Immaculate low mileage 2004 Silver Grey CSL Inspired Build

[Arlen4369]

Very surprised Dave picked up your car knowing he doesn’t work on non OEM parts. That aside you found yourself the best paint shop congratulations hope to see your build sometime on the road .

[Avedis]

Continuing where I left off, prepping for paintwork. Lots of little loose ends, last minute removals, and notes added. My goal is to do as much as possible prior to drop off. Even though I genuinely believe Dave is one of the best painters in California, I have an inherent distrust in body shops. I’d rather remove the extra exterior trim piece or interior panel than risk accidental damage while the car is out of my hands.

The passenger door will be getting removed by Dave just prior to paint. I disconnected the wiring harness, removed the CSL door panel, and reinstalled the interior door pull onto the bare door. Again, the goal is to make it as easy and safe as possible for Dave and his team.





Here is the passenger’s side prepped and ready to go.



Next, I prepared the CSL diffuser for paint. Most of you know this already, but the factory CSL diffuser has a valley line that separates the painted portion and unpainted portion of the diffuser. If you look really closely, you’ll see that the valley line is actually painted. I know it’s a small detail, but I absolutely hate how this was done from the factory. It looks like someone just did a really poor job masking, especially in the top portion. Below is an image I stole which shows what I’m rambling on about.



Again, my build is CSL inspired, not a CSL replica. I’m going to make a tiny (but in my eyes substantial) change by purposely not painting the valley line. Essentially I’m doing the opposite mask as the factory. I special ordered some super thin masking tape just so that I could show Dave how I wanted it masked without there being any assumptions or misinterpretation. I have issues, I know.





In the back of my head, I always had the idea of putting a German plate on the car, but I had no hard plans. In 2015, my wife did a European Delivery of her F30 335i. The car came with the German Zoll plates with Munich marking (first letter M), and tourist registration stamp. I thought it would be a fun idea to play off of this. I put one of her plates on the car then did a few digital mockups. I always tell my son that the M3 is going to be his car one day, so I settled on the plate M 3246 E. The letters being his initials, the 3246 for the displacement of the S54. The registration date is 10.11.21 which is his birthday.



While I was at it, I mocked up the a digital version of the plate, and the placement of the ///M3 badge on the trunk. This is what I settled on.



I also toyed with the idea of doing an ///M3cs badge. Thoughts?


After the renders, I ordered the real version


I wanted a quick and easy way to change plates between the California and German versions. I found a set of rubberized magnets with a M5 sized stud built in. They fit perfectly in the license plate mounts that get pushed into the CSL trunk.



Cool idea except the plates are aluminum and don’t work with the magnets. I initially purchased some magnets to glue onto the plate itself. It didn’t work out, as the connection was weak, and the magnets were too thick. I settled on the thinnest piece of galvanized steel I could find. It was significantly stronger and more low profile. I epoxied them to the plate so that I could simply snap the plate on and off. I might end up just bailing on the whole idea and just using double sides tape so that it's even more low profile. Either way, it was a fun mini project.




Last step is to schedule the exact drop off date, remove the hood, then trailer the car over to Dave's shop. This will be in the next post.

Here is another random project I was working on. I recently got a new bookshelf/console in my bedroom, I was looking for artwork to fill up the 5 shelves that the console has. For one of them, I purchased a bunch of used $5.00 BMW books on eBay, stacked them up and threw an old roundel next to it.

Crazy impressive work as always! Looking forward to the next update.

Did you talk to the shop about paint brand? Glasurit yielded better(color match and clear coat quality) results than PPG in my recent experience and is what bmw factory uses afaik. If he's as good as you say then I'm sure you're covered either way!

BTW this seems like a good time for a CF roof just sayin =)

When I initially brought the car to Dave's shop, he walked out and said, "Ok, so, Glasurit, we'll do some testing." Thats about as far as the conversation went. I will discuss more details with him on drop off. Carbon roof is coming, I just couldn't justify it right now, lots going on with work and family at the moment. It will happen, probably sometime in 2026 though.

Were there any issues or concerns with the MEs front bumper? I'm getting mine installed soon and just wondering if you found anything wrong or that needed corrected with it.

No concerns, it was uneventful in the best way possible. One thing to note is that with the top weather stripping on the bumper, it was a bit hard push in. Without the weather stripping, it was significantly easier.

