Just dropped a deposit on some M Power - Trackday Project Car
- Thread starter Gibbo
- Start date
Car still has a hand brake, when I was told the weight of rear shoes, it made no point in removing, though it would not be an issue anyway as I always park in gear, the SMG moans at you to stick it in gear when shutting off.
Owner at Ti Motorsport, got himself a V8 one for 9k, yes 9k, it had being crashed, needed a front bumper, bonnet, wing and new radiator/fan, all fixed. He is turning it into a track car I think so far they had the weight down to 1390kg after stripping it, carbon bonnet etc and they reckon once done it will weigh 1300kg, some power tweaks and should be 450HP so will be quite the monster.
Yeah to far, they tend to go misty or look scratched, if I went this route I'd probably go whole hog, plastic side windows, rear and carbon doors, gets them close to 1200kg, but your talking race car then and a lot of side impact protection lost, really needs a full cage at this point which is also not safe for the road.
Hi there
OK another part of the puzzle is complete, wheels freshly refurbed, looking much better:
Fantastic results, car goes in for inspection 2 service at Ti Motorsport in a couple of weeks for the valve adjustment, oil and filter change.
End of month full respray which will take a few weeks or month. Once back I shall remove calipers and get them refurbished and re-painted by the same guys who did the Mustang Acid green ones, they shall be re-done in yellow but I should have black alcon logos put on instead of the CSL cup logos.
Then a full detail by Autobrite with any correction needs to correct any paint issues from the respray and get it all locked in with their best sealant. That completes the car and makes it one exceptionally clean cosmetic and mechanical example, then I can simply enjoy it next year on track days and road trips.
OK another part of the puzzle is complete, wheels freshly refurbed, looking much better:
Fantastic results, car goes in for inspection 2 service at Ti Motorsport in a couple of weeks for the valve adjustment, oil and filter change.
End of month full respray which will take a few weeks or month. Once back I shall remove calipers and get them refurbished and re-painted by the same guys who did the Mustang Acid green ones, they shall be re-done in yellow but I should have black alcon logos put on instead of the CSL cup logos.
Then a full detail by Autobrite with any correction needs to correct any paint issues from the respray and get it all locked in with their best sealant. That completes the car and makes it one exceptionally clean cosmetic and mechanical example, then I can simply enjoy it next year on track days and road trips.
I know of a cheap M3 V8 for sale, fully loaded, every option and only 70k miles. Its cheap as its cat c, was sub standard repair, so it was professionally repaired a second time using BMW parts and now its a stunning car, only issue a manual but some may like that, owner wants around 13k, but I reckon he'd take 12k, but offer 11k and go from there, if interested give me a shout and I will pass on the details.
Original, just want it looking like it came from showroom again and to tidy the fitment of the wings up and the finish as there is some little runs and marks on them from where they were removed from mould, nothing they can't resolve though.
Today I said farewell to the M3 
Well just for a couple of months, its gone for the full respray, then that just leaves brake caliper removal and refurbishment and fresh paint, then its a fully restored M3 mechanically and cosmetically. Will be ready for track day season next year as every is now pretty much brand new on the car.
Well just for a couple of months, its gone for the full respray, then that just leaves brake caliper removal and refurbishment and fresh paint, then its a fully restored M3 mechanically and cosmetically. Will be ready for track day season next year as every is now pretty much brand new on the car.
Dropped by the body shop today, car is looking pretty sorry for itself:
And my buddy with the yellow Mustang has purchased two M3's, one an SMG and one a manual. His plan is to make a track car from one and the other to return to complete factory stock. They are both pretty nice examples, AP brakes, KW's, CSL air box etc between the two, so he will put all the track focused stuff into the manual and make it a track/drift car and the SMG will be returned completely to factory.
In the meantime as can be seen from pictures mine is being strippled and the paint prepared for painting, no timeframe but the bodyshop is pretty quiet and one of the younger lads there volunteered to do it as he loves the car. Shall pop by again next week to see if any updates.
And my buddy with the yellow Mustang has purchased two M3's, one an SMG and one a manual. His plan is to make a track car from one and the other to return to complete factory stock. They are both pretty nice examples, AP brakes, KW's, CSL air box etc between the two, so he will put all the track focused stuff into the manual and make it a track/drift car and the SMG will be returned completely to factory.
In the meantime as can be seen from pictures mine is being strippled and the paint prepared for painting, no timeframe but the bodyshop is pretty quiet and one of the younger lads there volunteered to do it as he loves the car. Shall pop by again next week to see if any updates.
Car is progressing, wings being flattened and the bodyshop have applied what they call a bad coat to check for any imperfections to correct and then a case of flatting and whatever else it is they do before painting in correct colour.
