[Hoops]

Just a few quick teaser pics of car after yesterdays exploits. Have to say the drive to Simpsons was very easy and we actually got there 30 mins too early!! Although Ant doesnt have a lot to say for himself and is actually quite hard work to have any kind of conversation with, he is obviously very knowledgeable. Joe did pretty much all of the fitting work and is a super nice guy. It was all fitted within a couple of hours but then the two of them spent well over an hour setting it all up properly. My only initial concern was when Ant said that the PSS10's wont go as low as the Intrax they prefer to use. When it was all fitted, but still sat in the garage, i wasnt sure it looked low enough for my preference visually. But Ant took it out for a drive and as he pulled out of the garage and drove off i immediately loved the way the car sat and looked. Ant was very impressed with the ride and control. As well as the PSS10 coilovers, they also fitted the Turner Motorsport Adjustable Top Mounts - this allows me to run 2 settings of camber on the front (-1.5 degrees for the road and -2.5 for the track) - very easy to do, just undo 3 bolts, adjust and then re-tighten bolts, done! Interestingly, although they adjusted the camber and toe etc at the back, Ant doesnt recommend fitting adjustable mounts at the back as the stock camber set up is pretty much perfect. They then also fitted the Turner Motorsport Rear Trailing Arm Bush Limiter Kit - i had this fitted to my last CSL and made a vast improvement - plus new bushes etc.

All in all i am very happy with the result. I wont deny that i was a little disappointed with the ride height at the back - BUT now its settled a little more (and will probably drop another couple of mm still) and ive had time to look at her in more detail, i actually think its pretty much the perfect ride height for me. Ive always hated seeing road cars that are slammed to the floor with the tyres disappearing under the arches - far too boy racer-ish for me! I think its the ideal compromise in terms of aesthetics, clearance and practicality and ultimately handling. The drive home was sublime and both myself and my mate who came with me both agreed the ride on the motorway and A roads felt 10 times better than stock. Its not at all crashy or noisy. It doesnt rattle your dentures out. And im fairly convinced my wife wont complain about it being too harsh if and when she is "allowed" to drive it!!! The only thing i want to do now to finish things off in that department is spacers. Im going to go with 12mm Eibachs - ive ordered them and should get them next week!!

We drove home via Bristol and dropped into see the boys at Transcal. Mike there is an absolute gent and the company is very professional and thorough in their work - attention to detail is obvious. Anyway, they are a specialist in re-trimming etc and were recommended to me by Mark from the cslregister. I basically gave them a spare M3 steering wheel and they are re-trimming it in Alcantara for me, exactly the same as the CSL wheel, even down to the Msport stitching. Im also considering having the gear selector gaitor and handbrake done in the same Alcantara to match the wheel. If anyone wants their details then let me know. I will post pics of wheel and the stitching etc when i get it back.

Ive also just had smoked rear LED lenses fitted but as soon as i looked at it i immediately wasnt sure about the smoked look - looks too "modified" if that makes sense - a little too "Halfords" - so im going to swap them for stock LED's in the next few days!!!

Cant wait now for a dry and day so i can go and have some fun on my fave twisty B roads to really try out the new PS2's and the suspension!!

[dxb335d]

Looks great mate! How much was the suspension?

[flyfs6]

Looking awesome. Bet it handles already so much better too.

[E902717]

looks the dogs mate!!!!!!

[ElegantSpoon]

The side profile looks great!!

[Hotcoupe]

Originally Posted by STEVIEHOOPS

All in all i am very happy with the result. I wont deny that i was a little disappointed with the ride height at the back - BUT now its settled a little more (and will probably drop another couple of mm still) and ive had time to look at her in more detail, i actually think its pretty much the perfect ride height for me.

Looks spot on Steve, and if you compare the latest pic with the one on the first page, quite a significant difference in ride height.

You did'nt need spacers on the front?

[Hoops]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Looks great mate! How much was the suspension?

I bought the Bilsteins through Evolve - Imran sorted me out a very competitive price - so big thanks to him! The Turner Motorsports bits cost me around £500 plus the cost of fitting etc - so the whole suspension mods ive done so far have set me back around £2,200 - but money well spent!

Originally Posted by flyfs6

Looking awesome. Bet it handles already so much better too.

Handles like its on rails!! Thanks again for the loan of your garage today big fella - much appreciated!!

Originally Posted by E902717

looks the dogs mate!!!!!!