[slavik1988]

In preparation for the return of the car, I purchased a ton of new clips, grommets, seals, screws, expanding rivets, etc. Sadly, this is what $400 of new genuine BMW hardware looks like, most of it you’ll never see.
[/QUOTE]

Damn, I can attest to that. Hardware is not cheap for these E46 M3s. I am just glad mine was garage kept since new but even then, these cars are getting old and the hardware is breaking.

[D-O]

Were there any issues or concerns with the MEs front bumper? I'm getting mine installed soon and just wondering if you found anything wrong or that needed corrected with it.

Mine fit like a glove right out of the box.

[0-60motorsports]

Crazy impressive work as always! Looking forward to the next update.

Did you talk to the shop about paint brand? Glasurit yielded better(color match and clear coat quality) results than PPG in my recent experience and is what bmw factory uses afaik. If he's as good as you say then I'm sure you're covered either way!

BTW this seems like a good time for a CF roof just sayin =)

GLASURIT is top notch.

[Kipjames3]

Were there any issues or concerns with the MEs front bumper? I'm getting mine installed soon and just wondering if you found anything wrong or that needed corrected with it.

[bavarian3]

Crazy impressive work as always! Looking forward to the next update.

Did you talk to the shop about paint brand? Glasurit yielded better(color match and clear coat quality) results than PPG in my recent experience and is what bmw factory uses afaik. If he's as good as you say then I'm sure you're covered either way!

BTW this seems like a good time for a CF roof just sayin =)

[Avedis]

After a year of researching body shops in my area, I found Dave at Premier Motorsport in Carson California by pure chance. Dave focuses on high end restoration of vintage and modern Ferraris. I dropped into his shop unannounced and he not only welcomed me, but gave me an hour of his time to discuss the project. He even gave me a tour of his shop, which was unreal. Behind the showroom stacked with supercars is a paint production area that’s even more impressive. It was ridiculously clean, sterile clean, with plastic curtains separating the different areas of the workspace. It seemed more like a science lab than a body shop. Multiple F40s, F50s, and a slew modern and vintage Ferraris, it was mind blowing. I wanted to take photos of the production area but it just didn’t seem appropriate. I did take some photos of his waiting area though.





Although Dave doesn’t normally work on BMWs, he agreed to take on the project. He cited my level of enthusiasm and how well kept the car was as the main reasons he wanted to work on it. After picking his brain for an hour, I could tell that he is probably one of the best painters in California and was absolutely the right man for the job. Dave is such a perfectionist that he wanted to do all of the fitting of the components to ensure it was to his standard. I advised him of this build project, build thread and my desire to work on the car myself. We came to an agreement where I would do all of the disassembly and test fitment so it could be documented, then I would bring it to him for sign off prior to paint. Dave would handle the paint, wet sand, and finish work, then hand the car back off to me for reassembly, final polish and ceramic coating.

We agreed on a price and start date a couple weeks out. This expedited my disassembly and preparation process.






You are probably wondering why I’m disassembling the entire passenger side of the car for a CSL front bumper, trunk lid and diffuser. When I first bought the car, the seller was transparent about the passenger side quarter possibly being painted by a previous owner. From what I could tell in photos and videos sent by the seller, the paint work was done incredibly well, and I was okay with it. Texture, color match, etc were all done with great attention to detail.

When I received the car, the paint was as advertised. Zero masking lines, orange peel was super accurate and the color match was about 90-95% accurate. Whoever did the paint did an outstanding job. That said, I found a tiny burn through in the clear coat where the rear arch meets the rear bumper and another one on the edge where the quarter panel meets the taillight.

Based on what I know about detailing and finish work, it appeared the body shop mowed down the entire panel with the massive rotary machine and wool pad. While rotaries make quick work of defects, especially in large areas, they can be incredibly risky on edges and adjoining panels. While 99% of people would never notice the burn through it bothered me and I wanted it fixed. It was also a good opportunity to go from 90-95% color match to near 100%.



After discussion with Dave, we decided to paint essentially the whole rear: trunk lid, rear bumper, rear diffuser, passenger’s side rear quarter including door jamb and a-pillar, and side skirt. This was the only way we could ensure perfect color match with the new components, while simultaneously repairing the rear quarter panel. In order to do this right, the front fender, front door, side glass and trim would need to be removed.

My little gremlins had some serious morning energy. I put them to work and made a 30 minute job of cleaning the wheel well liners into a 2-hour job. This of course included playing in the mud, and bath time.



I then moved on and pulled the windshield seals. The rear came off really easily and gave me false confidence for the front. The front was extremely difficult to get off. Parts of it came off without issue, but many parts of it required numerous tries and f-bombs to get it out. It came out in 10+ pieces, and I had to take multiple breaks in-between, but the job got done.





