Just dropped a deposit on some M Power - Trackday Project Car
- Thread starter Gibbo
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Sorry to hear about your loss buddy, glad things are putting a smile on your face and the M3 has all turned out well 
Sorry to hear about your loss buddy, glad things are putting a smile on your face and the M3 has all turned out well
Thanks buddy!
You done anything to yours? When are you going to add more power so you can keep up with my S54 motor.....
Doing some work on the M3 today, shall post up some pictures later hopefully.
In the meantime an incredible video of an E46 M3 at the ring, 7:30 lap time with speed limits in place!
Last edited:
Good to see things are looking up for the car though!
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Nice work doing the rebuild yourself Gibbo!
Glad to hear it's running sweet as a nut too, love this build thread
Glad to hear it's running sweet as a nut too, love this build thread
- Joined
- 25 Apr 2009
- Posts
- 2,780
- Location
- Sidcup
Thanks buddy!
You done anything to yours? When are you going to add more power so you can keep up with my S54 motor.....
Nope still stock bar the exhaust, I value the warranty far too much to start messing around! Driver training is needed for me though, then I should be able to fend off those with only 6 pesky cylinders
To be honest if anything mine sounds nicer due to carbon csl intake, only reason mine is not as loud on the interior is because I've still got carpets, dash and sound deadening still in the front, but I've got it sounding just how I like.
In fact when I had the milltek exhaust on the car it was actually louder that this, hence why it got removed, as was simply too loud for my ears inside the car.
Hi there
Those who know BMW's will know the M3 CSL and CS had quicker steering racks, so this weekend I fitted an even faster rack, nicknamed the purple rack as is a popular modification amongst those tracking and drifting their BMW's. Steering rack ratio information as follows:
E46 M3 = 15.4
E46 M3 CS / CSL = 14.5
Purple Rack = 13.7
In short lock to lock on regular M3 rack is around 3.5 full rotations, with the purple rack its 3.
As I had removed the front subframe and steering rack for engine rebuild, doing this job was nothing new and very easy for me.
Picture of purple rack
Lets get started!
Still looking nice and clean underneath since engine rebuild and no fluid leaks at all, a job done well.
Also the view from underneath the M3 is pretty damn awesome to be honest.
New rack installed
Then just a simple case of put everything back together. A couple of tips, remove your old track rod ends from your old rack and count how many spins they are to take off, so then when you install the new rack make sure the new track rod ends are spun on the same amount of times, this should prevent your alignment toe settings being miles out. Also before starting up, make sure you remove air intake tubing so you can access the PS reservoir and make sure you brim it. Start the engine and turn the steering lock to lock, it might sound a bit nasty at first, then turn off and top up the reservoir again. Remember to use ATF Dextron III and expect to use 0.5-1.0l for this. Put back together, make sure everything is tight and wheels torqued up, go for a drive.
Slicks delivered
A set of Dunlop medium slicks £130 delivered for all 4 and should last 2-3 track days on the basis my alignment is suitable for them. These being the latest and same dunlops which the BTCC boys use and other M3 guys using them state huge grip but also very progressive. Once the cage is installed and I've got a spare set of wheels these shall be getting tested out, no doubt next Summer.
Conclusion
So with the new rack installed the initial impressions are good, on centre feel is greatly improved and the car is far more keen to turn. General feedback/feel and weighting also seem improved. I did also install brand new inner and outer trackrod ends onto my purple rack, so in essence it is all brand new, total cost of parts including rack £300 and fitted by myself so no labour.
So yes I love it, the car feels more connected, more go-kart like and even more adjustable on throttle and steering with great feedback.
The only downside is DSC, it will intervene much earlier with this rack, I checked my alignment and at first it was a little out, 5 minutes toe in on one side and 1 minute toe in the other side. Set both sides to just 2 minutes toe in which was what the car was previously set at which helped, but DSC intervenes earlier for sure and on the front brakes. For those who drive with DSC off is not an issue, but those who enjoy driving fast with DSC on for safety net then I am afraid this modification is not for you as the DSC will drive you crazy. I have even tried resetting the steering angle sensor but has made no improvement.
It makes sense though because the car is seeing less steering angle but in reality is steering more meaning you have more angle but the car is thinking the car is sliding due to lack of steering angle and as such intervening to early.
I have heard it is possible to re-calibrate the DSC to the new faster rack, but am not sure how to do this or if it is possible on the older MK20 DSC?
But as I am happy to drive without DSC for me it is a great modification.
