What did you do for your M3 today?

[nahvkolaj]

Would you mind sharing the source on a $2,700 conversion to manual? Feel free to PM me. Thanks!

That's just parts if I'm buying everything new. Labor would be myself.


The salmon relay is allegedly only 2 years old per the guy I bought the car from, but it's cheap enough that, you guys are right, I should start there. Manual conversion is something that's been in the plan for this car since I bought it, so if there's work to do that requires the transmission to come out (I'm thinking clutch and detents) I figure I might was well go all the way.

[9kracing]

Marek is shipping out my new seats today

[maw1124]

The salmon relay is allegedly only 2 years old per the guy I bought the car from, but it's cheap enough that, you guys are right, I should start there. Manual conversion is something that's been in the plan for this car since I bought it, so if there's work to do that requires the transmission to come out (I'm thinking clutch and detents) I figure I might was well go all the way.

If I was going to beat on the car in the desert, I'd be looking at a manual conversion too, and I don't even like driving manuals. Something about these pumps and intense heat I'm not sure can be overcome, even with annual SMG fluid refreshes (which isn't a particularly bad or expensive idea now that I think about it).

This is one place where this pump is different from the tandem pump + Pentosin idea used in Mercedes hydraulic suspension designs (8-9 liters of fluid). But then again, this system is just changing transmission gears (2-3 liters of fluid), not supporting the suspension loads of the car, so I guess time will tell.

maw

[nahvkolaj]

Marek is shipping out my new seats today

Those look fantastic!

If I was going to beat on the car in the desert, I'd be looking at a manual conversion too, and I don't even like driving manuals. Something about these pumps and intense heat I'm not sure can be overcome, even with annual SMG fluid refreshes (which isn't a particularly bad or expensive idea now that I think about it).

This is one place where this pump is different from the tandem pump + Pentosin idea used in Mercedes hydraulic suspension designs (8-9 liters of fluid). But then again, this system is just changing transmission gears (2-3 liters of fluid), not supporting the suspension loads of the car, so I guess time will tell.

maw

Reliability in the summer is a major point driving me toward the conversion. I have to drive carefully on my 15 minute commute through town to avoid a temp related error code.

I don't hate the SMG and I'll put it on the shelf for maybe later. Simply hitting the down paddle and getting a smooth braaap into a corner is its own fun. I find myself looking for the paddles when driving other cars, just like I was looking for the clutch pedal on the M3 when I first got it.


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[CybrSlydr]

Just got it back from the shop where they replaced the evap pump, gas cap, and thermostat that was stuck open. Nice to have those CEL fixed. Hope this helps my gas milage (100mi commute every day and currently getting a computer indicated 26mpg, I25 is 80mph speed limit).

I asked about increasing gas mileage to the guy at the shop, he said a tune (replace plugs, injector cleaner, etc). I asked about a valve adjustment and he said these M3s don't get valves adjusted since they're hydraulically actuated.

I'm almost certain a valve adjustment is part of one of the Inspections, is it not? Shims and all that - and the guy has an E39 M5!

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[eacmen]

Just got it back from the shop where they replaced the evap pump, gas cap, and thermostat that was stuck open. Nice to have those CEL fixed. Hope this helps my gas milage (100mi commute every day and currently getting a computer indicated 26mpg, I25 is 80mph speed limit).

I asked about increasing gas mileage to the guy at the shop, he said a tune (replace plugs, injector cleaner, etc). I asked about a valve adjustment and he said these M3s don't get valves adjusted since they're hydraulically actuated.

I'm almost certain a valve adjustment is part of one of the Inspections, is it not? Shims and all that - and the guy has an E39 M5!

Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk

You are correct S54 needs periodic valve adjustment.

[TexaZ3]

Just got it back from the shop where they replaced the evap pump, gas cap, and thermostat that was stuck open. Nice to have those CEL fixed. Hope this helps my gas milage (100mi commute every day and currently getting a computer indicated 26mpg, I25 is 80mph speed limit).