Another update, car has being painted, the paint looks like glass and is butter smooth, though the painter was not expecting me until tomorrow so he was panicking about orange peel as he'd not polished it out yet, though I could hardly see it anyway. Bumper has caused them some issues due to how heavily it was stone chipped, hence it being taken right back.
The depth to the paint is insane and it looks so much darker due to that depth plus it is obvious the original paint being 15 years old had faded somewhat. Cannot wait to see it all finished, polished and out in the sun properly clean. Calipers to refurb and in a couple months once paint has aired or whatever term is it shall be professional polished, sealed, waxed blah blah. Then some track days, shows and meets next year.
But even covered in bodyshop dust, I was shocked how amazing it looks, never seen an E46 look so gorgeous, going to be scared to drive it with how clean it is.
P.S. To the forum member who asked car is around 114,000 miles I think.
The depth to the paint is insane and it looks so much darker due to that depth plus it is obvious the original paint being 15 years old had faded somewhat. Cannot wait to see it all finished, polished and out in the sun properly clean. Calipers to refurb and in a couple months once paint has aired or whatever term is it shall be professional polished, sealed, waxed blah blah. Then some track days, shows and meets next year.
But even covered in bodyshop dust, I was shocked how amazing it looks, never seen an E46 look so gorgeous, going to be scared to drive it with how clean it is.
P.S. To the forum member who asked car is around 114,000 miles I think.
The owner is a friend, so the price I pay may not be the price you pay, but £1000 and hence why its taking weeks/months as he is doing it in his spare time or when he feels like it and he knows I want it like glass.
He removed as much from car as possible. The window surrounds have been left due to them simply not coming away. Hence deciding to leave them in place.
Front and rear screens were removed for the roof, when they were out all the hard to reach parts were prepared ready for painting then.
But seeing it yesterday it looks superb and that is what counts.
Hi there
Progress is slow but it is coming along, all major painting is now complete and he is starting to put parts back on the car, he is only doing about an hour or two on it per week to ensure it is all done spot on, he has had a couple of issues with parts breaking as they come off, so he is putting in new fittings so they go back together as per OEM.
I also know a few people were not too fond of the carbon side strips, as such originals are being re-painted and refitted considering the car has pretty much gone a full restoration it is about keeping it looking original equipment within reason unless the modification benefits the car, such as the wings benefit the car by not rusting, saving rate and reducing lift on the front-end.
Told him I am going away to USA now until next month and have requested the car is complete and finished by end of March so I have it back in time for good weather at which point the car can have a full detail and protection, also full interior clean and engine bay clean up too.
He is also going to sand down the front splitters, polish and re-lacquer them to rid the carbon of all the stone chips, otherwise they will detract from an otherwise unmarked front-end.
I've also noticed my lower windscreen scuttle panel is heavily faded and the rubber cracking, as such I just rang BMW for a price on a new one expecting to bend over and lube up, however I was pleasantly surprised to be told a new one was only £51.70 +VAT, so got one of those ordered up for the car.
Progress is slow but it is coming along, all major painting is now complete and he is starting to put parts back on the car, he is only doing about an hour or two on it per week to ensure it is all done spot on, he has had a couple of issues with parts breaking as they come off, so he is putting in new fittings so they go back together as per OEM.
I also know a few people were not too fond of the carbon side strips, as such originals are being re-painted and refitted considering the car has pretty much gone a full restoration it is about keeping it looking original equipment within reason unless the modification benefits the car, such as the wings benefit the car by not rusting, saving rate and reducing lift on the front-end.
Told him I am going away to USA now until next month and have requested the car is complete and finished by end of March so I have it back in time for good weather at which point the car can have a full detail and protection, also full interior clean and engine bay clean up too.
He is also going to sand down the front splitters, polish and re-lacquer them to rid the carbon of all the stone chips, otherwise they will detract from an otherwise unmarked front-end.
I've also noticed my lower windscreen scuttle panel is heavily faded and the rubber cracking, as such I just rang BMW for a price on a new one expecting to bend over and lube up, however I was pleasantly surprised to be told a new one was only £51.70 +VAT, so got one of those ordered up for the car.
Hi there
So went to check up on the M3, she is practically done, everything is fitted bar some interior trim and number plates.
I am ordering fresh plates and a new scuttle panel from BMW.
I've not being particular excited, but when I inspected the car today I got really excited seeing how amazing it looks, unfortunately the photos don't come out so well and the car is covered in typical bodyshop dust, but the front-end looks brand new with the new headlight lenses, new indicators and front plate plinth remove (car will run without front plate). They also re-lacquered the carbon splitters due to all the stone chips in them, which fixed those up a treat.
