The Phoenix: My Build Journal Excerpts

[BlueBimmers]

Belated congrats, and I respect your fanaticism. I'd like to ditch the one button wheel in my ZCP but the wiring is above my pay grade.

[Epoustouflant]

Starting to pile up more Alcantara interior parts

1. OEM steering wheel reupholstered with Alcantara 9040, Yellow leather center band and Tri-Color stitching.
2. E-Brake booth & handle
3. Illuminated shift knob
4. Armrest

Still debating which center console to go with, and I need to remove the ash trays to ship to TexaZ3 for restoration. I got a carbon interior trim set in progress as well and debating PP ABE or SPG XL for the front seats. Ordered a few trims from Turner as well.

I started digging into the CSL airbox installation hardware & tuning options. It's fascinating how the information is so scattered on these, yet so many have been installed. I'm currently thinking of the MAP CSL conversion kit from Kassel.

Would love to hear people's inputs on that.

[eXpensiveGears]

Awesome project. I'll study your progress as I have a bone stock 06 ZCP that I want do a 'build' on soon enough.

[Epoustouflant]

Ashtray and center console refinishing here from a fellow member
https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/classifieds/member-services-rentals-products/17670-interior-trim-refinishing-service-–-bmw-e46m-zcp-wheel-trim-soft-touch-restoration

Thank you! That's exactly what I need.

[lvm3sm46]

Ashtray and center console refinishing here from a fellow member
https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/classifieds/member-services-rentals-products/17670-interior-trim-refinishing-service-–-bmw-e46m-zcp-wheel-trim-soft-touch-restoration

[Epoustouflant]

Where did you find the CSL wheels?

Nice list 👍🏻

Used! Though I’m pretty sure they are ZCP and I just don’t know what I’m talking about today. Just a base to use to do them in 1 piece forged.

[old///MFanatic]

Continuing the parts pile up!
Things that are incoming or have arrived:

• CF interior trims
• Alcantara steering wheel, e brake boot, shift booth & center arm rest.
• Illuminated alcantara shift knob
• CSL airbox, snorkel & install kit
• CSL wheels

Where did you find the CSL wheels?

Nice list 👍🏻

[Epoustouflant]

Continuing the parts pile up!

Things that are incoming or have arrived:

• CF interior trims
• Alcantara steering wheel, e brake boot, shift booth & center arm rest.
• Illuminated alcantara shift knob
• CSL airbox, snorkel & install kit
• A & C OEM new pillars
• LCI tailights covers & trims
• OEM center mirror replacement
• CSL wheels
• ACL mixed set bearings & ARP bolts

I'l finally be able to get to unbolting the VF supercharger over the Christmas break to put it up for sale.

Next on the list:

1. Has anyone had any chance restoring the center ashtrays? Mine are FUBAR and they aren't sold separately.
2. Getting the prototype forged CSL wheels project going.
3. Still trying to figure out what to do with the flywheel & clutch
4. Chatting with a famous header manufacturer to introduce an alternative to the SS stepped headers.
5. Front seats!
6. Will inspect the suspension and brakes to see what's needed, and where to go from there.
7. VANOS kit; I need to start researching this.

[Obioban]

Got it - so realistically, the only way to run a CSL / ZCP single button trim is with the CSL DSC module?

CSL/ZCP DSC module, yes.

[Epoustouflant]

That enables M track mode via the DSC button (as in, I used that guide on my M3 wagon to give it M track mode). After you follow that procedure, as short press of the DSC button gives you M track mode and a long press of the DSC button give you full DSC off. Before following that guide, a short or long press of the DSC button is DSC off.

Got it - so realistically, the only way to run a CSL / ZCP single button trim is with the CSL DSC module?

[Obioban]

Thoughts on this?

That enables M track mode via the DSC button (as in, I used that guide on my M3 wagon to give it M track mode). After you follow that procedure, as short press of the DSC button gives you M track mode and a long press of the DSC button give you full DSC off. Before following that guide, a short or long press of the DSC button is DSC off.

[Epoustouflant]

There's 3 different "MK60"s that came on e46 M3s. Only the 817.3 variant is internally wired to work the the button.

There is a zero button steering wheel trim, if that's what you're going for.

That said, functionally, steering wheel buttons is more driving focused IMO-- more time with your hands left on the wheel, less time looking down and messing with other buttons.

Thoughts on this?

[Obioban]

See below.

There's 3 different "MK60"s that came on e46 M3s. Only the 817.3 variant is internally wired to work the the button. IIRC (off the top of my head, should be fact checked) 817.3 and 813.3 can be flashed with the BMW motorsport (actual race car) software.

There is a zero button steering wheel trim, if that's what you're going for.

That said, functionally, steering wheel buttons is more driving focused IMO-- more time with your hands left on the wheel, less time looking down and messing with other buttons.

[Epoustouflant]

See below.

If you're doing the rear control arms (I assume that's what you meant by links), absolutely do sealed monoball RTABs (not bimmerworlds).

Good to know. We'll be putting it on the lift next week to validate what's clanking at the back. Either the strut tower or RTABs from the sounds of it. I was looking at Turner's kits, thoughts?

ZCP steering trim is trappable, but the M track mode button won't function unless you swap in an 817.3 DSC module (ZCP/CSL module). Besides working with the button, that DSC module has less aggressive (better for track use) ABS and/or can be flashed with the software BMW used on their e46 race cars.

Those DSC modules (817.3) are pretty hard to find and stupidly expensive new. It took me over a year of searching to find one. You're probably better off just coding the DSC button to be quick tap M track mode, long press off.

It seems like the MK60 DSC was added in MY2003 and I could retrofit M-Track mode to that button via coding per your posts here.

Plus, that way you can keep your steering wheel controls for changing engine maps on the fly. Even with the 817.3 DSC module, I toggle M track mode using the extra button on the e39 wiper stalk, so I can keep my steering wheel controls. IMO it's nice to not have to take your hands off the steering wheel for anything other than shifting.

[jet_dogg]

There is a blank panel as well.