DepthPatrol’s 2002 Japanrot M3 Build/Restore Journal

[DepthPatrol]

Starting a build/restore journal for the first time time on a car. This is a recent pickup for me and a return to the M3 chassis and car world in general after being away for 8 years. I truly miss having a vehicle to work on and help bring back to proper condition and this journal will hopefully help document that process. A few highlights of the car:

- 2002 M3 Individual Japanrot Red SMG
- Harmon Kardon System
- Cosmetically rough condition but mechanically pretty well sorted.
- Until 2024, this was a one owner old lady owned car in Winter Park, FL. Serviced at Fields of Winter Park its whole life. Someone tapped the front bumper and minor hood and bumper movement caused the owner to park it in her driveway for 6 years. Much of the paint and interior (fish bowl glass no UV protection) wis damaged and needs help.
- Fast forward to 2024, an old friend caught wind of an Individual color order M3 rotting in a driveway, noticed by someone else he knew while at a garage sale next door. He promptly negotiated a deal on the car and since his ownership it has been living in his workshop.
- During his ownership he had performed the big three, and addressed numerous other issues.
- I purchased the car in June 2025 and here the journey begins under my ownership. I took a one way flight to Orlando and hauled the car back to Virginia on the Amtrak auto train.
- The car will live indoors a garage with a dedicated spot out of the elements.

[DepthPatrol]

Stashing these here for the journal, which has some history of the car on a youtube series.

Original found condition of the one owner car in Winter Park, FL:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8gJ8B7uRK44&t=15s&pp=ygUOTG9ja2luZyBkaWYgbTPSBwkJvgkBhyohjO8%3D

Overhaul, Rod Bearings, Subframe Reinforcement:

https://youtu.be/tyTXSIOvLZQ?si=CB02m5tqDhiXsLBR

Additional coverage of the car, test drive after the big 3 completed:

https://youtu.be/zsPosZMHl3w?si=pJJU7gdDmcxs9f2j

[DepthPatrol]

Got some good progress done on the interior leather, cleaning, sorting and installing new Bavsound speakers with Avin Avant 4 head unit. The old CD player power button was broken and speakers were trashed from baking in the sun. Taking stock on overall condition and what needs cleaning and prioritization for restoration efforts. This car was sitting in FL in the sun for 6 years so lots of baked on pine pollen in nooks and crannies. I'll be steam cleaning as I go along throughout replacing items. Seems like the only way to address rather than dedicating a 40 hour detail, which my schedule does not allow.



Door Cards came out, pretty decent condition. Gave them a rejuvenation with detailer, insulated with Kilmat, installed Bavsound speakers, all new plastic grommets.


Relocated the climate control panel with a Dynavin bracket. Fit and finish is above average for the price. Removing the old business cd player due to broken power knob. Easy fix but while removing with all the effort involved, decided to upgrade to an Avin Avant 4 Carplay unit.


Old tweeters were completely deteriorated from the FL sun.


Took out the rear 6x9 sub panel in the trunk to evaluate and clean the connections. Speakers ate working great and were shielded from the heat and sun in the trunk. Leaving them for now as they work great. Replaced plastic grommets on the housing and cleaned up everything and reinstalled.


Removed all rear seats and the OEM sound deadening which had deteriorated badly. Replaced with a foam insert cut to fit the area to protect the metal beneath. According to the records, the original owner had replaced the fuel pump previously at Fields BMW in Winter Park, FL. Cleaned up and reinstalled everything with new clips where possible.



Rear deck with the speaker grills removed showing the sun damage. This came out and all the pieces got a refresh in black to bring it all back. Will post a photo of that when all back together. Some plastic clips broke and require ordering and waiting…


Replaced driver and passenger front window seals from FCP Euro. The rear window sill seals were replaced within the last 500 miles so both front and rears are fresh now. Taking note of the window gasket which needs attention badly for a future project.

Took the car out for an early AM coffee run. Beautiful driving roads here in Charlottesville, VA next to the blue ridge mountains. Coffee runs in the morning in this car are something I was looking forward to and a huge motivation to find a project and jump back into the car game. My last M was a 1995 M3 in Daytona Violet... never should have sold that one! Side note, the center console and trim pieces have seen better days. They will either get replaced, refinished, or wrapped in the future. But first tackling some more pressing items.



Pretty knarly rust spot that is not going to be an easy fix to address properly. But I bought this car knowing she had some cosmetic issues to resolve for long term ownership. Will be dropping off locally for a proper repair hopefully at the end of July. Will post progress pics off that debacle.

[DepthPatrol]

Wheel center caps painted by my daughter for the new (to me) RAC RG-63 wheels going on the car this week. Little artistic touch I thought was fun for the both of us on a throwaway set of center caps. Wheels showed up from a fella in PA to me in VA, and I washed them, hit with a clay bar, and applied ceramic coating to the faces, barrels and backside. We'll see how that holds up for maintenance cleaning purposes. I was shocked these wheels are incredibly light. Square style 67s are up for sale if anyone wants them. They are powder coated champagne color with a slight flake in the sunshine.





Oil change at 97,755 after 500 miles break in on the new VAC rod bearings. Used LiquiMoly engine flush during the oil change. Went with the oil change kit from ECS Tuning that includes all seals and bolts for the job.




Home in her garage spot for storage and maintenance. The high ceilings are begging for a 4-post storage lift, maybe in the future. My garage overall in is need of a refresh, particularly fresh paint all over. I'll take a side quest on this thread and show those progress pics this summer.

[DepthPatrol]

RAC wheelset installed with fresh rubber. 275/40/18 rears and 255/40/18 fronts. Lots of rubber and on stock suspension looks good for my taste. Planning to keep stock springs and ride height, with Koni sport shocks and struts to be installed soon. Found a friend in the parking garage today.

[DepthPatrol]

Stock rearview mirror was held together by electrical tape and was clearly defective with a mark on the mirror glass showing i guess the fluid bleed. Sourced a great condition (and what I consider the better) rectangular mirror from the non-M e46 models. Easy swap before bed time and has a compass and garage opener buttons which are a bonus. Also gets rid of that ugly protruding red clown bulb for a more sleek dark grey version. Overall pretty happy with this sub $40 replacement considering a new M3 mirror on ECS or FCP is $640+...

[DepthPatrol]

Fun fact based on an online search tool another member shared with me, which is showing my car is 1 of 13 in Japanrot Red ordered in north America. Who knows if that is accurate but if that is close, I think this old gal is definitely worth saving!

[D-O]

The RAC wheels look sharp on this car. And she is definitely worth saving.