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Fantastic car, we have a real soft spot for the E46 M3 
ForceIndia
ClioSport Club Member
Gentlemans spec 200
As above. I personally think the wheels look crap and would help you out massively by swapping for my standard black wheels
Any bits coming off it? Or sold as is.
.As above. I personally think the wheels look crap and would help you out massively by swapping for my standard black wheels
Get in line!
ForceIndia
ClioSport Club Member
Gentlemans spec 200
ForceIndia
ClioSport Club Member
Gentlemans spec 200
Damn.His wheels are anthracite.
UR R26R.5, VW Golf R
Could you clear your PM box, mate
Done
UR R26R.5, VW Golf R
Few updated pics. In the last couple of months, I bought a Geoff Steel Racing airbox, so fitted that (wasn't cheap at all, but thanks to @JamieG for the discount info for the Group Buy which I set up). I've had the car mapped and also had the CSL rev-matching uploaded - much better! Got some nice M3 mats - they are excellent but I need to take some snaps of them in the car. I also bought a CSL style bumper and had that sprayed and fitted (the bumper was slightly damaged prior to bodyshop work but was only £40 so I got an absolute bargain - the genuine CSL item is around £3k). While it was in, I also had the drivers wing mirror mount blasted and sprayed as it was starting to oxidise
Weather hasn't been great at all, so pictures aren't that good, to be honest.
:fearscream:
Car sounds incredible now, especially on full chat Will try and get some videos up.
Weather hasn't been great at all, so pictures aren't that good, to be honest.
:fearscream:
Car sounds incredible now, especially on full chat
Will try and get some videos up.
banther
ClioSport Club Member
Absolute heap.
UR R26R.5, VW Golf R
No. Awesome mats. Aside from the font.
I ordered 6k bulbs 4 weeks ago and still haven't fitted them :blush:
That's my mates house, not mine. But yes, agreed.
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UR R26R.5, VW Golf R
I've been running the Megane and the BMW since May, mainly because I don't want to sell the R26 :grin:
However, it'll be going up for sale over the next few weeks. Been such a brilliant car.
How would you compare both of them, side by side? Pro's Con's?
My r26 is a weekend (at best) toy, living on the driveway.. But I don't know if I could bare to part with it now.
UR R26R.5, VW Golf R
As you know mate, the R26 is an absolute weapon of a car. I was driving it a few weeks ago while the M3 was getting the CSL bumper trial fitted, and took it for a blast again and it's just bloody rapid - but then it's running silly power. It just shifts, especially dropping a gear and planting your foot to the floor for overtaking. I'm sure yours sounds similar, too, with the "waste-gate"-like chatter when backing off. So nice. It's arguably the best sounding car I've owned, and my P1 was an audible delight. The trouble is, you become very anti-social because you want to hear the noises. So you're up to silly figures and ridiculous speeds. It's addictive. I have to admit though, I can't actually say I've thrashed the Megane at all. I haven't taken it on a track like Chris did, and I'm more than happy just B-roading it around. It turns heads and gets so many positive comments. That's not bad for a Megane, and I know you get the same with yours. When people questioned my choice to sell the M3 and keep the R26, I actually thought I was going mad. But you simply have to drive it to appreciate it. Admittedly, a stock R26 I've never been in, so I'm sure their opinions are based on this.
The M3 is a fantastic machine. It may not be as "ASBO" as the R26, but it just feels far more grown up. Knowing there's an M3 badge on the back makes you beam, and the car looks great from any angle. I genuinely struggle to think of a car that has similar performance for the same price that has the same power and specifications, and retains a decent fuel consumption - mine is currently 27mpg, which is bloody good considering the majority of my driving is around town. For a circa 340bhp car that can hit 60mph in under 5 seconds, that is impressive. Of course if and when they go wrong, it can cost you a small fortune. The SMG unit replacement is around £2k, VANOS £1k turnaround, subframe repair if out of the 12 year goodwill £2k. Those are all Indy or Specialist prices. Taking them to BMW would see those costs double at least. Mine is an SMG and touch wood I've not had an issue. The subframe is perfect and has been checked a few times, even since having coilovers fitted. The VANOS seems to running well, too. Those are the 3 main areas of concern for new owners. But then the window regulator motor on the Megane would have been £470 had Renault not footed 70% of the bill out of goodwill. Truth is, these cars just cost money. Lots of it, sometimes. Warranty helps with the M3, but @ £1500 or so for the first year, it's a hell of a lot of coins to throw at something that may not even be worth taking out. Each to their own, but the consensus is save the money in a piggy bank and should you require it, use it. Mine is a low mileage car, currently 55k on a 2005 plate. A lot of the guys on the M3 boards have 60/70/80k+ cars and are still absolutely loving them. There's plenty with over 100k on the clock and the owners never wanting to sell. That's testament to a good car. Even those who have gone to the E9X M3 or Audi RS models have sold to come back to the E46. This is my second one and although I loved my first one, it didn't feel as good as this one (I think the fact it was black and the swirls got on my tits didn't help).
Servicing as well, dealers charge around £180 for an oil service. Then Inspection I is around £600 and Inspection II £800. But Indy's such as Redish Motorsport charge far less for the same level of service. Just who you take it to at the end of the day.
I will be gutted to see the Megane drive off, it's been a brilliant car and I love driving it. But I know I'd rather have money in the bank than run two cars when I have no reason to. Plus that cash will go towards repairs when the M3 falls on its arse :wink:
UR R26R.5, VW Golf R
BMW 330ci
Such an awesome car! Would love an M3. Although I'm happy with my 330. May need to invest in some CSL wheels and M3 mirrors...your pictures don't help ha ! Dam you.
You can get a xenon upgrade, I'm sure I read a project thread on PH and he had changed the IT all for modern items and looked good.
Anyway, yours looks awesome! We really need some vids of it changing through the gears and a good clip of the new airbox on full blast.
Edit
Found the thread, I'm sure I remember the car from my days on cutters with mine.
But on page 2 you can see the light upgrade I talked about above.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=1&f=47&t=1404710&mid=0&i=20&nmt=BMW+E46+M3&mid=0
Anyway, yours looks awesome! We really need some vids of it changing through the gears and a good clip of the new airbox on full blast.
Edit
Found the thread, I'm sure I remember the car from my days on cutters with mine.
But on page 2 you can see the light upgrade I talked about above.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=1&f=47&t=1404710&mid=0&i=20&nmt=BMW+E46+M3&mid=0
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UR R26R.5, VW Golf R
Like I say I have 6k bulbs to go on. Thought they were 4.5k but they're definitely 6k. Will try those out but think they may be a bit too white.
Sir_Dave
ClioSport Trader
Good lord. This thread makes me want to hand back the 135i (at great cost) and buy another M3. Excellent work Scutchio.
UR R26R.5, VW Golf R
Ah now worries Martin, was more a dig at myself for not fitting them yet
I'll PM you mate.
Very kind Dave, but I don't know about that
Fiesta ST-3
Best M3 I've seen by a clear mile. SO awesome.
brisa4984
ClioSport Club Member
spot on.
great example.
great example.
