HELLBM 1557 Report post Posted July 17, 2014 With the only E46 M3 Touring ever made by BMW as inspiration I have set out to make our own version. Starting with a 2004 M Spec 318T as a base and a 2002 damaged M3 as a donor a start was made today when the Touring arrived.We spent a couple of hours pulling bent parts of the car and loading am M3 bonnet on to start the transformation process. This build thread https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.326215047461492.73510.114076275342038&type=1 gives good insight into the build process. A big plus will be the MK60 DSC as part of the 318`s spec sheet and having all running gear plus a good rear cut to use. Here are some pics starting with the E46 M3T stored in the Basement at BMW. jy66242.pdf 9 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
qube 3570 Report post Posted July 17, 2014 Will you be keeping the facelift look or prefacelift coupe look like e46 m3? Always wanted to do this but not in the right financial position for it. Will be keen to see what happens with this. Cant wait! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HELLBM 1557 Report post Posted July 17, 2014 M3 from A pillar forward.That includes bonnet,gaurds and bumper. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
euroriffic 607 Report post Posted July 17, 2014 Very cool! Me likey !!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
earon 32 Report post Posted July 17, 2014 wow awesome! Looking forward to the development and final product. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gaz 1060 Report post Posted July 17, 2014 Awesomeness! Does this mean the s54 you have on trademe isnt for sale anymore? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michael. 2313 Report post Posted July 17, 2014 Wow so epic!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
twisted 45 Report post Posted July 17, 2014 Subscribed Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HELLBM 1557 Report post Posted July 17, 2014 Awesomeness! Does this mean the s54 you have on trademe isnt for sale anymore? I have 3 s54`s here with manual setups. only 1 is for sale. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ugan 41 Report post Posted July 17, 2014 Cool Project, cant wait to see end result Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
francoisv 466 Report post Posted July 17, 2014 This will be pretty sweet once its finished.. I would like to do the sedan conversion like this after my E39 project Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M3_Power 636 Report post Posted July 18, 2014 Epic : ) I was actually thinking about perhaps doing a project like this as opposed to a race car .... hmmmmm 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_ethrty-Andy_ 2132 Report post Posted July 18, 2014 quite a few running round now, i gues the prices on the M3 donor is nothing now think yours will be first in New Zealand though Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
camera doctor 25 Report post Posted July 18, 2014 Wow, just gone thru the Facebook build from the UK, you certainly have a lot of work ahead of you, not least the wiring it seems. Epic car though ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
qube 3570 Report post Posted July 18, 2014 Agree with andy. Im sure many wanted to do this but just the pricing and availability of m3 doner cars werent as many in the past. Now seems like the perfect time. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HELLBM 1557 Report post Posted July 18, 2014 The point of this exercise is to try and replicate the blue Touring that I posted the build thread on. That means the rear wheel arches and spare tyre well delete. It seems to be the only one around that has been done to this extent. There are a few S54 powered tourings around which is easy to do. We intend to make it only the second of its kind. Step 1 is getting it back on the road/reclomplied. Pics of M3 & Touring rear wheel arches 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Dwarf 136 Report post Posted July 18, 2014 LSB? 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
E30 325i Rag-Top 2956 Report post Posted July 18, 2014 Very cool project Ray, love your post above, it's the details like the arches that make all the difference. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted July 18, 2014 ^ +1 Will be pretty special done properly and not just a straight engine-conversion! Can't wait to see the finished car. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_ethrty-Andy_ 2132 Report post Posted July 19, 2014 (edited) yep gunna be cool allright! assume you will be keeping it 4 door right??? goiung to be fun playing with those gaurds! E46 M3 the pick for me, and a touring body style so Dexter can come too! Edited July 19, 2014 by _Ethrty-Andy_ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hybrid 1043 Report post Posted July 19, 2014 It shouldn't be too difficult to cut a massive square and retain the guard the make that work with the existing. I dont think there is any point mincing around with trying to cut and paste on the actual guard itself. The rear doors will need a bump out to match the curve and the fuel cap and the rear sill will be the hardest part I think as its quite different. Still it will alllllllllll be worth it for sure. No point taking any easy way out panel jobs on this one .. as you said youre going to the effort to unstitch the rear boot floor to accomodate the exhaust, might as well put the same effort into getting the rear guards perfect. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cheyne 17 Report post Posted July 20, 2014 Based on the attention to detail you've put into your other cars this is going to be an outstanding project. An M3 Touring would have to be one the best parts getters/dog carriers out there. I know that the metal work involved wouldn't make it practical, but an M3 Shooting Brake would be mind blowing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michael. 2313 Report post Posted July 20, 2014 Had a chat with Ray about this today, it will sure be quite the project. Perhaps the ultimate project even? The touring E46s might just be my favourite shape. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hybrid 1043 Report post Posted July 20, 2014 Will see what we can do about coding it to be a true "e46 M3 Touring" 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zero 1162 Report post Posted August 2, 2014 Subscribed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
