My E46 M3 coupe. SOLD! :-( 18/7/14

[Speedtouch]

I should check my Minor Traveller's, I suppose - I haven't touched them in years, on the basis that if it ain't broke, don't fix it!

I did, however, change the engine oil and filter last week - Mahle filter, no less.

[bss325i]

Time for a small update!

It's been just over a year since ive bought the car now and the mileage has gone up from 72k to 88k!

That's a lot of V power its gobbled!

A bit of maintenance was carried out about 6 weeks ago, a new MAF and adaptation reset has cured a slight hesitation at low RPM's and improved overall running.



Also some much needed new rear brakes! The discs were *****ed!



So some genuine rear discs pads were bought and as i was there it made sense to replace the handbrake shoes so a genuine set and fitting kit went on as well.

Out with the old,



In with the new,





One of the front anti roll bar drop links started knocking the other week so a genuine pair were fitted but no pics of them.

So to summarise, a year on the car has been reliable with only servicing and wear and tear items needing attention, has done a sterling job as daily transport and most importantly been fun when the roads have allowed.

The CSL boot lid i have on order needs to hurry the ***** up and once the front brakes are finished (pads are 2 thirds worn and discs are lipped) a BBK of some sort will be to route to take.

The clutch is getting a bit heavy but not slipping so a new one will be on the horizon and a lightweight single mass flywheel will go in at the same time.

Fingers crossed the next 12 months are just as reliable.

[jimbom30cab]

nice work Barry, amazing that the handbrake kit looks identical to an e30

[mcbonio]

Nice work Barry,
And don't worry about mileage and obsessing about it's value like most M3 owners, it was made to be driven so drive it and enjoy it.!

[pony]

Those brand new Genuine BMW brake discs do look good

In the holes on my discs there is rust

[pony]

Does unleaded and super unleaded V Power Nitro make big difference in E46 M3 ?

[Blitz]

Those brand new Genuine BMW brake discs do look good

In the holes on my discs there is rust

That's normal.

[bss325i]

Thanks for the comments!

I'm not bothered about miles, as said i would like to take it as far as poss and see how it fares.

As for unleaded vs super, if you want detonation leading to blown a head gasket or worse, an eroded piston, head or cracked block the crack on with 95 RON.

I only use V power, not even any other brand of super unleaded.

[timmzey]

Edited for privacy

[pony]

Thanks for the comments!

I'm not bothered about miles, as said i would like to take it as far as poss and see how it fares.

As for unleaded vs super, if you want detonation leading to blown a head gasket or worse, an eroded piston, head or cracked block the crack on with 95 RON.

I only use V power, not even any other brand of super unleaded.

I saw in the latest issue of Car magazine (December 2013) that according to ML most E46 M3s have head gasket problems over 80k mileage ? I didn't realise this is because of petrol. I run mine solely on Shell V Power. Apart from the odd occasion when I am in the middle of no where and cannot find a Shell petrol station. And yes I am sad enough to keep the receipts.

Btw how does detonation (is this early ignition of the fuel/air mixture ?) lead to the symptoms u describe ?

Apparently 60-70% of E46 M3s have boot floor cracks, repairs or new boot floors according to the feature in Car magazine.

[timmzey]

Edited for privacy

[bss325i]

Yes, because cylinder spacing is so close that when the combustion is lean from lower octane fuel and gives detonation and high combustion temps, it's the weakest spot that goes first which happens to be the the head gasket between the cylinders but in extreme cases the piston and/or head head can erode or in one S54's case, crack the block!

[pony]

Its because M3's have about 2mm of clearance between each cylinder!

Mine went during ownership, but got it sorted by a guy on m3cutters.

About £900 all in with a Service and photographs between each stage!

(Was quoted upto £2k from Local Garages)

What mileage did your head gasket let go at ?

[pony]

Yes, because cylinder spacing is so close that when the combustion is lean from lower octane fuel and gives detonation and high combustion temps, it's the weakest spot that goes first which happens to be the the head gasket between the cylinders but in extreme cases the piston and/or head head can erode or in one S54's case, crack the block!

Thanks

Even more incentive to run on super unleaded now. By the petrol cap BMW say minimum RON is 95 but recommended to use RON 98 from memory.

Btw aren't the head gaskets supposed to be replaced every Inspection I, Inspection II along with checking and adjusting the valve clearances ?

[bss325i]

No that's the cam cover gasket as the cam cover has to come off to check the valve clearances and yes, every inspection 1 and 2.

[bss325i]

Love the detail you have gone to with this.

I loved my E46 M3 Cab, but all those niggly things like the HK Buzzing, Scratches on the Plastic and seeing corrosion on the sills used to REALLY take the shine off owning it.

P.S, Love the KIWI!

Thanks! Kiwi is certainly a "marmite" colour and although not my first choise, it's better than grey and more interesting than black.

That's not to say I would not replace it with cinnamon or champagne if a mint interior came up.

