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**bavarian3** · 06-07-2026, 02:39 PM

Wow this is turning it up. Looks amazing.

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

**0-60motorsports** · 06-07-2026, 09:14 PM

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.

**Bimma360** · 06-08-2026, 04:31 AM

Originally posted by bavarian3 View Post

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.

Originally posted by 0-60motorsports View Post

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** · 06-08-2026, 04:35 AM

Originally posted by Bimma360 View Post

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.....

**Obioban** · 06-08-2026, 05:20 AM

Originally posted by Bimma360 View Post

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)

**Bimma360** · 06-08-2026, 06:17 AM

Originally posted by 0-60motorsports View Post

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.

**Bimma360** · 06-08-2026, 06:23 AM

Originally posted by Obioban View Post

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.

**0-60motorsports** · 06-08-2026, 06:23 AM

Originally posted by Bimma360 View Post

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.

oh thanks for that info! It’s an option now lol. And a g81 cs would be awesome!

**0-60motorsports** · 2026-06-09T12:49:28

That spec!!!!

BMW Individual on Instagram: "BMW (2026-G81-LCI) M3 Competition xDrive Individual: Exterior: Dark Emerald Metallic (R94) Interior: Tartufo Full Merino Leather Wheels: Silver 1063Ms Recently, BMW have been sneaking new Individual colours onto the configurator without me noticing. This is one of these fresh paints, Dark Emerald Metallic. With so many colours on offer, you would expect them to be running out of variations, but no- this new green shade is not unlike anything else. It genuinely looks black in shadow/overcast conditions, and becomes a magical, hazy, deep green when the light hits it. It reminds me of the Northern Lights! This car has been fitted with a set of silver M-Performance 1063M wheels, which are a total work of art and suit the classy 'Green over Tan' spec brilliantly. Inside, Tartufo full leather was selected, but pleasingly, not on the carbon buckets- rather the much more appropriate standard seats. This is a really, really clean, tasteful, well-thought-out and rare spec- a true credit to the owner 👌 Owned and enjoyed by @m3zulu #BMW #BMWIndividual #M3 #DarkEmerald #IndividualM3"

https://www.instagram.com/p/DZYBsycCtJM/?img_index=6&igsh=eHppNDU4emQ1NTQ5

531 likes, 6 comments - interesting_individual_bmws on June 9, 2026: "BMW (2026-G81-LCI) M3 Competition xDrive Individual: Exterior: Dark Emerald Metallic (R94) Interior: Tartufo Full Merino Leather Wheels: Silver 1063Ms Recently, BMW have been sneaking new Individual colours onto the configurator without me noticing. This is one of these fresh paints, Dark Emerald Metallic. With so many colours on offer, you would expect them to be running out of variations, but no- this new green shade is not unlike anything else. It genuinely looks black in shadow/overcast conditions, and becomes a magical, hazy, deep green when the light hits it. It reminds me of the Northern Lights! This car has been fitted with a set of silver M-Performance 1063M wheels, which are a total work of art and suit the classy 'Green over Tan' spec brilliantly. Inside, Tartufo full leather was selected, but pleasingly, not on the carbon buckets- rather the much more appropriate standard seats. This is a really, really clean, tasteful, well-thought-out and rare spec- a true credit to the owner 👌 Owned and enjoyed by @m3zulu #BMW #BMWIndividual #M3 #DarkEmerald #IndividualM3".

**Bimma360** · 2026-06-09T12:53:48

Originally posted by 0-60motorsports View Post

That spec!!!!

https://www.instagram.com/p/DZYBsycC...ppNDU4emQ1NTQ5

Yeah that's very nice haha. Speaking of green, the British Racing Green is so nice on these cars too. But you gotta have the buckets!

**0-60motorsports** · 2026-06-09T12:57:12

Originally posted by Bimma360 View Post

Yeah that's very nice haha. Speaking of green, the British Racing Green is so nice on these cars too. But you gotta have the buckets!

Getting older so I don't mind if no buckets lol

**Bimma360** · 2026-06-09T13:21:12

Originally posted by 0-60motorsports View Post

Getting older so I don't mind if no buckets lol

Hahah I have the non bucket sport seats in my X3M (same ones as the M3). They are very good!

**Avedis** · 2026-06-09T15:12:01

Awesome job on the door panels, especially the rivnut detail. The next time my door panels are off I'm going to upgrade to the rivnuts and replace my vapor barriers. I didn't realize this was how it was done from the factory until after I did mine.

Enjoying the journal, keep it going!

**Bimma360** · 2026-06-10T04:51:35

Originally posted by Avedis View Post

Awesome job on the door panels, especially the rivnut detail. The next time my door panels are off I'm going to upgrade to the rivnuts and replace my vapor barriers. I didn't realize this was how it was done from the factory until after I did mine.

Enjoying the journal, keep it going!

Thanks dude. I used M6 rivnuts b/c I already had them, and the bolts too otherwise the cap bolts is the way to go for sure. The holes on the brackets are exactly M6 sized, so there is no room for adjustment when mounting. M8 is probably the right call for those, FYI.

Again, your DIY made life so much easier. Huge help.

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Zen and the Art of E46 M3 Ownership

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