My new Silver Gray 2005 E46 M3 Coupe

Brian_VACsales · 02-17-2013, 11:03 PM

I've been after a late model Silver Gray or Steel Gray slicktop/6MT car for a while and one randomly popped up on a Saturday on eBAY at a Mazda dealer 45min from Philly. Needless to say, I bought it Monday night ;-)

This is going to be a city daily driver that will see weekly summer trips to 'da shore' and some track days. Road trip here and there too. The idea is to build a car with ideal street manners that can hold it's own on the track. The E46 M3 is pretty amazing as is, but we offer lots of stuff to make it even better.

(dealer pics)

It's is amazing shape, but I bought it to drive year round. No BMW should sit in a garage

2005 E46 M3 - Silver Grey Metallic
-53k miles
-6MT
-No moonroof
-Heated manual cloth seats (black)
-Bi Xenons

No other options really - just how I want one of these cars.

Mods: (the car came with all stock parts)
-Dinan muffler - this is a keeper, it sounds and looks awesome
-Rear carbon CSL diffuser thing - this may go, it hides the tips. I LOVE the exposed tips on this car
-Black front and side grilles - they will stay, they look cleaner
-Tein springs - these will go ASAP - may do a TCK or Nitron coilover setup.
-VAC stud conversion - this will stay, it's a must IMO

Step 0: All weather OEM/WeatherTech mats and trunk liner go in. A must for any daily driver

Brian_VACsales · 02-17-2013, 11:05 PM

Step 1: Change the oil and send a sample to Blackstone. Oil analysis results will be back soon.

Ah yes. Proper oil change is completed. BMW obviously calls for Castrol 10W60 but we have had better luck with Total Quartz Racing 10W60. (formerly ELF Sport Champione 10W60)

A sample is headed to Blackstone to see if they find rod bearing issues or anything else funny.

Next up, gear oil flush and UUC shifter system install. The stock shifter is a bit sloppy for my taste. The UUC system replaces the shifter and selector rod - perfecto.

Evolve Automotive · 02-17-2013, 11:08 PM

very nice, a very clean E46 M3

Alen E90 · 02-17-2013, 11:24 PM

your new E46 looks GREAT!!! i really like the interior and i cant wait to see this bad boy all modded up

btw IMO you should definitely get some color-matched reflectors ASAP!

S65V8 · 02-18-2013, 07:13 AM

Congrats. This car was just adopted by VAC, talk about a lucky break. It's now going to be treated better than it could ever have dreamed of. Talk about a second lease on life for this E46.

rjd598 · 02-18-2013, 10:22 AM

Very nice congrats! Can't wait to see what happens with this car

THE TECH · 02-18-2013, 10:29 AM

Looks good.

Brian_VACsales · 02-18-2013, 11:23 PM

Thx guys. Looking FW to doing all the right mods

These UUC bits will go in this weekend hopefully. Slop be gone. Hello amazing/effortless/positive shifts ;-)

SflBimmer8484 · 02-19-2013, 11:26 AM

Looking Good Mike!

Soorena · 02-19-2013, 02:07 PM

Car looks good Mike. Now drop a 3.4 Stroker and stage 3 head in it

Orange fever · 02-19-2013, 06:27 PM

Now step 1 .... Build motor with a sc vf/vac .....sooo sickkk

Expert@ApexWheels · 02-20-2013, 02:48 AM

Can't wait to see what's in store. A set of APEX wheels is needed, isn't that right Mike?

Brian_VACsales · 02-20-2013, 07:35 AM

Thanks guys- Big power is so tempting....but I want to focus on setting up the car for ultimate handling/balance first. I want to do driving events and really learn the car before I do crazy stuff.

David - oh yes. Im trying to choose a style. EC7 has the slight advantage right now....

