CSET

Thank you mate, Karbonius it is

Front splitter, canards and the 10mm rear wheel spacers removed. Softened up rear shocks by 7 clicks, back to a comfy ride again! I had firmed them up in an attempt to reduce rubbing in the rear but didn't work. Looks a bit plain but muuuch more drive-able, which suits my short term plans for this one. I'll swap back in the oem frosted front indicators as I think that'd look better with this setup. Looking for options for a carbon fiber CSL bootlid so I can retain this one for the wing; any suggestions for the best quality..? Also looking for a CSL front bumper but this isn't as high priority (as I have a spare M3 front bumper).

Few changes to the cars, and I'm planning on using this one a bit more - have only done around 500kms and 2 mild track open days in the past 3 years. Realistically I won't be tracking this car enough to justify the build and give it's on pretty low kms, NZ new and Individual it's not one I want to throw into a wall. As a result I have started converting back to 'street' spec (of sorts). Removed the decals and wing, and swapped in the standard seats (glad the electrics still all work..!). Next up I'll remove the new front splitter (it's very low) and canards leaving just the 1-piece CSL spoiler. It's also rubbing a little at the rear with the spacers on so I'll take em off rather than modify the bodywork or raise up the suspension. Stance on the rear CSL wheels is fine, the front hubs are different for the CSL to the normal M3 so the offset is weird without spacing. Wing mounts are ok on the bootlid but aren't exactly OEM+ spec so I'll likely grab a CSL boot to swap in as an option. I have a spare front bumper and bonnet, so not too worried about those parts (CSL intake noise is outrageous with holes in the bonnet). Cage and rear subframe support structures can stay for now as its homologated and I like it; easy enough to remove in the future if I want to convert fully stock. There's also an odd knock in the rear which is likely a diff mount or similar, so I'll get that sorted next week. I have new OEM kick panels and mats that I'll swap in at some stage too - in fact I have spares of most of the typical wear points for this car that I've saved for a rainy day.

Couple more pics. It's rubbing slightly in the rear under load so need to firm up the shocks a few clicks and see if that helps. Also developed a bit of a knock under load, could be a diff mount or driveshaft or something but I'll take a look when I can. Pretty happy with how this one has turned out so far. The CSL intake makes a fair amount of difference now its tuned properly - delivery is much smoother and the noise is outrageous. I'll likely still keep chipping away at little things here and there, but happy with the overall outcome.

Took this one into work today for a little run, first time I've driven it more than 5mins since installing the CSL airbox and the new front end. It's really quite low at the front now haha extreme care is required...! Also the sun was just right when I got in to see all the little imperfections in the paintwork. Overall the paintwork is still good bar a fair few chips on the front end; I'll spend some time over winter and compound/polish then ceramic coat it again. This car has run a few different ceramics over the years, Gard-X 2yr in 2012 - 2015, Carpro C Quartz 2yr 2015-2017 then Gyeon MOHS+ 2017-present. It's about due for a replacement as the latest was a 5yr ceramic; I'll install Fireball Dok Do (10yr) next.

Gotta love the Supersprint race setup haha it’s very raspy

New front end is on & looking a fair bit more balanced. There's a bit going on, but it matches the rear diffuser aesthetically, and the front diffuser flattens out the underbody bit in front of the wheels (so should at least be more functional than the Strassentech or the CSL splitter by themselves). Side skirts will finish the aero off nicely; but I'm still not 100% on whether I'll fit them or not as it is low. I'm not going to run the splitter struts as there's no real need; I've bolted it in 6 places underneath.

Here's a little 0-99kph on a closed road in Mexico

Geoff the CSL intake is working, and sounds glorious. Working on the front end now, swapping on a carbon chin spoiler and maxton diffuser and retiring the very worn Strassentech chin

CSL wheels + spacers on, nice! Still waiting to hear back from my man about semi slicks for these wheels. https://i.ibb.co/khhPST5/2085-F4-A3-381-D-40-BD-BE4-B-B2-DFA35911-F3.jpg https://i.ibb.co/LpCqHzG/F6-A037-D6-42-BC-4-CC4-9-F0-E-DF92-B9-CFC1-E2.jpg

Sorry mate missed this one. We have trialed carbon PPF but not offering it as a service at this stage; best approach Dave and Marty at The Wrap Shop for vinyl colour change stuff

Geoff-related content incoming

Carbon wraps are getting pretty good. Next up new bumper, front splitter and side skirts, some spacers and I'll run the CSL wheels for a bit.

