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Some people get kicks out of Lambos, I get kicks out of a very simplistic, beautiful car. The E46 M3. And finally, I have one to call my own! For the last month, I have been sitting on a secret, and couldn't wait to finally let it out after the reveal at the Euro Car Club Meet.. I finally did it and got myself an E46 M3 - and holy sh*t, best decision I made within my life. I LOVE IT! Sneakily hiding out at Rays, I can finally be a proud mother and dote on it I bought the car early November. I was originally looking around just to see the price margins, budget up - I never intended on actually purchasing one. And then I found this, sitting among the crowd of other unloved cars in a yard - who the hell would put a poor M3 in there? It was dirty, it hadn't been driven in so long the battery had conked out, it looked like the worst example of an M3 I had ever seen.. But when it started that all changed. It sounded perfect, it sounded like it just needed to be let off on a run. And so I obliged kindly. Flippen awesome, loved every moment of it, the brutal changes of the SMG, the cornering of the moment, the acceleration times. Despite the fact it looked 'rough' I saw the diamond in the dust and decided, f**k it, it's coming home with me. First things was check over - ring around about it. Clean as a whistle. Not even a subframe crack (score!) So now the details: - 2002 E46 M3 - Carbon Schwarz - SMG - 70,000 Miles (112ks) - UK Import 2010 - M LT/ALY WHEELS DOUBLE SPOKE 67, 19" And it has pretty much all the neat options minus a Sunroof - which I am more than happy to live without as it only adds weight.. And it's completely stock.. Fantastic. Being a UK Import - the main and obvious worry was rust. But lucky for me, a Full AA Rust Report done came back clean, as well as a good Ray report from HellBM - the car isn't even sporting Subframe war marks. Next up was the Vanos/SMG checked out - and again good as gold. Being a completely stock car, it gives a great platform to work with - it means no one else has gone in there, which is the best way really. I have a huge long list of what I would like to do over time, and it won't be leaving my side unless seriously needed... sh*t happens! Will do another post with my list once I dig it out.. But so far; - Carbon Supreme Tints (Thanks Car Folie) - Diff Oil Service (Thanks Ray) - New SMG Shifter (Thanks Ray) - Floor Mats (Thanks Ray) - Scanned and Checked over (Thanks Ray) - Cut and Polish To Do: - Fog Light Upgrade - Angel Eyes - M3 Genuine Floor Mats - New Wheels - Subframe Reinforcement - Suspension Set up (Shocks/Springs) - Rear Tray Black - Replace a couple Harman Kardon Speakers - Rotors, Brakes, Lines upgrade - Put a Spoiler back on! (missing one) - Respray Boot and loads of other things I am sure to add on - brain faded at the moment. Well hope you enjoyed the read and the fact I always say way to much... Included are photos of the paint.. err.. correction stage. To be honest, she was a dog when I got her :/

On...

Small update, but significant I suppose. Have successfully turned a MSS54 into a MSS54HP CSL DME ... well on the bench tester at least. Will vehicle test when I have time, but reasonably confident it will work perfectly.

if yours is running ok m, and compression check comes up over 200psi , then just run with that , give it some new gaskets and redo the cooling bits , should be good for 100-200,000km more

Ok below are some of my pics (the bmw ones), didn't want to post all 100 of them here. To see the full album of photos in full quality, visit my flickr album here: Euro Car Club Meet - December 2014

I believe Alan will now run the Bimmerfest events - I wouldn't mind sticking my planning skills in there somewhere however. To be honest, I have never in my life seen so many BMW's in once place.. let alone rows of 'M' Cars.. it was like BMW heaven

Sh!t good work! Looks great. The E46 M3 is definitely on my wish list, after i spend (waste) some money on my E30 addiction.

Peeling off the masking tape at the end is my favorite bit.