Those who know BMW's will know the M3 CSL and CS had quicker steering racks, so this weekend I fitted an even faster rack, nicknamed the purple rack as is a popular modification amongst those tracking and drifting their BMW's. Steering rack ratio information as follows:
E46 M3 = 15.4
E46 M3 CS / CSL = 14.5
Purple Rack = 13.7
In short lock to lock on regular M3 rack is around 3.5 full rotations, with the purple rack its 3.
As I had removed the front subframe and steering rack for engine rebuild, doing this job was nothing new and very easy for me.
Picture of purple rack
Lets get started!
Still looking nice and clean underneath since engine rebuild and no fluid leaks at all, a job done well.
Also the view from underneath the M3 is pretty damn awesome to be honest.
New rack installed
Then just a simple case of put everything back together. A couple of tips, remove your old track rod ends from your old rack and count how many spins they are to take off, so then when you install the new rack make sure the new track rod ends are spun on the same amount of times, this should prevent your alignment toe settings being miles out. Also before starting up, make sure you remove air intake tubing so you can access the PS reservoir and make sure you brim it. Start the engine and turn the steering lock to lock, it might sound a bit nasty at first, then turn off and top up the reservoir again. Remember to use ATF Dextron III and expect to use 0.5-1.0l for this. Put back together, make sure everything is tight and wheels torqued up, go for a drive.
Slicks delivered
A set of Dunlop medium slicks £130 delivered for all 4 and should last 2-3 track days on the basis my alignment is suitable for them. These being the latest and same dunlops which the BTCC boys use and other M3 guys using them state huge grip but also very progressive. Once the cage is installed and I've got a spare set of wheels these shall be getting tested out, no doubt next Summer.
Conclusion
So with the new rack installed the initial impressions are good, on centre feel is greatly improved and the car is far more keen to turn. General feedback/feel and weighting also seem improved. I did also install brand new inner and outer trackrod ends onto my purple rack, so in essence it is all brand new, total cost of parts including rack £300 and fitted by myself so no labour.
So yes I love it, the car feels more connected, more go-kart like and even more adjustable on throttle and steering with great feedback.
The only downside is DSC, it will intervene much earlier with this rack, I checked my alignment and at first it was a little out, 5 minutes toe in on one side and 1 minute toe in the other side. Set both sides to just 2 minutes toe in which was what the car was previously set at which helped, but DSC intervenes earlier for sure and on the front brakes. For those who drive with DSC off is not an issue, but those who enjoy driving fast with DSC on for safety net then I am afraid this modification is not for you as the DSC will drive you crazy. I have even tried resetting the steering angle sensor but has made no improvement.
It makes sense though because the car is seeing less steering angle but in reality is steering more meaning you have more angle but the car is thinking the car is sliding due to lack of steering angle and as such intervening to early.
I have heard it is possible to re-calibrate the DSC to the new faster rack, but am not sure how to do this or if it is possible on the older MK20 DSC?
But as I am happy to drive without DSC for me it is a great modification.
Hi there
Manage to sort my DSC kicking in too early on front axle since purple rack fitment.
Used NCS Expert to pull the file from my DSC module, loaded it into NCS Dummy to see what options were available and set all DSC options to lowest available numerical number to reduce DSC interaction.
My DSC code is below:
So I have flashed my DSC with the following settings:
BREMSLICHTSCHALTER
aktiv
REIFENTOL_ABGLEICH_ASC
aktiv
REIFENTOLERANZABGLEICH
aktiv
PRE_VLABS
aktiv
EBV_LAMPE
aktiv
LOGIK_HA_SPERRE
aktiv
MOTOR_ART_ASC
wert_01
DV_OFFSET
line0
EINSPURMODELLPARAMETER
typ_6
DRUCKMODELLPARAMETER
typ_4
DRUCKMODELL_HINTERACHSE
typ_1
DRUCKMODELL_VORDERACHSE
typ_2
REIFENDRUCKWARNSYSTEM
aktiv
SEQ_M_GETRIEBE
aktiv
UEBERSTEUERN_MUE_0
wert_05
UEBERSTEUERN_MUE_1
wert_04
UNTERSTEUERN_MUE_0
wert_02
UNTERSTEUERN_MUE_1
wert_02
GRADIENT_MM_ZUGABE
wert_03 (STD is 04)
DELTA_PSI_BETA_LIMIT_KORR
wert_01
UNTERSTEUERSCHWELLE
wert_01 (STD is 03)
GETRIEBE
handschaltung
For those with older MK20 DSC, using these settings has reduced DSC interaction on the front axle for sure, resulting in my quicker rack now not triggering the ABS on the front axle.