Brian_VACsales · 02-21-2013, 05:20 PM

Not much to see here as the oil condition was unknown when I got the car. The real test will be after 5k miles with the Total Quartz Racing 10W60

Chriskm3 · 02-21-2013, 05:44 PM

Great buy. Lots of life left in her. But I guess that depends how you drive

uplusd · 02-21-2013, 05:54 PM

Super clean E46

info@trinityautosport · 02-21-2013, 06:25 PM

congrats, looking forward to seeing this build =)

Nang Vann · 02-23-2013, 06:33 PM

Nice! Gotta love the classic E46 shape

flipm3 · 02-24-2013, 10:58 AM

Amazing pick up Mike!! It is so hard to find clean E46 M3s, especially with no sunroof and low list of options. I can't wait to see what you end up doing with this build!!

I am all about having a well balanced car that can really be appreciated in all driving environments.

Keep us posted!

1MOREMOD · 02-24-2013, 11:04 AM

track build! congrats.

Brian_VACsales · 02-24-2013, 11:41 AM

Thanks guys! This will probably be a boring build, but the car will be well sorted. I will be making a decision soon on the dampers....

This is a daily driver. I already have a garage queen that sucks up a lot of $$$ (old Toyota) I don't want another ;-)

flipm3 · 02-24-2013, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike@VAC

Thanks guys! This will probably be a boring build, but the car will be well sorted. I will be making a decision soon on the dampers....

This is a daily driver. I already have a garage queen that sucks up a lot of $$$ (old Toyota) I don't want another ;-)

Get Nitrons!!!!!!