Thanking you Sir!

Originally Posted by Hotcoupe

Looks spot on Steve, and if you compare the latest pic with the one on the first page, quite a significant difference in ride height.

You did'nt need spacers on the front?

Thanks Ian - and yes you can tell the difference in ride height when you comare the before and after pics. Have to say i truly believe the ride height is spot on now ive had time to look at it properly. I think the rear will probably drop another mm or two over next week or so once its fully settled - but i also think the 12mm spacers will make a visual difference once theyre fitted next week.

ps; Ian, give me a call if you fancy a chat about the suspension and Simpsons etc. Hope youve got yours sorted out??

[peterg1965]

Am jealous, it looks fantastic. I bet the new alcantara steering wheel has a great feel to it too!

[Hoops]

Originally Posted by peterg1965

Am jealous, it looks fantastic. I bet the new alcantara steering wheel has a great feel to it too!

Haven't actually got it back from Transcal yet Pete - it takes them around 5 days - but will get some photos up and feedback when i do! Cant beat the feel of Alcantara!!!

[mikeysix]

Stevie this car is just getting better and better. I'm the same way watching my 8 month old daughter grow. Each day she's different and better. I'm excited to see what she's doin next and there's no end of suprises!it's lookin very tidy bud. Ride height is spot on!

Mikey

[SiKkBaSs]

Looks sikk, knew it would

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...8&postcount=46



Leave it standard ma ass! In the space of 4-5 simple, strategic modifications, you've taken a "stock" looking M3 to something a bit more special and eye catching.

I'd agree with taking off the smoked look (bit surprised you went for it) looks well chavvy, see them doing it on the old 5 series too (E39). Running out of things to do now. Anything else would "over-modify" it IMO. I'd keep it stock, after you put on the spacers

[Hoops]

Originally Posted by mikeysix

Stevie this car is just getting better and better. I'm the same way watching my 8 month old daughter grow. Each day she's different and better. I'm excited to see what she's doin next and there's no end of suprises!it's lookin very tidy bud. Ride height is spot on!

Mikey

Wow, now theres an amazing compliment if ever i heard one!! My daughter is two and a half now and i can totally tune in to what you are saying about watching them grow and change - VERY very special indeed. Thanks again for your comments Mikey

Originally Posted by SiKkBaSs

Looks sikk, knew it would. Leave it standard ma ass! In the space of 4-5 simple, strategic modifications, you've taken a "stock" looking M3 to something a bit more special and eye catching

Thanks fella. Ive already now changed the smoked LEDs and replaced them with OEM LEDs - looks much better. Im afraid though that the modifying wont be stopping at the spacers!!!!

[SiKkBaSs]

Originally Posted by STEVIEHOOPS

Im afraid though that the modifying wont be stopping at the spacers!!!!

When I said there's not more modding to be done I was talking cosmetically. Exterior/visual mods.

I'd be very interested to see what kind of mods you've got lined up for the exterior if indeed you have any as I think you may have reached a limit . Prove me wrong please as I can't see much more that can be done to an E46 without looking OTT.

Or were you talking more performance geared mods...

(Respect the fact you may not want to tell)

[Hoops]

Originally Posted by SiKkBaSs

Respect the fact you may not want to tell

LOL fella, you do make me laugh!!!

Im definitely going to be putting a CSL front bumper on, most likely a rep unless i come across a cheap OEM for sale. Im also definitely going to buy a genuine OEM CSL rear boot lid from BMW. I was considering a rep but im SO fussy and im not convinced by the fitment of the reps ive looked at - so id rather spend a bit more money and buy a genuine one. Im then also going to fit a CSL rear diffuser - but wont be doing that until ive found a Supersprint Race exhaust!! Im then still considering getting the roof vinyl wrapped in CF or a matt black - jury is currently out on that mod!! Im also going to get the windows "lightly" tinted at some point - and then i think im done in terms of exterior mods

[XKaLiBaR]

The pss10s are limited to how much it drops, but it is enough. The drop looks spot on mate. Do me a favour, measure both sides of the car from middle of the rim to the arch and let me know if they got the height perfect on both sides. Im thinking of going to them for the perfect geometry setup. Everyone else is useless....thorney, bexley etc.

[Hoops]

Originally Posted by XKaLiBaR

The pss10s are limited to how much it drops, but it is enough. The drop looks spot on mate. Do me a favour, measure both sides of the car from middle of the rim to the arch and let me know if they got the height perfect on both sides. Im thinking of going to them for the perfect geometry setup. Everyone else is useless....thorney, bexley etc.

