[ChasenIS]

Slowly restoring my e46 to near factory condition.

21/08/2012 Update:

Exterior:

OEM Euro Front bumper w/ ACS (will soon just be OEM Euro w/o ACS)
Matte Black Front and Fender grills
60% tint all around (barely noticeable)

Interior:

Coby OEM Grey Alcantara w/ M stiching: Steering wheel, E-brake boot, SMG boot
4mula Wrapped Brushed steel trim peices
Plasti-dip center console/sunglass holder
Custom altered OEM SMG shiftknob
Euro-Tray long
OEM iPod connection

Suspension-Wheels
BBS CH 19x8.5/10 Offsets 35/20
ZCP Shocks w/ TurnerMotorsport H&R adjustable springs
RE Transmission/Motor mounts
OEM RTABs/FCABs

Engine:
SP Engineering Air Scoop
Stock for now

Track Days thus far: Zero
Excuse: Cam shaft position sensor +solenoid +Vanos bolts +Exhaust tab waiting for replacement parts





2003 model Steel Grey Fully loaded (navi,SMG,heat seats ect.) w/ 52k

First photos I took









Had no real intention of doing any mods. The car was amazingly quick (daily drove my IS300) in comparison to my DD. It was more car then I could handle!





Started getting into the forum events and meets for Canyon runs.

Met up one morning to do Angeles Crest with a few other BMW forum group members. Ended up getting seperated from the group as many of the other cars were afraid of the rain soaked turn of the crest.

A few of us (a 7series included!) continued up anyways.





Come 10,000 miles into ownership I hadn't really done anything to her yet..

Looks so good stock!









I started searching the boards for Mods, and came across SP engineering looking for a STOCK M3... LOL did I fit the shoe perfectly..





Ended up with a Intake scoop.. Didnt do much, however I wasnt expecting anything. It was more just a excuse to check out SP Engineering and get some free part.

Cars and Coffee Meet



A year into ownership, I had my first parking lot hit and run..



Body shop wanted $500 to order a new OEM bumper so being young at the time I opted for DDM's CSL rep..





Awefull bumper. Never fit like the OEM, and I kept scraping the CF splitters.

Did some more canyon runs..







The DDM bumper lasted awhile, but eventually being the cheap POS it broke while parking too close to the parking barrier that was abnormally high.

So I went with VCSL double CF instead

(which I just realized I have no photos of??) Anyways it too was hit in a parking lot...

Around the same time, a friend stupidly convinced me that the oem 18's were lighter and better wheels... SO I traded him



Bimmerfest 2009 (no shots of just my M, but imo the last year Bimmerfest was legit)


Servicing with some buddys ///M's





2 years into ownership (2010) My family had a seperation, and being that the e46 was in my fathers name, it was taken with him when he left and moved in with his new family.

During this time... NO servicing was done. 86k-112k although it seems like brakes, and oil were changed..

The car showed some body damage.. Estimate is $2700 to repair and repaint. Waiting to pay off a student loan by September, only then will I do this work since mechanical condition bothers me more.

[m3freak86]

Wow, Chasen. This car seems to have been around the block a few times. Glad to hear you got a hold of the car for good and you are bringing her back up to speed. Best of luck with all the repairs. It may be expensive now, but I am sure it will be extremly gratifying once you get it back and get to sit behind that steering wheel once again. You have one of my all time favorite e46 m3 colors.

[ChasenIS]

While waiting for SouthBay to get my car back in shape, Ive purchased the following

OEM ZCP shocks with Bimmerworld RSM's.. Mated to TurnerMotorsport HR springs
BBS CH 19-8.5/10 with Potenza RE-11's
OEM Euro front bumper (with some ACS rep lip, that I intend to take off)
Suede SMG shift boot used from M3Freak86 (Jlevi)
Alcantara Ebrake boot New from M3freak86 (Mike aka ColbyWheel.com)

Looking into purchasing a F/R ST40 kit, as well as some new seats (Recaro)

HPDE are in the cars near future so any mods to come will maintenance improvements/upgrades. Decided to leave the motor/exhaust alone until I get a better feel for her on track.

[ChasenIS]

Originally Posted by m3freak86

Wow, Chasen. This car seems to have been around the block a few times. Glad to hear you got a hold of the car for good and you are bringing her back up to speed. Best of luck with all the repairs. It may be expensive now, but I am sure it will be extremly gratifying once you get it back and get to sit behind that steering wheel once again. You have one of my all time favorite e46 m3 colors.

Thanks, almost parted with her since at age 23 I no longer drive like a 17yr old

Im fortunet to have a daily driver, as well as a steady income to rebuild her. I was so close to parting ways with ///M's but a second chance at love with this machine is something I am willing to invest it.

Repair bill est. is likely to be over $2500 which at the thought of having a fully update M car is cheap. That includes a new clutch

[m3freak86]

Originally Posted by ChasenIS

Thanks, almost parted with her since at age 23 I no longer drive like a 17yr old

Im fortunet to have a daily driver, as well as a steady income to rebuild her. I was so close to parting ways with ///M's but a second chance at love with this machine is something I am willing to invest it.

Repair bill est. is likely to be over $2500 which at the thought of having a fully update M car is cheap. That includes a new clutch

Heyy those boots look familiar....

Very nice. Glad to hear things are going well for you. It should look fantastic when it's all said and done.

2500 nothing! For the work needed to be done, that is good. Just get the work done right and it will be a car that will give you endless amount of fun and tons of reliability.

[Dizzeep]

Good to see that you are keeping the M. Looking forward to your updates

[flipm3]

I am definitely looking forward to what you have planned for the car!

Trust me, you don't want to know what kind of coin I paid this year with all my maintenance and repairs on this car. The sad part is that I never have time to actually DIY myself because of my work schedule, so I probably spend double or triple the amount!

Yet, I don't regret a single thing. This car has been the most reliable machine I've ever had. Owned for 11 years and 80,000 miles, never once did it give me too much of a hard time. Now things are just started to call it quits and the car is receiving the TLC it deserves

Keep us posted!

[///M_Achilles]

like the work I'm see Chasen! It's good to see the m3 in good hands now

[mentroc]

your fathers gf just beat the crap out of that car. 2500 to get the car up to speed isn't bad at all.

[ChasenIS]

Mechanical repairs came out close to $3,000

Still have to order tires tomorrow and have them mounted.

Next comes body/paint work.. Complete front respray. Still debating on doing the entire car.. Need to see how much $$$ I want to throw away this summer on the M3.


Photos to come Friday when I pick up the car from Southbay Autohaus!