I'll be using Ray and the team for everything, and even then Kayne Barrie adds his two cents in anyway! He's just up the road from Ray so it's great none the less. It's a bit paint work rough, a few minor dings, resprayed here and there that I have fixed. Interior is mint! Love it, not a crack or slit in the leather and all the heated seats and side adjusters (or whatever you call them) work well. I was fortunate that this car has had one true owner for the lasts 4 years - before then it belonged to dealers. SMG pump was done 20,000miles ago. And a full history on all repairs in Nz are present which is great! The reason I tend to hop through cars was because I kept looking for something 'like' the M3.. So I thought screw it, let me just get one. I still have my lovely Schnitzer and she's not going anywhere.. She's currently a moving billboard for the club haha. There is still a lot to be done to get this car mint, which is the overall aim at the end of the game

Just thought id upload some pics I took. these have been resized, so if you want a copy of one at full dpi, just let me know..

The Video is out Thanks to Seyer Photography who do all this out of their spare time and love for the club

Don't worry Amber, you're already on our list for next year's event!! We've got a debrief and planning session before xmas and will be in touch some time after that. E36 next year so it'll be a big one!!

So much goodness on one page... Might want your link - https://www.flickr.com/photos/99009112@N07/sets/72157649247324009/

Evan from Speedfactor in Tauranga, also a forum sponsor, deal with XYZ

is easier - flick me an email [email protected]

If I were to do your car, it would not require too much masking as I would virtually strip it down to a shell. Anything less would not do justice to the car and would devalue it. Nobody wants to see traces of the old colour lurking in engine bays etc...

Yep yep, ill get them for you tonight. Might just give them to you tomorrow on a USB stick or something

Shite Amber, what a score. Well done. Love it!

Meet was great, good job Amber & team! I'll use this thread to post up my photos as well, once I find the time to get them off the camera. :-)

Could you please email me the good shots of the M4? BMW NZ would like some good ones to potentially use with Permission. Or even drop box link them to me Awesome photos! Thank you!

Congratulations, looks neat. Re-align the M3 badge on the rear.

You spelt inbred wrong

+1 for Pelican. Gives you the option of genuine parts for nearly everything, unlike other suppliers where it's aftermarket or nothing. Bit of a pain waiting for things to arrive from 'Murica but fine if you're not in a hurry. Does pay to keep import tariffs in mind, often it is cheaper to use a local supplier. I have the same issue with my touring re the hatch struts - it's a ceiling liner out job so will pay to have the new parts ready and waiting to go straight back in. Good to see another M54 touring! Welcome aboard

Awesome Amber-Leigh, very impressed Bet you'll have a blast bringing it up to scratch, so to speak. Look forward to seeing it at future events, when i finally make it along to one - lol. Would love to see some interior shots too. Once your brain fade has subsided. good to see you also got your hands on a pop up shelter for the M

Great meet, well done MissBM and friends!

Masking must be my least favourite job!!

Def looks better in person. Congrats!

I thought it might be yours - from the number plate! Well done on the purchase, Carbon Schwartz is one of my favourites due to the way the metallic changes colour in the direct sun-light. I hope you enjoy it for many a long year.

Congrats! Sure must feel like a whole different machine compared to the 323 :-). Got any interior shots?

Congrats. Jelly I fail to see how on earth that could possibly have been a dog under there? It looks like the life-changer you say it is. Awesome!

Congrats on the purchase! Now just cause your name is Amber, don't think you can copy me and change all the lights to amber!

looking good amber-leigh. nice colour too

Good man.

No. You are passing people on the motorway at say 105kph, then come up behind 4-7 car cluster f**k being held up by a lead lemming... so, you put your Ninja mask on and sniper them out with a swerve in front of them from the inside. This is a dangerous move and not fair on the tailgating lemmings just sitting behind him... but its immensely pleasing when they loose their sh*t and freak out. Wake the f**k up and get real people, its a passing lane, if you are not passing, get the f**k out of it and if you cant handle your car, get off the road. This move also works well on people who speed up to block you out on either the motorway or passing lanes, guarantied they will jam on their brakes and take a good few seconds to figure out what just happened, like a dazzled possum. Yes I am an arshole. I apologize if it was your mum driving.

Bangin'

Yeah mate, they're plastic from the M52TU onwards. Bloody terrible idea, they warp as they age, rendering the valve cover gasket mostly useless. Hooray for mandatory use of recycled plastic - thanks, EU!!