I asked about increasing gas mileage to the guy at the shop, he said a tune (replace plugs, injector cleaner, etc). I asked about a valve adjustment and he said these M3s don't get valves adjusted since they're hydraulically actuated.

I'm almost certain a valve adjustment is part of one of the Inspections, is it not? Shims and all that - and the guy has an E39 M5!

Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk

S54 does need valve adjustment every 30k miles or so. S62 on the other hand, does not.

[maw1124]

Just got it back from the shop where they replaced the evap pump, gas cap, and thermostat that was stuck open. Nice to have those CEL fixed. Hope this helps my gas milage (100mi commute every day and currently getting a computer indicated 26mpg, I25 is 80mph speed limit).

I asked about increasing gas mileage to the guy at the shop, he said a tune (replace plugs, injector cleaner, etc). I asked about a valve adjustment and he said these M3s don't get valves adjusted since they're hydraulically actuated.

I'm almost certain a valve adjustment is part of one of the Inspections, is it not? Shims and all that - and the guy has an E39 M5!

Not a fatal miscalculation… I was a fan until he said no valve adjustment… then I thought “get rid of the guy” … but then the angels of my better nature said “just remind him; he’s worth keeping.”

I’ve taught every mechanic I’ve ever had some specific things about my [rare, obscure] performance cars even though they’ve forgotten more about performance and cars and car performance than I’ll ever know.

It happens… the fun of the game… part of life and learning… enjoy.

maw

EDIT, I have multiple cars and it’s hard for me to remember what I’ve done to which one and why and how I’ve set each one up… and it’s my experience with my time and money… I can only imagine trying to keep up with all the cars a customer might bring in… he might very well not remember which one needs a valve adjustment even if he owned both of them.

[D-O]

Just bought M3 #3! 2004 Silver Gray 80k miles. Going to do a full restoration like Rosso. Thinking British Racing Green 🤔

You are a madman. Please tell me there will be a build journal for this one.

[nyc951]

Marek is shipping out my new seats today

The seats look great. Where did you get the seat fabric from?

[nyc951]

It is the YFCM Composite Driveshaft. I got in during the group buy at $1750. Now they are over $2k.

https://euroconnex.co/collections/e4...43674925760762

Please post your impressions of the driveshaft when you can. Thanks.

[9kracing]

The seats look great. Where did you get the seat fabric from?

Marek uses authentic M-Texture fabric. I'm actually surprised by how much is still out there in the wild despite being NLA from BMW.

I have a roll at my house I ordered a few years ago, and both my seats and door panels are authentic M-Texture, not reproduction, I put them up against my roll of fabric to check.

https://amx-performance.com/bmw-performance-silver-01/

[9kracing]

Before someone asks lol, if anyone is looking for M-Texture interior, Joni did mine and it's real M-Texture fabric.

https://www.prestigeautoleather.com/shop#!/BMW-E46-M3-M-texture-Coupe-interior/p/210387547/category=0

[nyc951]

I’m new to this forum. While I like learning more about our M cars and reading about everyone’s cool projects, my wallet is starting to hurt big time from all the products I am seeing.

[oceansize]

I’m new to this forum. While I like learning more about our M cars and reading about everyone’s cool projects, my wallet is starting to hurt big time from all the products I am seeing.

You a track rat? If so then spill that wallet. If not then remember none of this is required or even needed. Example: BBK of any type? Completely unnecessary, change your brake fluid regularly and couple with OE pads which will be just fine for the street. Expensive coil overs? Not even close to being required.

1. Solid RTABS and Subframe bushings
2. Rubber bushing maintenance everywhere else
3. Regular brake fluid changes plus OE pads are fine for everyone not tracking their car
4. VANOS performance checks
5. Good springs and dampers.
6. Remote Dyno Tune and maybe some upgraded injectors.
7. Regular engine maintenance (valve adjustments)
8. Light weight wheels

You're done and you're welcome. Spend all the money you just saved on making your interior really nice (should it need it).