[m3dragon]

With my current M3 reaching the end of what I want to do with it in regards to upgrades. The last major upgrades will be going in the next month or two.

I had to turn my attentions to the next project car which arrived this last Saturday. This car I hope to have done by the 15 years event in 2016. It is worth noting that this car has been on the forums since day 1 and has made the trek from PA to CA.

NOTE: Car was plasti dipped and only some of it has been pealed off.

[W///]

Originally Posted by m3dragon

With my current M3 reaching the end of what I want to do with it in regards to upgrades. The last major upgrades will be going in the next month or two.

I had to turn my attentions to the next project car which arrived this last Saturday. This car I hope to have done by the 15 years event in 2016. It is worth noting that this car has been on the forums since day 1 and has made the trek from PA to CA.

NOTE: Car was plasti dipped and only some of it has been pealed off.

Should have known! This is going to be awesome.
My dream E46 has a V10 in it

[m3dragon]

HAHA.

V10 is to big and heavy. just sounds nice

[m3dragon]

So to answer the question what is next as posed by people on other forums. To let the car out of the bag, I am building a replica GTR Street version. I am currently sourcing a E9X M3 to be the donor car. The S65 is loosely based on the motor in the real ones which is a 4.0L V8. My goal is to have this done by the 2016 event I am planning to celebrate 15 years of E46 M3 goodness.

[W///]

Originally Posted by m3dragon

HAHA.

V10 is to big and heavy. just sounds nice

Yea but when it makes noises like this....

Plus it's "only" 30kg heavier than the S65 if I'm not mistaken. What is it with you guys and new projects, it makes me so jealous. Is this something you can to do in your own garage or are you having a shop do the swap for you?

Knowing you, that thread is going to be super detailed and will have a ton of traffic haha.

[m3dragon]

I have my own private shop now. Well I will in the next month. So majority of the work will be done my me and some of the local gang. I have a local shop sponsoring some of the work I can't do in order to have this done in the two year time frame.

And yes the build thread will be just as detailed if not more =)

[W///]

Originally Posted by m3dragon

I have my own private shop now. Well I will in the next month. So majority of the work will be done my me and some of the local gang. I have a local shop sponsoring some of the work I can't do in order to have this done in the two year time frame.

And yes the build thread will be just as detailed if not more =)

Like you, my M3 project is coming to an end. From here on out, it's more maintenance and bulletproofing than anything (no SC for me).

I'm pretty sure an LSB E46 M3 (or Imola Red) will be added in a couple of years. I think it'll pretty much look like this:

or this:


I've always been a scared of E46 M3 maintenance but to heck with it. Thanks for the inspiration haha
Can't wait to see what you do with the 2nd one.

[m3dragon]

Originally Posted by W///

Like you, my M3 project is coming to an end. From here on out, it's more maintenance and bulletproofing than anything (no SC for me).

I'm pretty sure an LSB E46 M3 (or Imola Red) will be added in a couple of years. I think it'll pretty much look like this:

or this:


I've always been a scared of E46 M3 maintenance but to heck with it. Thanks for the inspiration haha
Can't wait to see what you do with the 2nd one.

honestly maintenance on the E46 is not that bad. Drive time to work needed time is low compared to some cars. The issue is you hear about the work but not all the fun miles before then. So if you do a true cost to value per mile it is very good.

Car looks amazing though. If you want some WPC bearing I am doing a GB at the moment. PM if you want in.

[W///]

Originally Posted by m3dragon

honestly maintenance on the E46 is not that bad. Drive time to work needed time is low compared to some cars. The issue is you hear about the work but not all the fun miles before then. So if you do a true cost to value per mile it is very good.

Car looks amazing though. If you want some WPC bearing I am doing a GB at the moment. PM if you want in.

Right, it's just between the VANOS and subframe, that's already more work than the E9x requires. But since it'll be a 3rd/project car, I think I can take my time refurbishing one. They just look too good to ignore.

Right now I'm holding steady on the rod bearings. Don't really want to crack open the engine when the readings are still good. However, if it's starts going south, I'll be in touch about WPC treated bearings. That's definitely the route I'll take.

