Zen and the Art of E46 M3 Ownership

[0-60motorsports]

Oh no! What email are you emailing? Are you trying to get them through the local distributor? Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

Was trying to contact the UK factory.

[Bimma360]

Those are the exact ones i wanted to order but my emails have gone unanswered since the last 2 years. Oh well......

Congrats they look amazing. Hopefully you can source the mounts and get them installed ASAP/

Oh no! What email are you emailing? Are you trying to get them through the local distributor? Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

[0-60motorsports]

More stuff coming in...

Can't wait to start installing, but unfortunately I have to wait until after paint.

I might have grabbed the last Karbonius CSL trunk in the US currently.





Also turns out that HMS Motorsport had two sets of Cobra Nogaro Munich's available in the US. Brian at HMS was so awesome to deal with. Answered all of my questions, gave me options on things I didn't even think to ask, and the whole transaction from the moment I was ready to move forward with payment/ordering to the seats shipping out was about 2 hours. I ordered on a Tuesday, seats were at my door on a Friday (with Thanksgiving in between)!

I think I am going to have an issue sourcing the Brey Krause mounts and manual adjusters. The one place I called, said that the BK stuff can have a 6-8 week turnaround time. I have to check with Brian, but if anyone has these in good condition and wants to sell, I'd be willing to pay full MSRP for them.

Those are the exact ones i wanted to order but my emails have gone unanswered since the last 2 years. Oh well......

Congrats they look amazing. Hopefully you can source the mounts and get them installed ASAP/

[Bimma360]

More stuff coming in...

Can't wait to start installing, but unfortunately I have to wait until after paint.

I might have grabbed the last Karbonius CSL trunk in the US currently.





Also turns out that HMS Motorsport had two sets of Cobra Nogaro Munich's available in the US. Brian at HMS was so awesome to deal with. Answered all of my questions, gave me options on things I didn't even think to ask, and the whole transaction from the moment I was ready to move forward with payment/ordering to the seats shipping out was about 2 hours. I ordered on a Tuesday, seats were at my door on a Friday (with Thanksgiving in between)!

I think I am going to have an issue sourcing the Brey Krause mounts and manual adjusters. The one place I called, said that the BK stuff can have a 6-8 week turnaround time. I have to check with Brian, but if anyone has these in good condition and wants to sell, I'd be willing to pay full MSRP for them.

[Bimma360]

So some stuff has started to trickle in this week, crappy pics for now...







The Karbonius pieces are a thing of beauty! The knob isn't bad, I just wish someone made a more OE version with the side pads. I am really trying to fight buying a 3D printer. The last thing I need in my life is another hobby.

Speaking of which, a long time ago I used to do some carbon work. Ended up finding a niche restoring factory E36 LTW/GT trim pieces. I haven't done this type of stuff in probably 5 years. But I am somewhat channeling the CSL Concept interior, so back at it I go. Nothing exciting to show yet, just me destroying a brand new panel trim piece:

[Bimma360]

For the last ~5 years or so, I’ve implemented a strategy of oly working on the M3 in the winter (when I’m avoiding salt anyway). Has significantly increased the amount I actually drive the car!

I am going to have to start doing that.

[Bimma360]

Clicked for build title, staying for the content!

Agreed with the fast attack approach, my slow-burn mx has impeded my driving desires!

Haha Thanks! Can't take credit for the title. A long time ago someone titled a thread on an e30 forum "Zen and the Art of E30 Maintenance" (I do get the reference, although never read the book), and I stole the idea. I just can't stomach the slow burn anymore.

[0-60motorsports]

Love it. My favorite Spec too.

[nextlvel]

Sid_E46 I see it's gone to a good home

[Obioban]

Clicked for build title, staying for the content!

Agreed with the fast attack approach, my slow-burn mx has impeded my driving desires!

For the last ~5 years or so, I’ve implemented a strategy of oly working on the M3 in the winter (when I’m avoiding salt anyway). Has significantly increased the amount I actually drive the car!

[RockyMtnM3]

Clicked for build title, staying for the content!

Agreed with the fast attack approach, my slow-burn mx has impeded my driving desires!

[Loopyspec]

Congrats on the purchase and looking forward to seeing your build!

[Bimma360]

Unbelievable pickup, IB slicktop is pretty amazing, seeing as how youre a seasoned BMW owner I definitely support the throw everything at it right away. Excited to see what you think before and after.

Yeah it's crazy, in hindsight, how much I valued the color/slicktop combo. B/c I would have just done a carbon roof if it wasn't, but I actually preferred it more I guess. Maybe it was just the rarity, and one less thing to do.

Unfortunately, I don't think I am going to have too much of a before. Three big things stuck out to me on the initial drive home. The car is pretty loud at highway speeds, which is why I am just going to replace the driveshaft anyway. At higher RPMs there is a good bit of NVH in the cabin. The engine/trans mounts are probably original and at 100k miles, so they should be replaced anyway. The big one though, is the steering at very low speeds is pretty stiff (but the wheel does return to center unassisted). I have never driven an e46 M3 with the ZCP rack but I feel like this has to be at least a smidge abnormally stiff. Not terrible, but makes ya think ya know? I have an E46 ZHP rack in my e36, and it's not that stiff. Granted, somewhat apples to oranges. Either way, hoping it's a front suspension thing and not the rack hah. Would be annoying if it's a steering column bearing. I could live with getting a new pump though. Haha I really didn't want to throw everything at the steering this soon to be honest. But it is what it is.

[CrisSilberGrau]

Unbelievable pickup, IB slicktop is pretty amazing, seeing as how youre a seasoned BMW owner I definitely support the throw everything at it right away. Excited to see what you think before and after.

[Bimma360]

Thanks guys!

Nice, congrats!

Where in PA are you? West Chester, PA, here.

Hahah, I've been on the forums long enough that I actually knew that. I also saw you driving your M3 on Route 30 by 252 like a solid 15 years ago haha. I am in Media. Would love to get together after the holidays and when I get most of the stuff on this car taken care of.