So if anyone is find there MK20 DSC too sensitive especially on the front axle try the above settings, they seem to work quite well.
So this has worked a treat and made the DSC not so nannying, quite a nice mod I would recommend it for those with MK20 who find DSC to interfering but like the safety net it offers.
Manage to sort my DSC kicking in too early on front axle since purple rack fitment.
Used NCS Expert to pull the file from my DSC module, loaded it into NCS Dummy to see what options were available and set all DSC options to lowest available numerical number to reduce DSC interaction.
My DSC code is below:
So I have flashed my DSC with the following settings:
BREMSLICHTSCHALTER
aktiv
REIFENTOL_ABGLEICH_ASC
aktiv
REIFENTOLERANZABGLEICH
aktiv
PRE_VLABS
aktiv
EBV_LAMPE
aktiv
LOGIK_HA_SPERRE
aktiv
MOTOR_ART_ASC
wert_01
DV_OFFSET
line0
EINSPURMODELLPARAMETER
typ_6
DRUCKMODELLPARAMETER
typ_4
DRUCKMODELL_HINTERACHSE
typ_1
DRUCKMODELL_VORDERACHSE
typ_2
REIFENDRUCKWARNSYSTEM
aktiv
SEQ_M_GETRIEBE
aktiv
UEBERSTEUERN_MUE_0
wert_05
UEBERSTEUERN_MUE_1
wert_04
UNTERSTEUERN_MUE_0
wert_02
UNTERSTEUERN_MUE_1
wert_02
GRADIENT_MM_ZUGABE
wert_03 (STD is 04)
DELTA_PSI_BETA_LIMIT_KORR
wert_01
UNTERSTEUERSCHWELLE
wert_01 (STD is 03)
GETRIEBE
handschaltung
For those with older MK20 DSC, using these settings has reduced DSC interaction on the front axle for sure, resulting in my quicker rack now not triggering the ABS on the front axle.
So if anyone is find there MK20 DSC too sensitive especially on the front axle try the above settings, they seem to work quite well.
So this has worked a treat and made the DSC not so nannying, quite a nice mod I would recommend it for those with MK20 who find DSC to interfering but like the safety net it offers.
Hi there
This has to be one of the cheapest and best modifications I have made to the car:
For those wondering what it is, well it is a solid metal bush which replaces the rubber bush in the steering coupler. Do not worry about the bolts they are just randomly inserted to make sure they were not lost.
I have had the part fitted for a couple of days now and all I have witnessed is positives, the part brings no negatives!
Positives are:
- Improved on centre feel, with purple rack my car now has zero dead zone.
- I can really feel the road surface, but not to a point where it is annoying, it is in fact spot on, I can feel the surface, grip available.
- Steering feels slightly heavier, no doubt because it is in fact not but the solid bush tightens things up giving the impression of heavier steering.
- Of course the steering is more direct, the solid coupler combined with faster purple rack really gives the car much faster/direct responsiveness.
- The best possible praise I can give is now with the new rack and solid coupler the M3's steering is now close to my 911's for feel/weight, this is real praise as anyone who has driven or owned a 911 will know they are the ultimate in steering feel/feedback/weighting.
A truly great modification that cost less than £50, the steering is a major part of any car, especially a drivers car such as the M3. All I can say this solid bush and purple rack are truly a great combination and those who enjoy driving their M3's should be making these modifications.
This has to be one of the cheapest and best modifications I have made to the car:
For those wondering what it is, well it is a solid metal bush which replaces the rubber bush in the steering coupler. Do not worry about the bolts they are just randomly inserted to make sure they were not lost.
I have had the part fitted for a couple of days now and all I have witnessed is positives, the part brings no negatives!
Positives are:
- Improved on centre feel, with purple rack my car now has zero dead zone.
- I can really feel the road surface, but not to a point where it is annoying, it is in fact spot on, I can feel the surface, grip available.
- Steering feels slightly heavier, no doubt because it is in fact not but the solid bush tightens things up giving the impression of heavier steering.
- Of course the steering is more direct, the solid coupler combined with faster purple rack really gives the car much faster/direct responsiveness.
- The best possible praise I can give is now with the new rack and solid coupler the M3's steering is now close to my 911's for feel/weight, this is real praise as anyone who has driven or owned a 911 will know they are the ultimate in steering feel/feedback/weighting.
A truly great modification that cost less than £50, the steering is a major part of any car, especially a drivers car such as the M3. All I can say this solid bush and purple rack are truly a great combination and those who enjoy driving their M3's should be making these modifications.
