KhanArt's Jet Black///Cinnamon 6spd E46 M3 build journal

[KhanArt]

I figured I make a build thread since I plan on keeping this car for a while and have a lot of planned. Let me begin by saying I have always loved anything with wheels and an engine. I can always talk about cars and the subject always has my full attention. Below are my previous cars in the order I had them.

First car was a 90 Celica GT which was a hand me down, this is where the mod bug began.


Second car was a 00 Accord sedan which I bought new.. not sure why I bought this car but I don't regret it. Most reliable car ever. I still have it today (174k) and it is my daily driver/beater. It's back to stock now other than tint and an intake. I kept this car as my daily and bought and sold project cars over the time I had it.



Third car was a 79 Trans Am "Smokey and The Bandit" I always wanted this car and this is the only car I regret letting go. I love muscle cars as well as other styles. I just didn't have the time and money to restore it so I sold it to a better home. I did do some maintenance on it before I sold it. It was a beast! I would like to buy the Burt Reynolds Edition Trans Am one day in the future.




Last car I had was a 05 G35 coupe 6spd with nav. This was a really nice car and I wasn't ready to let her go but I was getting married and buying a house so I needed to save money. It is no M in performance but was still a fun car. I loved how this car sounded especially after the few mods I did to it.

Build thread for the G35:
http://g35driver.com/forums/national...on-thread.html






Finally, I'm happy to say I'm a new M3 owner. I was able to pick the car up that I wanted on (4/24/12) and didn't have to settle. I got about everything that I wanted but nav. I believe the car came with almost every option including the ski bag. Super clean 04 Jet Black/Cinnamon 6spd with 45,9xx miles. It came with angel eyes (not sure which brand), light tint, Dice Media bridge, and the OEM 19's powder coated black. Other than that all stock. It looks like she was very well taken care of. All 4 brake pads were new and also 2 new rear Pilot Sport tires came with the car.
I baby this car and keep her clean. She is garage kept and is not driven in the rain/snow. Rear seat is not used and I don't have plans on tracking her at the moment but I do have some fun spirited drives here and there with the DSC off of course.
Here are some pics of her at the dealership and some pics of her when I first brought her home.





Daily driver and M3



Took the headlight apart to fix a broken clip on one of the angel eyes.



Came with the Dice Mediabridge



First mods were black grills/gills, smoked corners/sidemarkers, and painted reflectors. I thought the chrome, clear corners, and amber reflectors looked mixed matched to me. I think it flows better now, who knows I might change it up later.

Matte black gills and smoked sidemarkers



Matte black grills, smoked corners, and painted reflectors



Blacked out with the M banner in the garage




Put led bulbs for the rear plate lights (new vs. old bulb)



M3 plate frame



M valve stem caps



BMW all weather floor mats



Clutch stop mod

Thread for clutch stop mod:

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=108849

Zhp shift knob



Plugged the license plate holes with really small plugs from Home Depot



M key chain



I also have added many tools and detailing supplies to my current selection. I plan to DIY as much as I can




I plan on going through the maintenance first:
Oil/filter change
Air filter
Cabin Air filter
Vanos filter
Trans fluid
Diff fluid
Spark plugs
Fuel filter
CDV delete
I also want to update some interior trim pieces and other parts. My goal is to keep her up to date with maintenance and restoring her to her original shape. I do plan on lowering the car, upgrading the exhaust for a little power and sound, and more. I know this isn't the most exciting journal but I will update it as I go and do a better job of taking pictures.

[KhanArt]

Update (8/11/2012)

Cleaned MAF Sensor. Ten minute job max.

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showp...6&postcount=22

[KhanArt]

Update (8/15/2012)
Packages arrived in the mail today.

Oil
Oil filter
Drain plug/o rings/crush washer
Air filter
Cabin air filter
Vanos filter kit
I'm going to clean the MAF sensor again while I'm in there




I will complete this probably on the weekend if not before. I guess next would be trans and diff fluid change.

Some DIY's for reference

Vanos filter:
ECS Tuning: DIY - Vanos Filter Change (Level 1) - YouTube

Oil Change:
HOW TO: BMW E46 M3 Oil Change (Easy DIY) - YouTube

[KhanArt]

Update (10/2/2012) Steering wheel stitching cleaned

Major update guys, HUGE mod! Just kidding... I just cleaned the stitching on my steering wheel. I saw this thread and thought I give it a try. So for the purpose of documentation..

Thread for stitching cleaning

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=374018

Before:



After:



I also have cleaned and conditioned the seats and leather with Gliptone cleaner and conditioner a few times since I bought the car.

Not sure what is better Gliptone or Leatherique but I plan on trying both.

Thread comparing the 2 products

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=399837

[KhanArt]

Update (10/27/2012) LED Reverse bulbs and M stripes

I received my CREE LED reverse bulbs and M stripes in the mail last week.



I have not installed the stripes yet. Thanks to member rovert for the stripes.

Thread for the stripes:

http://m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=418855

I ordered the reverse bulbs after seeing them on (IB//M3) journal and seeing many great reviews on them. Really bright!

[KhanArt]

Update (11/3/2012) Lowering springs installed

I finally got around to getting these Tein S Tech springs installed that were laying around in my garage. First impressions, I am very happy with the drop considering that these are springs. As of now I don't think I would want to go any lower but we will see if I change my mind in the future. It drives and handles well, not bouncy and I don't hear any out of the ordinary sounds. I am in bad need of spacers now that my wheels have sunk in under the fenders. Probably next on my list. On to the pics..

Springs



Before




After

[KhanArt]

Update (11/10/2012) Baseline Dyno

I got a baseline dyno today (stock other than canned tune discovered by tuner). I am very happy with my numbers 288.1 whp. Minor mods and a custom tune is where I will begin.

