M3 Stablemates: What else do you have in the garage?

[George Hill]

The net height of a stock S65 is so dang close to the net height between the absolute highest point of the hood and the lowest point of the subframe, that you even the bracing in the hood is too low for clearance

He said "...mine would've required to cut a hole in the hood for a larger (E9X M) powerdome." Which to me sounds like Kaiv didn't add a E9x power dome, so if he didn't do that what was his resolution?

[YoitsTmac]

Can you elaborate on this, are you saying the car you built didn't run a hood or was running open ITBs?

The net height of a stock S65 is so dang close to the net height between the absolute highest point of the hood and the lowest point of the subframe, that you even the bracing in the hood is too low for clearance

[George Hill]

Pretty sure mine would've required to cut a hole in the hood for a larger (E9X M) powerdome.

Can you elaborate on this, are you saying the car you built didn't run a hood or was running open ITBs?

[kaiv]

Have you ever looked into how Will/Turner got his to fit? It goes look like theirs sits a tad high.

I have not. FWIW mine also sat "high" you could say. I did not want to compromise steering and suspension geometry under any circumstance since it's part of what makes the E46 so good. I used stock FCABs and stock motor mounts too as I can't stand the NVH induced by aftermarket parts there. The engine was mounted as low as it could go without having to cut an enormous hole in the structural reinforcement plate that ties in frame-rack-fcabs etc. Pretty sure mine would've required to cut a hole in the hood for a larger (E9X M) powerdome.

[Chas3n]

I also kept the stock location steering shaft but looking at that photo and how low the engine sits, I'm guessing concessions were made elsewhere.

Have you ever looked into how Will/Turner got his to fit? It goes look like theirs sits a tad high.

[01SG]

I've come around to the new designs. The M4 is out of proportion, but I think the M3 looks great. But it is enormous and looks like an M5. The M2 as well is actually quite striking in person. I think the new M2 looks a lot better than the previous generation, which was slightly dull.

I don't know where anyone drives these cars on the road though. I still think the e46 is about as fast as a road car needs to be.

And to those speaking on the ZHP: if you think they're more fun, get yourself an e36 m3. Even better; the light weight and smaller body with a proper LSD and better feel. Besides the interior quality, which can be somewhat remedied with the lux pack, they're very comfortable cars too. "Raw" and engaging yet still compliant and comfortable. Probably more so than a ZHP with 18s. The only real draw backs would be the price of entry and safety, but none of us will come out looking pretty against all the tanks on the road today.

[siamkazi]

I wanted to love the G80 so badly but to this day I could never get over the exterior styling. Those came out when I finally started making good money in my career and I wanted to spec one out. But the grill doesn't do it for me among other things. Shame as they're absolute weapons to drive. Mind-bendingly fast.

TBH, the grill still hasn't grown on me but the rest of the car (both interior and exterior) have been really nice. Mind you ,as you stated, the car is a riot so one quickly forgets about the front. It feels a lot more quicker and planted than it seems on paper (which was already a high point). It helps that during these summer nights that i can switch to the e46 with the top down and hear the csl intake since the G80's pops and burbles don't really do it for me. #FirstWorldProblems

[MTiz]

2021 G80 Comp RWD added a couple of weeks ago, insane how fast it is and the ZF gearbox is really really good, really compliments the C55 and E46.

I wanted to love the G80 so badly but to this day I could never get over the exterior styling. Those came out when I finally started making good money in my career and I wanted to spec one out. But the grill doesn't do it for me among other things. Shame as they're absolute weapons to drive. Mind-bendingly fast.

[Deen HK]

That just sold on builtforbackroads, right?

Yeah!

[George Hill]

I have notes somewhere but he trimmed and reinforced the front subframe. He said it was more rigid than factory and that he was able to use stock headers, oil pan and steering shaft. He banged the hood reinforcements flat

I'd be curious to see your notes if you want to share them.

After driving an S85 E46 I picked up an engine to build myself one, but in the back of my mind I also thinking about an S65 instead. At the end of the day "V" engines just don't fit well in the E46 chassis and both take considerable amount of planning to execute properly.

[YoitsTmac]

That just sold on builtforbackroads, right?

[Deen HK]

Actually just sold my 996t and got back into an E46. The Land Cruiser is my daily driver and I also have a cosmo turbo e36 m3 that I’m building.

edit: not sure why my photo quality got trashed upon upload

[repoman89]

Congrats on that ZHP. I’ve never owned or driven one but have a lot of miles in regular E46 330is, which are pretty much the same. Maybe the minority opinion here but I’d take one of those any day over an M3 for a road car. My E39 M5 fits that role for me now but even when I bought that I was looking for a simple 530i sport 5 speed, just couldn’t find a clean one. Lot to be said for that M54.

[Nate047]

Nice setup. I'm half disappointed E36 is not a Hellrot or Mugello....just kidding!

Yea a slicktop Hellrot E36 would certainly be sweet wouldn't it

[heinzboehmer]

There are lots of talks of the Golden Gate chapter hosting a Laguna track day - you should bring along your ride. I'm bias because I'm on the board, but we just had a Sonoma track day with a great response and we focus on maximizing seat time.

If you need help wiring a E9x swap into an E82, I can help you out with the electronics side.

Thanks! I need to go to one of those track days someday, have heard good thing from track friends.

I've never driven a 128 but have plenty of seat time in 135s (both N54 and N55) and IMHO the biggest issue with them was not the engine but the chassis. Way too much soft rubber absolutely everywhere, not to mention the open diff. I'd swap M3 subframes/suspension etc before I'd swap an S65.

Heinz > You can drive mine if you're ever down here.
And ya unfortunately the state requirements override the federal ones, we cannot put a "regular" engine into a SULEV car and register it legally here

Yeah you can tell BMW built this car as a comfortable daily and not a sports car. I just love how rigid the chassis feels and think the size is perfect.

And hell yeah! I'll reach out next time I'm down there! Likewise if you're ever up in the bay