[Sukh Singh]

Originally Posted by RajB

As above I'm going with flared (basically M3).

whats the conversion costing you if you dont mind me asking...PM if you like

what body shop are you using?

will look once done!

[RajB]

Originally Posted by Sukh Singh

whats the conversion costing you if you dont mind me asking...PM if you like

what body shop are you using?

will look once done!

Will PM you but I can assure you it ain't cheap

I won't be putting any ///M badges on firstly and will keep my 335i exhaust setup. I have tried to think of ways to alter the front to lessen the M3 look as I really didn't want to have people just say "it's just an M3 rep" or "M3 wannabe" etc but I just couldn't find anything else that I liked the look of and would give me the arches I am after. The other problem is that the arches are a touch longer and so is the bonnet so kind of can't have one without the other.

[richk84]

Loving the new wheels, definitely the best set yet. Plus they really show off your BBK.

Looking forward to seeing the finished article.

[RajB]

Originally Posted by richk84

Loving the new wheels, definitely the best set yet. Plus they really show off your BBK.

Looking forward to seeing the finished article.

Cheers buddy.

Yup agreed the new rims are simply stunning of all 5 sets I've had so far LOL.

[Sukh Singh]

Originally Posted by RajB

Will PM you but I can assure you it ain't cheap

I won't be putting any ///M badges on firstly and will keep my 335i exhaust setup. I have tried to think of ways to alter the front to lessen the M3 look as I really didn't want to have people just say "it's just an M3 rep" or "M3 wannabe" etc but I just couldn't find anything else that I liked the look of and would give me the arches I am after. The other problem is that the arches are a touch longer and so is the bonnet so kind of can't have one without the other.

Raj there's a chap on m3cutters who has used m3 parts for his charged e46 330 looks bad ass cannkwool or something similar is his user...dare I say it looks better than some m3's

Check it out for some inspiration!

[Tinsta]

Ahh cool, the cat's out of the bag still think those rims will fit mine

Any front splitter for the m3 bumper?

[RajB]

Originally Posted by Tinsta

Ahh cool, the cat's out of the bag still think those rims will fit mine

Any front splitter for the m3 bumper?

Yup words out now lol.

It's all your fault I'm doing this - ha ha.

Yeah been thinking about splitters but not sure which one etc.

[russjonesr]

Originally Posted by RajB

Soooooooooo, it's been a while with any updates. Been busy with work etc but always planning lol.

I've been toying with the performance diffuser for a while as I really like the look and think it suits the car better than the aero one I'd been running. But it wasn't just the diffuser required as the aero rear bumper is a different fitment (for the diffuser) than the sport version. So after sourcing a great deal on a used sport rear bumper I needed to get it and the diffuser in for paint.

I gave them in to Ungie to do me a great favour in getting them sorted in a short time frame (as Rich bought my aero one and bootlid too).

Donor car was red unfortunately:


But after some prep and Titan silver (do like the matt pre-lacquer):


And the diffuser:


Nice gloss black fin section:


And then lacquered:


He even gave me a hand to fit it to save me some time:




Vinyl corner decals on and Akra tips adjusted:


Really pleased with the end result.


But not to stop there lol.

Tin kindly (hmmm more money) sent me a link to a small and cool mod. The OE cowling for the microfilters is not only restrictive for removing the engine cover etc but also weighs a fair old chunk.

So with direct replacement a call to my loveable parts lady saw the order of the M3 cowling. I decided to not use all the parts as the upper covers house the microfilters (which are bloody expensive it has to be said) and I did a deal with Ian for his BMS cowl filters instead.

So old stuff removed:


Lower covers fitted:


ECU cover in place:


Brake reservoir cover is nice at it leaves the access to the top (and the BMS filter in place too):


All installed including the nice cable housing. All neat and tidy and better access to everything:


Really pleased with cowling for sure.