Hi there
The M3 is now being used everyday since I sold the 911, I still need to fit the differential and get a cage made up.
My wings are suffering from the usual M3 rot and I had planned to buy new BMW wings next year which cost around £550 for the pair. But when a pair of genuine excellent fitting carbon fiber wings came on offer, I could not say no.
Here is just one of them:
They look incredible and feel like they weigh less than a kilo, incredibly light but strong, will save about 10kg from the front of the car.
Also might have come across a carbon fiber roof as well that might be getting installed this week.
The M3 is now being used everyday since I sold the 911, I still need to fit the differential and get a cage made up.
My wings are suffering from the usual M3 rot and I had planned to buy new BMW wings next year which cost around £550 for the pair. But when a pair of genuine excellent fitting carbon fiber wings came on offer, I could not say no.
Here is just one of them:
They look incredible and feel like they weigh less than a kilo, incredibly light but strong, will save about 10kg from the front of the car.
Also might have come across a carbon fiber roof as well that might be getting installed this week.
Hi there
A carbon roof has always being high on the light, but the £1000 options some say the quality is poor or they quickly become tatty and the better options such as Evolve roof are close to £1500-£2000 mark fitted and a genuine CSL roof more unless you can get one second hand.
So I've gone with the next best option, a 4D carbon gloss wrap, mainly also because I wanted to see the quality of a wrap on a panel as well. Unfortunately dull day, dirty car so the photos are nothing special at the moment, of course once the car is all cleaned up and the sun is out I shall get better photos taken:
I personally felt the blue strips for the roof box looked out of place so I painted them today in gloss black:
Anyone who knows CSL's will know CSL roof is 1x1 weave, this is more like the Evolve carbon roof and is 2x2 weave.
In sunlight it looks awesome and the gloss comes into its own. The quality of the wrap in general is superb and at £150 it cost far less than the real roof, admittedly in my opinion it does not look as good and you do not get the weight saving but I like the overall image and if need be in the future it is easily reversible or changeable, for instance to gloss black roof.
Also as I've got carbon wings to fit, which would need painting and then rest of car painting to blend and then a polish/mop/detail of the whole car were talking £500-£600. So I am considering doing a full wrap, question is what colour.
A carbon roof has always being high on the light, but the £1000 options some say the quality is poor or they quickly become tatty and the better options such as Evolve roof are close to £1500-£2000 mark fitted and a genuine CSL roof more unless you can get one second hand.
So I've gone with the next best option, a 4D carbon gloss wrap, mainly also because I wanted to see the quality of a wrap on a panel as well. Unfortunately dull day, dirty car so the photos are nothing special at the moment, of course once the car is all cleaned up and the sun is out I shall get better photos taken:
I personally felt the blue strips for the roof box looked out of place so I painted them today in gloss black:
Anyone who knows CSL's will know CSL roof is 1x1 weave, this is more like the Evolve carbon roof and is 2x2 weave.
In sunlight it looks awesome and the gloss comes into its own. The quality of the wrap in general is superb and at £150 it cost far less than the real roof, admittedly in my opinion it does not look as good and you do not get the weight saving but I like the overall image and if need be in the future it is easily reversible or changeable, for instance to gloss black roof.
Also as I've got carbon wings to fit, which would need painting and then rest of car painting to blend and then a polish/mop/detail of the whole car were talking £500-£600. So I am considering doing a full wrap, question is what colour.
I get using carbon for weight loss.
I'm not a fan of carbon as a styling accessory.
I really can't get my head around adding a fake carbon effect to what is supposed to be a focussed track car. What you've done is added weight in exchange for making people think you've reduced weight.
I'm not a fan of carbon as a styling accessory.
I really can't get my head around adding a fake carbon effect to what is supposed to be a focussed track car. What you've done is added weight in exchange for making people think you've reduced weight.
Looked at these, quality is poor and seems hit and miss, on some cars they look OK, others look a mess.
Because I like the look, I also use this car daily and a vinyl sheet weighed grams so no weight change.
![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
Yes, because the next best thing to a roof type which exists only to reduce weight is... a big sticker that leaves the weight unchanged
Are you going to go with a stick on supercharger picture as the next best thing to a charger conversion?
[TW]Fox;28976646 said:Yes, because the next best thing to a roof type which exists only to reduce weight is... a big sticker that leaves the weight unchanged
Are you going to go with a stick on supercharger picture as the next best thing to a charger conversion?
I knew you'd be posting, always make me smile Fox.
You will probably hate what I do next!