e46 M3 Sedan...wait, what? (Insane build start to finish)

[speedminded]

As official as it gets anyways. An M3 conversion executed on a e46 sedan and driven like every BMW should be...


1998 318i sedan:
http://www.simracing.no/e46/Untitled-1.jpg

Donor M3:
http://www.simracing.no/e46/Bilde-041.jpg


Rear 1/4's from BMW to properly do the conversion, $500 each new:
http://www.simracing.no/e46/Bilde-0100.jpg


http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag7/CIMG0855.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag8/CIMG0856.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag8/CIMG0859.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag9/CIMG0894.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag9/CIMG0873.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag9/CIMG0899.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag10/CIMG0912.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag10/CIMG0916.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag10/CIMG0923.jpg


A little cut and paste for the fenders since they aren't direct swaps:

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag12/CIMG0971.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag12/CIMG0975.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag12/CIMG0983.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag12/CIMG0986.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag12/CIMG0988.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag14/CIMG1021.jpg


M3 being disassembled:
http://simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag17/CIMG1041.jpg

http://simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag17/CIMG1050.jpg


New suspension for the sedan:
http://simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag17/CIMG1055.jpg


and brakes:
http://simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag17/CIMG1067.jpg


Teaser:
http://simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag17/CIMG1085.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag18/CIMG1105.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag18/CIMG1112.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag18/CIMG1159.jpg


Seats:
http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag21/CIMG1203.jpg


Modified spare tire well so the stock M3 exhaust would fit (M cars don't come with spare tires):
http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag23/Untitled-1.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag24/CIMG1316.jpg


Work done on the CSL style trunk to line up the rest of the car:
http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag24/CIMG1330.jpg


After all that bodywork, still having fitment issues with an F1 wheel & tire lol!
http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag27/Ta-foto-0026.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag28/CIMG1393.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag28/CIMG1394.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag28/CIMG1401.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag29/CIMG1404.jpg


Track wheels in:
http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag30/CIMG1418.jpg

Track tires in, used Porsche cup tires lol!
http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag27/CIMG1389.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag34/CIMG1478.jpg


The owner/builder couldn't decide on a color so he had both front fenders painted in the choices they narrowed it down to: Space Grey or Le Mans Blue...

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag32/CIMG1453.jpg

Space Grey?
http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag32/CIMG1452.jpg

or Le Man Blue?
http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag32/CIMG1454.jpg


He decides on Le Mans Blue...

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag56/DSC_0101.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag35/CIMG1510.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag35/CIMG1512.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag35/CIMG1521.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag35/CIMG1524.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag35/CIMG1539.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag36/CIMG1544.jpg



Engine coming out of the donor M3:
http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag36/CIMG1598.jpg

and suspension:
http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag36/CIMG1587.jpg


Sedan stripped and ready for M3 interior:
http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag40/CIMG1846.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag41/CIMG1906.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag43/DSC_0373.jpg


Cleaning and paint undercarriage:
http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag43/DSC_0352.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag43/DSC_0350.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag43/DSC_0345.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag43/DSC_0359.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag44/DSC_0531.jpg


Cleaning suspension:
http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag46/DSC_0556.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag46/DSC_0557.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag46/DSC_0562.jpg


Engine ready to go in:
http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag46/DSC_0005.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag46/DSC_0017.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag47/DSC_0010.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag47/DSC_0023.jpg


Suspension and new brakes:
http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag50/DSC_0039.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag50/DSC_0051.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag50/DSC_0055.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag51/DSC_0051.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag52/DSC_0002.jpg


Mounting exhaust:
http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag54/DSC_0033.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag55/DSC_0026.jpg


More!
http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag56/DSC_0090.jpg


Trunk painted:
http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag57/DSC_0027.jpg


Interior in:
http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag57/DSC_0078.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag57/DSC_0128.jpg


Doors on:
http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag57/DSC_0168.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag57/DSC_0210.jpg


Mounting seals & trim:
http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag57/DSC_0210.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag58/DSC_0043.jpg


Underside finished:
http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag58/DSC_0074.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag58/DSC_0080.jpg


Almost complete!
http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag58/DSC_0120.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag58/DSC_0135.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag58/DSC_0137.jpg


Finally!
http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag60/DSC_0014.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag60/DSC_0023.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag60/DSC_0025.jpg


With track wheels on:
http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag61/DSC_0002.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag61/DSC_0017.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag61/DSC_0051.jpg


Complete!