Think that might be it though for a while now.....hmmmmm lol

Hey Raj, is the ducting taking all the cables over the engine bespoke or is it s bmw part? I've fitted the cowls today

Cheers Russ

[RajB]

Originally Posted by russjonesr

Hey Raj, is the ducting taking all the cables over the engine bespoke or is it s bmw part? I've fitted the cowls today

Cheers Russ

Hi buddy.

It's the OE M3 ducting. Will try and get the part numbers in a little while.

[Ao1]

Originally Posted by RajB

I won't be putting any ///M badges on firstly.....

I struggled to find a non M badge for the wing gills. Got them from Auto Tecknic in the end, but only because I bought the black gloss gills from them. They don't normally supply the badge. I had to ask for it and was lucky. (There is a photo of it on my old 325i thread)

Can't wait to see the update. Your car has so many cool mods it's never gonna come across as an M3 clone.

[RajB]

Originally Posted by russjonesr

Hey Raj, is the ducting taking all the cables over the engine bespoke or is it s bmw part? I've fitted the cowls today

Cheers Russ

Here you go Russ.

Two pieces for upper/lower: 12527838732/12527838733

You'll need the 3 screw/bolts too that go with it.

[RajB]

Originally Posted by Ao1

I struggled to find a non M badge for the wing gills. Got them from Auto Tecknic in the end, but only because I bought the black gloss gills from them. They don't normally supply the badge. I had to ask for it and was lucky. (There is a photo of it on my old 325i thread)

Can't wait to see the update. Your car has so many cool mods it's never gonna come across as an M3 clone.

Hey buddy.

I've already got the badges

Yeah I know what your saying about the clone bit but think it will be unfortunately. Not really what I wanted but hey ho. All this for a set of rims

I'll be keeping my exhaust setup so from the rear it will look like a wide 335i but side and front view will be M3.

[mob17]

Who cares. A lot more love has gone into this than an average M3 and thats what counts.

[RajB]

Originally Posted by mob17

Who cares. A lot more love has gone into this than an average M3 and thats what counts.

Appreciate the comment bro.

I agree too a HELL of a lot of money, time and pure effort has truly gone into this.

[russjonesr]

Hey Raj,

Thanks for looking at that for me...

Cheers Russ

[RajB]

Originally Posted by russjonesr

Hey Raj,

Thanks for looking at that for me...

Cheers Russ

No problem buddy.

Happy to help.

[Greg330]

Just got myself, back up to speed. Wow its going to look amazing! I love the new wheels!!

Looking forward to seeing it all come together..

[RajB]

Originally Posted by Greg330

Just got myself, back up to speed. Wow its going to look amazing! I love the new wheels!!

Looking forward to seeing it all come together..

Thanks buddy.

Yeah new rims are stunning BUT trial fitted them yesterday with the tyres now on properly and on lock to lock they push against the arch liners at the front/back

Might have to heat the liners up to mould them out the way.

[mob17]

Have you fitted all the M3 parts on yet? Thought you had m3 arch liners?

[RajB]

Originally Posted by mob17

Have you fitted all the M3 parts on yet? Thought you had m3 arch liners?

Haven't fitted them yet but do have them. Was just a check as I have a feeling that the M3 arches/liners are not any bigger in diameter but more just wider.

Will see at the end of the month when I do bolt the M3 bits on.

Also you have to remember that the M3 actually runs different hubs which again may help with wheel clearances.

[Tinsta]

Originally Posted by RajB

Also you have to remember that the M3 actually runs different hubs which again may help with wheel clearances.

Ain't that the truth! maybe worth finding out how much further outer/inner the wheel hubs sit compared to the e9x m3.

[RajB]

Originally Posted by Tinsta

Ain't that the truth! maybe worth finding out how much further outer/inner the wheel hubs sit compared to the e9x m3.

Nah not like I'm gonna be changing the hubs innit.

Anyway, it's sorted.....you, me and a heatgun