K-Dawg's 2003 Imola Red M3

[K-Dawg]

I purchased this car in 2014 from a knowledgeable enthusiast in the Chicago suburbs. I talked on the phone with him about the car for hours and he provided tons of detailed pictures and information on the car., which eased my qualms of traveling so far to purchase a used car. The car had driven less than 30k miles, and was optioned similar to how I would have ordered it from the factory:

Imola Red
Black Nappa leather
Power heated seats
Moonroof
Harman-Kardon Sound System
Xenon headlights
18" wheels
SMG
11/2002 production (MK60)

I wasn't necessarily looking for a SMG car, but also wasn't against it. Mostly I was just looking for a super clean, low mileage M3. I'd sworn off buying a modified car, but this one had some quality bolt-ons:

TC Kline DA coilovers with 550F/600R springs
TC Kline adjustable rear control arms
Brembo 355mm front brakes
Dinan 27mm front sway bar
Dinan front and rear strut tower braces
Dinan muffler
Dinan tune
retrofitted OEM navigation
coded with things like M-Track mode, reverse mirror memory, headlights

I was actually in Fort Worth, Texas when I found the car. I happened to have an empty car trailer with me, so I made the short detour to Chicago to purchase the car on my way back to Florida.

[K-Dawg]

I drove the car about two August days before making an appointment to have the windows tinted with ceramic film.

[K-Dawg]

The PPI noted that the rearview mirror was leaking, so I wanted to address that before any damage was done to the console. Additionally, the factory Homelink module appeared to be on the fritz as I was having issues programming it to my garage door opener. I read that mirrors from some newer BMWs are interchangeable with mine and also have a digital compass and Homelink built in. I found a mirror from a 2011 328i with autodim, compass, Homelink and the smaller gray "clown nose" for $50. While I like the looks of the stock oval mirror, this mirror is more functional and cheaper than having my old mirror repaired, while also getting me a functional Homelink module. Installation was simple plug-and-play.


A couple years later, I replaced my garage door opener with a newer Chamberlain belt-drive DC unit (yellow antenna wire), and the older Homelink was no longer compatible. I couldn't find a mirror with compatible Homelink and all of the same functionality of my current mirror, so I purchased a mirror from a 2011 535i and swapped the Homelink module into my mirror. Strange that 2011 5 Series got the the newer Homelink, but 2011 3 Series got the older one.

[Tbonem3]

Good find!

[K-Dawg]

The rear shocks were leaking, so I sent them to TrueChoice for a rebuild.


The RTABs were shot, so I put in some new Lemfoerder RTABs and Rogue RTAB limiters.


Lowered the car a little and got it aligned, then put on a set of new Michelin PSS. The ride height was set to 14"F and 13.25"R.



New floormats


Started experiencing VANOS solenoid failures, so I gave the car the full Beisan treatment

[K-Dawg]

Performed a paint correction







I got a little carried away with the Dr. Colorchip, but in the end, I was super impressed with how it came out.



Had some minor dents removed by the local paintless dent repair guy

[K-Dawg]

Almost a year into my ownership of the car, I put the CSL SMG programming on the car. Until this point, I wasn't in love with SMG, or really the car as a whole. But the tune changed everything. The car is so much more fun and engaging to drive. I feel like I'm driving a racecar around town.

July 2015 - I drove the car back to Chicago to hang out with some car friends for a week. About 5 miles into my 1300 mile drive I got pulled over. 🤣


I try to get off the interstates when it's worth the effort.






Did a track day at Blackhawk Farms and made a few passes at Great Lakes Dragway. My best time was 13.7 @103mph.

[mtpktz]

Performed a paint correction

Looks great - which products and pads did you use?

[K-Dawg]

Looks great - which products and pads did you use?

Been a while, but I think I used orange and then white? pads with Meguiars 105 and 205. I have a Flex 3401. I probably coated it with Collinite 845.