What did you do for your M3 today?

[6speedS54]

It's finally rod bearing time. Got the top of the engine bay prepped yesterday and came across some annoying finds. Biggest one is that my water pump has been leaking and the shaft has some play after only 3 yrs / 17k miles. Idler/tensioner pulleys are all gone too. And I'm gonna bite the bullet and do a PS refresh because I have a few leaking lines.

Anyone know where to get the AC (spring type tensioner) pulley only? Really don't want the whole tensioner.




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What brand water pump is that?

[nahvkolaj]

What brand water pump is that?

Saleri. Thankfully bought from FCP Euro so I'm exchanging it and hoping for a better outcome this time.


Got all my rod bearings changed out. Pastigauged each one to get some peace of mind that everything is in spec. They've been done at least once before as warranty/recall work according to the circular “422” sticker on the B-pillar. Copper is just starting to peek through the top halves. Cylinder 3 has (what I think is) weird wear on the bottom shell. This car is at over 142,000 miles, so I'm planning for the ACLs I installed to take me past 200k.

[Altaran]

Ordered a back up OEM CSL front bumper kit from Schmiedmann. Need to figure out if there's an OEM CSL washer fluid reservoir available for a no headllght washer M3.

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=BL95-EUR-12-2003-E46-BMW-M3_CSL&diagId=61_1465

The tank part number for vehicles without headlamp cleaning (S502A=No) is specified as 61677892701.

[AbbeyRoad]

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=BL95-EUR-12-2003-E46-BMW-M3_CSL&diagId=61_1465

The tank part number for vehicles without headlamp cleaning (S502A=No) is specified as 61677892701.

Does this version plug and play with the oem CSL front bumper?

[davidinnyc]

In another episode of saving the SMGs:

I decided to refresh the steering wheel and was able to source the following, new:

1. SMG steering wheel with a tiny bit of damage on a bottom section of the leather (got a killer deal on the wheel)
2. E39 black lower steering wheel trim
3. SMG paddles

The top buttons/upper wheel trim were in excellent condition so I of course kept all that the same.

First two photos the old wheel is the bottom and the old SMG paddles.

I was impatient this weekend so I installed the wheel without touching up the bottom leather, but next weekend I'll take a small blade to cut off the pieces that are sticking out and then use dye and polish to return to “like new” condition.

Installation was easy enough and the new wheel looks great in the cockpit.










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[karter16]

In another episode of saving the SMGs:

I decided to refresh the steering wheel and was able to source the following, new:

1. SMG steering wheel with a tiny bit of damage on a bottom section of the leather (got a killer deal on the wheel)
2. E39 black lower steering wheel trim
3. SMG paddles

The top buttons/upper wheel trim were in excellent condition so I of course kept all that the same.

First two photos the old wheel is the bottom and the old SMG paddles.

I was impatient this weekend so I installed the wheel without touching up the bottom leather, but next weekend I'll take a small blade to cut off the pieces that are sticking out and then use dye and polish to return to “like new” condition.

Installation was easy enough and the new wheel looks great in the cockpit.










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Nice - steering wheel refresh is one of the best things I've done. Makes such a difference over a worn out one


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[fattycharged]

I’m going to open it up and take a look, tbh I don’t really know how much movement it’s supposed to have. I’ve never handled a healthy one.

I just half assed my regrease and reinstall, it was binding as well, but I am ready to get it rolling on its own and will replace it later if need be. How'd it look after you cleaned it out?

[Nate047]

I just half assed my regrease and reinstall, it was binding as well, but I am ready to get it rolling on its own and will replace it later if need be. How'd it look after you cleaned it out?

I have tomorrow off so I'm going to try to get to it then.

[0-60motorsports]

In another episode of saving the SMGs:

I decided to refresh the steering wheel and was able to source the following, new:

1. SMG steering wheel with a tiny bit of damage on a bottom section of the leather (got a killer deal on the wheel)
2. E39 black lower steering wheel trim
3. SMG paddles

The top buttons/upper wheel trim were in excellent condition so I of course kept all that the same.

First two photos the old wheel is the bottom and the old SMG paddles.

I was impatient this weekend so I installed the wheel without touching up the bottom leather, but next weekend I'll take a small blade to cut off the pieces that are sticking out and then use dye and polish to return to “like new” condition.

Installation was easy enough and the new wheel looks great in the cockpit.










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Thats awesome! New ones are not worth the price to me any more so thats why im still looking for someone who can do a proper refurb job with the right leather. I have like 3 cores LOL

[Kipjames3]

Thats awesome! New ones are not worth the price to me any more so thats why im still looking for someone who can do a proper refurb job with the right leather. I have like 3 cores LOL

https://www.instagram.com/bmwrestoredseats?igsh=eWQ1cTJ6NzYxY2Qx

Does great work and reasonable priced. Especially since you already have the cores

[0-60motorsports]

https://www.instagram.com/bmwrestoredseats?igsh=eWQ1cTJ6NzYxY2Qx

Does great work and reasonable priced. Especially since you already have the cores

He does amazing work but I think prices are crazy high. When the price reaches 50% of the price for a new one from BMW its not worth it for me.

Im guessing i'll have to have them done from Turkey like i did with the X5M.

[Slideways]

Thats awesome! New ones are not worth the price to me any more so thats why im still looking for someone who can do a proper refurb job with the right leather. I have like 3 cores LOL

Steering wheel restoration - carproject@hotmail.de

Sreten used this place for the E39 Touring. They matched the leather grain to factory spec.

[0-60motorsports]

Steering wheel restoration - carproject@hotmail.de

Sreten used this place for the E39 Touring. They matched the leather grain to factory spec.

Awesome! I'll shoot them an email right now. Thanks.

Also, everyone im in Bahrain and no Europe or NA so this is not easy to make happen even if i have cores.

[Altaran]

Does this version plug and play with the oem CSL front bumper?

As it's listed as the washer tank for the CSL model, it should be.

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[davidinnyc]

Thats awesome! New ones are not worth the price to me any more so thats why im still looking for someone who can do a proper refurb job with the right leather. I have like 3 cores LOL

I found it for $100 so I snapped it up REALLY fast!