[Obioban]

Making this journal after owning the car for 9 years, so it's going to roll pretty quickly.

My goal is <e36 M3 weight with >e9X M3 power with no compromise to reliability (so no FI), civility (so no gutting or loud/light exhaust) or practicality (so no back seat removal).

Some threads I made along the way:

Intravee thread-- The intravee is one of the greatest and least appreciated mods for the car. It enables all kinds of things you'd never be able to do without it, well in excess of simple iPod control. But, it's also the best option on the market for that!

Programable option thread-- all free, tailor the car as you want it.

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=439897-- CSL features that didn't make it to production

e46 m3 tire sizing thread-- optimal wheel fitments and what tires you can fit on them. From a fuction > form perspective.

Castrol 10W-60 TWS-- all the back story and information I could gather.

e46 M3 maintenance thread-- everything about running the car as cheaply as possible in the long run, as well as keeping it driving like new.

My journal-- this thread

CSL SMG software-- faster shifts, better rev matching, CSL launch control

My stereo setup-- highly irregular-- focused on making the car lighter, improving the COG, and usable trunk space... while still making it sound better than stock HK

RG-63 pictures thread-- I'm particularly fond of these wheels as I got to choose the design, color options, sizes, offsets, and flange used for construction. The sizing is optimal for our car, they're super strong and very light! And, imho, they look great

Free/cheap mod thread

BMW fabric wire wrap tape found!

CSL cabin air filter housing-- 3 lbs lighter than stock

e46 automatic climate control-- guide to the most misunderstood and under appreciated system on our cars.

V1 remote display in instrument cluster-- I didn't make this thread, but people are always asking me about it and I added a bunch of pics to it :roll:

e46 suspension options compared

Results from evolve dyno tuning-- e46 M3, e39 M5, e60 M5, with video

Free bluetooth voice control

TFX retrofit review-- one of my favorite mods I've done to the car

Track car journal

e46 fuel efficiency-- by speed and techniques for improving yours.

M3 sales numbers by generation

Video DIY guides for e46 M3 suspension installs

SS stepped header review and ebay header regret

Proper rear view mirror aiming... which nobody does.

Different wheel/tire setups I've had over time

How to properly drive stick

Dirtiest car contest

Video I made of the last track event I did in the e46

[Obioban]

Editing this second post to be a semi up to date mod list. Hopefully I remember to tweak it as I change the car!




Engine:
OEM ( Die Wethje) CSL Airbox
Schrick 280/272 cams
TMS pullies
C&R Oil cooler, using stock lines
Dr VANOS cryo treated exhaust hub
Beisan systems lifetime VANOS sealing plate o-rings
Beisan systems lifetime VANOS solenoid
Beisan oil pump disk
Beisan VANOS rattle repair kit
Beisan VANOS seals
Beisan timing chain tensioner guide
TurboToy cam bolts
updated BMW high pressure vanos oil line
lifetime CPV o-ring

Exhaust:
SS V1 stepped headers (swaintech coated)
SS HJS catted V1 Section 1
SS resonated twin tube section 2
SS Street muffler

Engine Management:
CSL Engine Management
MCCHIP-DKR Dyno tune
OE CSL IAT
OE CSL Map rail/sensor
Aux/clutched fan replaced with ecu controlled (using Z4M values) spal fan
SMG shift lights turned on
post cat 02s turned down but left on (ready)
secondary air pump sensor disabled
cold start sequence disabled
non sport throttle mapping
sport button disabled for future alternate use
sport mode memory enabled
EGT tweaked for HJS Cats
Top speed limiter removed
Dyno limiter removed
CSL warmup light values

Suspension:
Ohlins R&T Coilovers
Springs: 350 FL, 325 FR, 700 RL, 628 RR
Custom front mounts to correct droop travel
Shorter, narrower, lighter (stock rate) Swift springs to allow 285 front tire fitment
Turner hybrid camber plates
ECS Poly isolated monoball RSMs
TMS sealed monoball FCABs
Ground control Front sway/bushings/brackets/end links
CSL Rear sway/bushings/brackets, with home made adjustable end links
Sealed monoball RTABs
TMS rear adjustable camber arms
DIY front strut tour brace inserts

Brakes:
Brembo 355mm slotted rotor/4 piston GT Kit (BBK) front
Brembo 345mm slotted rotor/4 piston GT Kit (BBK) rear
Brembo stainless lines
Brembo high performance street pads
Performance Friction track pads
Castrol SRF
3D printed ducts to replace fog lights