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag62/DSC_0042.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag62/DSC_0230.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag62/DSC_0118.jpg

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag62/DSC_0269.jpg


Track Videos: (must see!)
http://www.simracing.no/rudskogen_0001.wmv

http://www.simracing.no/vaalerbanen300809.wmv (The e30 M3 @ 3:42 it's pushing has 792hp lol!)

http://www.simracing.no/e46fanatics/Dag61/movie.jpg

[GoodOlHerps]

great post. very detailed.

[speedminded]

great post. very detailed.I summarized the 73 page build thread (1460 posts) to make this one lol! It was too good not to pass along! http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=578901

[BAD SS]

Wow.

[tnomud]

seems like a waste of time to me, but well executed................

[Mr. Clean]

so did they not make 4-dr M3s i guess? looks pretty damn sexy. if they didn't make them, they certainly should have.

[Elbow]

Cool, although the final product doesn't do a THING for me.

[DecoyOctopus]

so did they not make 4-dr M3s i guess? looks pretty damn sexy. if they didn't make them, they certainly should have.


x2....for some reason I like the "4dr" M3 rather than the 2dr.

[Shift_2WIN]

^x2

[shortdog005]

What was the time frame on building 4door E46M3. This is a great post, very detail.

[Ricer]

I think what made it for me.. was the fact that he didn't put any M3 badges on the back.. and took the little badge off of the front fender vents.. thats a win in my book

...i wish i had deep enough pockets to rip appart a (seemingly) perfectly good M3 coupe to make a sedan.

[awestun]

bad arse.

[alpine_aw11]

I think what made it for me.. was the fact that he didn't put any M3 badges on the back.. and took the little badge off of the front fender vents.. thats a win in my book

...i wish i had deep enough pockets to rip appart a (seemingly) perfectly good M3 coupe to make a sedan.

I agree. And fortunately he went with the blue, looks beautiful. I've always loved the concept of a M3 sedan. Has it ever been done before this one?

[thecrazyone]

interesting to say the least, def good work by the builders.

[sprix!]

Call me crazy, but I like the fact that there weren't any E46 M3 sedans. I prefer it as a coupe or cabrio. The new M3 looks fine as a sedan, but I would still rather have a coupe.

I still can't get wit the fact that he cannibalized a beautiful coupe to transform his sedan.

It is well done, of course.

[civic gsr]

looks nice i would just keeped the green m3 what a waste of shell :( blue one looks hella sexy

[speedminded]

so did they not make 4-dr M3s i guess? looks pretty damn sexy. if they didn't make them, they certainly should have.They wouldn't have built it because the e46 came out the same time as the e39 M5. A 4 dr M3 would have taken away sales from their 400hp $85k M5...

[Mantooth]

Cool, although the final product doesn't do a THING for me.I feel the same way. I always thought it would be awesome if they produced an E46 M3 sedan, but now I see why the didn't. I would much rather have the E39 M5, any day of the week.:2cents:

[singhondeck]

damn shit looks soo fiire

[speedminded]

I feel the same way. I always thought it would be awesome if they produced an E46 M3 sedan, but now I see why the didn't. I would much rather have the E39 M5, any day of the week.:2cents:Question is would it have been worth the extra $30,000 for the M5 if this was available? It's an extra 100hp but also weighs 800lbs more...

[sina518]

this was a better conversion in my opinion, as far as looks go. http://e46.mit.edu/

[speedminded]

this was a better conversion in my opinion, as far as looks go. http://e46.mit.edu/lol leave it to an MIT student...I like everything but the Reiger bodykit and wing. They didn't paint the engine bay either. The car in this thread was meant to have a 100% stock appearance, as if it was from the factory.

[Oz10]

Very cool build. Thanks for posting!

[HachiDori]

I love it! Such great work, the only thing i wonder is why they used a perfect donor for parts. Like why not get something salvaged and then used it as a donor. Well i guess some people just have too much money. sick build

[speedminded]

I love it! Such great work, the only thing i wonder is why they used a perfect donor for parts. Like why not get something salvaged and then used it as a donor. Well i guess some people just have too much money. sick buildThe taxes on cars in Norway are extremely high, it would have been 80,000 Norwegian Kroner ($13,500+) to register the e46 M3 there not including the cost of the car. He went to Germany and picked it up and said the sellers was quite puzzled to find out he was just going to take it apart lol!

Personally I would put the S62 V8 from the e39 M5 in the M3 shell, install new front clip, then throw some suspension under it...

[HachiDori]

Got ya. Shits still dope haha

[RL...]

That is an amazing build....I don't even want to know how much all that cost!

I would've just bought an e39 m5 but this is nice none the less.

[speedminded]

That is an amazing build....I don't even want to know how much all that cost!

