KhanArt's Jet Black///Cinnamon 6spd E46 M3 looong term build thread

I figured I make a build thread since I plan on keeping this car for a while and have a lot of planned. Let me begin by saying I have always loved anything with wheels and an engine. I can always talk about cars and the subject always has my full attention. Below are my previous cars in the order I had them.

First car was a 90 Celica GT which was a hand me down, this is where the mod bug began.


Second car was a 00 Accord sedan which I bought new.. not sure why I bought this car but I don't regret it. Most reliable car ever. I still have it today (174k) and it is my daily driver/beater. It's back to stock now other than tint and an intake. I kept this car as my daily and bought and sold project cars over the time I had it.



Third car was a 79 Trans Am "Smokey and The Bandit" I always wanted this car and this is the only car I regret letting go. I love muscle cars as well as other styles. I just didn't have the time and money to restore it so I sold it to a better home. I did do some maintenance on it before I sold it. It was a beast! I would like to buy the Burt Reynolds Edition Trans Am one day in the future.




Last car I had was a 05 G35 coupe 6spd with nav. This was a really nice car and I wasn't ready to let her go but I was getting married and buying a house so I needed to save money. It is no M in performance but was still a fun car. I loved how this car sounded especially after the few mods I did to it.

Build thread for the G35:
http://g35driver.com/forums/national...on-thread.html






Finally, I'm happy to say I'm a new M3 owner. I was able to pick the car up that I wanted on (4/24/12) and didn't have to settle. I got about everything that I wanted but nav. I believe the car came with almost every option including the ski bag. Super clean 04 Jet Black/Cinnamon 6spd with 45,9xx miles. It came with angel eyes (not sure which brand), light tint, Dice Media bridge, and the OEM 19's powder coated black. Other than that all stock. It looks like she was very well taken care of. All 4 brake pads were new and also 2 new rear Pilot Sport tires came with the car.
I baby this car and keep her clean. She is garage kept and is not driven in the rain/snow. Rear seat is not used and I don't have plans on tracking her at the moment but I do have some fun spirited drives here and there with the DSC off of course.
Here are some pics of her at the dealership and some pics of her when I first brought her home.





Daily driver and M3



Took the headlight apart to fix a broken clip on one of the angel eyes.



Came with the Dice Mediabridge



First mods were black grills/gills, smoked corners/sidemarkers, and painted reflectors. I thought the chrome, clear corners, and amber reflectors looked mixed matched to me. I think it flows better now, who knows I might change it up later.

Matte black gills and smoked sidemarkers



Matte black grills, smoked corners, and painted reflectors



Blacked out with the M banner in the garage




Put led bulbs for the rear plate lights (new vs. old bulb)



M3 plate frame



M valve stem caps



BMW all weather floor mats



Clutch stop mod

Thread for clutch stop mod:
http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=108849




Zhp shift knob



Plugged the license plate holes with really small plugs from Home Depot



M key chain



I also have added many tools and detailing supplies to my current selection. I plan to DIY as much as I can




I plan on going through the maintenance first:
Oil/filter change
Air filter
Cabin Air filter
Vanos filter
Trans fluid
Diff fluid
Spark plugs
Fuel filter
CDV delete
I also want to update some interior trim pieces and other parts. My goal is to keep her up to date with maintenance and restoring her to her original shape. I do plan on lowering the car, upgrading the exhaust for a little power and sound, and more. I know this isn't the most exciting journal but I will update it as I go and do a better job of taking pictures.

Update (8/11/2012)

Cleaned MAF Sensor. Ten minute job max.

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showp...6&postcount=22

nice thread bro. keep it up!

Nice car history and can't wait to see all the progress

Nice Blacked out car.

Off to a good start man!

Originally Posted by djnekkon

nice thread bro. keep it up!

Originally Posted by BBBoy323i

Nice car history and can't wait to see all the progress

Originally Posted by SYL

Nice Blacked out car.

