[Obioban]

Going to edit what was the first post into the second post and make this first post a guide to some of my favorite projects and threads I've made on here.

Intravee thread-- The intravee is one of the greatest and least appreciated mods for the car. It enables all kinds of things you'd never be able to do without it, well in excess of simple iPod control. But, it's also the best option on the market for that!

Programable option thread-- all free, tailor the car as you want it.

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=439897-- CSL features that didn't make it to production

e46 m3 tire sizing thread-- optimal wheel fitments and what tires you can fit on them. From a fuction > form perspective.

Castrol 10W-60 TWS-- all the back story and information I could gather.

e46 M3 maintenance thread-- everything about running the car as cheaply as possible in the long run, as well as keeping it driving like new.

My journal-- this thread

CSL SMG software-- faster shifts, better rev matching, CSL launch control

My stereo setup-- highly irregular-- focused on making the car lighter, improving the COG, and usable trunk space... while still making it sound better than stock HK

RG-63 pictures thread-- I'm particularly fond of these wheels as I got to choose the design, color options, sizes, offsets, and flange used for construction. The sizing is optimal for our car, they're super strong and very light! And, imho, they look great

Free/cheap mod thread

BMW fabric wire wrap tape found!

CSL cabin air filter housing-- 3 lbs lighter than stock

e46 automatic climate control-- guide to the most misunderstood and under appreciated system on our cars.

V1 remote display in instrument cluster-- I didn't make this thread, but people are always asking me about it and I added a bunch of pics to it

e46 suspension options compared

Results from evolve dyno tuning-- e46 M3, e39 M5, e60 M5, with video

Free bluetooth voice control

TFX retrofit review-- one of my favorite mods I've done to the car

Track car journal

e46 fuel efficiency-- by speed and techniques for improving yours.

M3 sales numbers by generation

Video DIY guides for e46 M3 suspension installs

SS stepped header review and ebay header regret

Proper rear view mirror aiming... which nobody does.

Different wheel/tire setups I've had over time

How to properly drive stick

Dirtiest car contest

Video I made of the last track event I did in the e46

[Obioban]

Editing this second post to be a semi up to date mod list. Hopefully I remember to tweak it as I change the car!




Options

-2005 Imola/Imola M3 coupe

-6mt

-Premium Package

-Cold weather package

-MKIV nav

-Bi Xenons

-Parking distance control

-adjustable side bolstering

-adjustable lumbar support

-HK audio

-Alu trim

-OEM alarm

-Homelink





Suspension

-TC Kline D/A front, S/A rear coilovers with 450 lb front and 500 lb rear springs

-TC Kline Camber plates

-Ground control adjustable front race sway bar

-Ground control adjustable end links

-PowerFlex RTABs

-AKG subframe bushings

-turner motorsport adjustable rear lower control arms (bushing ends)

-RE trans mounts

-e9X M3 engine mounts





Brakes

-Brembo 4 piston front calipers with 355mm slotted floating rotors

-Brembo 4 piston rear cakpers with 345mm slotted floating rotors

-Brembo stainless brake lines

-Stoptech street performance street pads

-Peformance Friction PF01 track pads

-Motul RBF 600 brake fluid





Wheels/tires

-18” RAC RG63 summer wheels with

-255/40/18 front 275/35/18 rear Michelin Pilot Super Sports

-18” OEM M3 winter wheels with

225/50/18 front 255/40/18 rear Blizzak LM 60s

-Turner Motorsport 75mm stud kit





Lighting

-TFX projectors

-55w, 4300k bulb, ballast, and igniters for bixenon headlights

-55w, 3600k bulb, ballast, and igniters for fogs

-85w halogen highs

-LED reverse lights (extra bright)

