The E46 M3 Project Thread

[MexicoCityM3]

So I have been toying with the idea of getting a new car. But every time that I think about it I just can't make the benefit/cost equation work. Mostly because I really like what I currently have.

Recently I have been driving the E46 a lot again and sort of "fallen" for it again. So instead of getting something new I am thinking of restoring the E46 to newish condition. I have budgeted this and it would probably cost almost as much as the car is worth. But I'd have something unique with the idea of keeping it forever.

The objective is to have it as a beautiful, Sunday driver. It wouldn't see the track - for that I use the 1M.

This is what I am looking to do:

- Full suspension refurbishment replacing shocks, struts, and a few suspension parts. Basically, installing all these:

https://www.ecstuning.com/ES2500736/
https://www.ecstuning.com/ES2500766/
https://www.ecstuning.com/ES2996550/
https://www.ecstuning.com/ES2535641/

- Replace interior bits: steering wheel, shift knob, trim and center armrest.

- Get M3 CSL wheels and tires

- Full repaint (same color of cours)

- High flow intake. Maybe this one:

https://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-M3-S54_3.2L/Engine/Intake/ES519202/

(Don't care about power gains, just sound)

The full budget for this is 15-17K. I know I wouldn't make it back ever but I don't care. It's also less than the depreciation on any new car I'd be interested in.

Thoughts?

[Cookie Monster]

Why repaint? Is it that rough?

I would go with a good detail first and see if you still want a repaint after that. It's cheaper and far less invasive and would save you most of your budget.

[MexicoCityM3]

Why repaint? Is it that rough?

I would go with a good detail first and see if you still want a repaint after that. It's cheaper and far less invasive and would save you most of your budget.

That's a good suggestion. It makes sense to do a full detail first. In my favor is that labor here is so cheap. I can to a full detail for $200 tops. The repair would probably be around $1,700-$2,000 worst case.

[Cookie Monster]

Repaint for $2k? That seems awfully cheap, even with cheaper labor, but I dunno.

[MexicoCityM3]

Repaint for $2k? That seems awfully cheap, even with cheaper labor, but I dunno.

Mexico. That's at a top, specialist shop.

[Cookie Monster]

Mexico. That's at a top, specialist shop.

Damn. I should go to Mexico to get my car repainted.

Is that including door jambs and other interior bits? I'm assuming no since you're doing the same color, right?

Maybe repaint it, then get it vinyl wrapped a different color for fun while keeping the new paint protected?

[Cookie Monster]

Also, you going to do anything with the exhaust?

[MexicoCityM3]

Also, you going to do anything with the exhaust?

It sounds very nice stock. Maybe after everything else but it's not a priority.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

He's in the automotive refinish capital of the world........MEHHICOOOOOOO!

I don't know what a "top, specialist shop" in mexico looks like, but I don't think I'd want them to paint my car.

[MexicoCityM3]

He's in the automotive refinish capital of the world........MEHHICOOOOOOO!

I don't know what a "top, specialist shop" in mexico looks like, but I don't think I'd want them to paint my car.

The usual gringo prejudice. You'd be surprised.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

The usual gringo prejudice. You'd be surprised.

I would be, actually. All the mexicans here can't paint. So maybe you guys just send all the bad painters to the U.S. and keep the good ones for yourself.

[MexicoCityM3]

I would be, actually. All the mexicans here can't paint. So maybe you guys just send all the bad painters to the U.S. and keep the good ones for yourself.

The ones over there spend too much time rapin' and don't practice enough paintin'.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

That aside, aftermarket refinishing is not as good as the factory finish. I'd spend some time and have the thing professionally detailed/corrected and see what you end up with. Then, if necessary, you can call up pepe and have rim ride his burro over to your house to "paint" only portions of your car.

I'd rather have a few small isolated repairs, then a repaint. Repainting over perfectly fine factory finish will often times leave you with a worse(quality, visual) appearance and possibly have a shorter lifespan due to adhesion issues.

[68_427]

CSL Carbon intake

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Does that even add HP? or just look cool and cost a shit ton of money.

[MexicoCityM3]

Does that even add HP? or just look cool and cost a shit ton of money.

I think any added HP for that is negligible. But it sounds fantastic.

Too much cash however.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

I would be, actually. All the mexicans here can't paint. So maybe you guys just send all the bad painters to the U.S. and keep the good ones for yourself.

Here in Cleveland the Mexican/PR guys are some of the best painters I've seen!

[68_427]

buy another set of headers and bolt them to each other just backward for MAAAAD Direct Exhaust Injection straight into the ITBs

[12,000 RPM]

This looks like a solid project

IMO CSL airbox is worth it if you are spending like $10K on this project anyway. It sounds SICK

[FlatBlackCaddy]

If you're going to have it painted, why not do a type R or Shogun style body kit. Maybe a carbon fiber hood with a few scoops on it?

[FlatBlackCaddy]

I'd also swap badges over to M4 badges, because your car is actually an M4.

[Cookie Monster]

If you're going to have it painted, why not do a type R or Shogun style body kit. Maybe a carbon fiber hood with a few scoops on it?

I know you're kidding, but a widebody would look sick.

[MexicoCityM3]

The idea is to stay as close to stock as possible.

[CaminoRacer]

Stock GT3 class racecar, right?

[MexicoCityM3]

Stock GT3 class racecar, right?

[BimmerM3]

Recently I have been driving the E46 a lot again and sort of "fallen" for it again.

I'm not surprised - I probably would have ended up with one if I hadn't wanted a convertible. My uncle's E46 M3 was the first properly fast car I ever drove.