2003 E46 M3 - Steel Grey Slicktop

[m3panda]

Starting a thread to log my build

2003 M3 - Steel Grey, Slicktop, Impulse Cloth

came with 118k on the odo

[m3panda]

First things first, swapped out the warped A pillars. Car spent most of its life in CA and NV

[m3panda]

Got some orange corners

[MantisTobogganMD]

Looking forward to following the build !

[Squareforce]

Nice fellow slicktop and impulse cloth owner as well

[m3panda]

Installed Falk MFG USB panel along with a new console + flap as they were pretty scratched up

[m3panda]

Topped off PS fluid while installing Eventuri intake

[m3panda]

Valve adjustment @ 119k mi, though prev owner took care of valve adjustment less than 5k miles ago, found 4 shims out of spec.

Cleaned out valve cover

Replaced CPV o-ring with viton o-ring

[m3panda]

Installed MCS 1WNR + Ground Control front sway bar @ 119,500 mi

Some installation notes:
- Front strut assembly order: small collar, larger collar with spring perch, spring, helper spring perch, helper spring, stepped spacer, camber plate, stepped spacer, 3 supplied washers, two jam nuts
- GC sway bar collars will sit about 1/4in above control arm at full droop
- No dust boot for rear struts... wonder if intentional
- Counted about 19 threads (exposed threads under the height adj lock collar) to achieve 1 finger gap in front.

Throwout bearing decided to go on fritz after test drive... 🤦🏻♂️ the gift that keeps on giving

Next up - to the alignment shop.

[m3panda]

- Motorsport Hardware studs + tuner nuts
- Volk 21a - 18x9.5 ET22 - square setup
- Wrapped in Yokohama NEOVA AD09 265/35/18

[m3panda]

Few more beauty shots from today

[m3panda]

How could I forget ... Recaro ABE + PCI rails. Sits a bit offset to the left, but got used to it rather quickly. Car is starting to feel dialed in.

[m3panda]

Something very comforting about these amber lights at night

[m3panda]

A little out of order... short console + new ebrake (courtesy of prev owner 🙏)