-e9X LED license plate lights

-outer brake light ring enabled

-illuminating M3 door sills

-depo corner lights





Cosmetic

-Scorza CSL trunk

-Vorsteiner CSL splitters

-Fucy CSL diffuser

-Matte black kidney grills

-Matte black side gills

-Alcantara wrapped header liner

-Alcantara wrapped pillars

-Alcantara wrapped rear deck

-custom two tone imola/alcantara steering wheel with imola centering stripe, M tri color stitching, and extra thickness

-imola leather wrapped center console

-imola leather wrapped arm rest

-imola leather wrapped ebrake book

-Z8 ebrake handle

-M3 oval interior mirror retrofit

-35% tint

-vinyl M stripes on trunk badge (stock colors, less prone to fading)

-modern BMW wheel center caps

-shark fin removed

-painted reflectors

-“OBIOBAN” vanity plate

-Black BMW “M3” license plate frame

-OEM driver’s side keyhole cover (to deter thieves)

-M3forum.net sticker





Breathing (Intake/Exhaust)

-SuperSprint Stepped V1 headers with Swaintech coating

-SS HJS catted section 1

-SS resonated section 2

-SS street muffler with custom 80mm slant cut non rolled tips

-Bimmerworld intake elbow

-Evolve AIT relocation kit

-gutter ram air





Counter measures

-Laser Interceptor quad laser jammers installed inside of headlights

-V1

-Custom installed V1 remote display in instrument cluster

-Stealth 1 (allows me to mute the V1 with steering wheel controls)

-Speed cameras and red light camera warnings on stock nav

-TomTom iPhone dock for Trapster on long trips

-Uniden 996T scanner with GPS, using factory radio antenna for reception

-Uniden 510xl CB (glove box)

-3.5’ fire stick antenna running along interior of CSL trunk lip

-Tow hitch mounted exterior 4’ firestick CB antenna for long trips

-brake light kills

-full rear blackout

-exterior light appearance adjustment switch

-strobes and e-light controlled wigwag pattern, front and rear

-electrochromic switchable glass license plate cover





ECU

-Evolve header/93 octane tune, custom dyno optimized

-SMG shift lights turned on

-Variable redline by gear (8200 in first, 8100 in second, 8000 in 3-6)

-post cat 02s turned down but left on (ready)

-secondary air pump sensor disabled (and pump removed)

-cold start sequence disabled

-non sport throttle mapping

-sport button disabled for future alternate use

-sport mode memory enabled

-EGT tweaked for headers

-Top speed limiter removed

-Dyno limiter removed

-CSL warmup light values

-fire shooting/burbling/cracking on over rev





Programmed options

Intravee:

-triple blink turn signals

-auto mute radio when in reverse (to hear PDC)

-display PDC sensor distances on nav screen

-car journaling enabled

-automatic date/time setting via GPS

-KCA-420i iPod module

-TUA-550HD HD radio tuner



Navigation:

-Custom v.32 OS with custom night mode that matches interior amber/red lights

-speed cameras and red light cameras with audio alerts (which can be disabled)

-custom splash screen

-perspective view

-aftermarket GPS receiver

-Both nav languages set to English

-warning disabled



Bluetooth module:

-Voice control enabled

-car bluetooth name altered



Light Control Module:

-Halogen highs on with xenon highs

-fog lights stay on with high beams

-custom 4-way flash sequence

-side markers disabled (as stock in Europe)

-fogs retriggered to turn on with headlights

-euro LCM faceplates with rear fog button for brake light kill (front fog button) and full rear blackout (rear fog button) with in cluster indicators

-homeshine lights enabled

-fog light cold test disabled



DSC Module:

-M track mode enabled



Rear view mirror module:

-save custom reverse mirror aiming location



General Module:

-One touch close rear windows

-automatic locking at 10mph

-remote windows up by holding lock

-trunk open button disabled when car is locked

-car automatically relocks after 2 min if untouched in that time

-door key lock cylinder does not disable alarm

-windows keep closing when door is opened (including when car is off)



Climate control:

-automatic rear defroster when cold



Center Console switch module:

-seat heater temps turned up





ICE

-OEM MKIV Nav

-OEM Bluetooth

-Intravee

-Alpine KCA 420i

-64gb iPod touch (which syncs every time I pull into the garage) with nav integrated metadata

-Alpine TU-550HD radio with nav integrated metadata

-Modified BM53 for increased audio clarity

-factory aux input (used for TomTom dock)

-Alpine PXA-H100 audio processor controlled via intravee

-Rear speakers removed for weight

-front speakers replaced with light weight Polk 6501s 6.5” speakers

-HK sub replaced with single JL stealthbox for decreased weight and improved trunk space

-HK amp replaced with RF PBR300x2 for decreased weight

-trunk electronics moved to spare tire area for increased trunk space, decreased weight, and improved weight distribution.





Strengthening

-Dr VANOS cryo treated exhaust hub

-updated BMW exhaust hub bolts

-Besian systems lifetime VANOS sealing plate o-rings

-Besian systems lifetime VANOS solenoid

-lifetime CPV o-ring

-TMS subframe reinforcement kit with extra reinforcements

-BMW structural foam in subframe cavity

-e46 convertible rear floor (stronger than the coupes)

-updated BMW diff mount bolts

-RE rear upper control arm spring reinforcement plates

-RE RSM reinforcement plates

-BMW front strut tower reinforcement plates

-red powdercoated v-brace

-red powdercoated rear subframe

-red powdercoated subframe carrier

-red powdercoated front chassis plate

-red powdercoated trans brace

-extensive clearbra

-RRT lifetime front wheel bearings





Misc

-20% Auto solution SSK

-Turner motorsport pulleys (under driving power steering and alternator)

-AKG clutch pedal bushings

-CDV delete

-DIY clutch stop

-brake duct cover removal

-OEM trunk grocery bag hooks

-OEM trunk cargo net

-OEM horns replaced with Hella Horns

-OEM first aid kit drawer (under seat)

-CSL cabin air filter housing/backing plate (weight reduction)

-Homelink antenna extended

-rear window switches modified to be two stage

-2x ultimate cup holders

-Misc GoPro mounts all over car

[Obioban]

This is kind of a large undertaking, as I'm just now catching up on this, after 3 years of owning the car. I'm going to skip over the smaller mods (keyhole covers, etc) and some of the DEs/meets to retain my sanity

Anyway, it begins with a performance center delivery pickup. Honestly, not as many pics as I'd like-- was too busy enjoying the experience

At least I got to sit in a genuine BMW race prepped M3 while there













When I got home from the Performance Center, I had BBS RG-Rs, a V1, and aluminum pedals waiting to go in (all but the V1 since removed )












2nd day of ownership I took it to have clear bra installed (if anyone around PA needs that done, let me know- guy I used is great )

[Obioban]

And to round out the protection package, added a laser jammer

[Obioban]

Next came a series of little mods: OEM grocery bag holder (awesome!), OEM eurotray, iceLink plus

... and I did an autox

[Obioban]

Next up was the first big snow I drove through... visiting some friends up in Maine. It was great

[Obioban]

Next up I made the brake lights brighter, updated the nav software, got an OBIOBAN vanity plate (because of this forum), and got a photoblocking plate cover (since removed... by the police )

[Obioban]

Suspension time! TC Kline Double adjustable, 500lb front, 600lb rear, GC race sway, GC hybrid FCABs, PF RTABs, TMS subframe kit... most of it I didn't bother to take pictures of

[Obioban]

Then I drove though a pretty epic snow storm. It was the worst storm in the recorded history of NYC, and I drove through it at its peak! I saw 9 crashes occur that drive, as well as countless cars spun off the road or stuck. Still, I see no reason that should stop a lowered M3

Sorry about pic quality, all taken with a moto razor which was all I had

[Obioban]

Next up were some more big mods: CSL trunk and OEM video module (which I still haven't used for anything... just plugged the GNC into it to make sure it worked. I did get it for absurdly cheap, though, so... )