Vegas 2006 Imola 6MT Coupe Refresh

[8000RPM]

I’m back in the E46 game again. #4 M3 but #3 E46. Picked up an Imola 6MT locally yesterday. 114,750 It’s mostly stock with the exception of a few items. Front lip, K&N, springs, Auto Solutions SSK, and vinyl wrap. Cali and Nevada car so its 100% rust free. It needs a deep clean inside and out plus some refreshening.

Any YES, the black wrap is already being removed!! I’m taking it back to stock with the exception of Koni yellows and Dinan springs.

It has enough miles that its time to do a lot of maintenance. I am parking it till I can get it up to my standard. Here is what I’ve done since bringing it home.

Many thanks to the parts department at BMW of Escondido aka bmwdiscountparts.com! It was a huge cost saver and only 1-2 days standard shipping from SoCal to Vegas. Our local BMW dealer pricing is terrible. Most of the time, they quote 2-3x MSRP. Never heard of such a thing. The local Audi/Lamborghini dealer discounts all parts off MSRP by comparison.

ENGINE
Rod bearings
Valve adjustment
Vanos service (new Beisan seals and disc)
MAF sensor
Water pump
Radiator
Thermostat
Temp sensors x2
Fan and fan clutch
Full coolant flush
Oil change
Diff oil change
Trans oil change
Fuel filter
CPV o-ring

SUSPENSION
Koni Yellow
Dinan Springs
Spring pads
Ball joints (upper and lower)
RTAB + limiters

BRAKES
Rebuild calipers (F&R)
Stoptech Lines
Brake fluid flush

BODY
Rear window outer trim and seals
Headlight trim
Passenger mirror glass

INTERIOR
B and C pillars
Rearview mirror (radarmirror.com)
Cup holders
Trunk plastic trim
Driver’s window switch
Center console rear trim
Driver’s kick trim
Driver’s window regulator
UUC clutch bushings

After:







Before:

[8000RPM]

First up, Vanos inspection and upgrade before it grenades on me! 115k, both tabs intact! Saved $500!

Ordered Beisan upgrades, just waiting for shipment.

[Tbonem3]

Nice find seems like you got a good one

[8000RPM]

Thanks! It’s coming along nicely. As I’m digging into cleaning and maintenance, I’m very pleased. It needs all the typical items but being my third E46 M3, it kind of old habit now.

Nice find seems like you got a good one

[8000RPM]

The previous owner told me when I bought the car, the tail light was replaced with an aftermarket due to lost LEDs. The fit was terrible so I had to get it replaced with OE along with the side markers back to OE as well.

[8000RPM]

The cowl, a few trim bits underneath it and the wipers needed to be replaced. Knocked that out along with some new wipers. I went BMW brand as the Bosch equivalent do not seem to last.

[heinzboehmer]

Nice! I really appreciate that you're taking this car back to stock. I'm not a fan of how it looked when you bought it.

[8000RPM]

The parcel shelf looked okay but after removing the tint, you could really tell it was faded. Nothing some spray dye can’t fix. I used this brand before and it works great.

[8000RPM]

I swear its impossible to remove a Vanos electrical connector without breaking one of the tabs. Happened again!? Switching it out wasn’t too bad.

[8000RPM]

The fan guard had the signs of dried coolant and when I removed the pulley it was pretty bad. The water pump was the original with a 2005 manufacturer date. The bearings were shot.

I replaced the temperature sensors along with the water pump. I throughly flushed the old coolant out with a cheap harbor freight pump and distilled water. It worked really well. I stuck the tubing in each of the passages and flushed till it ran clear.

[8000RPM]

Vanos cleaned, installed updated Beisan seals and pump disc. I mounted up the unit but can’t seem to find my magnets to finished cleaning the solenoid block. Got to run out in the morning to pick one up. Hopefully I will have it back together tomorrow.

[8000RPM]

I forgot to add this to the Vanos install notes. This wrench is awesome. I got it off the recommendation from someone on M3F. It made removal and install of the unit from the splined shafts super quick and easy. Also less chance of dropping the tool.

[Derek //M]

Great job/skill doing the vanos, wish I had the skill.

[cbean]

Oh man, I wish you would have mad a DIY on the parcel shelf . . . I have to do that on mine.

I am positive I looked at this car a bunch of times when I was shopping around.

I love the attention you are giving to this car. !!!

Great Job.

[8000RPM]

Thanks! I’ve been happy with the car so far!

It’s really easy to pull the back shelf out. There are a few DIYs out there but this one outlines the steps. If you have questions, let me know.

https://www.e46fanatics.com/threads/bmw-e46-coupe-rear-deck-removal-diy.516563/

Oh man, I wish you would have mad a DIY on the parcel shelf . . . I have to do that on mine.

I am positive I looked at this car a bunch of times when I was shopping around.

I love the attention you are giving to this car. !!!

Great Job.