ressurecting an unloved m3

[///Mthusiast]

Why my current project is not an aged BMW or Mercedes (the state of AMG parts is atrocious). I'm done with stuff going NLA and fighting parts battles, not to mention the ridiculous cost of these platforms currently. My current project is a manual coupe NA V8 where there are tons of parts, many suppliers, and realistic pricing for said parts due to competition. Honestly its been a joy. Is the chassis as good? Nope, but its close enough for my purposes. This M3 is probably the last older German car I own unless I go Porsche (which is totally different animal). On my C63 AMG which was a 2009 they quit making the darn intake manifold which is magnesium alloy and simply rots over time (aftermarket options don't exist). Car was last made in 2014 and early 2015. Get real, so dumb. I was really looking for an M3 coupe but I've parked those plans indefinitely.

If you think German cars are bad with NLA, try Ferrari. I once searched, not joking, the WORLD for a part that my F360 needed in 2022. Brand new it was $250 from Ferrari. NLA for years even though it was the same part on essentially every model of Ferrari for about an 8 year run. I contacted every single person/company that came up under google, etc. Finally had a guy contact me back who had a wrecked car out of Belgium and I paid double the price of new. He could have gotten a lot more out of me.

I've only owned one Mercedes, so don't spend time in that realm. I think BMW has honestly done an incredible job with parts for these enthusiast cars. The cars are 18 years old now at a minimum and when it comes to maintenance items, rubber, trim, plastic, etc. I just ordered pretty much everything you can think of to on replace the exterior of this car and had no issues whatsoever. That's pretty impressive to me.

Porsche is an interesting brand to me as I can't think of really anything except for maybe a gasket that I've ordered OEM Porsche for. The thing with Porsche seems to be that the older they get, the more parts you have available to choose from and they are even better than the original OEM.

Hang in there with the parts battles. I think that no matter what the platform If you've got a motor that doesn't pump sound through your speakers or worse not make sound at all, you're future self will thank you.

[///Mthusiast]

You're a madman lol but I get it. I'm just gonna ask straight up, how much did you pay for it?

The way I look at it, I will essentially have a new car by the time I'm done at hopefully a price that still makes sense for what I build. I'm going to hold onto that information for now though just in case that I sink so much into this I can say the guy paid me to take it lol.

On another note, I looked at your website. Your photography at the 'Ring is incredible!

[///Mthusiast]

a picture update: euro front bumper painted and ready to go, rod bearings showing lots of wear (assuming these are original @110k), and some tear down pictures.

[nyc951]

Love the project. Love that in ground lift even more.

[TexaZ3]

Good stuff. Let me know if you need any help restoring that interior trim.

[///Mthusiast]

new headlight lenses and all supporting rubber and gaskets, bumper support replaced and new euro oem bumper installed, autotechnik front and side grills with new oem ///m3 stickers (the most expensive stickers in the world, I'm convinced), bottom end rebuild with RB's, oil pan, RE power pulleys, etc. all done, amber front and side markers installed.

It is almost to the point where it's driveable, but still need to do the brakes, subframe, and going to throw some suspension on at that point as well. I'm trying to decide what I want to do suspension-wise. I've had all kinds of stuff in the past (KW V2, V3, Dinan S3, TC kline DA, etc) and I'm trying to figure out what is best suited for this car while also staying within my budget. To be continued...

[Nate047]

The way I look at it, I will essentially have a new car by the time I'm done at hopefully a price that still makes sense for what I build. I'm going to hold onto that information for now though just in case that I sink so much into this I can say the guy paid me to take it lol.

On another note, I looked at your website. Your photography at the 'Ring is incredible!

Thank you! Prints and canvases are available

[///Mthusiast]

Instead of having to deal with the body shop for the door, I was lucky enough to find a donor door locally and made the trek up to NC to grab it. Should have the vehicle drivable soon which I am very much looking forward to.

[PSUEng]

a picture update: euro front bumper painted and ready to go, rod bearings showing lots of wear (assuming these are original @110k), and some tear down pictures.

Might as well throw a washer pump at it while it's easy with the bumper cover off..

[///Mthusiast]

Suspension, subframe, and a few other items will be tackled this weekend. Should be able to drive it soon which I am looking forward to.

[0-60motorsports]

Suspension, subframe, and a few other items will be tackled this weekend. Should be able to drive it soon which I am looking forward to.

interesting, which ST's did you go with and why not KW....

[///Mthusiast]

interesting, which ST's did you go with and why not KW....

I went with the XTA's as I've heard quite a lot of good things about them for the money. I have a 911 with MCS remote 2 ways that are incredible but didn't want to spend that kind of money yet without knowing 100% what the purpose of this car is going to be. I found several options in the 2k range that would offer good bang for the buck, and allow me to replace the worn suspension and get it driving, without spending the same type of money.

[WestBankM4]

I went with the XTA's as I've heard quite a lot of good things about them for the money. I have a 911 with MCS remote 2 ways that are incredible but didn't want to spend that kind of money yet without knowing 100% what the purpose of this car is going to be. I found several options in the 2k range that would offer good bang for the buck, and allow me to replace the worn suspension and get it driving, without spending the same type of money.

You made a good choice, I did the same. Was going to opt for AST suspension but like you, no plans for tracking just yet, so instead I went with the ST XTA's. They're fantastic for what you pay for and living in California, I didn't need the coating for weather the KW's provide.

[0-60motorsports]

I went with the XTA's as I've heard quite a lot of good things about them for the money. I have a 911 with MCS remote 2 ways that are incredible but didn't want to spend that kind of money yet without knowing 100% what the purpose of this car is going to be. I found several options in the 2k range that would offer good bang for the buck, and allow me to replace the worn suspension and get it driving, without spending the same type of money.

Thanks for your feedback. The difference between them and the KW V2 is a few hundred bucks and the shock coating im guessing. Also the attraction for me is the easy availability fo spare parts like replacement shocks.

I have also been thinking of going for PSS10 which is probably my first choice and or Fortune Auto...... https://shop-fortune-auto.com/collec...ries-coilovers (Dont have a feeling that they are worth 2.5k)

[Kevin2772]

How difficult was it to replace the lenses on your headlights? That is something my car is really needing, and not sure its a job i want to tackle myself.....