[KhanArt]

Update (11/21/2012) Front/rear spacers

Installed ECS Tuning 20mm front 15mm rear spacers. I'm running a 225/40 front and 255/35 rear tire on OEM 19's. Rears rub slightly sometimes during turning, big dips, and hard acceleration. I plan to get my fenders rolled in the rear, hopefully that will eliminate the rubbing.

I am very happy with the spacers. Car is planted and looks aggressive. James at ECS also helped me with a small issue I had.








Good video for reference:

http://youtu.be/3LeFZsyGRrs

[KhanArt]

Update (12/1/2012) Rear fenders rolled

Rear fenders rolled. Sorry I did not take any pictures of the process. So far no rubbing, I have rode alone and with one passenger and so far so good. I think this may have eliminated the rubbing. I will try to add some pictures of the finished product tomorrow.

[KhanArt]

Update (12/19/2012) Diff fluid change

Very easy DIY, you just need the right tools. The diff fluid stinks!

DIY thread for Diff fluid change:
http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showt...&highlight=DIY

[KhanArt]

Update (1/26/13) CPI RTX Rasp Terminator (section 1)

CPI RTX Thread:

http://m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=432648

Let me begin by thanking Jack from CPI and Frank Smith from Tuning Tech Frank Smith for allowing me to work with them on this product.

The main purpose of this part was to eliminate the rasp on a stock M3 and I can say it has achieved that! The rasp is completely gone and sounds clean now. I will post better videos of the sound hopefully tomorrow. I also want to add that this piece is slightly angled up at the resonators to help with clearance.

During the before dyno runs on my car today it was putting down great numbers..over 300whp so Frank couldn't believe it and said he had to take my car 2 bays down to another dyno to make sure. My car at the second dyno again made over 300whp. He said there is now way this car can be stock so we checked the DME and as he suspected the car had a tune. He believes it is a Active Autowerks tune from the maps.

All runs were 4th gear pulls.

Conditions:



Before dyno at the other shop:
E46 M3 with tune - YouTube

Before dyno graph from the other dyno, the 287 was a misread:



Before dyno graph from Frank's dyno:


After CPI RTX installed dyno:
E46 M3 with CPI RTX section 1 - YouTube

After CPI RTX Installed dyno graph:


Before and after on the same graph:

This is the icing on the cake! Not only did it remove the rasp it showed 2-4 whp and ft/lb torque gains throughout the mid range power band. 306.9whp before, 307.9whp after. 250ft/lb torque before, 253ft/lb torque after. They only change made to the car from the before and after dyno runs was the CPI RTX.



OEM Section 1:


CPI RTX:


OEM Section 1 removed:


Now here are some final pics of it installed. Notice how the piece angles up when it nears the resonators. It is tucked in there pretty good for lowered cars like mine.






Here is a video of the start up and take off:

E46 M3 with CPI RTX section 1 exhaust note - YouTube

I am very happy with the product.

[KhanArt]

Update (2/2/2013) Spark plugs, Cleaned MAF sensor, and replaced wipers.

After seeing what a difference spark plugs did to Dave's (Dafoes) dyno numbers. I decided that would be the next maintenance item on my list. Member Drew (boomersooner523) provided me a link to great deal on some NGK Iridiums.

Before vs. after


Pieces cleaned ready to go back on


Old spark plugs


Spark plug DIY threads and video:

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showt...&highlight=DIY

https://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=902734

HOW TO: BMW E46 M3 Spark Plug change (Easy DIY) - YouTube


My wife picked me up some wipers from Costco :thumbsup2: I like this new style of wiper. I was going to get the Bosch Icon but I will try these out.





Gave my MAF sensor a quick spray down. 4-10 hp to the wheels, lol!


Thread for MAF Sensor cleaning DIY:
http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showp...6&postcount=22

I went to check my battery since I never inspected it and did not know what I had back there. Pleasantly surprised again it was changed with a Optima Red Top battery. A little weight saving over stock.

[KhanArt]

Update (2/6/2013) Driver side mirror

My driver side mirror was showing it's age so I purchased one from ECS.

DIY thread for mirrors:

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=264809

Haha


Mirror


Before


The mirror did NOT come with the wire extension. I had to tweak the wire to make it work (pull and shift it to the right side).

During with the wires moved to the right side


I'm not going to lie.. I broke the mirror while taking it off. It was stuck on there good and I was impatient.


After

[KhanArt]

Update (2/16/2013) Angel eye ballast/inverter replacement

A few weeks ago both angel eye rings on my drivers side went out at the same time. I did some research and determined it was the ballast/inverter. I contacted a good amount of vendors and they all said they do not carry these any more. I then went on Ebay and found a inverter. It took some time since it was coming from Hong Kong but it arrived a day ago. I purchased butt connectors as well for the install.



After inspecting the inverter I realized that the connections were the opposite of what I needed so instead of giving up I did a lot of wire cutting, stripping, and crimping and used the old inverters connections for a ghetto fix.



Not sure how long this will work for especially since it clearly stated not to extend or shorten the wires.. but it worked! I got all my angel eyes working again.

Edit: I read these catch fire sometimes..may have to upgrade to LED.

[KhanArt]

Update (6/11/2012) Loose mirror repair and 3rd brake light cleaning

I did these DIY's soon after I bought the car but did not take any pictures and actually forgot about it. So for my record keeping purposes and possibly to help someone else out I have included some links I used. :thumbsup:

I don't remember if it was my drivers or passengers side mirror that was loose but it bothered me. I followed this easy DIY and it made a noticeable difference.

http://m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=362013

Also another thing that bothered me when I first bought my car was the dead bugs in my 3rd brake light housing. I followed this DIY and removed the housing, cleaned it, and took the bugs out. Put it back together and much better!

https://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=747373