And lets see some pics of said Toyota

02-17-2013, 11:03 PM	#1
Brian_VACsales Captain 193 Rep 933 Posts Drives: E92 M3 VF Supercharged, 135i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Philadelphia, PA iTrader: (0)	My new Silver Gray 2005 E46 M3 Coupe I've been after a late model Silver Gray or Steel Gray slicktop/6MT car for a while and one randomly popped up on a Saturday on eBAY at a Mazda dealer 45min from Philly. Needless to say, I bought it Monday night ;-) This is going to be a city daily driver that will see weekly summer trips to 'da shore' and some track days. Road trip here and there too. The idea is to build a car with ideal street manners that can hold it's own on the track. The E46 M3 is pretty amazing as is, but we offer lots of stuff to make it even better. (dealer pics) It's is amazing shape, but I bought it to drive year round. No BMW should sit in a garage 2005 E46 M3 - Silver Grey Metallic -53k miles -6MT -No moonroof -Heated manual cloth seats (black) -Bi Xenons No other options really - just how I want one of these cars. Mods: (the car came with all stock parts) -Dinan muffler - this is a keeper, it sounds and looks awesome -Rear carbon CSL diffuser thing - this may go, it hides the tips. I LOVE the exposed tips on this car -Black front and side grilles - they will stay, they look cleaner -Tein springs - these will go ASAP - may do a TCK or Nitron coilover setup. -VAC stud conversion - this will stay, it's a must IMO Step 0: All weather OEM/WeatherTech mats and trunk liner go in. A must for any daily driver __________________ Brian Casella Sales Representative, VAC Motorsports Office: 215.462.4666 \| Fax: 215.462.4667 EXT 13 \| Email: brian@vacmotorsports.com
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02-17-2013, 11:05 PM	#2
Brian_VACsales Captain 193 Rep 933 Posts Drives: E92 M3 VF Supercharged, 135i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Philadelphia, PA iTrader: (0)	Step 1: Change the oil and send a sample to Blackstone. Oil analysis results will be back soon. Ah yes. Proper oil change is completed. BMW obviously calls for Castrol 10W60 but we have had better luck with Total Quartz Racing 10W60. (formerly ELF Sport Champione 10W60) A sample is headed to Blackstone to see if they find rod bearing issues or anything else funny. Next up, gear oil flush and UUC shifter system install. The stock shifter is a bit sloppy for my taste. The UUC system replaces the shifter and selector rod - perfecto. Last edited by Brian_VACsales; 02-17-2013 at 11:14 PM..
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02-17-2013, 11:08 PM	#3
Evolve Automotive 118 Rep 691 Posts Drives: E46 M3 . E90 M3 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	very nice, a very clean E46 M3
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02-17-2013, 11:24 PM	#4
Alen E90 Lieutenant General 764 Rep 10,033 Posts Drives: E90 328i TiAg Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (7)	your new E46 looks GREAT!!! i really like the interior and i cant wait to see this bad boy all modded up btw IMO you should definitely get some color-matched reflectors ASAP! __________________ TiAg FTW!
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02-18-2013, 07:13 AM	#5
S65V8 _ 808 Rep 3,160 Posts Drives: ... Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (10)	Congrats. This car was just adopted by VAC, talk about a lucky break. It's now going to be treated better than it could ever have dreamed of. Talk about a second lease on life for this E46.
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02-18-2013, 10:22 AM	#6
rjd598 Banned 1770 Rep 6,696 Posts Drives: F30 340i Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Diego,CA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2016 BMW 340i [0.00]	Very nice congrats! Can't wait to see what happens with this car
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02-18-2013, 10:29 AM	#7
THE TECH Lieutenant General 307 Rep 13,093 Posts Drives: BPMsport 2012 E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Kansas iTrader: (45) Garage List 2013 Nissan GTR [0.00] 2019 Sierra Denali ... [0.00] 1999 Nissan Silvia [0.00] 1999 Nissan Skyline ... [0.00] 1998 Toyota Supra [0.00]	Looks good.
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02-18-2013, 11:23 PM	#8
Brian_VACsales Captain 193 Rep 933 Posts Drives: E92 M3 VF Supercharged, 135i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Philadelphia, PA iTrader: (0)	Thx guys. Looking FW to doing all the right mods These UUC bits will go in this weekend hopefully. Slop be gone. Hello amazing/effortless/positive shifts ;-) __________________ Brian Casella Sales Representative, VAC Motorsports Office: 215.462.4666 \| Fax: 215.462.4667 EXT 13 \| Email: brian@vacmotorsports.com
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02-19-2013, 11:26 AM	#9
SflBimmer8484 Brigadier General 1467 Rep 3,157 Posts Drives: . Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Florida iTrader: (5)	Looking Good Mike!
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02-19-2013, 02:07 PM	#10
Soorena Captain 80 Rep 850 Posts Drives: M3 6MT Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Paris iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW S1000RR [0.00] 2013 Ferrari 458 [9.66] 2012 Jaguar XJ SWB ... [10.00] 2011 E92 M3 [10.00]	Car looks good Mike. Now drop a 3.4 Stroker and stage 3 head in it