As such the scuttle panel looks aweful, faded and the rubber has cracked but only £55 from BMW for a new one.
Also the mesh they have put into the wings, is from a Mustang front grill, so the BMW has some Pony car DNA.
We have agreed collection next Friday, I shall drop of the scuttle panel and new plates next week, on Thursday they shall polish the car just prior to me collecting so its not covered in body shop dust.
As the paint has now being settling for around a month whilst they did the small jobs the car shall be getting booked in for a new car seal and protect along with any necessary paint correction and further polishing if required.
I truly cannot wait to see the car sitting all clean and in sunlight, it should look incredible and be one of the cleanest if not cleanest M3 in the UK.
So went to check up on the M3, she is practically done, everything is fitted bar some interior trim and number plates.
I am ordering fresh plates and a new scuttle panel from BMW.
I've not being particular excited, but when I inspected the car today I got really excited seeing how amazing it looks, unfortunately the photos don't come out so well and the car is covered in typical bodyshop dust, but the front-end looks brand new with the new headlight lenses, new indicators and front plate plinth remove (car will run without front plate). They also re-lacquered the carbon splitters due to all the stone chips in them, which fixed those up a treat.
As such the scuttle panel looks aweful, faded and the rubber has cracked but only £55 from BMW for a new one.
Also the mesh they have put into the wings, is from a Mustang front grill, so the BMW has some Pony car DNA.
We have agreed collection next Friday, I shall drop of the scuttle panel and new plates next week, on Thursday they shall polish the car just prior to me collecting so its not covered in body shop dust.
As the paint has now being settling for around a month whilst they did the small jobs the car shall be getting booked in for a new car seal and protect along with any necessary paint correction and further polishing if required.
I truly cannot wait to see the car sitting all clean and in sunlight, it should look incredible and be one of the cleanest if not cleanest M3 in the UK.
Don't fancy taking my E30 there and telling him its yours do you?
£1000 for a re-spray is perfect because I'm a pauper, and most places who charge that much will do a rubbish job.
Looking good...
If your willing to leave it with him for a few months am sure I could get you a good deal, remember he has being doing this for me when he has had time, any other jobs coming in take priority.
To be honest his dealership contracts keep him very busy as dealerships are forever damaging new cars it seems.
I am very happy with the result, looking forward to next Friday if all goes well. Which just leaves caliper re-paint and then a full polish/seal and enjoy the car during Summer along with the Jaaag.
Had the car for nearly 5 years, done around 15 track days over that time and yes the first track day was done how I got it and then track days as it progressed. Last track day was around six months ago.
It is also now used heavily as a road car, even being a daily and for road trips and weekend toy.
Well the next part on the list is caliper refurbishment, might be a waste to you, but not to me.
It returns, needs a real good washing (dust & compound over it) then along with some high gloss wax and maybe a paint enhancement though being fresh its pretty swirl free but a polishing will do no harm, though it is orange peel free anyway. Hoping for a dry weekend so I can at least give it a good washing, extremely happy with results.
Yeah I keep trying to book with him but for whatever reason I either can't make the date or he cannot. His work is fantastic and he really is very good, though he aint a million miles away just not so easy to get to him and leave a car there, hence why I just tend to work with local guys like Autobrite as they are 5 mins away from OcUK.
They are indeed, hence very handy for me as 5 mins from work.
Good products, if your maintaining your finish I would recommend:
- Autobrite snowfoam, just buy a 5l tub.
- Any PH neutral car wash, Meguiars NXT, Autobrite banana rama, anything just PH neutral.
- Meguiars mit, find them the best.
- Autobrite drying towel, the big red one, think its called Reaper, fantastic.
- Carplan no.1 super gloss, trust me it is the easiest sealant you will ever apply, cost £6 from JTF, either mist on panel and reaper towel whilst drying, or dry car and then two squirts per panel and wipe, that is it, wipe, no buffing, streak free and leaves a lovely protective skin, you can also apply it to everything, plastic, glass, rubbers, paint, wheels, super impressed by it and only £6.
That is it really, quite easy to maintain a car that has being properly enhanced/corrected and then sealed with good product.
Could not help myself, sun came out, so I went and parked in sun and grabbed some pictures, excuse the dust and bodyshop white gunk everywhere:
P.S. Noticed the bodyshop forgot to re-fit the rear M badge, time to go the dealership and lube up for one, lol.
P.S. Noticed the bodyshop forgot to re-fit the rear M badge, time to go the dealership and lube up for one, lol.