ugaexploder's 2004 SG/IR - 1st e46 M3

[Rokoz]

Threads like this are bad for my wallet - super well done man. Hoping to do a respray one day myself

[ugaexploder]

Still need to get emissions done to renew the tag. car has not completed the drive cycle needed for readiness. went ahead and adjusted the headlight in the garage...i think it came out okay without adjusting them out at 20-25' but instead at like 4' lol...really a big difference it seems like out on the road regardless if it seems a bit low.

mission is to renew the tag and get this rear window re-tinted so i can start putting the interior back in the car.

[ugaexploder]

On the brightside, I finally got the headlights working, and Cesar at Lightwerkz is really great. He responded on Saturday to help troubleshoot what's going on, and I really didn't expect that.

Car threw a code when I was messing around with the tire and I'm pretty sure it's the EVAP leak surfacing again as I noticed the idle was weird. Will scan and probably take it to a shop to figure out where the leak is coming from, pretty annoying. Also trying to figure out the best way to go about the headlight washer delete...whether I want to replace the reservoir, or just pull the headlight washer pump, or I could jumper the connector, not sure...

Here is a list of things I had done at the body shop:
-Installed Karb roof
-Installed OE CSL trunk
-Installed MEC front bumper
-Installed new diffuser
-Exterior Respray in original SG and fix imperfections prior to paint
-Installed Lightwerkz G5-BRT Xenon Retrofits
-Replaced trim for A-to-C
-Replaced trim for B-to-C
-Replaced front/rear glass trim
-Installed new apron trim
-Installed new fuel filler rubber
-Installed new fuel door latch
-Installed rear view camera with e92 LED light
-Painted wiper arms flat black
-Painted roof rails gloss black
-Installed new key lock gasket
-New badge hood/trunk
-Installed new OE kidney grills
-Installed new OE fender grills
-Installed new license plate holder/hardware
-Installed new M3 badge
-Installed new front bumper mesh
-Installed new hood trim

[ugaexploder]

Been on the road non-stop for the past few months, hoping for it to slow down soon. I realized I had some road hazard coverage for the tires since I purchased through TireRack. Filed a claim first, not sure if I need actual authorization or pre-approval is okay to buy tires. I'm going to see if I can't get (2) replaced since I don't really want to replace a single tire...even though all tires have a few hundred miles on them. We'll see...might as well get the suspension checked out while I'm at it. Have a local shop who I've been taking my cars to for years...always feel bad when I don't take it to them.

[ugaexploder]

Looks great. Hopefully you can get those headlights working soon.

thanks man, this car is definitely doing its best to push my buttons, but hopefully I can right the ship soon enough.

[0-60motorsports]

Looks great. Hopefully you can get those headlights working soon.

[ugaexploder]

Was finally able to pick up the car today, I'm pretty happy with the results and look forward to getting the interior back in. Headlights aren't working right now, I put in the Lightwerkz xenon retrofits, but also deleted headlight washers, and fogs with the CSL rep bumper. I'm not sure what is causing the headlights to not turn on, or if its due to auto-leveling, but I'll have to dig into this unless someone knows what's happening. Anyway, here are some pics of the car for now. Still a lot of stuff left to do. The low washer fluid light is constantly on as well even after filling up with more fluid. No leaks from what I can tell hours after I filled it up.

[ugaexploder]

Nice, im sure it'll be good once you have it tuned right. Wish someone did an amp upgrade for the HK equipped cars.

You would think someone would try to come out with a solution for it by now. Sounds like it may have to be a full blown stereo install 😬

[0-60motorsports]

Went ahead and ordered the Audiotec Fischer Match UP8BMW amplifier for hi-fi 676 systems. Information is scattered across forums, but it seems like this is a popular choice with many different platforms with the hi-fi audio system. I thought about buying a G01 amplifier and testing it out in our cars, and just figured it would be a waste of money if all of those folks are going to the Match amplifier.

The only thing that worries me about this amplifier is the sound setup. If you go to their website, it doesn't even have an option for the UP8BMW...and those sound setups are sort of vague with categories of Gran Touring, SUV, Limousine, etc. I had a stateside rep contact me after I made a website inquiry and he told me I should use the UP8DSP sound file. I might just plug it up and see how it sounds, and if there's any clipping I might mess with the setup...the problem with the sound setup which the rep also voiced is that they start to matter less when the variables change (head unit, speakers) between customer cars.

This may end up being a bad idea...but it seems like most people who installed these love it. Oh well, I'll just have to wait and see. Funny thing is, I barely ever listen to music when I drive.

Nice, im sure it'll be good once you have it tuned right. Wish someone did an amp upgrade for the HK equipped cars.

[ugaexploder]

Went ahead and ordered the Audiotec Fischer Match UP8BMW amplifier for hi-fi 676 systems. Information is scattered across forums, but it seems like this is a popular choice with many different platforms with the hi-fi audio system. I thought about buying a G01 amplifier and testing it out in our cars, and just figured it would be a waste of money if all of those folks are going to the Match amplifier.

The only thing that worries me about this amplifier is the sound setup. If you go to their website, it doesn't even have an option for the UP8BMW...and those sound setups are sort of vague with categories of Gran Touring, SUV, Limousine, etc. I had a stateside rep contact me after I made a website inquiry and he told me I should use the UP8DSP sound file. I might just plug it up and see how it sounds, and if there's any clipping I might mess with the setup...the problem with the sound setup which the rep also voiced is that they start to matter less when the variables change (head unit, speakers) between customer cars.

This may end up being a bad idea...but it seems like most people who installed these love it. Oh well, I'll just have to wait and see. Funny thing is, I barely ever listen to music when I drive.

[ugaexploder]

I was able to get that smaller piece from FCP a couple months ago.

Yeah, this was like last year some time, figured I'd just go a different route this time around. May end up not even using the pieces...keep wanting to do dynamat with 1/2" dynaliner...

[Sid_E46]

I was able to get that smaller piece from FCP a couple months ago.

[ugaexploder]

I tried ordering both of the roof liners from FCP last year but they couldn't get the smaller one for some reason. Just ordered through ECS not really expecting much and they were able to have one delivered pretty quickly. I've asked about this on the forums for those who have done the CF roof conversion and seemed like not many people used it? Looking through robgill's epic build, I recall seeing a photo with his headliner off having these liners installed.

Regardless, having driven through bad thunderstorms and sometimes even hailstorms, I don't want my roof sounding like a bad rendition of "Stomp." I figured I'd take measurements though for those who may want to go with dynamat or some sort of liner other than OE if they wanted to cut it up like part numbers 514882299734 and 51488229733. I may still just end up using some dynamat and dynaliner to really provide some sound insulation. Although, the concern is adding back some weight that I've taken off the top. Anyhow, I am going with some sort of liner on the CF roof, I know this 100%. Not always sunny in GA.

514882299734
51488229733

[Traackslag]

Nice car!

[ugaexploder]

I feel you, but great call securing these parts given you have the CSL bumper!

The funny part about owning this car, is that I thought I had some idea of what I was getting in to…boy was I wrong. Now I’m in a spiral of the sunk-cost fallacy or whatever. I’m all in baby!!