[vitogano]

to avoid creating a new topic, dear friends, gimme an advice.
I've ordered new front OEM shock absorbers (old ones haven't been changed since 2003 ) ., the car is full stock, including 18 OEM wheels, but have the idea of using lowered springs (e.g. H&R)
some ppl say, it is bad to use lowered springs on OEM absorbers, coz they wont be able absorb properly. What do u think about it? but i dont want to overpay for KW suspension, i like the way OEM works, but wanna have it a bit lowered. that's the idea.
Thanx in advance, guys

P.s. sorry for poor english vocabulary, not good at technical part

[m3dragon]

Originally Posted by vitogano

to avoid creating a new topic, dear friends, gimme an advice.
I've ordered new front OEM shock absorbers (old ones haven't been changed since 2003 ) ., the car is full stock, including 18 OEM wheels, but have the idea of using lowered springs (e.g. H&R)
some ppl say, it is bad to use lowered springs on OEM absorbers, coz they wont be able absorb properly. What do u think about it? but i dont want to overpay for KW suspension, i like the way OEM works, but wanna have it a bit lowered. that's the idea.
Thanx in advance, guys

P.s. sorry for poor english vocabulary, not good at technical part

I ran H&R springs and Koni shocks for a long time. I loved that setup. You can run the setup you listed but I would advise at least changing to a shock that has some adjustment. This way you can adjust the ride a little.

The H&R / Koni setup drops the car the right amount as well as improves the over all ride quality. So you are going the right route for sure. Try the H&R with the OE shocks and see if it is what you want. If not order adjustable Koni's and you will not be disappointed.

[vitogano]

Originally Posted by m3dragon

I ran H&R springs and Koni shocks for a long time. I loved that setup. You can run the setup you listed but I would advise at least changing to a shock that has some adjustment. This way you can adjust the ride a little.

The H&R / Koni setup drops the car the right amount as well as improves the over all ride quality. So you are going the right route for sure. Try the H&R with the OE shocks and see if it is what you want. If not order adjustable Koni's and you will not be disappointed.

Thank you so much for the reply. I'll give u feedback as soon as i perform these changes

[m3dragon]

Some recent updates over the last week.

At the end of April, I lead a day drive to Napa to enjoy the great weather we have been having. Some of the gang here were in attendance. The car is running so much better with the intake flap functioning. I have yet to get the tune back on but just the stock CSL setup is pretty darn amazing.

You know the car runs good when you are being chanced by a McLaren 12C and the owner has no complaints about how fast you are going through the twisties =)
See the drive images at http://www.raddrives.com/albums.php

[m3dragon]

I saw a thread from APEX about needing a E46 to test a set of wheels. So I pinged them and they wanted me to bring my car down. My car was to be a genie pig to test a new setup they offer. What they wanted to test is to see if a square 285 setup would work. Well as from the crap cell phone pics below, it does work LOL. APEX guys were a hoot to hang out with and I am looking forward to buying a set of wheels from them in the near future. Not sure when but they will have a write up and official photos at some point of my visit there. Also meet a few M3 members in the AM and one had a clean Laguna Seca Blue =)









Teaser image of what just arrived today. Since it seems people are only interested in this build thread when I spend money LOL. I have a few more updates later this week.

[m3dragon]

Morning Update:

After last year’s Bimmerfest I meat one of the BMW magazine publishers who was there doing a story on that days festivities. I started talking to the representative there about doing an article on my car to share all the work done. After emails, one very cool photo shoot and almost a year the article comes out.

I would have not posted the article for a few months but there is one major issue with it, which was kind of a serious let down. Wait all this time and when it arrives you are like WOOHHOOO.. oh mannn that sucks.

I will give you a hint, the issue is on the first page. The issue might not be that obvious to most but to those who are the forums a lot you will see it fast. There also is a technical issue, on the last page. I will let you guys see if you can see them.













I will post parts received tomorrow =) for the CSL. But here is a part for the 1M.

[ayao]

Mark?

[m3dragon]

Originally Posted by ayao

Mark?