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02-19-2013, 06:27 PM	#11
Orange fever Colonel 2351 Rep 2,829 Posts Drives: E36M,E46M,E90M,X5M,i3,M2,i8 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: SoCal. in the hood!!! iTrader: (5)	Now step 1 .... Build motor with a sc vf/vac .....sooo sickkk __________________ BMW I12 i8 Frozen Yellow- H&R springs, 22" Radenergie F10 Monoblock Forged /// F87 M2 Aw -Vorsteiner Aero Kit, VFF-107,Macht Schnell-Springs,VF-Engineering/Hex tuning Stage Two,ER DP,Stock Exhaust,Drop-In Bmc Filter,AA Intercooler,FTP Charge pipe+boost pipe/// Wish list :Mexico delivery 2024 BMW M2 (G87)
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02-20-2013, 02:48 AM	#12
Expert@ApexWheels Major General 3511 Rep 6,731 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Can't wait to see what's in store. A set of APEX wheels is needed, isn't that right Mike? __________________ 925-245-0773 /// info@apexraceparts.com Wheels /// Accessories /// Vehicle-Specific Fitment Guides /// Careers
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02-20-2013, 07:35 AM	#13
Brian_VACsales Captain 193 Rep 933 Posts Drives: E92 M3 VF Supercharged, 135i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Philadelphia, PA iTrader: (0)	Thanks guys- Big power is so tempting....but I want to focus on setting up the car for ultimate handling/balance first. I want to do driving events and really learn the car before I do crazy stuff. David - oh yes. Im trying to choose a style. EC7 has the slight advantage right now.... __________________ Brian Casella Sales Representative, VAC Motorsports Office: 215.462.4666 \| Fax: 215.462.4667 EXT 13 \| Email: brian@vacmotorsports.com
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02-21-2013, 05:20 PM	#14
Brian_VACsales Captain 193 Rep 933 Posts Drives: E92 M3 VF Supercharged, 135i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Philadelphia, PA iTrader: (0)	Not much to see here as the oil condition was unknown when I got the car. The real test will be after 5k miles with the Total Quartz Racing 10W60
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02-21-2013, 05:44 PM	#15
Chriskm3 Colonel 59 Rep 2,186 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Toronto iTrader: (4)	Great buy. Lots of life left in her. But I guess that depends how you drive __________________ Vf supercharger + tune/H&R coils/ Akra evolution exhaust/Volk te37/ Rs-3 tires/ Brembos /TIal BOV/ OSS blacked out headlights/LUX v3/Led taillights/ Challenge Front lip/ P3 vent gauge/ F10 m5 shift mob/Matte black front grills/ And a funky air fresher
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02-21-2013, 05:54 PM	#16
uplusd Lieutenant 31 Rep 456 Posts Drives: 2013 E92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: NorCal iTrader: (7)	Super clean E46 __________________
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02-21-2013, 06:25 PM	#17
info@trinityautosport 281 Rep 7,518 Posts Drives: F13 M6 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Anaheim, CA iTrader: (0)	congrats, looking forward to seeing this build =)
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02-23-2013, 06:33 PM	#18
Nang Vann Lieutenant Colonel 25 Rep 1,513 Posts Drives: E46 M3, R35 GT-R Join Date: May 2011 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	Nice! Gotta love the classic E46 shape
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02-24-2013, 10:58 AM	#19
flipm3 E46 + E90 + F80 192 Rep 2,894 Posts Drives: E46 + E90 + F80 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Illinois iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 BMW M3 [0.00] 2002 BMW M3 [0.00]	Amazing pick up Mike!! It is so hard to find clean E46 M3s, especially with no sunroof and low list of options. I can't wait to see what you end up doing with this build!! I am all about having a well balanced car that can really be appreciated in all driving environments. Keep us posted! __________________ F80 M3 DCT\|Alpine White . Black Leather \| My Build Thread E90 M3 DCT\|Melbourne Red . Speed Cloth \| My Build Thread E46 M3 6MT\|Jet Black . Black Nappa Leather \| My Build Thread
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02-24-2013, 11:04 AM	#20
1MOREMOD - 11817 Rep 23,187 Posts Drives: Race car-> Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: check your mirrors iTrader: (5)	track build! congrats. __________________ 02 Tiag e46 M3\|6MT\|GC plates\|MCS c.o.\|GC bars\|GC race control arms\|GC bushings\|BW eng. & tran. mounts\|subframe kit\|BW race shifter\|BW Jaffster\|Euro header\|BW exhaust\|K&N c.a.i.\|Epic race tune\|Rouge pulleys\|Seibon CF hood\|CSL bumper\|apr gt 250 & splitter\|ST-40\|XR-2\|SS lines\|half cage\|Recaro profi\|Profi 2 harness\|BMWpedals\|BW studs\|
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02-24-2013, 11:41 AM	#21
Brian_VACsales Captain 193 Rep 933 Posts Drives: E92 M3 VF Supercharged, 135i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Philadelphia, PA iTrader: (0)	Thanks guys! This will probably be a boring build, but the car will be well sorted. I will be making a decision soon on the dampers.... This is a daily driver. I already have a garage queen that sucks up a lot of $$$ (old Toyota) I don't want another ;-) __________________ Brian Casella Sales Representative, VAC Motorsports Office: 215.462.4666 \| Fax: 215.462.4667 EXT 13 \| Email: brian@vacmotorsports.com
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