Well the motor seems fine ATM, although it has signs of the over heating in the past. I defiantly want to at least do the rocker cover gaskets just to get a look inside the motor. Its has a thermostat replaces and a radiator hose, so without actually opening up the engine, I cant really say what the internal condition is like. And I agree with you on not replacing parts for the hell of it. Jerry Clayton seem to think, that if done correctly, the M62 non-vanos can handle close to 10psi. Some even 1bar. But you never know until you try. So I guess its fair to say that buying a semi built motor is probably not the way to go. Just means I have to do some more DYI haha

OP should be the template for all For Sale listings. GLWS, looks like a great buy.

Haha, yeah welding is an acquired art like skill imo, can't just give it a few practice runs and give it a go... especially if its structural. My friend that did all my E36s welding has been doing it for 8 years and it certainly shows

well if it doesn't work out, you can just grind it back haha. Well when your out my ways again, let me know and we can T up a time to get them holes closed

Never welded anything so not sure I should pop my cherry with my pride and joy!! Haha

Macweld in Drury. $50 per wheel for the lips and another $100 for some welds and repairs (one had a minor buckle).

It could be any old key of that style, they would all fit in the hole, would need a key-reader to see if it is the right key for the car as it is the first gen electronic type. If I had to guess I would say it is the right key, but that the system needs to be reset after all the air-bags and collision sensors have been triggered.

I agree! There's always some opinion, some statement and some truth, all delivered in a usually negative way... but it's always more helpful than not.

Congrads, looks great, will look even better if you bring her down abit aswell

Welcome, that's a good looking touring on the Schnitzer wheels. Good buy. In regards to parts try Paul at Milland.co.nz can get pretty much anything oem and is based in Dunedin too so if in stock is usually on your door step by the end of the day! Top bloke! Will have to keep and eye out for ya

The first thing you need to fix is the power supply to the coil. Most of the time the lack of supply is caused by someone cutting into this supply wire and installing an alarm/immobiliser, mostly in the area behind the glovebox. To determine the exact problem, you need to start at the ignition switch. Remove the cover and test that there is +12v at the thick red wire. If there is no supply, you will have to trace the supply back to the battery to find where it has failed. (There is a fused link in the thinner of the 2 battery wires just after the battery terminal. It is covered in heat shrink so is not obvious. If it blows, it affects supply to most components, including the ignition switch.) (It should be noted that it is best to use a 5w/21w bulb when testing for power as it will only glow brightly if the supply is good. A multimeter will show voltage even if the supply amperage is poor, i.e. through a corroded joint, so you will think you have a supply whereas, the minute you load it up, it will fail. Using a bulb eliminates this possibility.) I have an e30 front indicator unit I use which has long wires and and an assortment of connectors like croc clips for the wire ends to connect onto whatever I am testing. If you have +12v at the red wire, turn the ignition on and test for +12v at the thick green wire. If there is no supply to the green wire, your ignition switch is faulty. If you have +12v at the green wire, go to the X20 plug in the engine bay, undo it, and test for +12v at pin 7 on the body loom side. If you do not have +12v at pin 7, you need to find where the green wire has been cut between the ignition switch and X20. Dig around under the steering column and behind the glove box and look for an alarm/immobiliser unit. If you find one, cut it out of the car and re-establish the circuits that have been cut. Otherwise, run a new wire between the ign switch and X20. If there is +12v at pin 7, and nothing at pin15 of the coil, either try to find where the break is in the engine loom, or just run a new wire from X20 pin 7 to pin15 on the coil. Once you have ign power to the coil, switch the ignition off, disconnect the battery, and then disconnect the plug from the MCU (ecu) to test which plug goes to the engine speed sensor (CPS) and which to the cylinder ID sensor. on the no6 spark plug lead. View of MCU plug. Using a multimeter or other continuity tester, put one probe into pin 47 of the MCU plug and then test the pins of the 2 plugs till you find continuity. That plug will need to be connected to the engine speed sensor (CPS), the other to the cylinder ID sensor. Reconnect the MCU plug, then the battery and try to start the car. Hopefully it will... If not, we will need to go down another path of testing to find out what else is fubar..

I'd take it to some illegal street drags and skids.

Complete off-topic, but I for one enjoy reading Ron's posts and hope he'll keep posting despite not being appreciated by everyone...