Hi All:
Just got back into an e46 M3 after a a 6 year hiatus. I strayed away from this world to scratch the Porsche itch (read an incredible 2009 997.2 911 and a 2013 Cayenne Turbo). Still have both of the Porsches but I really missed the real BMWs…the e30, e36 and e46. Indeed, my past whips included a 1990 Delphin Blue e30 325i, a 1989 Alpine white e30 325i vert, a 2002 Gunmetal blue e46 330i, a 1995 325i Montreal Blue e36 vert, a 2004 330i Blue ZHP e46, a 1999 Imola Red E36 M3 Vert and my favorite …a 2004 Interlagos Blue ZCP e46 6 Sp Manual M3. Unfortunately, I had to sell the E36 M3 and my coveted ZCP M3 to afford the 911.
I was a frequent contributor on M3 Forum, E46 Fanatics, ZHP Mafia and Bimmerfest Forums.
So wifey and I were looking for an old Boxster for my son to drive next summer when he comes home from college. He needs a car for summer college baseball either in the Appalachian League down south (Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina etc) or up in New England. Needed to be fairly reliable and something I knew how to wrench. So we looked at 100s of Boxsters and while my son and I really like that car it’s really just a bit small. So I started looking at my beloved e46es. I initially thought I would get him a nice 330 with the reliable M54 engine but I just kept getting pulled into the M3 rabbit hole. After much consternation, we bid on and won a beautiful 2003 Black on Imola Red M3, stock but with 18 inch BBS wheels, KW V1 Coilovers, Borla exhaust and 45,000 miles on the clock. The big three were not addressed. The subframe is good right now, I will do the Beisan refresh and eventually address the Rod Bearings. By the way, I also got the original 19 inch wheels in the sale which are in perfect condition.
The S54 engine is just beautiful. So far I did an oil/filter change, cabin filter, air filter, fuel filter, accessory and ac belt, brakes all around, spark plugs, and replaced oil skid place cover. Yesterday I discovered a very small oil leak. I’m thinking either the valve cover gasket or the CPV valve gasket. The valve cover was just replaced in August by the previous owner so I’m going to do the CPV gasket first and see if that fixes it. If not onto the valve cover gasket. The leak is on back side of the passenger area of the valve cover. Also discovered a slightly torn front sway bar end link, so I will replace both fronts.
The prior owner had the car slammed on the 18 inch BBS wheels and new 245/35/18 Michelin rear tires and 15mm ECS spacers. Weird rear tire size, right? Should be 255/40s. Well I’ve been struggling to get a better height due to a slight rubbing issue. I have the KWs adjusted almost to end to get it up in the air and am reducing the spacer size. I think we will drive it with the 18s until the tires wear out then go back to the 19s.
Looking forward to posting maintenance progress and all the beautiful issues that come along with the e46 M3
Just got back into an e46 M3 after a a 6 year hiatus. I strayed away from this world to scratch the Porsche itch (read an incredible 2009 997.2 911 and a 2013 Cayenne Turbo). Still have both of the Porsches but I really missed the real BMWs…the e30, e36 and e46. Indeed, my past whips included a 1990 Delphin Blue e30 325i, a 1989 Alpine white e30 325i vert, a 2002 Gunmetal blue e46 330i, a 1995 325i Montreal Blue e36 vert, a 2004 330i Blue ZHP e46, a 1999 Imola Red E36 M3 Vert and my favorite …a 2004 Interlagos Blue ZCP e46 6 Sp Manual M3. Unfortunately, I had to sell the E36 M3 and my coveted ZCP M3 to afford the 911.
I was a frequent contributor on M3 Forum, E46 Fanatics, ZHP Mafia and Bimmerfest Forums.
So wifey and I were looking for an old Boxster for my son to drive next summer when he comes home from college. He needs a car for summer college baseball either in the Appalachian League down south (Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina etc) or up in New England. Needed to be fairly reliable and something I knew how to wrench. So we looked at 100s of Boxsters and while my son and I really like that car it’s really just a bit small. So I started looking at my beloved e46es. I initially thought I would get him a nice 330 with the reliable M54 engine but I just kept getting pulled into the M3 rabbit hole. After much consternation, we bid on and won a beautiful 2003 Black on Imola Red M3, stock but with 18 inch BBS wheels, KW V1 Coilovers, Borla exhaust and 45,000 miles on the clock. The big three were not addressed. The subframe is good right now, I will do the Beisan refresh and eventually address the Rod Bearings. By the way, I also got the original 19 inch wheels in the sale which are in perfect condition.
The S54 engine is just beautiful. So far I did an oil/filter change, cabin filter, air filter, fuel filter, accessory and ac belt, brakes all around, spark plugs, and replaced oil skid place cover. Yesterday I discovered a very small oil leak. I’m thinking either the valve cover gasket or the CPV valve gasket. The valve cover was just replaced in August by the previous owner so I’m going to do the CPV gasket first and see if that fixes it. If not onto the valve cover gasket. The leak is on back side of the passenger area of the valve cover. Also discovered a slightly torn front sway bar end link, so I will replace both fronts.
The prior owner had the car slammed on the 18 inch BBS wheels and new 245/35/18 Michelin rear tires and 15mm ECS spacers. Weird rear tire size, right? Should be 255/40s. Well I’ve been struggling to get a better height due to a slight rubbing issue. I have the KWs adjusted almost to end to get it up in the air and am reducing the spacer size. I think we will drive it with the 18s until the tires wear out then go back to the 19s.
Looking forward to posting maintenance progress and all the beautiful issues that come along with the e46 M3
Comment