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

[ugaexploder]

Figured I'd also paint the rear decklid as well. By the way, I've been basically using this Dupli-Color HVP106 Vinyl and Fabric Coating Spray Paint - Flat Black - 11 oz Aerosol Can for all of the little touchup areas, and it is really great.

For the decklid, what I noticed is that because it is fabric, you can actually use a little brush to help blend the paint once dried. Also so it's not all hard and crusty. I just had one of these little brushes laying around from some cheap vacuum I probably purchased.

[ugaexploder]

I've been trying to get the car ready for the body shop the past month, just to make things easier for all parties like removing headliner and what not. Word to the wise, if you plan on getting new nylons for your seatbelts, I would highly recommend painting the little plastic piece that bolts to the sliding portion for the front seatbelts first. As you can see from the pics below, it was sort of an afterthought for me so I had to tape up the new seatbelts to paint those faded suckers. Mine were also cracking so I tried to epoxy it a little bit to prevent it from further cracking.

[D-O]

I can put you in contact with an excellent glass service if you still need it. Which shop are you using for the roof etc?

[ugaexploder]

Thank you SO much!

Hope they were able to respond back and everything looks good 👍👍👍

[0-60motorsports]

just sent you a pm regarding seatbelts! think i may have a good lead for you for ones in really good condition.

plan is to take it in to the shop at the end of the month and they’ll likely have it for 6-8 weeks. very excited as well, hoping i will get it back as soon as the weather starts getting nice.

Thank you SO much!

[ugaexploder]

Great update and some nice parts. Looking forward to you getting them installed. I need to get the seatbelts done too but i need a donor set to send them first.

just sent you a pm regarding seatbelts! think i may have a good lead for you for ones in really good condition.

plan is to take it in to the shop at the end of the month and they’ll likely have it for 6-8 weeks. very excited as well, hoping i will get it back as soon as the weather starts getting nice.

[0-60motorsports]

Great update and some nice parts. Looking forward to you getting them installed. I need to get the seatbelts done too but i need a donor set to send them first.

[Avedis]

What would you recommend using to clean up the area under the rear seat bottoms?

I used CarPro TarX, but any citrus oil based solvent should work just as well. Post 48 in my build thread has some before and afters. Mine was much more wet and gooey, whereas yours looks dry but deeper stained. Either way I’m confident it will show some improvement.

[ugaexploder]

The seatbelts are going to look great, they literally look like factory stitched belts.

When you get them they will have two different colored zip ties on them and the seatbelts will be fully extended. There is an instruction sheet telling you which zip ties to cut, and in which order. Don't do what I did and cut them both without reading, locking the belts out.If there's anything you need, feel free to reach out.

Can't wait to see that massive pile of parts installed.

Really appreciate it, I am positive I would have cut both as well! I'm pretty excited, ready to enjoy the car...feels like it's been under the knife ever since I bought it

What would you recommend using to clean up the area under the rear seat bottoms?

[Avedis]

Thank you, Avedis for the idea on the tri-stitch seatbelts and also for helping me get the seatbelts out easily. I used the same vendor as Avedis, the seatbelts should arrive sometime this week. Did the exact same rear middle seatbelt delete, and may also delete the rear headrests as well...not sure if I can delete wipers bc GA :/

The seatbelts are going to look great, they literally look like factory stitched belts.

When you get them they will have two different colored zip ties on them and the seatbelts will be fully extended. There is an instruction sheet telling you which zip ties to cut, and in which order. Don't do what I did and cut them both without reading, locking the belts out.If there's anything you need, feel free to reach out.

Can't wait to see that massive pile of parts installed.

[ugaexploder]

During the winter I went back and forth on whether I'd tackle the roof job...I decided I would, but finding glass shops outside of Safelite to remove front/rear glass has been well impossible. I haven't had a single company reach back out to me...and I've tried many, of course recommendations through the local community first...and nothing. Decided I'm just going to pay a pro to do it which is also not very easy to find depending on where you live. I have an appointment to take the car in at the end of the month to a local collision and restoration shop. Talked to the owner who is known in the local BMW community, and also a pretty cool guy so I decided to go with him. There are other "known" people as well around here, but I've heard mixed reviews.

Karbonius roof, OE CSL bootlid, ebay diffuser, and possible respray...Once I get the car back, I'll throw on the Karb airbox. I feel like I've made some decent progress in a very short period of time with this car. It shows what type of obsession this E46 platform can draw out of people. I must say it's kind of scary at times because it seems to never stop...but I only want a few more things on the car and I think I'm done 👀👀👀

[ugaexploder]

Thank you, Avedis for the idea on the tri-stitch seatbelts and also for helping me get the seatbelts out easily. I used the same vendor as Avedis, the seatbelts should arrive sometime this week. Did the exact same rear middle seatbelt delete, and may also delete the rear headrests as well...not sure if I can delete wipers bc GA :/

I need to figure out the best solution to use to clean up the rear bench area, pretty dingy right now

[ugaexploder]

Really like the look of the Karbonius strut bar...I guess a copy of the BMW performance one? But as you all know, requires relocating the positive battery terminal under the bonnet. I decided to order one off eBay to butcher up to see how much fun it is...here are the results.


All I used was this little saw

RANSHOU Japanese Mini Hobby Saw 3"

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09YXKXXNV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[ugaexploder]

I don't like working in the cold, so things have been on hold. Finally coming out of hibernation. I've been busy ordering stuff, but not actually doing too much work on the car lately so I thought this may help get me motivated again. Received another e-brake boot from maar-shop, sent me one on the house without hesitation. I'm having a hard time getting the ebrake handle cover back on so excuse the photos, it only has like 2 inches left to go, but will not budge (I know I know, I'll hit it harder with my purse 😂)...I'm afraid I'll have to wiggle it back off and try to use some sort of different lubricant again. The original leather ebrake handle was a pain in the ass to take off, but putting this one on seems way harder. I really do love maar-shop's stitching though, they seem to do a great job, and mostly it's my fault for not buying everything at once to make it easy for them.






The beginning of the year didn't start so great for my daily. Entire neighborhood had their cars broken in to...gladly the bimmers are in the garage.

[ugaexploder]

I don't think I've ever changed pedal boots in my life, but I saw these on FCP Euro for like $5-6 each so I bought them. Glad I did because the brake pedal had basically all of its "tread" missing 😂







Seems like a lot of boots just come unglued to the little plastic frame...and those little plastic frames, at least the OE ones, cost a fortune...anyway, I was messing around with fitment between the boot and handle for ebrake and realized the stitching was not right. if you look on the left side of the boot, the blue stitching and red stitching are in line...getting the proper ones sent to me...waiting again