The Phoenix: My Build Journal Excerpts

[Epoustouflant]

Lots of updates inbound on the car. This is a summary, believe it or not. Re-assembly is a snooze-fest of never ending lists of SKUs to buy as you find old cars are old: trims break and seals wear.

What blows about the E46 is the ridiculous pricing on some of the SKUs because of how they're made.

So I cheapen out on the MK60 upgrade and went with this also obnoxiously expensive blank upper trim. I have few more in stock and available for anyone that wants it, or to get it painted with your lower trims.





old///MFanatic I sort of got headlights back on I'm still unsure whether I do amber or clear corner and rear lights.

This shows test fitment with +30mm spacers on the widened fenders.





The valve covers got pulled to create the new Bespoke S54 Painted Valve Covers product for 2024.



With the recent 296/284s fitted to my S85, I was reminded this engine was the initiator I'm looking forward to seeing bench power results with these 288/280s.



New headliner trims, I'm still awaiting the center bezels, trims and panel.


The VF Engineering sticker finally got removed.



The leaking PS reservoir was upgraded to something new I'm about to release.



The Karbonius CSL trunk got fully fitted - a few adjustment were needed. The diffuser got bolted but not yet fully fitted, we'll pull the lower corners in with the slotted gaps.



I'm sticking to chrome grills on this one. It's a classic.


Rear seats were fitted with their door cards. I'm awaiting a carbon rear deck and the speakers are FUBAR on the rear door cards. The damaged leather on them irks me.



Another new, expensive part - the hood cowl.


The previously rusted battery bracket was replaced.


Briefly test fitted the CSL roof rails - they weren't fitted fully as we keep trims off until final polish and PPF.


The cracked vent also got replaced.


We eliminated overspray from the previously PY "refresh"



We are facing issues with the door stopper on the driver side. These doors aren't plug and play.


You're looking at 1,500 USD worth of door seals that need to be replaced.

[Epoustouflant]

Continued work on test fitment as the prototype forged CSL style wheels are incoming!

I fiddled with height, a bit more, both sides now have the same camber and height settings. Driver side is 30mm, Passenger side is 20mm. It's much more aligned with my final planned specs.

I'm working on a slew of entries on the carbon doors, subframe reinforcement, CSL trunk fitment, and more.

[maupineda]

Super cool restoration. And i will be alone here, but those wheels just look off place, it makes the car look wrong.

[Tbonem3]

You are not alone lol. Fenders look like a caricature drawing of an e46 m3.

[Epoustouflant]

Super cool restoration. And i will be alone here, but those wheels just look off place, it makes the car look wrong.

I agree! I was exploring the most aggressive fitments to document for those that care little about aesthetics and want to maximize tires under the fender. The forged set that's incoming is less aggressive, and will run slightly smaller overall diameter

You are not alone lol. Fenders look like a caricature drawing of an e46 m3.

I won't even pretend - please stay out of my build thread if you'll contribute nothing but your usual negative nagging.

[Tbonem3]

Then put it in the proper section. It's in the main section so I'll post as I please.

[Epoustouflant]

Then put it in the proper section. It's in the main section so I'll post as I please.

For as much as you think my mere existence is responsible for your bullshit passive-aggressive-bitch-ass attitude, I unfortunately don't have the power to move threads. I also don't think this would solve anything.

[0-60motorsports]

Continued work on test fitment as the prototype forged CSL style wheels are incoming!

I fiddled with height, a bit more, both sides now have the same camber and height settings. Driver side is 30mm, Passenger side is 20mm. It's much more aligned with my final planned specs.

I'm working on a slew of entries on the carbon doors, subframe reinforcement, CSL trunk fitment, and more.

In this pic the front fenders look like they are poking out and the car is appearing wider in the front compared to the rear? Can you confirm if the front is now wider than the rear?

[Epoustouflant]

In this pic the front fenders look like they are poking out and the car is appearing wider in the front compared to the rear? Can you confirm if the front is now wider than the rear?

The pic is taken with a 16mm fish eye lens and the front have a 19x9.5J ET-7 while the rears are on 19x8.0+47.

[0-60motorsports]

The pic is taken with a 16mm fish eye lens and the front have a 19x9.5J ET-7 while the rears are on 19x8.0+47.

I can see what wheels it has on and the camera lens angle etc. My question remains, is the front of the car Now wider than the Rear Fender edges?

[Epoustouflant]

I can see what wheels it has on and the camera lens angle etc. My question remains, is the front of the car Now wider than the Rear Fender edges?

No, they are now the same. We're still not at M3 V8 offsets of fenders.

Are Vorsteiner group buys happening btw?

[0-60motorsports]

No, they are now the same. We're still not at M3 V8 offsets of fenders.

Are Vorsteiner group buys happening btw?

That'll look good with the wheels once the height etc. is all set.

Where and why did you bring up the Vorsteiner GB from?

[Epoustouflant]

That'll look good with the wheels once the height etc. is all set.

Should be fine.

Where and why did you bring up the Vorsteiner GB from?

I was hoping to get deals.

Whatever it is I'm going to get you guys hooked up if it happens! BIG TRY lol

Ah ok, you'll chat to them about what exactly? About GBing if it meets your hype expectations?

We ended up chatting over the phone about how small this market is.

[0-60motorsports]

Bahahhahahaha ok….. I'll play

Get the deal from Vorsteiner directly if you want their parts which I know you don't.

They are limiting the production of the parts so it's pointless for me to try and do a GB with that quantity available and with that little of quantity the discount was so less I just didn't take the conversation forward or to anyone higher up at Vorst.

[Epoustouflant]

Bahahhahahaha ok….. I'll play

Get the deal from Vorsteiner directly if you want their parts which I know you don't.

They are limiting the production of the parts so it's pointless for me to try and do a GB with that quantity available and with that little of quantity the discount was so less I just didn't take the conversation forward or to anyone higher up at Vorst.

120x CSL bumpers at 2,500$ is hardly limited.