Started From the Bottom: An e46 M story

[NinoHale]

So... I wish #sowoprep was a little more extensive but I'm focused on doing the "right" things before wheels...

Dropped the car off at my buddy Sergey's body shop, full buff and polish and more importantly, saving the front bumper.





Oh hey grl



Bumper and car turned out just stupid in comparison to before....







SoWo in a few days ❤️.... Nothing crazy, a slightly dropped e46 m3 that sounds like heaven on wheels. Baby steps.






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[ELLeon]

Had too.... #lolok

Cheers


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Looks like a picture you could send BMW so they could get a laugh of it too. Thats awesome.

[Motoman325]

i love it

[DER E30]

Those license plates...

[NinoHale]

Been a minute since I've updated 😁

I've put a good 2,000 miles on the car over the past month and a half... Trans is doing well. Well enough to buy coils and get this thing respectable.

I ended up going with BC's. I've gotta say great quality for the price and the ride is pretty solid as well.







In other news... The fuel pump took a shit 4 days after throwing the coils on... Can't complain, 13 years and 130k out of the stock pump.

Front end will hopefully be getting some tlc prior to SoWo.

Also took the car down to Louisville a few weeks back for Water by the Bridge.



Had too.... #lolok

Cheers


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[NinoHale]

Nice work so far man!! I say manual swap for sure, SMG is just too temperamental. Broadways will definitely put this thing where it needs to be

Down the road it's definitely in the cards. I'll enjoy it "as is" for as long as I can.


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[philohlean]

Nice work so far man!! I say manual swap for sure, SMG is just too temperamental. Broadways will definitely put this thing where it needs to be

[NinoHale]

Few updates.... Nothing to fancy but overall very good/important stuff.

Had some maintenance completed on the car First thing is first, gotta get it healthy.

- Fluid flush and change (SMG, Oil, and Trans). Went with SyncroMax from Royal Purple to hopefully help clean things up a bit.

- Valve adjustment along with valve cover gasket (not sure the last time, or if a valve adjustment has ever been done).

- Oil level sensor, EGT sensor, and Gear position sensor... again stuff that needed to be done.

and a handful of minor stuff... plugs, e-brake adjustment, and wipers.

Also went through the SMG and it's pretty healthy overall. The GPS helped clean up the shifts (speed and smoothness). Also checked the compression springs in the trans and found no issues.

Weather is calling for 50 and some sun on Saturday. I plan on taking a few pics.

Also reached out to Broadway Static to get an idea of next steps..... got get this thing low

[Carwhisperer]

Looking good . Will watch!

[NinoHale]

Started From the Bottom: An e46 M story

Awesome choice for the new build. I really hope you budgeted for the SMG. Manual swap might cost more up front, but will save you money in the long run, in addition to tow truck rides.

Manual swap will run $2ish maybe $2,500 on the high end... If I can keep the SMG short term it opens up funds for suspension/wheels.

I hear ya though.... The SMG is too complex for its own good.

I just bought my M5 not too long ago as well. Nice to see another M car here getting transformed! Can't wait to see what you do with it. Check mine out!

My buddy Bryan has a e39 M5.... That V8 makes me weak....

[coconutt]

I'll subscribe. Lows and wheels will be looking sharp.

[laBeef]

Awesome choice for the new build. I really hope you budgeted for the SMG. Manual swap might cost more up front, but will save you money in the long run, in addition to tow truck rides.

[Adrien_M5]

I just bought my M5 not too long ago as well. Nice to see another M car here getting transformed! Can't wait to see what you do with it. Check mine out!

[DER E30]

I'm about half way through 73 pages of SMG issues on M3forum.net lol..... Even if this is an easy fix just swapping the car to manual may make more sense

Manual swap is the only way to go!

[NinoHale]

I'm about half way through 73 pages of SMG issues on M3forum.net lol..... Even if this is an easy fix just swapping the car to manual may make more sense