[harry_p]

I think you're confusing cam cover gasket ( which would be disturbed when valve clearances are checked ) and cylinder head gasket, which would require removing the entire cylinder head to change.

[pukar]

loving the e46 mate....i always loved the sound of the engines. i had a z4m which sounded awesome!

i see you have the csl alloys. i know you got conti tyres, but if you are ever feeling the need for the michelin cup sport window stickers the CSL came with, or the bmw recommeds castrol sticker let me know

[bss325i]

Yes what I need is the TWS castrol sticker that goes on the air filter housing as mine is missing. I have measurements!

[pukar]

...i just need to get the part numbers sorted out, a bit of a misprint!

[pony]

Love the detail you have gone to with this.

I loved my E46 M3 Cab, but all those niggly things like the HK Buzzing, Scratches on the Plastic and seeing corrosion on the sills used to REALLY take the shine off owning it.

P.S, Love the KIWI!

Thanks! Kiwi is certainly a "marmite" colour and although not my first choise, it's better than grey and more interesting than black.

That's not to say I would not replace it with cinnamon or champagne if a mint interior came up.

Cinnamon is horrible. My old man had that in his brand new E46 M3 Coupe Mystic Blue

Champagne Nappa Leather first choice
Black Nappa Leather second choice

[pony]

loving the e46 mate....i always loved the sound of the engines. i had a z4m which sounded awesome!

i see you have the csl alloys. i know you got conti tyres, but if you are ever feeling the need for the michelin cup sport window stickers the CSL came with, or the bmw recommeds castrol sticker let me know

What do the Michelin Cup Sport stickers look like ?

[pukar]

the small"WARNING" one on the right my design is below it...




the almost impossible one to see on the right, my design is on the left.

;)

[bss325i]

...i just need to get the part numbers sorted out, a bit of a misprint!

You DA MAN!

I have pics if you need a reference to change the PN.

[bss325i]

Love the detail you have gone to with this.

I loved my E46 M3 Cab, but all those niggly things like the HK Buzzing, Scratches on the Plastic and seeing corrosion on the sills used to REALLY take the shine off owning it.

P.S, Love the KIWI!

Thanks! Kiwi is certainly a "marmite" colour and although not my first choise, it's better than grey and more interesting than black.

That's not to say I would not replace it with cinnamon or champagne if a mint interior came up.

Cinnamon is horrible. My old man had that in his brand new E46 M3 Coupe Mystic Blue

Champagne Nappa Leather first choice
Black Nappa Leather second choice

Well that's down to personal taste but cinnamon is NOT horrible and your dad had a better colour combo M3 than you!

Black leather is ok but boring.

This photo makes it look lighter than it is but it is stunning!

[pukar]

no worries, it's just the 9 and the dash that is in the wrong place. the reason for this is that the standard font has a different shaped 9 and i had to create this one from scratch to get the sticker just right. the same applies to the dash (yup, pretty anal!)....i just lost alignment when i manipulated the image for print set up.

[pony]

Pukar did u get requests from CSL Register then ?
Someone was moaning about stickers or something and I have u a little plug and a link to your website this was ages ago

PS Are none of these stickers available from BMW Dealers ?
I think there are 2 stickers for windscreen on E46 M3s
M3 CSLs must have that extra Michelin sticker on windscreen.

[pukar]

thanks for the plug. yeah it was a guy on the CSL register who wanted the oil label.. i am still waiting for it to be printed and have 2 orders already. not sure if the guy who wanted the window stickers was there or now.

plug away mate, plug away......i'm always happy and grateful to receive extra requests

[pony]

Thanks! Kiwi is certainly a "marmite" colour and although not my first choise, it's better than grey and more interesting than black.

That's not to say I would not replace it with cinnamon or champagne if a mint interior came up.

I think out of all the normal colours excluding Champagne which is best IMO
Black leather is nicest, classiest and matches all the other leather bits eg centre arm rest, hand brake, gearbox etc


Cinnamon is horrible. My old man had that in his brand new E46 M3 Coupe Mystic Blue

Champagne Nappa Leather first choice
Black Nappa Leather second choice

Well that's down to personal taste but cinnamon is NOT horrible and your dad had a better colour combo M3 than you!

Black leather is ok but boring.

This photo makes it look lighter than it is but it is stunning!

Out of all the normal ones I think black is best excluding champagne which just rocks
Black leather looks classiest and sophisticated IMO also matches the other leather parts eg centre arm rest, hand brake, gearbox etc
Also harder to show up marks.
I don't like grey leather.

[bss325i]

Grey is the worst by a country mile!

[Kos]

Those brand new Genuine BMW brake discs do look good

In the holes on my discs there is rust

Cotton buds mate

[Blitz]

Cinnamon is nice but its needs piano black wood trim not silver.

[bss325i]

Cinnamon is nice but its needs piano black wood trim not silver.

Indeed.

[pony]

A Silverstone Edition E46 M3 would be quite nice

[bss325i]

Blue leather and light blue paint...... The jury's out on that one.