Body:
Evolve CF roof
Vorsteiner CSL trunk
Fucy CSL diffuser
Gunmetal grills/gills
Depo smoked front corner lights
35% tint (3M)
vinyl M stripes on trunk badge (stock colors, less prone to fading)
modern BMW wheel center caps
shark fin removed
“OBIOBAN” vanity plate
OEM driver’s side keyhole cover (to deter thieves)
M3forum.net sticker

Wheels:
18" RAC RG-63s in gunmetal (street)
17" Apex ARC-8s (track)
TMS 75mm studs

Lights:
TFX projectors
55w bulbs/ballasts/ignitors in 4300k
85w halogen highs, programmed to come on with the xenon highs
Outer brake light ring enabled for normal braking
Brake lights programmed to strobe under hard stops
e9X LED license plate lights

Interior:
Cobra Nogaros in Imola Red leather, with factory heating pads install and adjustable lumbar
Brey Krause Mounts on factory e46 manual sliders
Brey Krause Rear deck harness mounts
Alcantara wrapped header liner
Alcantara wrapped pillars
Alcantara wrapped rear deck
Alcantara wrapped steering wheel
imola leather wrapped center console
imola leather wrapped arm rest
imola leather wrapped ebrake book
Z8 ebrake handle
M3 oval interior mirror retrofit

Stereo:
100% of factory stereo, mounting brackets, and wiring harness deleted
Avin Avant 4 with speakers plugged in directly to unit
Wireless CarPlay module

Chassis:
TMS subframe reinforcement kit with extra reinforcements
BMW structural foam in subframe cavity
updated BMW diff mount bolts
RE rear upper control arm spring reinforcement plates
RE RSM reinforcement plates
red powdercoated v-brace
red powdercoated rear subframe
red powdercoated subframe carrier
red powdercoated front chassis plate
red powdercoated trans brace
RRT lifetime front wheel bearings

Misc:
Brail GU1R lithium ion battery (6 lbs), mounted in the engine bay to eliminate 6 lb battery cable
CSL Cabin air filter housing
Auto Solutions SSK
RE Transmission mounts
Hella Horns
Light weight stereo
CDV delete
VAG grocery bag hooks
CSL Aux coolant pump
Washer tank swapped for e39 high intensity washer tank

Coding (non comprehensive highlights):
CSL oil level display (in cluster) enabled
M track mode enabled
Strobing shift lights

[Obioban]

It began with a performance center delivery pickup. Honestly, not as many pics as I'd like-- was too busy enjoying the experience :clueless:

At least I got to sit in a genuine BMW race prepped M3 while there













When I got home from the Performance Center, I had BBS RG-Rs, a V1, and aluminum pedals waiting to go in (all but the V1 since removed :roll












2nd day of ownership I took it to have clear bra installed (if anyone around PA needs that done, let me know- guy I used is great )

[Obioban]

And to round out the protection package, added a laser jammer

[Obioban]

Next came a series of little mods: OEM grocery bag holder (awesome!), OEM eurotray, iceLink plus

... and I did an autox

[Obioban]

Next up was the first big snow I drove through... visiting some friends up in Maine. It was great

[Obioban]

Next up I made the brake lights brighter, updated the nav software, got an OBIOBAN vanity plate (because of this forum), and got a photoblocking plate cover (since removed... by the police :roll









Suspension time! TC Kline Double adjustable, 500lb front, 600lb rear, GC race sway, GC hybrid FCABs, PF RTABs, TMS subframe kit... most of it I didn't bother to take pictures of :roll:

[Obioban]

Then I drove though a pretty epic snow storm. It was the worst storm in the recorded history of NYC, and I drove through it at its peak! I saw 9 crashes occur that drive, as well as countless cars spun off the road or stuck. Still, I see no reason that should stop a lowered M3 :shifty:

Sorry about pic quality, all taken with a moto razor which was all I had. Remember before phone cameras were good?

