I've owned my 04 silver grey since 2009, so I already had it when I met my wife in 2013. What a coincidence when I met her uncle in 2014 and saw that he had a 2002 Steel grey 6spd coupe! He's not a car guy, but it was THE car to own back in the 2000s. He was into it back when he bought it in 2005, but his interest waned. I couldn't have much conversation with him about it, but it was still cool to have another in the family. I also thought, maybe, it'd be mine one day 
My wife jokes that I married her so that I could get to the steel grey
Well, that day has come! He decided he needed a 4 door or suv for his family of four, so he told my wife at one of our kids' playdates, that it's mine if I give him $10k. He's aware that these cars are sought after, esp 6spds, but also knows that the car has been neglected (outside of reg maintenance). The other plan was for me to fix it up (mostly cleaning/refurb) and sell it for him, splitting the profit above $10k, but I told him I flat out just wanted it.
02/20/2002 Steel Grey stahl-grau met 400, black interior
2 owners, no accidents, 123k, 6 speed, fully loaded
Came in NJ and leased 2002-2005, then the uncle bought it.
Steel grey is actually my favorite color of this era, so I'm stoked! And for it to be 6spd with only 2 owners/123k, what luck!
That doesn't mean there aren't issues
Luckily, he always took it to a BMW indy in the SFV, so the neglect is more superficial/exterior/interior. Zero mods besides an aftermarket sound system (retaining factory HU). Which isn't a big deal since I was going to install my own anyway.
Immediately, I see bumpers hanging, trim rotted, paint neglected (but not bad, no oxidation besides roof rails), tires are junk, rims rashed, belly pan missing so dirty engine bottom, dirty interior, peeling pillars & tint, etc..
My kind of project! I love fixing things, making them beautiful again, and no other car is as satisfying to me as these.
I've driven some other cars, I have a 128i 6spd that I've been dailying for a year, but nothing made me happy. I think the best way to put it is that I was only happy when driving my silvergrey e46 m, but it has lots of miles and I've made it a little too nice for much driving.
This steel grey ticks all the boxes: manual; I get to drive an e46 m3; it's a project right up my alley (cleaning/detailing/fixing/maint); low entry cost; one of my favorite paint colors ever!
Alright, let's get a sense of this thing's condition:
Pass window won't move
Bumper barely hanging on
All of the emblems/badges are toast. All of the rubber trims, save the rear windshield, trunk lock, door handles, are toast. Cowl is done. Corner and side lights are faded/condensation
Windshield is fine, just the trim needs replacing. Sunroof trim is salvageable. Front door trims are in ok shape, but the one-time-use imbedded metal tang is worn out and they're popping up (common).
Interior is really dirty, but somehow the trims aren't bubbling much at all (only door handles and shifter trim). leather is ok, but driver seat is worn/torn at the outside bolster (common)
Found a set of floor mats though hehe
Yeaaaahhhhhh
Gross
Obligatory codes, ofc. Easily fixable. I think I even have my original, working exh cam sensor from my silvergrey. The misfire is the spark plug. OP replaced 5 plugs and all six coils (OE) last year. He couldn't do cly 5 at the time due to old coil boot falling apart in spark plug hole preventing socket from getting a hold. I even offered to help him, but he didn't take me up on it, so I'll take care of that soon and document it.
First order of business was getting it home. He said it had a flat tire.
I'd call it a blow out
Brought my 17" 7" wide et47 128i wheel. I was a little worried, but it just fit and not too close to strut.
Let's go home! A pleasant surprise, oil and water cooling effectively (it was a warm day and a 45 min drive home)
Made it home!
Washed it, but will decontaminate and correct the paint later. Priority is dressing the trims to be saved, getting tires, fixing misfire/cam sensor, inspecting vanos/addressing vanos.
More to follow!
My wife jokes that I married her so that I could get to the steel grey
Well, that day has come! He decided he needed a 4 door or suv for his family of four, so he told my wife at one of our kids' playdates, that it's mine if I give him $10k. He's aware that these cars are sought after, esp 6spds, but also knows that the car has been neglected (outside of reg maintenance). The other plan was for me to fix it up (mostly cleaning/refurb) and sell it for him, splitting the profit above $10k, but I told him I flat out just wanted it.
02/20/2002 Steel Grey stahl-grau met 400, black interior
2 owners, no accidents, 123k, 6 speed, fully loaded
Came in NJ and leased 2002-2005, then the uncle bought it.
Steel grey is actually my favorite color of this era, so I'm stoked! And for it to be 6spd with only 2 owners/123k, what luck!
That doesn't mean there aren't issues
Luckily, he always took it to a BMW indy in the SFV, so the neglect is more superficial/exterior/interior. Zero mods besides an aftermarket sound system (retaining factory HU). Which isn't a big deal since I was going to install my own anyway.Immediately, I see bumpers hanging, trim rotted, paint neglected (but not bad, no oxidation besides roof rails), tires are junk, rims rashed, belly pan missing so dirty engine bottom, dirty interior, peeling pillars & tint, etc..
My kind of project! I love fixing things, making them beautiful again, and no other car is as satisfying to me as these.
I've driven some other cars, I have a 128i 6spd that I've been dailying for a year, but nothing made me happy. I think the best way to put it is that I was only happy when driving my silvergrey e46 m, but it has lots of miles and I've made it a little too nice for much driving.
This steel grey ticks all the boxes: manual; I get to drive an e46 m3; it's a project right up my alley (cleaning/detailing/fixing/maint); low entry cost; one of my favorite paint colors ever!
Alright, let's get a sense of this thing's condition:
Pass window won't move
Bumper barely hanging on
All of the emblems/badges are toast. All of the rubber trims, save the rear windshield, trunk lock, door handles, are toast. Cowl is done. Corner and side lights are faded/condensation
Windshield is fine, just the trim needs replacing. Sunroof trim is salvageable. Front door trims are in ok shape, but the one-time-use imbedded metal tang is worn out and they're popping up (common).
Interior is really dirty, but somehow the trims aren't bubbling much at all (only door handles and shifter trim). leather is ok, but driver seat is worn/torn at the outside bolster (common)
Found a set of floor mats though hehe
Yeaaaahhhhhh
Gross
Obligatory codes, ofc. Easily fixable. I think I even have my original, working exh cam sensor from my silvergrey. The misfire is the spark plug. OP replaced 5 plugs and all six coils (OE) last year. He couldn't do cly 5 at the time due to old coil boot falling apart in spark plug hole preventing socket from getting a hold. I even offered to help him, but he didn't take me up on it, so I'll take care of that soon and document it.
First order of business was getting it home. He said it had a flat tire.
I'd call it a blow out
Brought my 17" 7" wide et47 128i wheel. I was a little worried, but it just fit and not too close to strut.
Let's go home! A pleasant surprise, oil and water cooling effectively (it was a warm day and a 45 min drive home)
Made it home!
Washed it, but will decontaminate and correct the paint later. Priority is dressing the trims to be saved, getting tires, fixing misfire/cam sensor, inspecting vanos/addressing vanos.
More to follow!
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