Who is Mark....

[mPlasticDesign]

Originally Posted by m3dragon

Who is Mark....

Seriously. That sucks ADAM!
But nice that your car got featured!
Sincerely,
Pavle

[m3dragon]

Originally Posted by Mr.Metak2you

Seriously. That sucks ADAM!
But nice that your car got featured!
Sincerely,
Pavle

Thanks buddy.

Is what it is. Like you said at least I got a article right. Life goes on. See you at a event or when we tear into the GTR build =)

[2moor]

amazing build thread m3dragon!
It was like reading Lord of the Rings again, with Gandalf the Grey turns to Gandalf the white! (in your case the e46 stayed grey but became better!)
I honestly cant wait to see the car in person at Bimmerfest, this will be on my to-do list when I get there.

[m3dragon]

You know you are hoarder when your room looks like the images below.

The Evolve boxes were the last pieces I was waiting for to do the next major service. I have been stock piling the last few months as you can see. This will be the last major upgrade to this car as I have done all I have wanted to for the moment. Car should be going in for the last bit of upgrades in the next few weeks.

Vanos work
X1 -- BS021 -- S54 Vanos Seals Repair Kit
X1 -- BS022 -- S54 Vanos Rattle Repair Kit
X1 -- BS023 -- S54 Rebuilt Vanos Solenoid Coil Pack
X1 -- BS024 -- S54 Vanos Sealing Plate Repair Kit
X1 -- BS025 -- S54 Vanos Oil Pump Disk
X1 -- BS095 -- S54/S62 Vanos Rattle Tools
X1 -- 11367831938 -- Vanos gasket
X2 -- 11121437395 -- valve cover stud grommet
X1 -- 11361401971 -- Vanos oil filter
X2 -- 11367833218 -- S62 sprocket hub diaphragm spring and pressure plate
X12 -- 07129905536 -- sprocket sleeve bolts
X1 -- 11317830159 -- Exhaust upper chain tensioner guide
X1 -- 07119963342 -- Chain guide mounting bolt washer
X1 -- 07119963418 -- Crankshaft chain tensioner washer
X2 -- 07119963129 -- oil drain hose crush washer
X2 -- 07119963072 -- Vanos oil accumulator pipe crush washer

Head work
X12 -- 11347833676 -- CSL Exhaust Valves
X1 -- 11127835918 -- CYL.HEAD GASKET
X14 -- 11127831862 -- Cylinder Head Bolt
X14 -- 11121317361 -- Washer
SPR-2521-BM -- Supertech Performance Dual Valve Spring
RETBM2521 -- Supertech Titanium Retainers
X6 -- 11627830667 -- Gasket Asbestos
X6 -- 13417830384 -- O-ring
Service -- Head blueprint and flow test and 5 angle valve job
Service -- Port Match Throttle bodies

Other engine stuff
X1 -- 64317895939 -- CSL Cabin Filter Housing
X1 -- 64317895937 -- CSL Micro Filter Housing Backing
X6 -- 11247835440 -- Upper (blue)
X6 -- 11247835439 -- Lower (red)
Service -- WPC Metal Treatment to bearings

Suspension and exterior
X1 -- 31212282855 -- CSL King Pin - Left
X1 -- 31212282856 -- CSL King Pin - Right
X1 -- 51137897925 -- Left CSL Roof Molding
X1 -- 51137897926 -- Right CSL Roof Molding
X2 -- 51137895912 -- CSL Fender Grill Emblems
X2 -- 61130005197 Wires for LED Modules
X1 -- ATD-3600 TCK Rattle FiX - ATD-3600 407 Piece
X1 -- 51717894515 Cover Left
X1 -- 51718243812 Cover Right
Install CSL roof rails

SInterior
X1 -- 51477895573 Door sill left
X1 -- 51477895574 Door sill right
X1 -- 82112293533 BMW M3 Floor Mats
Install CSL door and rear seat cards

Engine Parts


Interior and Exterior parts


CSL Exhaust Valves


CSL Door Sills

[W///]

That is one hell of an overhaul! Can't wait to see the results