[Obioban]

Next up were some more big mods: CSL trunk and OEM video module (which I still haven't used for anything... just plugged the GNC into it to make sure it worked. I did get it for absurdly cheap, though, so... :roll
























Some random pics I took














OEM bi color steering wheel with M threading came, and I took some terrible pics of it that made it look way too dark out of the car and way too bright in the car. In reality, it looks just like the rest of the OEM imola leather











Some random pics of the era:

[Obioban]

Some track pics from an event I went to:




















Went to a filming day for one of the Teckademics movies, pics from that:
















Got tired of replacing the front rotors so regularly, got some brembos. Also took some better pics of the Bicolor steering wheel
















... and then a real photoshoot with the brembos....

[Obioban]

And then I finally stopped cheaping out and got some dedicated track wheels. Details here: http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=144217






























I took the RG-Rs off and ran Dinan wheels while I was waiting for the RG4s to come, as the RG-Rs couldn't clear without a spacer














Finally, the RG4s came. I have to say, these are my favorite wheels... ever. Unless my logical side finally talks me into going with 18s on the street, these will be the wheels that I run forever

19lbs each front, 20lbs each rear for 19x9s and 19x10s that let you run 265 fronts and 285 rears... and absurdly strong!

[Obioban]

And then an epic photoshoot of the RG4s by Phil


All of the pics in their full glory here!

























Minor mods, some illuminated door sills. I should really get some pics of these in the dark :roll:










really foggy day, decided to take some spooky style shots:














Next up I wrapped the headliner in alcantara. Had the headliner out for another project, so it wasn't that much extra work... kind of a PITA to attach the alcantara, but not overly hard:

[Obioban]

And then we were back into snow season :roll:






















Some random rolling shots and pics taken by CMT (chris) and Neel:
(car is REALLY dirty )































but then it was time for the traditional spring FULL detail (50 hours of cleaning :banghead

























Prepping the car to drive across the country:

RS110s (square so I can have a full size spare) and CB antenna attached:

[Obioban]

To all the track guys, you may be disappointed-- This is not your typical in car track video.

We went down to VIR with PCA last weekend (nov 7-9), and it was most likely the last time I'll be tracking the e46 ( )-- by spring the dedicated LS1 e36 track car should be up and running. As this was the last event in the e46, I wanted to make a video that was more for memories of tracking the e46 than dedicated track footage. The result is the following half hour ( :raspberry of video.


Part 1 is the drive to VIR. The last bit of it is the best

Part 2 is a compilation of video from inside the car and the sidelines. It is not linear in any way, as my friend who was filming could only be at one corner each session. I attempted to make it as cohesive as possible and the turns do come up in the correct order throughout the video, but there are a couple places where cars disappear and reappear later. Limiting by what I had to work with :shiftdriv

Part 3 is an entire session straight through, played at 8x speed to keep it interesting. This is the best of the 3 (as the high speed makes everything sound like F1 cars) and should not be missed-- if you watch only one part, watch part 3!

Without further disclaimers, the video. First off, the entire video in high quality (probably requires newest quicktime (free):

http://www.lindvigs.com/obioban/VIR_Experience.mov


Seriously, watch the high quality version!



On youtube (crap quality),


Part 1:

Part 2:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...44239880300574



Part 3:

Full video on google video:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...65252686446007



PICS


All the pics (125 of them) in full resolution here: http://gallery.me.com/ianlindvig#100163


Some of my favorites:





















































































Been running these on and off, but never took any real pics with them. Here they are

(still running the RG4s as summers, the RS110s are long drive wheels as they're square and I have 5 of them (= full size spare)).

[Obioban]

Big car work weekend. Did the following:

front rotors on my car (bigger process than it sounds and reused the hats... and they were quite baked on)
front pads, now with brake pad wear sensors!
rear pads
tranny fluid
diff fluid
valve cover gasket
valve adjustment
cabin air filter
cleaned the MAF sensor
engine air filter
GPS antenna replacement
trim rattle delete
track car front rotors
track car front pads
track car cool suit relocation
track car fire extinguisher relocation
90% of a brake bleed (ran out of brake fluid :P)
spark plugs
coil packs
sergei xenon fogs replacement
Suburban CB hardwired to switched power
redid suburban V1 hardwire so it can't run down the battery
Permanent suburban CB antenna mount and wire routing


Biggest win of the weekend: The new design brembo brake pads have pad wear sensors!

My rotors were at 4.3mm of wear... and you're supposed to replace them after 1mm of wear... so it was time. My slotted rotors had long since become blanks :roll:

[Obioban]

2 months ago did Drew's Run 2009. We drove from philly to the tail of the dragon, to miami, and then back again in 4 days. It was a great time!