Thanks fella. I will try and do some measurements tomorrow. Have to say, although Ant is really hard work with zero personality, he knows his stuff. I watched him and Joe spend over an hour setting everything up and taking endless measurements and weightings etc etc. I had little or no idea what they were doing to be honest but it all looked very professional!!! Certainly the proof is in the pudding as they say and the car drives superbly.

ps; i mentioned on m3cutters that ive got all four corners set at position 5 and it doesnt feel too stiff at all.

[Hotcoupe]

Originally Posted by STEVIEHOOPS

I bought the Bilsteins through Evolve - Imran sorted me out a very competitive price - so big thanks to him! The Turner Motorsports bits cost me around £500 plus the cost of fitting etc - so the whole suspension mods ive done so far have set me back around £2,200 - but money well spent!

ps; Ian, give me a call if you fancy a chat about the suspension and Simpsons etc.
Hope youve got yours sorted out??

You did well on the fitting Steve,incredible price.

I'll give you a shout early next week, nearly there

Originally Posted by STEVIEHOOPS

Thanks fella. I will try and do some measurements tomorrow.

Whilst your on your hands and knees, can you take some pics front on, low down,I'd like to see the camber at the front

P.S. Just to clarify for others, I'm talking about the car!

[Hoops]

Originally Posted by Hotcoupe

P.S. Just to clarify for others, I'm talking about the car!

Thank god for that, i was getting seriously worried!!!!

[Martin 335d]

Looks like a nice drop but needs to be a little lower at the back IMO, i had Intrax on my E46 M3 and the ride/handling and looks were sublime

All you need now is the supersprint race exhaust, before any of these CSL bits i can guarantee that this will make you happier than a fancy bootlid

[Hoops]

Originally Posted by Martin 335d

Looks like a nice drop but needs to be a little lower at the back IMO, i had Intrax on my E46 M3 and the ride/handling and looks were sublime

All you need now is the supersprint race exhaust, before any of these CSL bits i can guarantee that this will make you happier than a fancy bootlid

This is as low as the Bilsteins will go. The back may well yet settle a little more but in all honesty i think this is it. Im genuinely pretty pleased with the drop and the look - it doesnt look "fast and furious" slammed but more how it probably "should" look out of the box. Its also a very comfortable ride and practical in terms of speed bumps etc.

Im SO desperate for a Supersprint Race back box - i just wish i could find someone selling one 2nd hand - just cant warrant another £1,400 spend right now as its been quite an expensive few weeks already!!!

If you hear of anyone selling a 2nd hand SS Race then please let me know

[Neil McRae]

Steve,
Its amazing how styles change. I remember being at a BMW event in Silverstone about 6 years ago and there was a White E46 M3 that nobody liked, but now White is absolutely the new Black

THAT CAR LOOKS THE NUTS MATE!

Fantastic car mate, absolutely stonking! Its the kind of M3 that I'm looking for right now (trying to find a mint low miler Estoril Blue car).

One thing on the car though as its a 2001 model. Make sure that the car has had the engine recall done on it. I'm sure a car this good will have had it done but the last thing you need is the engine letting go.

Looking forward to seeing it at the meet for sure!

Cheers,
Neil.

[Martin 335d]

Originally Posted by STEVIEHOOPS

This is as low as the Bilsteins will go. The back may well yet settle a little more but in all honesty i think this is it. Im genuinely pretty pleased with the drop and the look - it doesnt look "fast and furious" slammed but more how it probably "should" look out of the box. Its also a very comfortable ride and practical in terms of speed bumps etc.

Im SO desperate for a Supersprint Race back box - i just wish i could find someone selling one 2nd hand - just cant warrant another £1,400 spend right now as its been quite an expensive few weeks already!!!

If you hear of anyone selling a 2nd hand SS Race then please let me know

Your about 6 months late, I sold mine last year, rear box and the unsilenced centre section for £550 last year, complete bargain!!!

I absolutely loved the noise my M3 made with it fitted, my fuel consumption literally doubled after it was fitted, it was great fun whilst it lasted

The spacers will make a big difference to the stance, i only used 5 or 7 mm ones but they were more than ample, kinda wish I kept them now as I bought an Audi after the M3 and never though I'd need them again. Audi only lasted a week. Typical