Airbox arrived, and has swiftly been named Geoff. I have a CSL decal on the way, but think I'll leave it as is

Finally an update for this one...! Have been to'ing and fro'ing on the next steps for this car, specifically whether or not to supercharge. After (literally) years of deliberation I have decided to keep it NA, and as such celebrated with a CSL intake from Geoff Steel 😁 Should be pretty similar to this one: I'm running a K&N 57 series currently, so that'll be up if anyone is interested (assuming of course I can get the CSL airbox and software working...).

Snow foam pre wash and 2 bucket method is the safest way to maintain ceramics (even the spray ceramic coatings). Duration of these will vary, and you can often layer the products so continue topping up as necessary. With the maintenance side of things, it's super important to wash an area twice carefully than once with pressure on your mitt; and make sure all your wash and drying equipment is clean or you're in for some disappointment. Regarding brands; you're never tied to a certain brand. Even professionally applied ceramic coating lifespan can be extended with regular wax or sealant top ups. The boffins often say don't wax coatings as it can reduce their effectiveness (by covering them with another product) and whilst they're correct there's a factor we endure quite severely here in NZ that reduces coating lifespan; UV. Regular top ups with ceramic spray sealant will fill the low spots and increase lifespan. In terms of drying; as ceramics are super hydrophobic you can often dry a high percentage of the vehicle with low pressure water (top to bottom, straight from the hose), then dab the remainder with a drying towel or even better yet air dry with a master blaster or similar. Side note on ceramic sprays. Ceramics crystallise and form a hard layer (which is how they work; professional ranges cure with heat, time, IR or a combination depending on the product). Albeit heavily watered-down, spray ceramics use silica dioxide (Sio2) and as such still harden. There aren't many studies released here on the effects yet, but I'd recommend not inhaling the residue while you're applying. From what I have read the retail range risks are low, but still present. See here for more info: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/silicosis/#:~:text=Silicosis is a long-term,that can be easily inhaled.

Cool pic by Andrei Diomidov

Long time no post. Did a bit of a roadtrip last weekend down to Manfield for a track day. Everything went well, stayed off the walls and nothing broke. Great success...! Pretty pleased with the brakes; I changed to CSL rotors and pads (the latter are apparently the same as standard) about 5,000kms ago, and put on a set of Goodridge braided lines. No brake fade after 5 hot laps, good enough for me.

Second startup of the year. I had some time on Saturday so thought I'd dust this one off and go for a drive; ended up in Hamilton for the night. Everything went well, oil level normal, no weird noises or vibrations and it's making good power. Kayne Barrie's rebuild has done wonders..! Still haven't installed the seat mounts - maybe over winter.

I have the VAC fire extinguisher mounts

Catching up on this build. Last time I drove this car was at Tunnel Run, but I've been pottering around on it since fixing up bits and pieces. Got sick of wobbly drivers seat at full extension so I've bought some solid seat mounts from Garagistic in the UK (https://www.garagistic.com/). Whilst these were super pricey with shipping etc, I'm sick of mucking around trying to make Sparco, Recaro and NZKW bits fit together - at least I know this will work.

Got a rear diffuser from Fancywide in Russia and put it together over the weekend. Balances out the rear end quite nicely

Fun on the track at the Bread supercar track day last weekend

Refurbished wheels are back and fitted up with new semi slicks all around. Fitment of the e39 M5 wheels on the e46 M3 is spot on. Next up I'll fit the Fancywide rear diffuser when it turns up. This may still be a while away as I think it shipped from Russia.

New wing mounted, just waiting on replacement stainless hardware.