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

[ugaexploder]

I asked about the sun visors to see if he could wrap those and he told me it would be a monumental effort and time to do it properly. He mentioned that most places just cover the entire thing making the mirror unusable. I didn't like that idea so I just decided to blast it with some more that duplicolor flat black fabric and vinyl paint. Some pics of the before and after, reminded me of the similar faded color of the rear decklid. Taping up the little plastic pieces was fun, it turned out okay...I should have probably cleaned up the residue from the airbag sticker a bit better before painting. I decided to order some new stickers to cover that area up 😂

[ugaexploder]

You can buy Alcantara fabric from a few places online, all similar in price around ~$150/yd...doesn't seem to matter if it's foam-backed or not which is probably just the price for everyone who's not a retailer. After reading around it seemed like safe side would be 2 yards of foam-backed, and 1 yard of unbacked fabric...which comes out to $450, plus still need adhesive, and some other materials to remove the old foam from the headliner. I figured it would probably not cost much more going to an upholstery shop, and I wasn't far off. Dropped off the headliner, pillars, and other pieces to be wrapped by SR Auto Upholstery off Buford Hwy. Really good folks over there, and he has all sorts of different options...almost went for the OE type fabric but just did the safe thing and did the Alcantara...looks like 9040.

Some pics of the slicktop headliner I sourced on FB.

[ugaexploder]

Well, that escalated quickly. It went from tri-stitch seatbelts to full on respray with CSL parts in one post!

I'm just jealous that I don't have a bodyshop I trust in my area.

I'm not gonna lie, I was going back and forth with myself on whether I was going to take it to them all the way until I dropped it off. Thankfully, they've been great to work with so far but it seems like a crapshoot.

I really wanted to get a euro bumper or the holy grail, one of the MEC ones but decided I'd just respray the one I have since it's in okay condition. Maybe I'll spring for the MEC bumper down the road, it's so sweet. Looking forward to seeing yours on the car.

[Avedis]

Well, that escalated quickly. It went from tri-stitch seatbelts to full on respray with CSL parts in one post!

I'm just jealous that I don't have a bodyshop I trust in my area.

[ugaexploder]

I gotta come over and get some laps in on that sim in the mean time!

anytime dude!!

[nextlvel]

I gotta come over and get some laps in on that sim in the mean time!

[ugaexploder]

I realized after chattin it up with inlinesix123, I didn't really update this thread with what is going on with the car. I dropped off the car at a fairly local collision and restoration shop this past Monday (2/26/24).

They are going to be tackling the CF roof install, installing CSL trunk, and respraying the exterior. There are other details that are being taken care of such as quarter panel trim, a-to-c trim, gas filler rubber, and a bunch more to try and restore the car as much as possible.

I decided to leave the roof with the varnished look, paint the roof rails gloss black, and everything else a refresh in Silver Grey. They told me that their estimate is right around 4-6 weeks for completion which I am completely fine with. The car should be completely transformed...once I receive the car, I'll probably look into installing the Karb intake...not really looking forward to it.

I actually would rather look in to getting the BBK's on the car...while the car is in the shop, I'll look into getting the headliner reupholstered in alcantara more than likely, and getting the calipers paint-matched. Outside of that, my future goals are to get a rebuilt diff from diffsonline, and to get some heated seats in the car. Maybe some new wheels in the future as well...even though I like the TA5R's, I really want some Bronze lightweight forged ones. Probably won't provide any meaningful updates for a while...until then, good luck with your rides.

[inlinesix123]

You are not kidding, top notch entertainment for sure.

Sweet, I'm in a late model Toyota Sienna 99% of the time so if you see one honk at you in the future, don't get mad!

Will do.
Thanks for the contacts of other local members! Looking forward to seeing your car out of the shop!

[Sid_E46]

Haha, you're killing me man! 😂😂😂 I get a kick out of the ATLbimmers group, always seems like some sort of drama going on in there. You're right though, I'll drive on pleasant hill sometime, and I feel so out of place with all the clapped out rides.

For sure, that sounds good we need to go cruising for sure. We have a decent E46 community in our area. Met up with nextlvel and also looking forward to meeting up with Sid_E46 at some point. We definitely have to try and link up for a drive up to NC as well once those guys set that up.

Facebook groups are almost always a shit show lol.

There are quite a few E46 M3 guys around here but we are just terrible at setting up meets. The CCA meets in Alpharetta every 3rd Sunday usually has a decent turnout and stays chill, CCA also does drives on the Tail occasionally.

[ugaexploder]

ATL Bimmers should be renamed to "Real BMW Housewives of Atlanta", FANTASTIC entertainment.
That sounds awesome, I'd love to tag along if my time permits it!
If you see a Phoenix Yellow with ARC8s on, honk, just make sure it doesn't have Style 67s on it, because that's not me

You are not kidding, top notch entertainment for sure.

Sweet, I'm in a late model Toyota Sienna 99% of the time so if you see one honk at you in the future, don't get mad!

[inlinesix123]

Haha, you're killing me man! 😂😂😂 I get a kick out of the ATLbimmers group, always seems like some sort of drama going on in there. You're right though, I'll drive on pleasant hill sometime, and I feel so out of place with all the clapped out rides.

For sure, that sounds good we need to go cruising for sure. We have a decent E46 community in our area. Met up with nextlvel and also looking forward to meeting up with Sid_E46 at some point. We definitely have to try and link up for a drive up to NC as well once those guys set that up.

ATL Bimmers should be renamed to "Real BMW Housewives of Atlanta", FANTASTIC entertainment.
That sounds awesome, I'd love to tag along if my time permits it!
If you see a Phoenix Yellow with ARC8s on, honk, just make sure it doesn't have Style 67s on it, because that's not me

[ugaexploder]

Alright fellow Georgian, the build is looking beautifully. We should hang out at some point I'm in Buford!
It feels like Georgia has only two types of e46m3 drivers, 19 year olds in clapped out coupes, or 78 year olds in verts. Good to see someone closer in age to me lol

Haha, you're killing me man! 😂😂😂 I get a kick out of the ATLbimmers group, always seems like some sort of drama going on in there. You're right though, I'll drive on pleasant hill sometime, and I feel so out of place with all the clapped out rides.

For sure, that sounds good we need to go cruising for sure. We have a decent E46 community in our area. Met up with nextlvel and also looking forward to meeting up with Sid_E46 at some point. We definitely have to try and link up for a drive up to NC as well once those guys set that up.

[inlinesix123]

Alright fellow Georgian, the build is looking beautifully. We should hang out at some point I'm in Buford!
It feels like Georgia has only two types of e46m3 drivers, 19 year olds in clapped out coupes, or 78 year olds in verts. Good to see someone closer in age to me lol

[0-60motorsports]

Curious, but how long after buying the retrofit did it take for LW to reach out to send the headlights in? Seems like they are super busy at the moment.

It’s amazing how difficult it is to find certain parts for our car that are still in good condition :/

I had it done many years ago and I did by sending them just the bowls to retrofit the projectors. Was easier for me to it this way.

[ugaexploder]

Great updates. Those seat belts Look so classy, I still need to find an UNBLOWN set for my own car as I cant find my original seatbelts anywhere.

The Headlights are going to look amazing when LW is done.

Curious, but how long after buying the retrofit did it take for LW to reach out to send the headlights in? Seems like they are super busy at the moment.

It’s amazing how difficult it is to find certain parts for our car that are still in good condition :/