Afterward, I cleaned the channels really well and flushed them with hot water.




Up next was the rear quarter window and shadowline window trim. This required some interior panels to be removed, but overall the job was pretty easy.




Once the window was out, I could remove the rubber window seal, then the shadowline trim.




Next the lower rubber trim that sits on the quarter panel itself. The trim came off really easily but the adhesive was stubborn as hell. It required multiple rounds of adhesive remover soak then scrape with a plastic razor blade.





Here is the car almost fully stripped and ready for paint. I left a lot of little notes around the car for the painters. For example, how I wanted the CSL diffuser painted, how to remove the bumpers, and little areas that I felt needed extra attention.






In preparation for the return of the car, I purchased a ton of new clips, grommets, seals, screws, expanding rivets, etc. Sadly, this is what $400 of new genuine BMW hardware looks like, most of it you’ll never see.

[cornerbalanced]

I'd definitely consider it, but it would have to be picked up in the Los Angeles area. No time nor motivation to ship this thing.

Let's do it! I'm by Manhattan beach and work in Torrance - from memory we're pretty close

[Kipjames3]

When I purchased the Vorsteiner, it was a out a year before GT4 started making his. At the time, it was the best fitting and certainly the best 1x1 weave. It was also the only option that included "the ridge" that separates the carbon from painted section. Now, in 2025, the GT4 is a no brainer. I wasn't too bummed because I'm a weirdo and actually kind of enjoyed making it fit perfect, but most buyers would expect perfection at the $1400 price range.

He sent me photos of the diffuser installed and it looked great. I already heard good things about their bumpers so I thought why not grab both. He gave me a little discount also for purchasing them at the same time so couldn't pass that up. I have a Karbonius trunk and SG diffuser and I'm not super happy with the fitment (they were on the cars when I bought it), so I thought I'd just start from scratch with their diffuser and an OEM trunk. Patiently waiting for that to ship out from Schmiedmann but it's saying backordered until the end of May at the moment unfortunately.

[Avedis]

Great update. The replacement tips are genius! Care to share source?

I'm also about to start working on my CSL exterior parts and was wondering how to solve this since the oe tips may look funny. Most of the aftermarket muffler options don't seem to offer an oe-looking straight cut, chrome style. Curious what else you considered.

The tips are from a UK seller that mainly caters to the M3Cutters forum guys. They can be found HERE, not cheap, but were exactly the look I was going for, plus predrilled for E46 M3 pattern. If you are considering buying them, I would get them. When he sells out, he is out for literally months before a next batch is available. If you want straight cut single walled exhaust tips with slightly larger diameter, Burkhart Engineering sells sets in 70mm and 76mm.

Exhaust wise, I never really considered anything. I knew that I did not want to change out the muffler itself for anything louder, as I am really enjoying the CSL intake noise.

This makes me feel very good about my recent purchases of a Miles End diffuser and front bumper, and an OEM trunk. Everything looks great so far. I'm always looking forward to updates on this build.

When I purchased the Vorsteiner, it was about a year before GT4 started making his. At the time, it was the best fitting and certainly the best 1x1 weave. It was also the only option that included "the ridge" that separates the carbon from painted section. Now, in 2025, the GT4 is a no brainer. I wasn't too bummed because I'm a weirdo and actually kind of enjoyed making it fit perfect, but most buyers would expect perfection at the $1400 price range.

If you need to clear up space and end up selling your front bumper, I’ll take it! Mine has license plate holes.

Car is going to look fantastic once everything is installed.

I'd definitely consider it, but it would have to be picked up in the Los Angeles area. No time nor motivation to ship this thing.

[cornerbalanced]

If you need to clear up space and end up selling your front bumper, I’ll take it! Mine has license plate holes.

Car is going to look fantastic once everything is installed.

[fattycharged]

Bummer on the Vorsteiner, I saw some photos of a local one to me and it definitely had the same issues


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Kipjames3]

This makes me feel very good about my recent purchases of a Miles End diffuser and front bumper, and an OEM trunk. Everything looks great so far. I'm always looking forward to updates on this build.

[bavarian3]

Great update. The replacement tips are genius! Care to share source?

I'm also about to start working on my CSL exterior parts and was wondering how to solve this since the oe tips may look funny. Most of the aftermarket muffler options don't seem to offer an oe-looking straight cut, chrome style. Curious what else you considered.