What did you do for your M3 today?

[SteelGreyM]

Time to drain and flush Thermocure. 5 days, car smelled like a sewer/wet dog. Couldn't park it in the garage 😂

Total of 9 flushes before coolant refill. First couple were dirt black, I guess it's iron phosphate with a bunch of sand like and bigger chunks flushing out. Pretty wild to be honest.

Wow.. how long had it been since you changed it?

Did you use hose water or distilled water to flush?

[SteelGreyM]

I'm on a roll with this car getting something checked off every day!

Few years ago my csl wheels got destroyed with brake dust from track use and I was never able to really get them fully clean even with iron removal chemicals.

Until recently someone recommended I try the carpro brand. At $26 a bottle I was a little hesitant but figured it's worth a shot. I love my wheels. I also decided to clay it at the same time using the carpro ironx as a lubricant for the clay. This method and this brand of iron remover specifically was by far the best out of all I tried.

First wash the wheels normally. Then spray on the carpro iron x. You can watch it turn purple as it reacts with and breaks down the brake dust. After letting the chemical work for about 3 minutes I then went it and gave it another quick spritz of iron x so my clay bar would have some lubrication and also to prevent it from drying. Don't forget to clay the barrels. Letting this chemical dry up on the wheel can have some bad effects so try your best not to let it dry however in my experience in the past I have let it dry accidently for a few minutes without damage.

Finally after claying thoroughly I would give it yet another bath in carpro , wait 3 minutes, and clay again before finally rinsing with water and the whole process starts over again until all the brake dust is gone. It took a lot of work. The two front wheels took 3/4 of the bottle and probably 10 rounds of claying! You'll know you're done when you spray the ironx chemical and you see nothing turn purple. I have to say I'm quite thrilled with the results. They aren't perfect there's still some spots but I am out of car pro and will order another bottle to finish attacking the spots that are left.


Before

Carpro turning purple as it reacts to the baked in dust.


Finally after. Going to coat them with ceramic coating this time to help them fight off dust.

The stuff I used. Fair warning this stuff stinks. That’s how you know it’s good lol.

[SteelGreyM]

Curious why you went back to OEM lines.

The fitment on stoptech lines was not the best. Especially in the rear where they didn't even properly clip into the holder on the RTA. On the front I had to cut the OEM grommet off the stock lines so that it could sit nicely in the shock clip (which worked). In the rear I noticed that it had started to rub on the axle boot causing wear to both the brake line and axle boot.

I don't want to play around with brakes and after doing some research the stock lines are more than good enough for track use.

[zzyzx85]

Swapped stainless steel lines for oem BMW. And did a full brake rebuild on 3 corners. Waiting for fellow forum member to try saving my last rear caliper 🤞


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Curious why you went back to OEM lines.

[SteelGreyM]

I will be disassembling for a steering wheel rewrap and center console refinish!

How are you refinishing?

I’ve just ordered a new center console but ordered the armrest delete one by accident. The non armrest delete is almost $300. Still would look so factory fresh…

Didn’t know the oem finish was hard and tough.. scratched my fingernail in an inconspicuous spot and couldn’t remove the finish. Mind blowing lol

[SteelGreyM]

Swapped stainless steel lines for oem BMW. And did a full brake rebuild on 3 corners. Waiting for fellow forum member to try saving my last rear caliper 🤞


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[M3fanatic580]

Had a second key cut as I only had one.

[sasha]

I will be disassembling for a steering wheel rewrap and center console refinish!

[SteelGreyM]

Found out about this spot for oem wheel lock key

And removed multiple dead bees from the back

[zzyzx85]

finally. I had to idle that bish for like 5 minutes this morning lol. time to go to the smog check place.

[zzyzx85]

Is your battery ok? just did a quick google (gemini) is saying potentially weak battery or vacuum issue. Although I recall having the same problem last year on my crashed car and it took a couple of weeks before it set.

yup, it fires up with no issues in the morning. i guess i'll keep at it for a few weeks.

[SteelGreyM]

Got my front bumper and windshield washer reservoir back on along with all the other front end pieces, being careful to carefully clip all the wiring back in its proper hook

Also ripped out my angel eyes and all the associated wiring. Felt like I was removing a parasite from my car!

Funny enough I dropped my 2012 c class off at the Benz dealer today for an airbag recall and they called me back telling me my rear subframe has rotted out and is close to snapping. I had to snap out of it and remember we aren't talking about the e46 lol. Had no idea it was an issue on these cars and I'm glad I caught it in time. Thankfully it's all covered by warranty. I'll be enjoying their loaner in the meantime!

[6speedS54]

I've been cold idling it the last week in the mornings lol. Not sure what I'm doing wrong. All the other monitors are set besides that one.

Is your battery ok? just did a quick google (gemini) is saying potentially weak battery or vacuum issue. Although I recall having the same problem last year on my crashed car and it took a couple of weeks before it set.

[zzyzx85]

this should set in the first 2 minutes of idling with engine cold

I've been cold idling it the last week in the mornings lol. Not sure what I'm doing wrong. All the other monitors are set besides that one.

[6speedS54]

still trying to get the SAP readiness monitor to set so I've been driving it to work. I've missed how much fun it is to drive.

this should set in the first 2 minutes of idling with engine cold