Originally Posted by MarcusLSB

Off to a good start man!

Thanks everyone. I wish I had more money and free time but I will update every time I get a chance to do something new.

Sadly its only going to be basic maintenance for now before I start to mod. I have to get that done first.

Off to a perfect start. Im glad your purchased the necessary tools and jacks before starting any of the work. Looks like you've got an exciting build underway. I loved the difference I felt when I cleaned my MAF sensor for the first time. The car idled so much smoother. Whenever I clean my MAF I always change the filter and run Chevron Techron in my tank as well. It will make a world of a difference!

Good luck.

Originally Posted by DropTopKingM3

Off to a perfect start. Im glad your purchased the necessary tools and jacks before starting any of the work. Looks like you've got an exciting build underway. I loved the difference I felt when I cleaned my MAF sensor for the first time. The car idled so much smoother. Whenever I clean my MAF I always change the filter and run Chevron Techron in my tank as well. It will make a world of a difference!

Good luck.

Thanks, I agree the car idles so much smoother after cleaning the MAF. I was impatient and did it before I got my new air filter but from now on every time I change the air filter I will clean it.

I plan on knocking all these out in one shot. Hopefully this month.

Oil/oil filter change
vanos filter
air filter
cabin air filter.

Shouldn't take long at all and should cost too much either.

Very nice combo, and off to a good start so far.

Where are you located in virginia?

Well hello there, i can attest to how clean this car is, drives very smoothly too! Keep us updated man!

Originally Posted by KhanArt

Thanks, I agree the car idles so much smoother after cleaning the MAF. I was impatient and did it before I got my new air filter but from now on every time I change the air filter I will clean it.

I plan on knocking all these out in one shot. Hopefully this month.

Oil/oil filter change
vanos filter
air filter
cabin air filter.

Shouldn't take long at all and should cost too much either.

Shouldnt take long for the oil, air, and cabin air filter change.. The vanos filter might be the most time consuming but Im sure it isnt that hard. Youre off to a great start, I like where this is going.

I can recommend TheBMWPartstore.com as they've so far offered the cheapest prices for all of these replacement parts. Also the shipping is free if its over $100

Originally Posted by monkeyjuice5150

Very nice combo, and off to a good start so far.

Thank you

Originally Posted by 323i2011Y

Where are you located in virginia?

Woodbridge

Originally Posted by alwaysbored786

Well hello there, i can attest to how clean this car is, drives very smoothly too! Keep us updated man!

What's up bro? Are you going to the Baltimore Grand Prix?

Originally Posted by DropTopKingM3

Shouldnt take long for the oil, air, and cabin air filter change.. The vanos filter might be the most time consuming but Im sure it isnt that hard. Youre off to a great start, I like where this is going.

I can recommend TheBMWPartstore.com as they've so far offered the cheapest prices for all of these replacement parts. Also the shipping is free if its over $100

I'll check them out. I think I got my zhp knob from them, I also have bought from ECS tuning.

Update (8/15/2012)
Packages arrived in the mail today.

Oil
Oil filter
Drain plug/o rings/crush washer
Air filter
Cabin air filter
Vanos filter kit
I'm going to clean the MAF sensor again while I'm in there




I will complete this probably on the weekend if not before. I guess next would be trans and diff fluid change.

Some DIY's for reference

Vanos filter:


Oil Change:

Love the color combo, are you going to m fest this year?

Sent from my DROID3 using Bimmer App

Originally Posted by Pottsy

Love the color combo, are you going to m fest this year?

Sent from my DROID3 using Bimmer App

Not sure but I plan on being at the Baltimore Grand Prix

off to a great start! keep it up

Looking good, keep it coming

Originally Posted by KhanArt

Not sure but I plan on being at the Baltimore Grand Prix

I might go, depends if its worth it (a few people who went last year said it was alright). Ill be at bimmerfest east and mpact east though!