slcook54's Build Journal - 2012 Melbourne Red M3

[slcook54]

Thanks for the comments.

I’ve put about 1k miles on the car and I’m leaning toward making it more of an HPDE car that sees 12-16 track days a year. I’m finding street driving very unsatisfying as it doesn’t allow for winding the car out or testing the handling.

Re:local Dinan exhaust. I won’t be going with a Dinan setup, not sure where I’m leaning, but other mods will be higher priority.

I picked up a Proclip already, once I get the Uniden and Blendmount installed, will post an update.

Also dropped $300 at Obsessed Garage getting the car washing essentials, going to give her a bath tomorrow.

[wyatth]

Clean car, congrats and welcome. Maybe see you around Walnut Creek!

[slcook54]

I've been pretty quiet over here, just enjoying the car. I've put about 10K miles on it and am planning to set it up for track duty over the coming year.

Over the last couple of months, I replaced the tires with fresh MP4S's and replaced the battery with a new Bosch unit.

I also made the drive down from the Bay Area to the E92 M3 mecca, MRF Engineering, to have Malek@MRF work his magic on the rod bearings. Are there shops in the Bay Area that could have done this repair? Yes, but Malek has given a lot back to the community and is approaching 600 total rod bearing jobs, the peace of mind made the trip totally worth it.

We replaced the bearings, engine mounts and spark plugs. As you'll see below, there was severe pitting on cylinder 4 and general wear throughout. I've learned with every M platform there is some issue you need to proactively address. On my E36 M3, it was the oil pump nut and plastic impeller water pump, I prefer to be proactive with these cars.

Per Malek, no need for break-in, let the car warm-up and have at it. He recommends changing the oil pretty soon thereafter, up to a max of 2,500 miles, I'll likely do it at 1k.

I also learned that the OE 2013 MY motor mounts are roughly 20% stiffer than my original mounts from 2012. Car definitely feels smoother between shifts.

[Grip Addict]

fellow MR saying hi

[W///]

Great looking cars. Got a Sparkling Graphite E92 M3 and Techno Violet E36 M3 myself. The BBS LM's are dream wheels for me, and I've been toying with the idea of supercharging the E36 one day.

Don't think I want to go too crazy with it because it's one of the few M's that already has a decently trouble free engine

[slcook54]

Originally Posted by W///

Great looking cars. Got a Sparkling Graphite E92 M3 and Techno Violet E36 M3 myself. The BBS LM's are dream wheels for me, and I've been toying with the idea of supercharging the E36 one day.

Don't think I want to go too crazy with it because it's one of the few M's that already has a decently trouble free engine

I've seen a lot of your posts and nice group of cars you have there. Before turbocharging my car, it was supercharged, it was really underwhelming to me and I didn't like adding all that weight to the front of the car. This was 15 years ago, much better options out there today.

I still day dream about picking up another E36 but it just doesn't fit into what I need right now. Prefer DCT for track use and something with more practicality / torque for street use. With that said, if I were to do it all over again, I'd dump in a built S54, but would also be totally happy with a cammed S52 with bolt-ons.

[W///]

Originally Posted by slcook54

I've seen a lot of your posts and nice group of cars you have there. Before turbocharging my car, it was supercharged, it was really underwhelming to me and I didn't like adding all that weight to the front of the car. This was 15 years ago, much better options out there today.

I still day dream about picking up another E36 but it just doesn't fit into what I need right now. Prefer DCT for track use and something with more practicality / torque for street use. With that said, if I were to do it all over again, I'd dump in a built S54, but would also be totally happy with a cammed S52 with bolt-ons.

Thanks! Yea that's what I was afraid of with supercharging, and I've also heard other people say to just skip to turbocharging. I don't know though, my S52 is bone stock with 147k miles, and sometimes it's nice to be able to use all of it's 240 ponies and not go to jail. Previous owner of the E36 actually included everything needed to the M50 manifold swap.

I've got a Z4MR, so I can't see myself with 2 S54's, not to mention the cost it would take to get there haha.

P.S. Melbourne Red is easily one of my favorite colors on this platform. Was originally looking for one until I stumbled upon my car.

[slcook54]

Loving this car more and more every day.

She has been running flawlessly and recently crossed 50k miles. I took her over to VT Motorworks to have them do some general maintenance, cabin filters, engine air filter, diff fluid and my post-rod bearing oil change. I'll do power steering fluid and transmission fluid, too. I'm thinking I'll go with a full Do88 cooling kit and a Slonik or Fall Line pan, so I held off on those two for now.





I also installed a Uniden R7 mounted with a Blendmount and had VT hardwire it. I love how clean the Blendmout is. Overall, the R7 coupled with Waze is a pretty powerful combination, but I am noticing a lot of CHP are shooting more laser these days.



New Mats





Santa brought me the IND cosmetic package for Christmas which includes colored front reflectors, gloss black side markers and front grills. It noticeably cleans up the front end of the car. My front bumper does have a light scuff, so I am still planning to either buy a new Euro bumper and have it painted, or repaint my existing bumper and have the reflectors shaved.

I also debadged the rear, I personally think it cleans it up nicely. For those who don't know it's an M3, I don't really care, and for those who do, will know anyway.


Before



After





My favorite update from this round was the Alpine GTS DCT flash, for $60, this is worth it's weight in gold. The horrible clunk when shifting into R is completely gone, the 1-2 shift is so much more aggressive and just transformed the car. Everyone needs to do this.

I also had Alex program in some European coding options, my selection is listed below.

- Euro MDM (less intrusive traction control/allows more slip before traction kicks in)
- Disable driver seat belt chime
- Disable passenger seat belt chime
- Unlock doors when engine is turned off
- Remove window interruption (allowing one touch operation while door is opened/opening)
- Double blinking European Hazards
- Removal of amber headlight side markers (Euro Look, will only come on when you signal)
- Disable key in ignition Gong (no gong when key is in ignition and door is open)
- Reduce low fuel warning from ¼ to 1/8
- Add instant MPG display to cluster menu
- Windshield wipers complete cycle when engine is turned off
- Turn on Xenon's with your trunk button (2010+ cars)
- Adaptive headlights 2 (AHL2 allows a wider beam of light at low speeds)

Next up: Thanks to Epoustouflant, IND, and Pinnacle motorsport, I have some other goodies on the way. Also stay tuned for wheels and suspension and my first track day in the next update.

wyatth derbo SAMM3Y BAY_E93V8 Davisca455

[Johal E32]

I found your thread!

Gorgeous car and great spec. Unfortunately photos don't serve MR much justice, it is such a striking color in person.

[wyatth]

Nice touches! Car is coming along nicely. Can’t wait to see it in person.

[slcook54]

Originally Posted by Johal E32

I found your thread!

Gorgeous car and great spec. Unfortunately photos don't serve MR much justice, it is such a striking color in person.

Thanks Jordan! DCT is the only option. Love it.

Originally Posted by wyatth

Nice touches! Car is coming along nicely. Can’t wait to see it in person.

Soon my friend.

[SAMM3Y]

Squad! Looks so clean. That single hump has me jelly.. I would love to convert mine one day..