*** The Official E46 Convertible Pics Thread***

I love mine, get the bmw perf oem gloss black ones if you do. With the color of your car, it would look good.

Hi from HK, showing off the newly shipped 18" VMR VB3's. Also BSW Stage 1 upgrade fitted. Great car ... this is my 3rd E46 vert (previously a 325ci and an M3) ... its an 330ci, MY 2000 with 74,000km on the clock ... could upgrade but I don't like the E90 vert ... lacks character and you can't fit anything more than a brief case in the boot/trunk!

Looks good... Are those mudflaps on the rear that I see on the car? or just shadowing?

Thanks ...... yeah they are mudflaps ... Not PC for this forum I expect. I think they are standard fitting in HK .... is that the case in the US?

Originally Posted by ALD

Thanks ...... yeah they are mud flaps ... Not PC for this forum I expect. I think they are standard fitting in HK .... is that the case in the US?

Not knocking your mudflaps. havent seen too may here in the U.S. but I have seen them on an e46 before... they do serve a purpose. Car still looks good.

No worries ... btw, thanks for initiating a this great thread.

Originally Posted by ALD

Hi from HK, showing off the newly shipped 18" VMR VB3's. Also BSW Stage 1 upgrade fitted. Great car ... this is my 3rd E46 vert (previously a 325ci and an M3) ... its an 330ci, MY 2000 with 74,000km on the clock ... could upgrade but I don't like the E90 vert ... lacks character and you can't fit anything more than a brief case in the boot/trunk!

Nice car

got an alignment then went on a drive...

Originally Posted by robert_tau

Nice car

Thanks for the compliment ... will chip away at it over the next couple of years ... Eibach Pro Kit springs might be next ... after the AC Evaporator is replaced!

Very nice car Ald. How do you like the BSW Stage I?

Originally Posted by johnrando

Very nice car Ald. How do you like the BSW Stage I?

Thanks Johnrando ... re the BSW Stage 1 ... first thing is that my 12 year old original speakers we totally shot so anything would be a substantial upgrade. The originals were the std speaker set not the HK speakers. Second, the guy's at BSW were great to deal with and there were no problems shipping everything to Hong Kong. As for the speakers themselves, they were easy and fun to install especially with the excellent E46 convertible install video BSW has. Took me about 3 hours once I found myself a set of Torx screwdrivers! Overall I'm pleased with the speakers, they have a nice rich warm tone and as clear as you'd expect. They really come to life at mid to higher volumes. The only dissapointment is that there is limited base. Not sure if this is the speakers or the amp but my wife's Pioneer system in her Honda provides much greater base capability. Accepting I'm far from being an expert on this stuff, I suspect that the reason is that they have been designed to be complimented by the BSW sub-woofer but its taking me some time to convince myself to stump up another $600 for this. That said, I'll get there eventually and I fully expect that once I do the end result will be worth it.

Good info Andy, thanks! John

And PS, I'm with you on the sub, that's serious coin.

Car is looking good, Andy!!

Thanks Will. Trust you are well! How's your M3? Travelling well?

Can't complain. The M is great. Did the 4.10 gears and I'm just about done with her mod-wise. Maybe I'll get some led tailights and/or swap out my OEM short shifter to a A.S one or something like that to keep myself entertained if I get bored.

Originally Posted by WillE46

Can't complain. The M is great. Did the 4.10 gears and I'm just about done with her mod-wise. Maybe I'll get some led tailights and/or swap out my OEM short shifter to a A.S one or something like that to keep myself entertained if I get bored.

Woah! Did u do a write up anywhere on that 410. Curious what its like on a vert

Originally Posted by WillE46

Can't complain. The M is great. Did the 4.10 gears and I'm just about done with her mod-wise. Maybe I'll get some led tailights and/or swap out my OEM short shifter to a A.S one or something like that to keep myself entertained if I get bored.

Great ... love your car, the perfect drop! What's the rationale behind doing the 4.10 gears? I assume you outsourced something like that?

Thanks for the compliments. There is a ton of info on the gearing changes. The most common are 3.90 which is a mild upgrade or the more aggressive 4.10. Stock M gearing is 3.62 if I'm not mistaken. Anyways, the gist of it that you get quicker acceleration per gear because the ratio is shortened. A good example is that automatic cars tend to higher gear ratios than their manual counterparts (helps them maintain some sort of dignity). You hear domestic guys doing it all the time for drag racing but I suppose it's not as common for imports.

Anyways, it feels pretty good and is not nearly as aggressive as I thought i might be. Definitely a noticeable change but not unbearable or too much for the street/daily driving as some might say. 6th gear is now useable for passing and the gearing overall is more flexible. It doesn't make the car that much faster but it's more enjoyable to drive so it's a worthwhile mod. I had a reputable local shop do it for me (Solo Motorsport).

Originally Posted by lsbmatt

got an alignment then went on a drive...

Paint your hood.

Yeah. I'm fully aware of the diff options. Just curious what its like with a vert, extra noise, mileage if different from coupe, etc.