Advice needed: Doing a color change the right way - Topaz Blue to... ??

[DFPM3]

[02_lsb]

OP your topaz looks better than Atlantis. Wrap it if you’re bored.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2013-bmw-m3-74/

[SandeepM3]

Funny enough... someone just emailed me these pics of a San Marino Blue e46 yesterday. Gorgeous.

Was just going to recommend san marino or marino bay. Otherwise tanzanite is also stunning. And my top pic for a normal car.

[heinzboehmer]

OP your topaz looks better than Atlantis. Wrap it if you’re bored.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2013-bmw-m3-74/

Atlantis blue != atlantic blue

Atlantic blue was a standard color on non-M E92s (and probably some other cars too). It's a pretty washed out blue and kinda boring imo since it's so common. Looks like this:



Atlantis blue has way more depth and is almost green. Here it is on an F80:



Atlantis blue is probably a very polarizing color, but it's interesting nonetheless.

That atlantic blue E92 M3 was actually supposed to be atlantis blue. The story about how that happened is actually very entertaining. Sucked for the owner, but entertaining nonetheless: https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=842479

[02_lsb]

Atlantis blue != atlantic blue

Atlantic blue was a standard color on non-M E92s (and probably some other cars too). It's a pretty washed out blue and kinda boring imo since it's so common. Looks like this:



Atlantis blue has way more depth and is almost green. Here it is on an F80:



Atlantis blue is probably a very polarizing color, but it's interesting nonetheless.

That atlantic blue E92 M3 was actually supposed to be atlantis blue. The story about how that happened is actually very entertaining. Sucked for the owner, but entertaining nonetheless: https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=842479

both of these look as exciting as yas marina to me.

[oceansize]

[oceansize]

[oceansize]

[jet_dogg]

Atlantis blue != atlantic blue

Atlantis blue has way more depth and is almost green. Here it is on an F80:



Atlantis blue is probably a very polarizing color, but it's interesting nonetheless.

That atlantic blue E92 M3 was actually supposed to be atlantis blue. The story about how that happened is actually very entertaining. Sucked for the owner, but entertaining nonetheless: https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=842479

What the op needs to consider is whether or not he wants a color shifting paint. My very first car was a metallic black with gold flake, a well known honda color back then. In direct sun it looked brown and I hate brown (except for suede shoes/boots) I ended up respraying it the blackest jet black I could find, well, actually my buddy who worked at a body shop could find. I've never liked pearlescent or some metallic paints for this very reason. Personally I want a black car, not a blue car in the sun or a brown car in the sun. I like consistency under any sort of lighting conditions. I love skylines but would never buy a midnight purple gt-r. LSB looks great in pictures but looks turquoise in person, at certain times. Casa needs to figure out if he wants that, a more basic metallic, or a flat paint that doesn't appear differently or transform at different times throughout the day. Yas marina is great but it looks weird on the e46 imho.

[heinzboehmer]

both of these look as exciting as yas marina to me.

That's fair. I'm not exactly a big fan of those colors either. Not that they're ugly, just not for me.

Mostly just wanted to share the backstory on that one atlantic blue E92 M3, since I think it's entertaining

[Hallerhan]

so getting this thread back on track haha.. any tips on removing the engine without a lift

i plan on removing mine with jack stands. I can purchase a quickjack, but it feels like a waste as a 29 year old who doesn’t mind rolling around the floor

[Thoglan]

so getting this thread back on track haha.. any tips on removing the engine without a lift

i plan on removing mine with jack stands. I can purchase a quickjack, but it feels like a waste as a 29 year old who doesn’t mind rolling around the floor

Did mine on jackstands in my driveway. Quickjacks are awesome but not necessary.

[Gt4]

I sold my Quickjacks BL7000 last month. I prefer to work with jack stands to have acces from the side of the car too.

To remove engine from the front of the car, ideally go to a garage prior to starting so they can pump out the HVAC system. Then remove the front end and drop the complete front end assembly directly with front subframe. If you need to move the car as a roller than reinstall the front subframe assembly.

[Casa de Mesa]

Thanks again for all the replies. Been reading these from my phone at the end of every workday (which were rough this week) and people are bringing up solid points. Replying just now, hate tapping away on a 3x6" rectangle to reply and especially after being fried from a 14hr workday... So here goes.

Topaz though to be honest is too much of a washed out and gray toned blue to be exciting or stunning like the more saturated hues.

^^THIS. I'm actually not an overtly loud person typically with respect to cars. I'm more function over form. The colors of my cars/trucks have been varying shades of silver, black or grey for the most part. But when I first saw an LSB E46 M3, they had been out for maybe a year and I never saw one in person. Then I saw one kicking ass and taking names at Summit Point - bone stock. Love at first sight. There is just something about that color on the proportions of the E46 chassis that does it for me. That's really what it comes down to.

