Zen and the Art of E46 M3 Ownership

[Bimma360]

I also loved my TV e36 M3!

I have observed that when cars are new, overwhelmingly people prefer the boring color, and often cite the reason as, "for resale value".

... and then, years later, the colorful cars are worth WAY more. I don't understand the justification.
(the above being the case for enthusiast cars, not generic)

Such a cool color. I do appreciate BMW still offering it to some extent.

[Bimma360]

I would buy a G81 on the spot but if i have to relocate to the states that'll be a big loss as i would be unable to import it.

I would never get a G80 in Manual, only Auto AWD Comp version for me (i still wouldnt get it because i prefer the G81). im not a Manual person unless like GT3 etc.....

Oh for sure. If the G81 was offered in the states, I would be in it right now. Maybe even the CS version. I would have traded in the X3M and probably wouldn't have done this whole E46 endeavor. I 100% agree on the Auto AWD. These cars are much better in that spec. You need the auto transmission to stay in boost.

BUT, a less HP version in manual and CS guise weirdly sounds good to me on paper. The way my brain works makes no sense. I say that, but had very little to no interest in a manual e46 M3.

Going back to the G81, if you are a US citizen, willing to spend more than the car is worth, willing to rent a place in Puerto Rico, willing to stay in PR for 6 months, and willing to grease some palms... there might just be a way to get a G81 into the states "legally." I went down that rabbit hole a while ago, its all theoretical and a lot of a pieces, but where there is a will there is a way hahah.

[Obioban]

TV was always my favorite E36 color. I remember when those were the cheapest E36 M3's to buy b/c no one wanted a purple car. Now it's the complete opposite..

I also loved my TV e36 M3!

I have observed that when cars are new, overwhelmingly people prefer the boring color, and often cite the reason as, "for resale value".

... and then, years later, the colorful cars are worth WAY more. I don't understand the justification.
(the above being the case for enthusiast cars, not generic)

[0-60motorsports]

Thank you! I lucked out with the grills. Didn't really have any new OE options, so rolled the dice with these.




TV was always my favorite E36 color. I remember when those were the cheapest E36 M3's to buy b/c no one wanted a purple car. Now it's the complete opposite.

The New G80 M3 CS coming out in Manual and RWD is going to have TV as an option. I know a lot of people here don't care about the G80, but man, that would be the new car to buy.

I would buy a G81 on the spot but if i have to relocate to the states that'll be a big loss as i would be unable to import it.

I would never get a G80 in Manual, only Auto AWD Comp version for me (i still wouldnt get it because i prefer the G81). im not a Manual person unless like GT3 etc.....

[Bimma360]

Wow this is turning it up. Looks amazing.

The grills look great too. I would've believed they're genuine tbh.

Thank you! I lucked out with the grills. Didn't really have any new OE options, so rolled the dice with these.

G Damn thats gorgeous! Nice work. If i ever get another E46 M3 it'll be IB or TV or im painting mine TV LOL.

then again i would love a SG on IR or Cin interior SMG Vert with Hardtop.

TV was always my favorite E36 color. I remember when those were the cheapest E36 M3's to buy b/c no one wanted a purple car. Now it's the complete opposite.

The New G80 M3 CS coming out in Manual and RWD is going to have TV as an option. I know a lot of people here don't care about the G80, but man, that would be the new car to buy.

[0-60motorsports]

G Damn thats gorgeous! Nice work. If i ever get another E46 M3 it'll be IB or TV or im painting mine TV LOL.

then again i would love a SG on IR or Cin interior SMG Vert with Hardtop.

[bavarian3]

Wow this is turning it up. Looks amazing.

The grills look great too. I would've believed they're genuine tbh.

[Bimma360]

I've been chipping away at this thing over the last month. Installed all of the new exterior trim and gaskets around all of the side glass and this weekend finished up the front end. Couldn't do anything with the trunk since the body shop needs to do some more work on it.

Before I knew the partsgeek kidney's were a good option I picked these up from Schmiedmann:



Bumper time!



Test fitting the inlet tube (I do have the worm clamp). FYI, you can't install the bumper with the tube installed it turns out haha.



Bumper fully installed. This thing actually ended up fitting really good. I am really happy with it. I didn't need to do any trimming on the kevlar carrier like I initially thought I would. I am not wild about the center grill, but I'll live for now. Might try to figure out something more OE for the grill down the road. Also used those 3D printed side brackets that allowed for more adjustment. I am sure they had something to do with it.





If anyone has ever wondered how the CSL bumper inlet tube sits in the engine bay, here you go:



Put the headlights back on, and with that the front end is complete.













On the interior front, I learned how to remove tint. So that was a thing.





State of things a month ago:





Before I could even think about installing door panels, I had to make a side mirror switch relocation harness. Lucky me, my mirror switch was a dual port switch.





Ripped everything out to run the harness.



Out with the old and in with the new.





And onto the door panels. I actually installed the CSL carbon centers to the door cards a solid 3 months ago.



Might as all refresh the speakers while I am in there. Crazy part, the stock speakers are in fantastic condition, I was a bit shocked honestly.



I decided to go with M6 Rivnut inserts for the CSL door handle brackets.







And passenger door is done. Feels good.

[0-60motorsports]

Car's finally back! Of course I won't have time for the car this weekend, haha.

Generally, I am pretty pleased though. There are a few small areas of concern that they are going to address. I am going to put everything back on the car first and give it some time for the paint to further cure.

Oh the joys of refreshing old cars.

Looks great

[Bimma360]

Car's finally back! Of course I won't have time for the car this weekend, haha.

Generally, I am pretty pleased though. There are a few small areas of concern that they are going to address. I am going to put everything back on the car first and give it some time for the paint to further cure.

Oh the joys of refreshing old cars.

[0-60motorsports]

Those seats look so good. Great work.

[Bimma360]

Incredible work! Keep going. Sometimes certain parts of the journey are just a grind.

Thanks dude! Only 2 more pieces to go.

[bavarian3]

Incredible work! Keep going. Sometimes certain parts of the journey are just a grind.

[Bimma360]

No car yet, but got the rear bench done. I don't know how I keep convincing myself to do the things I don't want to do anymore haha.

[karter16]

I use a Singer Heavy Duty Model: 4411. I can't even tell you anything other than that, since I bought it over 10 years ago, and I don't even remember the specs haha. It's a budget starter machine. What I have learned though is you really need a "post bed sewing machine" for this type of work, but those are more of a commitment as they cost over a grand. The Singer I have, for example, is a flatbed machine and is good for 80-90% of the work. When you get to tight curves, it gets really hard to use a flatbed and do it right. Case in point, the rear headrests, after learning my lesson with the e36 I am just going to take to a shop to do them for me. They are impossible to do right on a flatbed. In fact the curvature in that middle section of the seatback pictured above was a pain in the ass. 10 years ago I didn't know any better when I was shopping for machines. But If I was going to do an entire interior this time around, and not just the back seat I would buy the expensive post bed machine. The amount of money you are saving doing a full interior more than justifies/pays for buying a nice machine. And it will make the whole experience so much easier and more pleasant.

Awesome thanks for this - really helpful info!