

[RoyalFlushness]

Originally Posted by geroz1

Love it! Looks so fresh. Thinking to repaint my front bumper too and rear fender sides for the rock chips. Are you keeping the black grills? I found the oem stainless ones looking better and higher quality

Do it! Thanks.

I just ordered OEM side grills going to see how I like them before touching the front!

[EdM5]

This thread is pure gold.
What a beast!!!

[geroz1]

Originally Posted by RoyalFlushness

Do it! Thanks.

I just ordered OEM side grills going to see how I like them before touching the front!

I did the metal with black inserts for the front grills to be similar to the old school e30 m3

[TPS65]

Mate, this is seriously awesome.

Love the small details. Keep the posts coming, definitely will be following the build process.

Exactly how I would like to do mine. Currently deciding E46/E86 Z4 M... hmm choices choices.....

[RoyalFlushness]

Some more odds and ends. The matte black side grills weren't really cutting it for me. I feel as if the OEM Chrome ones accent my car better.

Some fresh OEM Side Grills:

[

[Mr. Liu]

Wow!!

To be honest, before seeing your pics and only seeing your username, I expected a super slammed HELLA FLUSH m3 being abused.

Little did I know, your build and parts used is EXACTLY what I would be doing if I had an IR e46 m3 like yours. Down to the squared 18's.

Big thumbs up!!

[StogyBear]

Please paint the doors as well. The color match is slightly off and drives me crazy lol

[RoyalFlushness]

Originally Posted by StogyBear

Please paint the doors as well. The color match is slightly off and drives me crazy lol

LOL not sure how you notice that in the most recent pictures. The paint correction brought them to pretty much a perfect match. Regardless, they are getting painted next season with my CSL Trunk or I may just paint the entire thing again we will see.

[RoyalFlushness]

Originally Posted by Mr. Liu

Wow!!

To be honest, before seeing your pics and only seeing your username, I expected a super slammed HELLA FLUSH m3 being abused.

Little did I know, your build and parts used is EXACTLY what I would be doing if I had an IR e46 m3 like yours. Down to the squared 18's.

Big thumbs up!!

Appreciate that man!. Definitely not into the stance game anymore, but when I first made that username on wrongfitmentcrew, heck yeah I was. Taste in cars definitely matures with age.

[M3ZCPNYC]

Love seeing projects come together like this. Great passion.

[Drifter2090]

Love this build! how are you liking the E46 compared the the E90? I always think about switching to a E46 but I love the V8 too much haha

[MotorSportThree]

I love this build. This is my favorite type of E46 M3, clean and purposeful.

[geroz1]

Beautiful progress! What's your insta? Did you do the front grills also?

[RoyalFlushness]

Originally Posted by Drifter2090

Love this build! how are you liking the E46 compared the the E90? I always think about switching to a E46 but I love the V8 too much haha

They are two different animals. Smiles per galon, the e46 M3 takes it all day. The daily driving functionality (minus MPG) of the E90 M3 make it the obvious choice for commuting. They are both special to me in different ways and definitely plan on holding onto them for a while. For a weekend fun car, e46 m3 for sure.

Originally Posted by geroz1

Beautiful progress! What's your insta? Did you do the front grills also?

Thanks man. I don't have social media anymore. Front grills should be arriving tomorrow!