Hello, this is my first post
I bought my E46 M3 new in 2002.
As soon the new E46 was announced I went to the dealer and plunked down a deposit. After waiting a year the dealer called and told me it was my turn to place an order. I had just read about the SMG on a web site, but it wasn't available yet, so I kept my place in the order queue, but waited for SMG to be available. Remember back then it was new and slick and cool. Good thing I waited...
It's a 2002 E46 M3 SMG model, which we took delivery on 11/01. Yes, we had the "exploding engine" M3. Those with stick shift were being blamed for over revving their motors, which was impossible with SMG. Got a new motor at 11,000 miles. Now it's 14 years old, 45,000 miles and SMG kind of sucks, slow shifts compared to my new '16 VW Golf-R, but it's what I've got, don't think an SMG->Stick conversion is worth the $.
I never tracked the car until this year. I used to road race motorcycles, but never wanted to destroy my pristine M3. Now that the M3 is a little long in the tooth and I'd like to have some fun with it. I want to keep it street-able, but add a few affordable, best bang tweaks for the track.
I've put on Turner sway bars, and the Bilstein B12 Pro kit suspension. I learned the hard way racing bikes that good track vehicles are about suspension first and power second.
18" CSL wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires, and thus far nothing else.
I want to spend as little as possible, say a budget of $5k, and get the most out of the car, without making it unpalatable for driving to the mall. Absolutely no cosmetic mods that don't improve lap times.
I'm also not interested in any mods that aren't DIY, I can handle most work myself, so all of the $5k is for parts.
Bring it on
I bought my E46 M3 new in 2002.
As soon the new E46 was announced I went to the dealer and plunked down a deposit. After waiting a year the dealer called and told me it was my turn to place an order. I had just read about the SMG on a web site, but it wasn't available yet, so I kept my place in the order queue, but waited for SMG to be available. Remember back then it was new and slick and cool. Good thing I waited...
It's a 2002 E46 M3 SMG model, which we took delivery on 11/01. Yes, we had the "exploding engine" M3. Those with stick shift were being blamed for over revving their motors, which was impossible with SMG. Got a new motor at 11,000 miles. Now it's 14 years old, 45,000 miles and SMG kind of sucks, slow shifts compared to my new '16 VW Golf-R, but it's what I've got, don't think an SMG->Stick conversion is worth the $.
I never tracked the car until this year. I used to road race motorcycles, but never wanted to destroy my pristine M3. Now that the M3 is a little long in the tooth and I'd like to have some fun with it. I want to keep it street-able, but add a few affordable, best bang tweaks for the track.
I've put on Turner sway bars, and the Bilstein B12 Pro kit suspension. I learned the hard way racing bikes that good track vehicles are about suspension first and power second.
18" CSL wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires, and thus far nothing else.
I want to spend as little as possible, say a budget of $5k, and get the most out of the car, without making it unpalatable for driving to the mall. Absolutely no cosmetic mods that don't improve lap times.
I'm also not interested in any mods that aren't DIY, I can handle most work myself, so all of the $5k is for parts.
Bring it on
