My Slow Burn (E46 M3)

[eforty6_m3]

Got my latest oil analysis results from Blackstone Labs:


Obviously puts my mind more at rest in regards to the bearing wear. Definitely going to keep an eye (er, ear) out for any unusual noises, but I was hoping this would be the result.

[eforty6_m3]

Fantastic update. Anything nerve related is a pain in the ass (literally) because of the time it takes to heal on its own. Glad you're past that and looking forward to more progress on the "Purist".

After the rain has stopped in California, I'll be updating my build thread as well. I've done a lot on the car in terms of foundational, so now it's the interior refresh (just need to install everything) and the installation of my Karb box which is due in 7 weeks!

You aren't kidding! But man, just over 4 months out, I'm feeling so much better now. Better than before my injury. Been focusing on strengthening my lower back/core/glutes and being more mindful of my posture, including when I sleep (always with a pillow between my knees, as I'm a side sleeper), or when I lay on the couch (a pillow under my knees to alleviate pressure on my lower back).

I'm going to go check out your thread now! And I get it with the rain. This has been the wettest (non-snow) winter I can recall here in MA in years. It's grey and rainy every day. Didn't realize we moved to the PNW, or England. Super depressing.

Karbonius?!?! Hell yeah...can't wait to see that bad boy installed! Absolutely love mine. The BEST upgrade I've made to my car, yet, without a doubt. The sound is gloriously intoxicating....

[WestBankM4]

Fantastic update. Anything nerve related is a pain in the ass (literally) because of the time it takes to heal on its own. Glad you're past that and looking forward to more progress on the "Purist".

After the rain has stopped in California, I'll be updating my build thread as well. I've done a lot on the car in terms of foundational, so now it's the interior refresh (just need to install everything) and the installation of my Karb box which is due in 7 weeks!

[eforty6_m3]

Phenomenal work brother 👌

Appreciate the kind words, and glad someone appreciates my "build"! Cheers!

[AntRyv]

Phenomenal work brother 👌

[eforty6_m3]

Around the middle of October, I dropped my car off at my buddy's (https://www.instagram.com/builtbyfurches) shop for some exhaust work. Since meeting him shortly after opening my now closed dry ice cleaning shop, we had talked about him fabricating me a custom rear section. And that finally happened:

OLD (Megan) EXHAUST:







Fabrication Photos:













































































































Cold Start

Operating Temp

This thing is an absolute work of art, as evidenced by the photos. Brandon ended up using a ton of material to get it as picture perfect as he could, and I could not be happier. Sucks I have to wait until Spring for windows down driving to hear this exhaust sing again, but hey, living in New England sucks sometimes!

And that takes us up to this past Saturday. Going to hopefully wash the car this afternoon, then get the battery tender and car cover on it and stored away in the garage for winter. We'll see if my back is ready for an oil change, though, I might just wait a bit longer to give it more time.

Cheers!

[eforty6_m3]

Due to a back injury sustained in April, my spring and summer were pretty quiet and uneventful, from an automotive standpoint. Ended up being 2 herniated discs, one of which required microdiscectomy surgery back on 9/25. Feeling better every day, just in time for winter and putting the car away for hibernation. 🤦♂️

Figured I'd take a moment to provide the very few updates with the car. Back in June, I repainted the pitted wiper arms and also treated the faded windshield cowl with Solution Finish:





I also replaced the missing plastic rivet/clip and bolt on the passenger side, seen here on the driver side:



Brought my car to the BMW CCA Boston Chapter Concours d'Elegance at Prowse Farm in Canton,MA back in July. Here are some of the photos I took, as well as some from Larry Levin (IYKYK):

[SeñorEnglish]

Lego model is awesome

[eforty6_m3]

Got some help from a good buddy of mine who was able to wire the new license plate lights for me, and I installed the trunk roundel and IND-Distribution gloss black ///M3 badge. This project is finally complete!









Next up is removing the single-walled exhaust tips and having my buddy https://www.instagram.com/builtbyfurches/ weld on the Eurostyle tips I had picked up over the winter.

[eforty6_m3]

Waiting to see that trunk installed

Sorry for the delay! Wife and I left for Aruba right after picking the car up from the body shop and just got back this past Friday. Busy, busy lately.

That said, here are the photos:

























I had told the body shop to not wash the car, which they abided by, but unfortunately, the car being so dirty when I picked it up prevented me from seeing 2 imperfections in the paint. I don't have photos of both, but this appears to be some leftover wet sanding marks:



Not going to mount the IND gloss black ///M3 badge until after I swing by the body shop (hopefully this Friday) to get their input on the 2 imperfections in case more body/paint work is needed. But the BMW roundel is now on.

Paint match is really close. Close enough to not require blending, at least in my opinion. Some trimming on the interior of the trunk was required for the inner taillights to sit flush and for the rear bulb housings to fit properly. All in all, very happy with the purchase and looking forward to getting it all buttoned up with the ///M3 badge and having this project finally be done.

[Bent_Remy]

Waiting to see that trunk installed

[Acarv_426]

Thanks, brother! Need to get ours together soon.

Absolutely!

[eforty6_m3]

Car is looking fresh man eforty6_m3

Thanks, brother! Need to get ours together soon.

[Acarv_426]

Car is looking fresh man eforty6_m3

[eforty6_m3]

Back's finally starting to feel better, so my buddy Chris (who owns the blue E93 M3 parked next to me) and I decided to check out the Woodward Motorsports C&C this past Saturday. We were early, so prime parking was in order:



























My Twin