Some pics from the trip:


Full size spare:


seat heaters on, car at speed, AC on, life is good


Drifting a helipad with a blow up doll :roll:





The day's drive... how's that for some epic distances :banghead:


many bugs died in our journey


These wheels are normally gun metal silver... but this trip they were brown with brake dust


Meet in Miami, rally cars lined up


Double fueling


And a shot that some random person we drove past took and emailed to me




And, back from the rally, all cleaned up

[Obioban]

First off, none of these things had failed. I'm just locking the car down for another 100,000 miles of use, hopefully issue free (going to do the cooling system soon, just recently did coils and plugs).

Many, many hours spent in the garage this weekend. Here's what we did:

clutch
throw out bearing
headers
longer header studs
header gaskets
coolant swap
tranny fluid
oil
engine mounts
tranny mounts
guibo
rear main seal
constant pressure valve
vanos filter
reset service interval

:banghead:

Pics from the project:

All the parts, waiting to go on:




lots of parts off the car and one the ground:






rear main seal in place:




engine block minus headers:




Engine bay, minus manifold and some other shiz:






Freshly installed headers, from above and below:








New project in progress:



edited in, result:





Just thought I'd add this.

Pics of the guibo and clutch. Guibo looks like I should have replaced it much sooner. I last checked it at around 80,000 miles and, while still in the car, it looked fine. Either the last 20,000 miles have been really hard on it or you can't tell the extent of Guibo damage with them on the car. Either way... I think it will be going on my inspection 2 list form now on.

The clutch, on the other hand, looks like it still had about half it's life left at 100,000 miles. Considering the life of my clutch (4000+ track miles, daily clutch initiated drifts, autox, drag strip, regular lauching), I think this is pretty amazing! Certainly nobody who isn't FI with a 6 speed should be needing a clutch before 100,000k, unless they're totally inept with the clutch pedal. I'll be leaving the next one in for at least 150,000 miles!

s






Haven't updated this for a bit.

4 weeks ago we were going to Pocono for a DE. e36 didn't pass PCA tech inspection (does now) so we took the 46. Sadly, at 100,000 miles... the water pump finally gave out.

So, since then I replaced the entire cooling system: Radiator, thermostat, water pump, fan clutch, piping, bla bla bla.

I also have new software from ESS on the car now, as well as Nitto NT05s. Reviews to follow on them!

Pics from the failed track day:



And once she blew up:



And, flushing out all the water pump bits from the cooling system:

[Obioban]

And the girlfriend has been wrapping my center console in OEM leather






































Update: Armrest is done























ebrake and top of arm rest.

Color looks a bit off because taken at night in a bathroom with a flash :P
















Pics of the V1 remote display at night. It still uses the ambient light sensor in the V1, so at night it runs dimmer than during the day

(sorry about the crappy quality, I pulled them from a movie)

[Obioban]

Oh, and a bonus pic. Check out my inspection interval this morning!




The scariest part of taking that pic was driving into 3 bogeys at medium strength at 100mph, and not being willing to slow down.

That would have been fun to explain to the police :roll:




Mini update: did the VANOS cam sprocket bolts last weekend. Stressful project!

[Obioban]

New wheels! RAC RG-63s. 8000 ton forged, light, one piece, 18", perfect fitment, BBK clearing. Hopefully the last summer wheels I'll ever run on the car :roll:


Boxed:







Tires mounted:









And on the car:



























And a little teaser of a mod I just got.....

[Obioban]

Thought I should post my review of my new muffler here:

Since I'm enthused about this muffler enough that I feel like people could see this as an ad, I'm going to start out by pointing out that I'm not selling this muffler. If you want to buy this, you need to talk to a different forum sponsor: Sean at Oakville Motorwerks: http://www.oakvillemotorwerks.com/

Or, directly to the muffler: http://www.oakvillemotorwerks.com/sh...1066&parent=84

I believe they're is selling it cheaper ($1500?) to members of M3forum, so if you're interested in getting one I would PM them directly. Their usernames are sean@om and dipal@om.

I know this thread needs a video. I'll add one this weekend!

