Steve's 2000 E46 Touring Dog Transporter Project

[junn1227]

Thanks for the informative thread! Looking forward to more progress.

[0-60motorsports]

Would love to go OE widebody. I have the fenders, hood and other pieces needed, just need the skill to splice them onto my car.

Please do it!

[Steve]

Amazing build thread. The only thing........ The M3 bumper looks out of place without the fenders. Maybe you can get an aftermarket m3 fender that'll fit the wagons fenders? Best thing is to go M3 OE widebody

Would love to go OE widebody. I have the fenders, hood and other pieces needed, just need the skill to splice them onto my car.

[0-60motorsports]

Amazing build thread. The only thing........ The M3 bumper looks out of place without the fenders. Maybe you can get an aftermarket m3 fender that'll fit the wagons fenders? Best thing is to go M3 OE widebody

[Steve]

Thanks all, the comments are appreciated!

what diff bushings did u use?

I ordered a new diff cover with bushings already installed. I was originally going to do the E36 bushings but decided to just do it right.

[eforty6_m3]

This thing is sick...nice work, man!

[MrClutch55]

Finally got to drive the car again after replacing the RTABs, rear diff cover and front diff mount bushing. I can't believe how big of a difference it made replacing these items, but wow, it is like a different car now!

The front bushing was pretty loose and the driver side rear one fell out when I removed the bolt...



Also,

I'm a complete idiot and didn't tighten the big bolt correctly the first time I pulled it off after replacing the front seal. Big thanks to George for explaining the proper procedure to me!

what diff bushings did u use?

[01M3Fan]

Awesome project - one of my bucket list items. Congrats!

[Steve]

Finally got to drive the car again after replacing the RTABs, rear diff cover and front diff mount bushing. I can't believe how big of a difference it made replacing these items, but wow, it is like a different car now!

The front bushing was pretty loose and the driver side rear one fell out when I removed the bolt...



Also,

I'm a complete idiot and didn't tighten the big bolt correctly the first time I pulled it off after replacing the front seal. Big thanks to George for explaining the proper procedure to me!

[liam821]

Love this project! Such a cool car. I'm really glad you were able to save/post this build thread.

[Tbonem3]

Great Job, inspiring! The m3 bumper made a huge difference

[Steve]

This project started in November of 2018 and these posts represent the overall build process. This car is still an ongoing project and I will continue to update this thread as I go. As of today, I have the rear diff out still as I'm waiting on parts, can't wait to drive it again!

[Steve]

My light rear clunk turned into a heavier one, so I ordered new bushings for the diff. I also did the input seal as it was leaking. This has been my least favorite job ever done on this car but it should drastically improve the driving experience once back together as all three bushings were pretty sloppy and one of them simply fell out after removing the bolt. :rofl:

Right after my rod bearing job my oil level sensor decided to go out. Since the car was already in the air, I went ahead and changed this along with an oil change.

[Steve]

This thing is awesome when it comes to interior room. Managed to fit a 70" TV into it. Felt like I was flying Spirit on the way home, but got it home and that is what counts.



Wagons > SUVs

[Steve]

Changed the steering rack with a rebuilt unit from the rack doctor as mine started leaking heavily on the way to Austin to get the bearings done. Pretty straight forward, but brutal in the garage this time of year due to the heat. Worth it though, steering feels much tighter now, reminds me of my lower mileage M3!



Also, a nice side bonus was just how clean everything was underneath the car after I had the rod bearings done. George didn't mentioned he had cleaned the engine and trans to look like almost new, but it was a nice little easter egg to find and much appreciated!