CSET

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.

Wheels back from the Wheel Fix It too, I left the colour choice up to them - gotta say I'm impressed! Still not 100% sure how these'll look on the car, it's a bit hard to visualise and I can't find anyone online who's running the same combo on e39 m5 wheels. Also got some new tyres for these wheels. The first set of these Zestino's were epic, lasted me almost 4yrs and tonnes of heat cycles. The fronts are running the softer RS compound this time (140 treadwear vs 240 on rear). I ended up having a fair amount of tread still left on the medium compound ones when they went hard, lets see how the soft ones go.

Not bad! Grant at GT Refinishers has done a great job. Next up the custom wing brackets onto the factory bootlid and fit the rear diffuser when it arrives. And the M5 wheels once they're back from the repairers!

Originality is key to resale value.

These wheels are now off to the professionals to repair and repaint properly...! The plastidip has lasted a couple of years, but they're pretty tatty. Working on the colour at the moment.

Here you go, I'll take some side-ons in different light next time I take it out.

Progress..! I've swapped over the bootlid to the OEM facelift one & disassembled the spoiler in prep for GT Refinishers to mount up my new struts. Also ordered a new rear diffuser from Fancywide in Russia. Also had the glass tinted in super-light 50% film to help protect the interior trim by Seth at Tint Lab. This is well within legal limits (being much lighter than 35%), and looks quite classy whilst not sacrificing heat rejection or UV protection.

New wing struts ready to go, need to (finally) fit up the GTR vents and new bonnet & bumper. Dusted this car off after a lockdown under cover, drove it in to work & planning next steps for the build. With the rebuilt engine, new diff & drivetrain parts now installed this car 'should' handle a little more power.

^^ what Glenn said. Not to lead you astray but I've had similar errors in my '04 and it turned out to be a wheel speed sensor. It could be a few things, best get it diagnosed

Yep sure, as requested. $699 $50 $599 $449 $149 $149 $149 $99 $99

Had a little cleanout of the garage. You guys may be interested in some of this: e46 M3 Steering Wheel: https://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=2597344239 e46 M3 Air Filters x2: https://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=2597344459 e46 M3 carbon fiber rear handles: https://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=2597344772 e46 M3 carbon fiber steering wheel trim: https://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=2597345018 e46 M3 standard handbrake handle: https://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=2597345139 e46 M3 standard leather handbrake boot (brand new): https://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=2597345411 e46 fire extinguisher bracket parts: https://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=2597346198 Also selling some generic parts: Canards: https://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=2597346530 Flush mount pins: https://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=2597346431 Let me know if you're interested.

It's not hard but if you haven't done before definitely see a pro. If you're looking for a recommendation, I'd say Seth at Tint Lab (used to be Car Folie). He has extensive experience in this - I know, because he did my rear screen a few times way back when. If you want to get a hold of him, www.tintlab.co.nz or just come and see me (his new shop is at OCD).

Yep. Leaves much less residue over. Downsides are it can lift fabrics (as it loosens glue). Steamer, plastic blades and prepsol made this job much easier than it should have been.

Pro tip: if you're planning on removing tint, do it before you weld in a rollcage ? This is a job I've been putting off for a LONG while.

You guys might be interested to see, I'm getting some new wing struts made from 6061 aircraft grade aluminum