As many of you know, I have long been a strong proponent of the stock muffler. This was never because the stock muffler sounded particularly good, no was it particularly light-- it was always because every aftermarket had issues I couldn't deal with. Some deal breakers for me included:
-DRONE (far and away the top reason I wouldn't get a muffler previously-- ruins the car, imho)
-fart can sound
-exhaust tips that don't function
subcategory a: tips that don't function on an entire side of the car
subcategory b: only one tip that functions on each side of the car
-exhaust tips that sit too low (this is actually a bit of an issue with stock)
-exhaust tips that sit to high, and rattle against or melt the diffuser
-exhaust tips that look sunken when you add a CSL diffuser
-large exhaust tips that, when you look down them, lead to a small pipe
-DTM and oval exhaust tips
-exhausts that decrease hp (they are out there)
-exhausts with negligible weight savings

Yes, I have lots of tip issues. They one of the most noticeable parts of the car, so I want them perfect. :roll:

I had pretty much given up on finding an exhaust that actually met my requirements, and at 105,000 miles had finally settled on stock with larger/longer tips. It was far from perfect, but it didn't drone and wasn't losing me power.

Happily Sean talked me into changing my mind. Last Friday I installed the Scorza muffler on my car. It is EVERYTHING I wanted in an e46 muffler. First off:

1) THIS EXHAUST DOES NOT DRONE AT ALL. At any speed, any level of load, any RPM-- no drone. Drone was the reason I sold my last muffler, so this was HUGELY important to me. I have no cats, which often makes drone more likely to occur... but still, zero drone. I drove 600 miles yesterday, so it got throughly tested for this

2) It sounds freaking amazing. As in, best exhaust sound I've ever heard an e46 muffler make. Between the airbox when I'm coming, and the muffler as I'm going, I couldn't be more pleased with how my car sounds. I've been having family and friends drive back and forth past me since I put it on, just so I can hear it go by

3) At cruise, I don't think cabin volume has gone up by even a single db. It literally is as quiet as stock when you're not on it. Even when you do get on it, the exhaust does not overwhelm the engine sound.

4) 25 lbs lighter than stock. Sure, exhausts are the worst place in the car to lose weight (all the way down and all the way back), but lighter is still better

5) tips: You can get them in black or stainless (I got black, as I don't wash my car as often as I should, and these look better dirty :roll, and in two tip lengths: CSL diffuser or stock. Meaning, they don't stick out stupidly if you don't have a CSL diffuser, and then don't get sunken looking if you do have a CSL diffuser.

6) build quality/fitment: Both excellent. Welds are excellent, hangers line up, tips are nicely placed, bolts easily up to the stock section 2, stainless steel should last well in salty winters.

7) Power: idk yet. Sean thinks it should be good for a 6 rwhp gain. He's confident enough that he's volunteered to pay for me to dyno. I haven't done it yet, but I'll post up results when I get them. I have a nice baseline dyno, as seen in the CSL airbox thread. It certainly doesn't feel like it has lost anything.


Overall, I'm just happy as a pig in shit with this muffler. It sounds better than I could have ever imagined an e46 M3 muffler sounding, and has none of the normal downsides that have caused me to avoid getting a muffler until now. One of my best friends (Surge709 on this forum) heard I was getting another muffler and tried really hard to stop me. On sunday I got a chance to give him a ride, and he changed his opinion in the first mile. It really is just... perfect

Side note on price: It seems like every time this muffler comes up, people say it's too expensive.... I don't see it. It's cheaper than the Dinan, SuperSprint, Eisenmann, etc. This is absolutely a top tier muffler, so it actually seems aggressively priced to me. Further, I've had some of the more expensive mufflers on my car, and ended up taking them off-- this one will be staying on.


Pics: Sadly I got too excited once it was mounted up and forgot to take on car pics on the lift. I'll add some to this thread next time I have the car up :roll:

Further disclaimers: You'll see in one of the pics that one of the tips got bent in shipping. Sean offered to send me a new one for free (the tips are replaceable), but I rerounded it myself once I had it on the car.

Also, car is dirty... been driving it a LOT the last week, haven't had a chance to wash it...

[Obioban]

Some shots from a recent photoshoot with friends in cape may (thread, including shots of other people's cars, here):

Originally Posted by Khanman

I disagree, car looks terrible and is obviously poorly maintained.

__________________________________________________ _______

ok your car looks amazing, how did you do that with the headlights by the way? :thumbsup2:

I had caesar do it when he did my TFX conversion:





thread:
http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=224314



One last pic from the shoot