E92 M3 from Canberra

[DR-JEKL]

Originally Posted by JJH

Thanks Shane. Yeah, I plan to do that - the OEM centre caps are a direct fit and I have new ones on the way as the originals weren't perfect.

Ha I thought being a BMW man true and through, I thought you would have been all over it!

Ignore my comments and keep the mods coming

[JJH]

Originally Posted by Ingenio

Tell me... is that some negative camber I see in the photos? If so, be keen to know what your settings are?

Thanks Stu. The pics were done when the car was still on stock settings however, I have today had -1.8deg dialed in on the rears and that has helped with no apparent detriment to how it drives. I'm still going to do a little surgery on the arches to make sure.

[Ingenio]

Good thinking.... I'm looking at going a bit negative too (fronts and backs). As for the surgery.... did mine with a Stanley knife, pretty easy job once you get the wheels off...

Out of interest... did the shop that did the alignment put weights in the driver seat to represent you?

[JJH]

Originally Posted by Ingenio

Out of interest... did the shop that did the alignment put weights in the driver seat to represent you?

I don't believe so ... at least not that I noticed.

[Ingenio]

Oh.. I keep reading how good shops do that, well at least in the US...

[JJH]

When I had the local dealership do my previous car (E92 335i), they used sand bags. Ask me how I know - has something to do with the sand they left behind all over my seats and centre console ... but that's another story ....). Do they decide how much weight to use when they check you out at the service counter???

[Ingenio]

Jesus! Now I'm only going to wear sliming pin-stripes to the dealership!

[BMWayneG]

Great looking car... Looks good

[BanjoPaterson]

Originally Posted by JJH

When I had the local dealership do my previous car (E92 335i), they used sand bags. Ask me how I know - has something to do with the sand they left behind all over my seats and centre console ... but that's another story ....). Do they decide how much weight to use when they check you out at the service counter???

Presumably that was Rolfe. I went there once with my X5 and never again - muppets, all of them. They replaced the windscreen and left touch up paint all over the centre console.

Onto another topic - I've had the actuators replaced (I now use Advanced Tech Auto - easily one of the best indy mechanics in the ACT); but I'm thinking about rod bearings and valve springs. I know Advance Tech could do valve springs, but I'm not sure if they're set up to do rod bearings (although they probably could). I was thinking of taking the car to a performance/upgrade specialist, like Southern BM in Melbourne or Advan Performance in Sydney. Quick questions -- have you thought about replacing the rod bearings and (if so) who would you use to do the job? Many thanks!

[JJH]

Originally Posted by BanjoPaterson

Onto another topic - I've had the actuators replaced (I now use Advanced Tech Auto - easily one of the best indy mechanics in the ACT); but I'm thinking about rod bearings and valve springs. I know Advance Tech could do valve springs, but I'm not sure if they're set up to do rod bearings (although they probably could). I was thinking of taking the car to a performance/upgrade specialist, like Southern BM in Melbourne or Advan Performance in Sydney. Quick questions -- have you thought about replacing the rod bearings and (if so) who would you use to do the job? Many thanks!

Good to see another Canberra owner here! I know and have had Russell and Tony look after many of my BMs over the years. I am not sure who I would use locally (Advanced Tech or even Costello whom I use also) for a job like replacing the rod bearings, tbh. As there are relatively few E9X M3s here, they may not have tackled such a job before (speculation on my part). Probably best to talk the job over with them to see if you feel confident they can get it done. I am aware Advan have done the job quite a few times already if taking the M3 to Sydney is not an issue for you. Fortunately, my M3 only has 38K kms on it and had annual oil changes since new so I believe rod bearing replacement is a job for later on down the track for me.

How many kms on yours and are you thinking of having the bearings and springs done as preventative maintenance?

[BanjoPaterson]

Originally Posted by JJH

Good to see another Canberra owner here! I know and have had Russell and Tony look after many of my BMs over the years. I am not sure who I would use locally (Advanced Tech or even Costello whom I use also) for a job like replacing the rod bearings, tbh. As there are relatively few E9X M3s here, they may not have tackled such a job before (speculation on my part). Probably best to talk the job over with them to see if you feel confident they can get it done. I am aware Advan have done the job quite a few times already if taking the M3 to Sydney is not an issue for you. Fortunately, my M3 only has 38K kms on it and had annual oil changes since new so I believe rod bearing replacement is a job for later on down the track for me.

