carmudgeons.com

carmudgeons.com (http://forums.carmudgeons.com/index.php)
-   Technical Superiority (http://forums.carmudgeons.com/forumdisplay.php?f=14)
-   -   rumatt's E46 (http://forums.carmudgeons.com/showthread.php?t=133156)

John V 03-06-2017 07:00 PM

rumatt's E46
 
Matt dropped off his E46 on Saturday with the goal of fixing everything that's wrong with it. This thread will serve to document that process.

This is a pretty special car for a few reasons. He's owned it since new, he took European delivery of it, it doesn't have a sunroof, and it's won an SCCA autocross national championship. Many of us have memories of this car back when it was younger. And when we were younger. I was surprised to see that it still had the double-adjustable Koni shocks, big front sway bar and Borla exhaust from back in the day.

The patient. Next to the usual patient. Aside from needing a front bumper, it is actually in excellent cosmetic condition on the outside. The paint is really quite nice.

http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...psyzfbcu2t.jpg

It may be in need of a little maintenance, though.

http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps0e2ihzcw.jpg

Oil leaks abound

http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...pshr4djyds.jpg

Leaking oil filter housings are common. I'm happy that the oil pan doesn't leak, nor does the front main seal!

http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...psuu262gth.jpg

Underneath the valve cover looks very clean.

http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...pstks46cnk.jpg

It could probably use new control arms and bushings.

http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...psbkxe4xed.jpg

I'll try to do a better job of photographing things as I go along.

rumatt 03-06-2017 07:05 PM

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Context: the car has 170k miles over 13.5 years.

Exterior: I obsessively applied Klass AIO and SG to the car every 6 months for about the first 3 years of ownership. I haven't washed it or waxed it since then. :speechle: I don't know how the paint is in good shape.

Maintenance: I did just about nothing other than oil changes. I attempted to change it every 6-7k miles using Mobile-1, but sometimes forgot and it was more like 8-9k. That cylinder head sure look cleaner than I was expecting. :music:



.

wdc330i 03-06-2017 07:46 PM

Wow. Neat! :)

rumatt 03-06-2017 08:05 PM

Does anyone know where I can buy a leather e46 M3 steering wheel at a reasonable price? I recall buying one for $300 back in the day, and selling it to Bren's father once I discovered it was illegal for autox. Now I'm looking and they're $890 new. :shock:

I'm not seeing anything on ebay. I put a WTB on E46 fanatics.


EDIT: Bren does he still use it or can I buy it back? :bustingup

Nick M3 03-06-2017 08:05 PM

Nice!

rumatt 03-06-2017 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick M3 (Post 497915)
Nice!

BTW, I think you're the only other one here who raced this car.

bren 03-06-2017 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rumatt (Post 497914)
EDIT: Bren does he still use it or can I buy it back? :bustingup

If I tell him it's worth $900 he might sell it back to you. :lol:

When are you coming back to get the car? I might have to try and find some time to run out there....

ZBB 03-06-2017 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rumatt (Post 497914)
Does anyone know where I can buy a leather e46 M3 steering wheel at a reasonable price? I recall buying one for $300 back in the day, and selling it to Bren's father once I discovered it was illegal for autox. Now I'm looking and they're $890 new. :shock:

I bought one in a bimmerfest group buy for around that. Loved it.

When I traded my E46, the one condition I had was to remove the M3 wheel and reinstall the stock one. I went back to the dealership the next day and they had the M3 wheel waiting for me, and I gave them the stock one :lol:

I think I sold it to someone here... anyone still have it and want to get it to another Matt?

rumatt 03-06-2017 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bren (Post 497920)
If I tell him it's worth $900 he might sell it back to you. :lol:

When are you coming back to get the car? I might have to try and find some time to run out there....

:lol:

The return date might be a ways out given that I missed the winter when JV actually had free time. But I'll let you guys know, maybe we can do beers or something.

clyde 03-06-2017 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rumatt (Post 497922)
:lol:

The return date might be a ways out given that I missed the winter when JV actually had free time. But I'll let you guys know, maybe we can do beers or something.

That could be fun. As I shamelessly invite myself.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:55 PM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Forums © 2003-2008, 'Mudgeon Enterprises - Site hosting by AYN & Associates, LLC