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

[ugaexploder]

I thought I had everything wired up properly, but my license plate lights were not coming on, and my head unit was saying "no video signal". I started retracing my steps all the way back 9 months back on how I wired everything. It was actually pretty simple, but I had the camera power cable connected to my license plate lights. And on top of that, my license plate lights were wired improperly. Using Titaniu//M's wiring diagram, I accidentally put the positive (+) on pin 3, but the positive is actually supposed to be on pin 2. Simple enough, which got the lights on, and then I wired the camera power over to the reverse light.




I think I need to adjust the lines through the head unit, but it's working! I ordered the camera on fleabay for an e92 with led's from user "carcamera" since it was the only one really to fit e9x and marketed as 1000lines. Also wired up my license plate lights to use e9x led's as well. The hue is different, but I'm thinking about putting some amber film over the camera led to match the factory e9x led color. I'll get a picture of that sometime after I get some before/after.





I ordered the CSL trunklid carpet, and it fits terribly for being a factory part. On the driver side near the light, and the holes don't match up very well. It was pretty scary putting in the carpet rivets too...they were super tight on some of them.

[ugaexploder]

With some words of encouragement from Sid_E46 and discoelk, I finally was able to pass the rear view camera AV cable through the trunk grommet. I don't know why, but I just built it up in my mind to be super difficult.

The big takeaway was to use a wire hanger snipped shorter with curved/taped ends rather than trying to use some flimsy zip tie. Used some super lube...it was for o-rings, but it worked for this application as well. I'm trying to figure out how I want to tap in to the reverse light. If I just want to be lazy, or be extra...

[ugaexploder]

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

thanks man, it took forever finding the right shop to take on the work. the car feels pretty good but i'm already eyeballing some final mods for the car like diff and seats...we'll see thanks again

[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.