2009 E93 M3 Alpine White/Fox Red Restoration Thread & Intro

[E46MysticM3]

Where do I start. I just recently purchased a 2009 BMW E93 M3 Alpine White/Fox Red Extended leather from Southern California and had it shipped here to the DMV area on the East Coast. For those wondering, I bought this M3 for $12,800, which may make it at least one of the cheapest clean title, running and driving E9x m3 on the market. The plan for this car is to restore it, lightly mod it, and daily drive it.

Before I get into it, a quick "About Me":

This is my 7th BMW and 6th M car. I mostly come from the E46 M3 world (RIP m3forum) and this is my first E9x car. I'll post some quick pics of my previous BMWs

First BMW: 2002 E65 745i, you don't know what car problems are till you own one of these...

Second BMW: 2004 E46 M3 SMG Mystic Blue (From the Sh*t E46 M3 Guys say YouTube Vid)

Third BMW: 2004 E46 M3 Laguna Seca Blue Manual (Bought for $7k, Next to friends LRP E92 M3)

Fourth BMW: 1997 E36 M3 Sedan Dakar Yellow Manual A.A SC

Fifth BMW: 2002 E46 M3 SMG Steel Gray/Imola Red (Bought this for $3k)

Sixth BMW: 2001 E39 M5 TiAg (Bought for $5,100)


Now for the Seventh and my current BMW, 2009 E93 M3 Alpine White/Extended Fox Red:






Car has 115k miles on it. Has brand new rotors, shocks, both new actuators, thermostat, water pump, convertible strings, spark plugs, and fuel injectors.

Things right off the bat:
Front bumper paint doesn't match, but is minor.
Leather needs a good cleaning (thinking SwissVax)
Convertible top is rattling very very badly (something sounds loose on rear driver side)
No Rod bearing work done (Honestly am not even driving it till I replace them)
No error lights
Side mirrors look burned and need replacement.
Two inch crack in windshield
Aftermarket wheels
Faded emblems, hazed headlight lens
Honestly not bad for the price, really happy with it. Only real concern are the rod bearings as that can lead to catostrpohic engine failure. Can't get ahold of BE Bearings as a lot of you might already know. Should I continue driving it or wait to get the bearings? It kills me that I just bought this and am afraid to drive it. Will be posting some satifying before/after pics, looking forward to cleaning this M3 up!

[statik]

welcome! restore all the neglected, aging M3’s!

[Blindside_137]

Glad it seems to have landed in good hands. All those other cars look great for the prices you paid, you seem to have a good eye for these.


If you want BE bearings try https://www.mpowermotorsports.org/bm...INGS-c47555639 that's where I got mine from. I don't blame you for not feeling comfortable driving it at this time. I have an aftermarket warranty which helps me sleep a bit better at night. It explicitly states lubricated engine components or engine failure do to said components is covered. Regardless, I still am planning to do bearings no later than the 70k mark (68.2k now)

[GoodTime]

That's definitely the cheapest I've seen an E9X M3 not hit by a train sell for. Seems like even with all the work that needs doing you won't be underwater in this one, and you can enjoy it guilt free. Congrats!

[Sp00nFedFilms]

Looks like you have a decent canvas to start with. Love seeing other resto threads.

[E46MysticM3]

Originally Posted by Blindside_137

Glad it seems to have landed in good hands. All those other cars look great for the prices you paid, you seem to have a good eye for these.


If you want BE bearings try https://www.mpowermotorsports.org/bm...INGS-c47555639 that's where I got mine from. I don't blame you for not feeling comfortable driving it at this time. I have an aftermarket warranty which helps me sleep a bit better at night. It explicitly states lubricated engine components or engine failure do to said components is covered. Regardless, I still am planning to do bearings no later than the 70k mark (68.2k now)

The photos of my previous cars were after I restored them. They looked MUCH much worse when I got them, hence the price. I will reach out to M Power Motorsports, I was actually planning on buying my throttle actuators from them for preventative maintenance.

[Blindside_137]

Originally Posted by E46MysticM3

The photos of my previous cars were after I restored them. They looked MUCH much worse when I got them, hence the price. I will reach out to M Power Motorsports, I was actually planning on buying my throttle actuators from them for preventative maintenance.

Oh I totally hear you. Just saying after you were done with them they all looked MINT!!

[x3sm]

How are you finding such deals? I'm amazed.

[E46MysticM3]

Originally Posted by x3sm

How are you finding such deals? I'm amazed.

I might make a thread of how I was able to purchase some of these M cars for so cheap. The stories are pretty interesting actually. Its all in the timing, type of seller, and negotiation.

[E46MysticM3]

Having a bit of a dilemma with what rod bearings to go with. Just went on my first drive with it and It was so nerve racking. Here are the options I have after extended research, wanted to know everyone's input on what they reccomend.

ACL Custom Bearings from Lang Racing
VAC Motorsports Bearings
BE Bearings (First choice but they are super back ordered)

Im leaning toward the custom ACL bearings from Lang Racing as it seems they found the sweet spot with the clearances. Also a great price. Thoughts?

[Maseroche]

I got tired of waiting for BE bearings and didn't feel comfortable driving the car. I ended up ordering ACL bearings from Land Racing. They were installed last month and turned out that the factory bearings were in real good shape.

[Space Fox]

Just an FYI for everyone saying BE Bearings are backordered. I got a set from ECS ordered and delivered in four days..
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-assemble...2478380887kt6/

[BimmerRookie]

If you have the downtime, I *highly* recommend leatherique. It's a messy process, but my god, it yields results.

[E46MysticM3]

Originally Posted by Maseroche

I got tired of waiting for BE bearings and didn't feel comfortable driving the car. I ended up ordering ACL bearings from Land Racing. They were installed last month and turned out that the factory bearings were in real good shape.

Originally Posted by Maseroche

I got tired of waiting for BE bearings and didn't feel comfortable driving the car. I ended up ordering ACL bearings from Land Racing. They were installed last month and turned out that the factory bearings were in real good shape.

Did you use ARP bolts or OEM BMW?

[Maseroche]

I also ordered the ARP bolts from Lang Racing.

[Drifter2090]

Congrats! You're great at finding deals lol, cant wait to see this restored!

+1 for leatherique

[E46MysticM3]

Just got parts from FCPEuro and Lang Racing for the Rod Bearing job. Here's what I got:

-ACL Rod bearings from Lang Racing (mixed size set)
-Carillo rod bolts
- Engine mounts
-LM 10w-60
- Emblems
- new Convertible switch

Getting the bearings done on the 15th. Then ill finally be able to drive this thing. Leather restoration coming up next

[M3_Jay]

Niceeee! always love a good Resto Thread! cant wait to see finished product!

[E46MysticM3]

Rod bearings now done. Car drives good. Had the clicking noise from the engine, due to liquimoly 10w-60 but seems to have gone away after some driving. Currently dealing with the cowbell stuck pebble issue on the rear discs. People gave me some strange looks....

[M3_Jay]

Any updates?

[Ram3n]

I'm a e93 m3 Fan. Have one. Best convertible I've owned that can seat 4 passengers comfortably for a short period of time. Great buy at $12,800.

[E46MysticM3]

Items done last weekend:

- Oil Change with Shell BMW 10W-60
- Active Autowerke Air Filter
- Cabin air filters
- Meguiars headlight restoration kit (great product as you can see)
- Leather clean/restoration