The "Passion" Build - Carbon Black / Two-tone - E46 M3

2010/07/30 - Thread started
NEW 2010/09/01 - Added some "Gold Rice" content - Page 2

I've posted this on m3f, but might as well..

I've been lurking on the forum for a while now but I barely post anything..
So I figured this will be a good start to document all I do with my build.

So here we go, hopefully I can remind myself to take lots of pictures. I know u guys like pics :thumbsup2:

Passion's stats:
2001 E46 M3
Carbon Black
Custom Black w/ white stitching Seats
Two-tone door panel

Alufelgen SF-71, F19x8.5, R19x9.5
Vredestein Sessanta 245/35/19, 275/35/19
Tein SS-P Coilover w/ Pillowball mount
OEM Strut Bar
Rogue Engineering RSM

6000k Angel Eyes
Matte Black Grille & Side Gill
Smoked Crystal Corner
Silver bulbs
EE LED tails
ZHP Knob
CDV Delete
M3 Spoiler
Painted reflector

Here how it stands now:

Ok, so this is how everything started:

The mod bug bite me back when I had my 2000 GTI VR6,5-speed. I tell you, this car is insanely quick & fun!







Then, I always have soft spot for an E46, so I bought a 2001 325CI, with steptronic - or whatever BMW calls it. There is nothing wrong with this car, except that it is... very slow










During this time, I also had the "flatbed experience" courtesy of cracking coolant expansion & the accessory belt snaps.

Well..

Daily visits to E46fanatics and M3Forum gave me the "urgency" to buy an "///M".
Since I had a coupe before, I want to try something new, so I started looking for an M3 convertible.

Then one day, during the coldest month last winter, I found "Passion", test drove it. Made a 'crazy' offer to the dealer (let's say.. around 30% off the asking price), the dealer accepted it because business was very slow back in January, and no one buys convertible during winter. lol

This is from the day when I bought it:








It comes with 19x8.5, 19x10 SSR GT3
Super deep-dish is never my cup of tea.. so I sold it:






And grab these instead:



ALUFELGEN SF-71
19x8.5 and 19x9.5

During Install:






I was never been a fan of Angel Eyes.. I think they are way too overpriced. Until I found KHOALTY's For $55, their angel eyes have great colour temp, very easy to install (everything is included), Great quality, and it's super bright!

Few items that is on the box (all from Khoalty): great price!
- Angel Eyes
- Matte Black grille
- Matte Black side gill
- Depo Smoked crystal corner (flawless fitment, I'm very happy with it)








I couldnt stand the old rear light, so I hit Bimmian to get me a pair of Eagle Eye LED tail lights. Again, highly recommend! Perfect fitment, OEM look






I also did a few 'minor' mods & maintenance:
- eBay Silver bulbs
- OEM Foglights to replace the old ones..
- ZHP Shift Knob(Tischer)
- Rain sensor cover (Tischer)
- replacement emblem (Tischer), someone stole my emblem when I parked my car in Seattle Airport
- replacement M3 rear logo (Tischer), my old one is faded
- Fender liners (Tischer)
- replaced Accessory & AC Belts
- Air Filter
- Cabin Air filter
- Oil Change, Castrol TWS, with filter (Super expensive here in Vancouver)
- New Wiper blades

CDV delete & transmission fluid bleed - I HIGHLY recommend for anyone who hasnt do this, please do! I cant explain how good the shift feels after the CDV is removed.






- What's the best rear spoiler for M3 vert? After trying different options, I finally settled for... eBay rear Spoiler! The quality is superb, come painted as well.

Let's get to my favourite mod: As you have seen on the photos so far, my car has 4x4 status.. Plus I feel that my rear shocks are dying. So time for a suspension overhaul!

After much thought, I decided to go to the coilover route, preferably with adjustable dampening. ECSTuning had a great sale for their FK coils, so I ordered Konigsport coils. But their shipment got delay for almost 2 months.

Well, lucky for me. Someone local were selling TEIN SS-P coils, dampening adjustable, with Pillow adjustable campber. And EDFC is included! It is still in a great condition (only used for 6,000 miles). So I cancelled my order for the FK coils, and bought the Tein one.

To top it off, I added OEM Strut bar & Rogue Engineering RSM to compliment the coils

Here you go:


Before:


After:




I am really happy with my purchase, since this coilover with EDFC brand new will cost me close to $2,000 range.

My thought of the coils?
It doesnt feel stiff at all! Handling is improved by great margin. And I would say the ride quality is even better than stock. And my car is quite low already.
note: The coil is very easy to install because it comes with the camber plate already, so no need to swap the strut mounts.



So finally.. I got a chance to give the car a good wash, ICE liquid clay, ICE liquid polish, and wax. I would say she is in good state for now.

My plan for the car?
- Spacers?
- CSL diffuser
- Dye the outer door panel, convertible tonneau cover black
- Yellow painted the halogen portion of the headlight
- New headlight cover
- CSL bumper?
- BSW stage 1
- Dynavin?

Now to the pics...














And just for fun:

My failed attempt for TOP Gear style editing:



Donald says bye!




That's a long read.. but hope you like the car as much as I do. I'll continue to update & monitor the journal frequently, so feel free to give comment & suggestion.

deng.. another nice Vert pops up.

Originally Posted by monkeyjuice5150

deng.. another nice Vert pops up.

Ha3, changed your mind abt vert?

Originally Posted by from330citom3

WOW, a thumbs up from "from330citom3".. seriously, your car is my inspiration . (too bad I dont have AW/IR )
Such an honour.. THanks!

very very nice.. and understated aswell!!!

i just dont like the ///M on the front grill

Very nice, clean and subtle. Love it.

Awesome man, car looks great... SF-71s are one of my favorite wheels

looks so sharp and clean very thing flows very nicely.. can't wait to see how your ride will look after your next go round with mod's.....
bob

your car is t!ts dude.

Originally Posted by gaery85

My plan for the car?
- Dynavin?

cut this. since you have the oem 4:3 navi i suggest you to upgrade to oem 16:9 and latest software.

Originally Posted by YGOAMG

very very nice.. and understated aswell!!!

i just dont like the ///M on the front grill

That's not on the grille, it's the license plate holder. I was contemplating whether to put that or not, but the paint & build quality of the plate holder is really nice. And I love it much better than the OEM ///M plate.

Originally Posted by DTMdan

Awesome man, car looks great... SF-71s are one of my favorite wheels

Yep, I was on the brink of getting a used VMR csl sets, but good thing I ended up with this wheels. Plus, I got a great deal from Alufelgen!

No offense to VMR, I would say Alufelgen does a better job with the build & paint quality. FYI, I hit a couple potholes that I am very sure even OEMs will have a hard time coping with. But I'm really2 impressed with these wheels. No Bend, no Crack, even the paint holds up really well!! No chip/.scratch/flake.

Originally Posted by bobm3

looks so sharp and clean very thing flows very nicely.. can't wait to see how your ride will look after your next go round with mod's.....
bob

Thanks! CSL Bumper & Diffuser are next. Plus "mild"-sounding exhaust..

Originally Posted by the Keks

cut this. since you have the oem 4:3 navi i suggest you to upgrade to oem 16:9 and latest software.

Are you sure about this? Is it going to be a problem installing dynavin with oem navi?

love it!!

nice M! It's weird that it didn't come with an m3 spoiler, or do verts not come with one?

Oh

My

F'in

Gawd

This car is so hot I am speechless.