I would've just bought an e39 m5 but this is nice none the less.The taxes alone on an e39 M5 would have been as much as what was spent on this car lol!

[UpSideDownDesi]

got money

[fivex684]

Awesome car without a doubt.
Why didn't BMW build them?

[speedminded]

Awesome car without a doubt.
Why didn't BMW build them?Reply #17 answers that. :goodjob:

[Andr3w]

Damn that is pretty amazing.

[RedGTS]

Nice find, reps for you.
That is sick how clean the conversion is

[scabtastic]

very good find, car looks amazing...im just not too sure about the SMG..im just not a fan

[speedminded]

very good find, car looks amazing...im just not too sure about the SMG..im just not a fanWhy not?

[eYezs1ck]

reps. still looks gangsta

[Tray@Forged]

I love build threads! Nice post.

[RUFFIAN]

It's safe to say that his money isn't nervous...............Did anyone else catch the prices of the gas in that one shot.

[scooby_snack]

Cool, although the final product doesn't do a THING for me.

+10000

[speedminded]

It's safe to say that his money isn't nervous...............Did anyone else catch the prices of the gas in that one shot.It costs about $120 USD to fill up that BMW lol!

[tnomud]

why go through all that cosmetic work and then track it???:thinking:

[speedminded]

why go through all that cosmetic work and then track it???:thinking:Why build a car to just let it sit in the garage or hard park at car meets? It's not like it's a race car, it's just a track day car.

[gen2freak]

speechless!
plain beautiful

[alexly]

Applaud to a job well done.

[jdmdb8itr]

that thing is badass, love it. reps

[tnomud]

Why build a car to just let it sit in the garage or hard park at car meets? It's not like it's a race car, it's just a track day car.


Agreed, but that car has tons of work into it, why risk wadding it up? Wad up the track Ho, not the car with 500 man-hours into a conversion.

just my .02

[speedminded]

Agreed, but that car has tons of work into it, why risk wadding it up? Wad up the track Ho, not the car with 500 man-hours into a conversion.

just my .02His race car is a built 2002, among other cars. True it would suck to have to repair anything that was modified on it but did you see the videos? He can drive lol!

[K20Z1]

wow i thought they only do this to honda.!

ballin' motherfukers

reps

[chameleon30038]

very well done car....i commend the builders.

and also great post...thanks for sharing.

[dynasty69]

:eek:

[bandydesign]

YES! I love when people do quality builds.

[EJ25RUN]

I bet there is an M3 E46 Sedan locked away in BMws garage and it'll be 20 years before they show it.

For now, glad someone did all this to make it happen.

[KevinT707]

I can definitely appreciate all the time & effort into the E36 M3-Sedan.

+1 for the hard work (Cliff Notes)

[got_psi?]

I'd hate to find out how much he spent for all that....but it's super clean. Wish I could find shops to do that level of quality work

[4eGv6o3]

Yeah it looks good and all, but I don't get it:???: You take a completely good 3 series and M3 Coupe. Chop them up to make 1 M3 Sedan? Wouldn't the Coupe be a better track car to begin with?? Seem like a complete waste of time, money, and effort. I mean unless you have nothing else better to do with your money and or time.

Why not just get an M5? Or is his next trick going to be taking an M5 and turning it into an M3 Coupe??

[speedminded]

Yeah it looks good and all, but I don't get it:???: You take a completely good 3 series and M3 Coupe. Chop them up to make 1 M3 Sedan? Wouldn't the Coupe be a better track car to begin with?? Seem like a complete waste of time, money, and effort. I mean unless you have nothing else better to do with your money and or time.

Why not just get an M5? Or is his next trick going to be taking an M5 and turning it into an M3 Coupe??1) Sedan e46 M3's were never produced so it's original.

2) Sedans and wagons are actually more rigid than coupes. Look at a majority of Volvo's race cars...wagons.

3) The taxes alone to register an e46 M3 in Norway is as much as he spent on the build.

4) The e39 M5 weighs 800 lbs more, hardly makes for a good track car and the taxes would be outrageous on it.

[cpearson]

Wow, that's an epic build.

[civic95]

I hope he installed a TMS subframe reinforcement kit?

[tnomud]

I hope he installed a TMS subframe reinforcement kit?

have you done yours yet son? :D

[BlackDubs]

Great post. Awesome car.

[VooDooXII]

Even "insane" is an understatement. I don't even have words.

Why did BMW not build an e46 M3 sedan?

[EJ25RUN]

Why not just get an M5? Or is his next trick going to be taking an M5 and turning it into an M3 Coupe??

If he does will you give us another post like this?

Cause then i'll tell him not to just so i don't have to read it.







Not having an E46 M3 was probably the #1 reason i like the E46 the least of the M3 line.

