What have you done with or to your M3 today?

Asianoak wrote

Installed AFE intake and Macht Schnell underdrive pulleys. I'm honestly impressed by the difference. I'm not saying there's a huge HP gain but the engine definitely is more responsive and revs smoother.
At 2500rpms it feels the way it used to at 3200.

I am going to do this "Macht Schnell underdrive pulleys", is it hard by DIY changing?

Ajolives wrote

What started as cleaning the garage turned into getting some seat time with my new 3'' orbital.

what brand do you use? Thanks.

Lightly tinted (paint) taillights...compliments the gloss black features better IMO.

Also my new 19" HRE 300 Classic sets have arrived. Stone gloss clear finish on the inner barrels and faces with polished gloss clear step lips.

Went back to stock seats as well so my F80 M3 seats and all the wiring cables needed for the swap are available for sale. I liked the look, but I do ride with passengers sometimes and not have the quick fold feature can be a nuisance.

E90325M wrote

Asianoak wrote

Installed AFE intake and Macht Schnell underdrive pulleys. I'm honestly impressed by the difference. I'm not saying there's a huge HP gain but the engine definitely is more responsive and revs smoother.
At 2500rpms it feels the way it used to at 3200.

I am going to do this "Macht Schnell underdrive pulleys", is it hard by DIY changing?

Macht Schnell has a pretty decent DIY video on YouTube that I used to complete it. However, it doesn't tell you any of the tools needed AND most importantly it doesn't tell you the correct belt routing (it's different from oe for the underdrive pulleys).

From memory you need the following tools:
Long flat screwdriver for intake couplings
and to remove dust caps from pulleys
ratchet with 14, 15 and 16mm sockets
45 torque bit and various smaller ones for the intake snorkel, radiator fan screw
various extensions
I also used a 14mm wrench cause it was easier for loosening tensioner pulleys

I found the correct belt routing by searching "Macht Schnell underdrive pulley belts" in Google and there was a link to a bimmerpost thread about it. Took me about a minute to find it. Prior to finding that thread I thought they sent me the wrong size belt.

E90325M wrote

I am going to do this "Macht Schnell underdrive pulleys", is it hard by DIY changing?

It’s not a hard job fitting the Macht Schnell pulleys.

The worst part is trying to remove and install the fan without breaking the small plastic coolant hose.

I think it’s worth it if you’re not going S/C - and I don’t have any overheating & power steering related problems.

E90325M wrote

Ajolives wrote

What started as cleaning the garage turned into getting some seat time with my new 3'' orbital.

what brand do you use? Thanks.

Griots G8 Mini Random Orbital w/ Megiuar's Plastix and some sealant I had lying around.

brownman wrote

Replaced the fuel tank vent valve. Not too difficult. Detaching the rubber hoses from the old valve was the hardest part. They were really stuck.

That part was hard for me to do as well. But fixed the idle problem and long crank after fueling up instantly.

Ajolives wrote

Griots G8 Mini Random Orbital w/ Megiuar's Plastix and some sealant I had lying around.

Great! are you using the big brother Griots G9 DA as well?
what kind of compounds and pads do you use?
I am considering to buy polisher to correct my M3 10 years old paint.

E90325M wrote

Ajolives wrote

Griots G8 Mini Random Orbital w/ Megiuar's Plastix and some sealant I had lying around.

Great! are you using the big brother Griots G9 DA as well?
what kind of compounds and pads do you use?
I am considering to buy polisher to correct my M3 10 years old paint.

Yup, I have the G9, too, I'm the same boat with the paint, the clear coat needs a good once over after 10+ years of swirls, oxidation, and haze.

I bought the G8 from auto geeks that came with some pads and cleaner.

The pads for the G9 I bought the hexagon CG cut and polish, orange and blue, respectively. I also picked up some Meguiars microfiber cutting pads to see how well they do.

I'm going to use meguiars 105/205 and take it from there. I also have a couple bottles of the popular Sonax cut & polish if I'm not happy with the Meguiars stuff. Still haven't decided on which ceramic protection yet…


https://www.autogeek.net/griots-garage-3-inch-complete-kit.html?productid=griots-garage-3-inch-complete-kit&channelid=FROOG&utm_source=CSEs&utm_medium=GoogleProductSearch&utm_campaign=CSE&gclid=Cj0KCQjwh_eFBhDZARIsALHjIKeg1UzKgTtKZWLMRyy8OV7sKAA5GSoskRHgUrmAMAMOWer264t2-MIaAn2eEALw_wcB

With and to my M3 this past weekend:

Extracted a broken bolt out of my DCT pan, replaced.
Picked up a 10 foot long 2" PVC pipe from the hardware store
Took the daughter trout fishing, 2 rods and gear in the trunk

Who says you need an SUV to do home improvement, haul around the family, and experience the outdoors??? BAH!