How many kms on yours and are you thinking of having the bearings and springs done as preventative maintenance?

Thank you for replying. Yeah - I'll have a chat with Tony, but it's a fairly specialised area. To be fair, they did the throttle actuators (I got the gears replaced as a preventative measure from Alpina527 in the UK via M3 Cutter's) and they did an awesome job, so they may be up to a RB replacement.

My M3 has done 80,000 km and, although it's running fine, I'm still thinking of having the rod bearings replaced (+ valve springs) as a preventative measure since I want to keep this car for quite a few years yet. I know replacing this stuff doesn't mean the engine won't go BANG in the future, but at least if it does then I've done all I can.

E9x M3s are getting more prevalent in Canberra, although still a rare car. It's that old adage of "I never saw a Bugatti Veyron until I bought one, and now I see them everywhere" . I've seen a few more than a few years' ago, particularly around my neck of the woods in Yarralumla (if you're the cool black M3 I've seen lately then I'm the white E92 coupe that passes you in the opposite direction with the horrible large number plate on the front -- must get it replaced for a small one).

In preparation I've already bought BE rod bearings (about $835 all up after shipping), which are being stored in the garage. I'm thinking of buying the OEM RB bolts instead of the ARP ones, plus Dinan valve springs. Looking to replace them next year, when I should be closer to the magic number of 100,000 km so I'll let you know how it goes if you're interested..

[Ingenio]

For what it's worth I did BE Bearings and OEM stretch bolts a couple of months ago. You'll pay more to use the oem bolts due to extra labour required to tighten them to spec but for me they were the best option at the time...

[JJH]

Originally Posted by BanjoPaterson

My M3 has done 80,000 km and, although it's running fine, I'm still thinking of having the rod bearings replaced (+ valve springs) as a preventative measure since I want to keep this car for quite a few years yet. I know replacing this stuff doesn't mean the engine won't go BANG in the future, but at least if it does then I've done all I can.

I'm a firm believer in preventative maintenance too so I think that is sound thinking on your part! Please do let us know how you go after you have the job done and by whom - one for me to store in the info bank!

Originally Posted by BanjoPaterson

... if you're the cool black M3 I've seen lately then I'm the white E92 coupe that passes you in the opposite direction with the horrible large number plate on the front -- must get it replaced for a small one).

I'm Interlagos Blue (mid-blue) and usually around the city area but I will look out for you! I spotted another white E92 with ACT '33' plates earlier today - you are right, they are breeding locally!

[M3CRZY]

Sweet looking M3 , that colour is awesome !!

[BanjoPaterson]

Originally Posted by JJH

I'm Interlagos Blue (mid-blue) and usually around the city area

Ah yes. Can see the pictures of your car now on my home wifi. Your original post had wee small boxes instead of pictures earlier today on a more restricted network, so I tried to guess the colour from your avatar. It looks awesome. I'll definitely be able to recognize that one

[BMWayneG]

Have you upgraded exhaust? If not that should be next!

[JJH]

Originally Posted by Savior

Have you upgraded exhaust? If not that should be next!

I have just placed an order for a hi-flow catted resonated X-pipe (plus ECU/DCT tune) - will report on that once installed.

[Ingenio]

Is that a Dave Dee special you've just ordered?

[JJH]

Originally Posted by Ingenio

Is that a Dave Dee special you've just ordered?

That was a bit too obvious, huh Stu? What's that you said a while back about our mods being similar - here's another one! I gather you have done the same from your recent posts. My x-pipe will be (for now) mated to the stock rear box. I just want to see how it and the tunes shape up before deciding where to go after that.

[Ingenio]

They sure are! my xpipe should arrive on Monday and I'll be trialling it with my Corsa catback to assess the volume level etc before making any further mods... Well, any further exhaust mods at least!

[djDori_C]

Wow looks really good! Congrats

[JJH]

Originally Posted by Ingenio

They sure are! my xpipe should arrive on Monday and I'll be trialling it with my Corsa catback to assess the volume level etc before making any further mods... Well, any further exhaust mods at least!

I'll be very interested to read about your results and impressions!