In summary, jet black is the best.

Literally laughed out loud at this.

I'm going to be correcting the paint (don't have to do much tbh) on a low mileage original 2004 TiAg soon. Thinking of posting pics in the detail section, but might sneak one in here.

...and I will be watching. Went over to your 02 Steel Grey journal. Damn man, nice work bringing that car back. Serious props.

I feel you on the non-metallic colors and indeed the Hellrot E36, I shall take this opportunity to shamelessly post my own since that's also a great color.

Sick car!! I had a 97 - black. Bought it from DFPM3 who recently-ish bought a Hellrot. That car in person is just sick. That color... oh my

OP your topaz looks better than Atlantis. Wrap it if you’re bored.

I did give wrapping a consideration for a short time. Opening the doors/hood/trunk to see a different color in the door jams isn't really my thing. I respect it for what it is, but not what I want to spend money on.

Was just going to recommend san marino or marino bay. Otherwise tanzanite is also stunning. And my top pic for a normal car.

Just found some pics of Tanzanite. Great looking color for sure.

Easter egg blue. Love it. I'm really drawn to flat colors, no clue why.

What the op needs to consider is whether or not he wants a color shifting paint. My very first car was a metallic black with gold flake, a well known honda color back then. In direct sun it looked brown and I hate brown (except for suede shoes/boots) I ended up respraying it the blackest jet black I could find, well, actually my buddy who worked at a body shop could find. I've never liked pearlescent or some metallic paints for this very reason. Personally I want a black car, not a blue car in the sun or a brown car in the sun. I like consistency under any sort of lighting conditions. I love skylines but would never buy a midnight purple gt-r. LSB looks great in pictures but looks turquoise in person, at certain times. Casa needs to figure out if he wants that, a more basic metallic, or a flat paint that doesn't appear differently or transform at different times throughout the day. Yas marina is great but it looks weird on the e46 imho.

^^THIS again. 100% where I'm at. For this car and for me, the flat paints check all the boxes. I do love LSB no matter how the sun is hitting it. That said, I can't stop looking at Santorini Blue ever since it was recommended by Gt4 (THANK YOU). Wish I could see one in person. I mean holy scheisse that blue... the contrast of the black trim on that bright AF blue paint... yes please.

Mostly just wanted to share the backstory on that one atlantic blue E92 M3, since I think it's entertaining

Agreed, that was a great read.

so getting this thread back on track haha.. any tips on removing the engine without a lift

Lol!

Did mine on jackstands in my driveway. Quickjacks are awesome but not necessary.

I sold my Quickjacks BL7000 last month. I prefer to work with jack stands to have acces from the side of the car too.

I've never had the luxury of Quickjacks but man, they seem appealing for certain tasks, especially those that mostly deal with the front of the car/engine and project-wise, there really isn't much going on in the center. Interesting you sold yours.

To remove engine from the front of the car, ideally go to a garage prior to starting so they can pump out the HVAC system.

Yep, that's on the docket. I'm actually getting the airbag recall done finally (and for the 2nd time) this coming Thursday. I might see if they'd do it at the stealership while it's there.

[Gt4]

^^THIS again. 100% where I'm at. For this car and for me, the flat paints check all the boxes. I do love LSB no matter how the sun is hitting it. That said, I can't stop looking at Santorini Blue ever since it was recommended by Gt4 (THANK YOU). Wish I could see one in person. I mean holy scheisse that blue... the contrast of the black trim on that bright AF blue paint... yes please

I've never had the luxury of Quickjacks but man, they seem appealing for certain tasks, especially those that mostly deal with the front of the car/engine and project-wise, there really isn't much going on in the center. Interesting you sold yours.

Last year, I had 2 complete E46 M3 drivetrains. I was looking for an E46 Touring in good condition to do a conversion but wasn’t able to find one in good condition or at decent price… Santorini blue was the comor I had in mind. I am still toying with the idea of the project with an E46 Sedan or Touring but would need to buy a cheap E46 M3 donor as I sold everything.

My E46 M3 is Estoril blue. It’s a really nice color on the E46 M3 chassis. I sold my Interlagos blue M3 couple months ago. I always wanted an Interlagos. It’s a nice color depending of light. But in the end, I got bored of it, too dark. I prefer my Estoril. But if I had to get another one, I would like a non-metallic m/solid color, like Santorini!

Quickjacks are heavy to move and store (especially the BL7000 model). A lot of job, I only lift one side with a jack for job like oil change,… If you want to work on headers, section 1-2, remove driveshaft or diff, I didn’t liked working with the Quickjacks. Also hoses are lying on the floor… Anyway moving from
my house soon and will get a proper 2-post lift, can’t wait!

Check pics, this is how I removed drivetrain from the car, easiest way IMO