Zen and the Art of E46 M3 Ownership

[Bimma360]

So the Ospho was able to remove the black marks on the muffler? I have them on mine and can’t tell if they’re tar or something else, but they are impossible to remove.

Yeah just about all of them. Apart from washing it, Ospho was the only other thing I used.

[Bimma360]

It occurred to me that I never explicitly said what my goal for this car is. Ultimately, it is to have an 80% CSL experience: In the way it looks, the touch points, the sounds, the way it feels to drive, and the way it behaves on the road. It recently dawned on me though that in doing so and starting with a comp pack slicktop, I was building myself a "CS". I haven't talked about the complete parts list yet, but regardless of what someone thinks a factory e46 M3 CS would have been, it is in this car plus more. I joked in another thread that I like badges, so...






The interior and exterior are totally put back together and basically done. I didn't take any pictures though, b/c I just wanted to start ripping the old suspension out.

Turns out, if you are replacing everything it's super easy removing all the stuff fully assembled. The joy of working on a zero rust car. Never in my life have I had control arms come out so easily! The whole process was so smooth. But in usual fashion, I can't help myself and figure while I am in there I might as well just do the euro headers and airbox I've had sitting. So I am thinking, order of operations: (1) Remove/Install headers and euro section 1, (2) Install front suspension stuff, (3) Remove factory airbox, (4) Work on O2 wiring on engine bay side, and (5) Install carbon airbox. Then onto the rear end.

[bavarian3]

Perfect opportunity to clean everything up. Doing it the right way, nice!

[Bimma360]

Perfect opportunity to clean everything up. Doing it the right way, nice!

Yeah and "the while you're in there" spidey sense is tingling really badly. I have to keep reminding myself that if I indulge I might not get the car back on the road for months. It will be 12 months this November since I bought it.