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

[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

[ugaexploder]

I'm glad I don't get paid to be a planner because it seems like I'm always waiting on parts or ordering the wrong parts. I'm going to give myself a pass here since it was like the first month of ownership, but I ordered the armrest delete console and also the sliding insert is for the car phone 🤣🤣🤣 so there is a gaping hole in there...didn't realize the true sliding console was NLA, so I'm waiting on cupholders




Was going to go with the oe alcantara shifter boot when I realized I'm going to have like 30 shades of alcantara in there...decided to reach out to maar-shop and order the proper shade of boots. I also purchased my steering wheel, lower wheel trim, and armrest through them. They have the best stitching in my opinion...I ordered through others and the stitching is very inconsistent. Therefore, if you are intent on having M-stitching, I would 100000% order through them. I've wasted hundreds buying crap I can't use or in return shipping buying from other shops.

[ugaexploder]

Looking good, sir.

I ordered the E46 phone mic from Enfig. Fits it the stock location very nicely.

Agreed, they really made the audio portion a breeze. Thanks!

[D-O]

Looking good, sir.

I ordered the E46 phone mic from Enfig. Fits it the stock location very nicely.

[ejendow]

I was absolutely amazed at how fast it arrived since estimates had it at 30-45 working days or something like that...probably just to cover their ass in case FedEx or DHL drops the ball. It arrived on one of those big FedEx trucks used to drop off pallet loads. Packaging is really good, top notch. So much so that I haven't even bothered undoing everything since it will make it harder to keep before the car is ready for the body shop.

I still need to get through Thanksgiving and possibly the holidays before I respray the car. Also need to buy bumpers and maybe the Karb hood as well. But yeah, I look forward to buying more through Schmiedmann, they are awesome.

good to know! I'll probably go through them when I get one

[ugaexploder]

That trunk shipped so quick! How was the packaging from Schmiedmann?

I was absolutely amazed at how fast it arrived since estimates had it at 30-45 working days or something like that...probably just to cover their ass in case FedEx or DHL drops the ball. It arrived on one of those big FedEx trucks used to drop off pallet loads. Packaging is really good, top notch. So much so that I haven't even bothered undoing everything since it will make it harder to keep before the car is ready for the body shop.

I still need to get through Thanksgiving and possibly the holidays before I respray the car. Also need to buy bumpers and maybe the Karb hood as well. But yeah, I look forward to buying more through Schmiedmann, they are awesome.

[ejendow]

That trunk shipped so quick! How was the packaging from Schmiedmann?

[ugaexploder]

Was putting together the center dash/console when I realized I purchased an armrest delete console....waiting on the proper one right now. The OE CSL trunk from Schmiedmann already came in...ordered on 11/10, arrived on 11/14...nuts



Got the head unit installed, everything seems to be working fine...except the speakers. Working on replacing the amp and whatever the other unit is above that. The trim I ordered on eBay looks a little wonky on the transition to the passenger side trim...pretty annoying and may look in to replacing in the future...looks okay at night though 😂

[ugaexploder]

Pretty good price on the boot lid compared to US prices, is that price shipped to US?

After currency exchange it came out to $2,591.66 shipped to the US which was similar to the Karbonius lid in terms of price shipped so I said screw it, I'd rather have OE fitment. Yeah, I think ECS/Turner charges way more, along the lines of $3,400 USD shipped if I recall...but you do get the benefit of their newly-stated lifetime program. I'm just not sure if the extra $800 is worth that for me.

[dreamdrivedrift]

Pretty good price on the boot lid compared to US prices, is that price shipped to US?

[ugaexploder]

I finally was able to unsheathe the Sword of Excalibur that is the fucking shift knob, holy mother of hell.

OId new next to new.



New knob and boot



I've been going back and forth between Karb and OE for the bootlid...decided to pick up the OE one through Schmiedmann.

[ugaexploder]

I ordered an extra pair of rear armrest trim just in case I screwed up prying them apart. Went ahead and gave them a nice little hot wash and scrubbed off the soft-touch paint.



Little paint setup outside




Decided to go ahead and remove the logo in case I messed up, and I did!






I was afraid I was going to eat in to the plastic too much so I stopped right about here and decided I was going to paint it to help blend things.



Good enough for gov't work

[ugaexploder]

Had to glue some things up. I feel like it's almost impossible not to break some of the plastic near the double-holes in the lower plastic part of the armrest on all sides.

I may go back later and put some more glue on the speaker to fill the seam between the 3, 6, 9, 12 points. Waiting on the loctite super glue to cure on the armrest part so I can give it a wash and prep it for paint.