Coming soon.... Christmas in June!!

genebike wrote

E90325M wrote

Get aza wheel, red M button and paddle shifter installed. Driving around.
what will be my next mod?
Considering OEM carbon fiber front splitter now.....

Is the Aza wheel worth it? It looks like the stripe is off center...that would annoy me to death.

I bought one a couple years ago before they got popular and raised prices. I chose to skip the center stripe and sculpted grips, looks cleaner and more OEM+ without those IMO. The quality is very good. The only downside is that it's not as soft/padded as the stock wheel.

I paid $320 back then and when I messaged AZA about a new wheel for my Z3M last week they quoted me $695, so I found another Eastern European vendor called GS-Specialties that can do it for $429. The quality looks equal so I'll give them a shot this time.

Did rod bearings - '09 54k miles

Went with ACL mixed/ARP from Mpowermotorsports and switching back to 10W-60

CHSe92 wrote

Did rod bearings - '09 54k miles

Went with ACL mixed/ARP from Mpowermotorsports and switching back to 10W-60

What oil were u running on this set of bearings?

Redd wrote

CHSe92 wrote

Did rod bearings - '09 54k miles

Went with ACL mixed/ARP from Mpowermotorsports and switching back to 10W-60

What oil were u running on this set of bearings?

I ran RL 5W50 for the past 15k miles - everything prior to that was from original owner and based on records it was the standard stuff from the dealer

CHSe92 wrote

Redd wrote

CHSe92 wrote

Did rod bearings - '09 54k miles

Went with ACL mixed/ARP from Mpowermotorsports and switching back to 10W-60

What oil were u running on this set of bearings?

I ran RL 5W50 for the past 15k miles - everything prior to that was from original owner and based on records it was the standard stuff from the dealer

RL 5W50 is basically the same as TWS 10W60.

Installed autotechnic carbon fiber mirror caps. I was actually impressed with the fitment and overall quality based on some of the reviews on here. They do sit ever so slightly higher then OE so you see an edge poking up over the mirror frame, very minor overall.

Also ceramic coated them based on reviews here saying they have issues with UV exposure.

Asianoak wrote

Installed autotechnic carbon fiber mirror caps. I was actually impressed with the fitment and overall quality based on some of the reviews on here. They do sit ever so slightly higher then OE so you see an edge poking up over the mirror frame, very minor overall.

Also ceramic coated them based on reviews here saying they have issues with UV exposure.

Just got a set myself. Some pics I have seen show serious rippling and delaminating problems, though mine are fine with only a couple minor rock chips. Otherwise they look pretty good. I will also be putting some PPF on them as well.

Now if I could ever get a set of OEM ones....

Iyzmi wrote

I bought one a couple years ago before they got popular and raised prices. I chose to skip the center stripe and sculpted grips, looks cleaner and more OEM+ without those IMO. The quality is very good. The only downside is that it's not as soft/padded as the stock wheel.

I paid $320 back then and when I messaged AZA about a new wheel for my Z3M last week they quoted me $695, so I found another Eastern European vendor called GS-Specialties that can do it for $429. The quality looks equal so I'll give them a shot this time.

Yeah the prices are...up there. How do you shop them? I did a search for GS-Specialties and found a website that's probably theirs, but it sucks, and I wouldn't be comfortable ordering through it.

genebike wrote

Iyzmi wrote

I bought one a couple years ago before they got popular and raised prices. I chose to skip the center stripe and sculpted grips, looks cleaner and more OEM+ without those IMO. The quality is very good. The only downside is that it's not as soft/padded as the stock wheel.

I paid $320 back then and when I messaged AZA about a new wheel for my Z3M last week they quoted me $695, so I found another Eastern European vendor called GS-Specialties that can do it for $429. The quality looks equal so I'll give them a shot this time.

Yeah the prices are...up there. How do you shop them? I did a search for GS-Specialties and found a website that's probably theirs, but it sucks, and I wouldn't be comfortable ordering through it.

I found them on eBay and then looked up their Instagram. Chat with them directly to order.

Well, after lots of waiting patiently, it finally got here. Karbonius (Ana) has been right on the money with everything - great to work with. The V8 part of the badge didn't get installed for some reason but I have no doubt that they will take care of it. Kinda odd that it only took 4 business days to get this from Spain, through customs, and delivered to my door - I have a hard time getting anything from the west coast in that amount of time and it's usually beat to hell. Unboxed, inspected, and laid down the first coat of Cquartz UK 3.0 so it can cure. Really excited to get this thing on!

JPWEraser wrote

Well, after lots of waiting patiently, it finally got here. Karbonius (Ana) has been right on the money with everything - great to work with. The V8 part of the badge didn't get installed for some reason but I have no doubt that they will take care of it. Kinda odd that it only took 4 business to get this from Spain, through customs, and delivered to my door - I have a hard time getting anything from the west coast in that amount of time. Unboxed, inspected, and laid down the first coat of Cquartz UK 3.0 so it can cure. Really excited to get this thing on!

How will this compare to the Eventuri?