[VooDooXII]

Why not just get an M5? Or is his next trick going to be taking an M5 and turning it into an M3 Coupe??

Thanks for posting this...now I want to see what an e39 coupe would look like.

[claybird]

Thanks for the share!!!!

[OG-Skinny]

Thanks for posting this...now I want to see what an e39 coupe would look like.

NO THANKS!

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/attachments/e39-m5-e52-z8-discussion/55625d1200406348-e39-coupe-m5coupee.jpg

[speedminded]

If he does will you give us another post like this?

Cause then i'll tell him not to just so i don't have to read it.







Not having an E46 M3 [sedan] was probably the #1 reason i like the E46 the least of the M3 line.I'm not going to lie, I would rock the hell out of an e46 m3 with a S62 V8 from the e39 M5 in it...that would be absolute pure sex on wheels.

[VooDooXII]

I just did this Photoshop for nothing. Oh well. Doesn't look too bad at all!

http://i46.tinypic.com/2h6yu5t.jpg

[OG-Skinny]

I'm not going to lie, I would rock the hell out of an e46 m3 with a S62 V8 from the e39 M5 in it...that would be absolute pure sex on wheels.

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/attachments/e39-m5-e52-z8-discussion/80800d1238685556-s62-engine-pic-cimg3379.jpg

You were saying?... :D

[speedminded]

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/attachments/e39-m5-e52-z8-discussion/80800d1238685556-s62-engine-pic-cimg3379.jpg

You were saying?... :DYes! Just not those wheels lol! I have tons of pics of that car and a few others. Even though any BMW engine will fit in any BMW with OEM parts I don't think there is a better combination than that.

[DeeAOne]

beautiful. one day i will have one of these. until then it is still my dream car. :yes:

[speedminded]

beautiful. one day i will have one of these. until then it is still my dream car. :yes:What is?

[Fast Shadow]

I just did this Photoshop for nothing. Oh well. Doesn't look too bad at all!

http://i46.tinypic.com/2h6yu5t.jpg

That motherfucker's arms are like 4 feet long! :eek:

[tnomud]

I am so tired of f**king with the electronics on my M3, I was thinking about just putting a LS3 into it...............

[speedminded]

I am so tired of f**king with the electronics on my M3, I was thinking about just putting a LS3 into it...............What year?

[mmmmpsi]

I think I'm a touch erect at this point.. absolute work of art!!

[LizBiz]

One word......WOW....

They care to do that again?? I'll volunteer.

[HatchMan]

Best build up thread I have ever seen!
Probablly because I always wanted to see an E46 M3 Sedan!

[HatchMan]

This build is even crazier when you realize that the M3 Coupe was in perfect shape...
I mean it wasn't even a "puzzle" from wrecked M3 coupes or something.

[civic95]

have you done yours yet son? :D

No :(

[JEY$JDM]

Cool stuff.

[JDMJAYDC2]

the m5 coupe looks kinda cool lol i love the wheels he picked

[VooDooXII]

That motherfucker's arms are like 4 feet long! :eek:

Hahaha it was a quick Photoshop...I didn't even pay attention to that.

Great sig by the way. :lmao:

[tnomud]

What year?

04..... every mod you do..........the ECM fights it :rolleyes:

[tnomud]

No :(


slap.........:smackass:

[zenkiAM]

beautiful, even better that hes not just rich bass-tard that doesnt know how to drive it

[zenkiAM]

LOL AT the 67ish mustang 6:05 in the second video

[OnURleft]

Love it. I plan on buying a 323/5/8 or maybe even a 330i when prices drop for a DD. I plan on doing the entire M3 body/CSL trunk and those 19's. I can't wait to start that project but that's a few years away before money gets spent on that. As for the motor, i'll probably drive whatever inline-6 is in it until it pops, but after that i'll probably go with an S62, unless E92 M3 motors are down in price...that'd be wayyyyy more ballin than an S62

[ironchef]

Damn, the quality of work on that looks exceptional. Great build. I do agree, I think its awesome he left the stock "factory" look. Because it looks awesome from the factory.

[speedminded]

04..... every mod you do..........the ECM fights it :rolleyes:You're gonna have tuning issues with any OBD2 car. You can run a piggyback on it and override it though but one local company has figured out how to reflash OBD2 DME's...


Love it. I plan on buying a 323/5/8 or maybe even a 330i when prices drop for a DD. I plan on doing the entire M3 body/CSL trunk and those 19's. I can't wait to start that project but that's a few years away before money gets spent on that. As for the motor, i'll probably drive whatever inline-6 is in it until it pops, but after that i'll probably go with an S62, unless E92 M3 motors are down in price...that'd be wayyyyy more ballin than an S62Everybody is putting the S85 V10 from the M5/M6 in things now...it's insane how many e30 M3's have them now lol!