S2000 gone. its replacement

[flybikeslee]

got bored of my blue s2000 after having done everything i wanted with it, ended up buying a black one at the same time and then made a tidy profit on for just waiting to sell it when the sun came out.

Blue s2k sold within 4 hours and black one sold the morning of collecting the M3. did fancy an E92 but didn't fancy having that much money in a car i don't use all that much. One for the future i reckon.

This one cropped up in York, big folder full of history, boot floor has been fully replaced in 2012. contacted previous owners and they also confirmed car was a good one. So deposit down went to collect the following week. As with any car i seem to buy a few bits did need some love. Diamond cut finish on the wheels was ruined (white worm) the body work needs a proper machine polish, exhaust clamps needed replacing, rear spring had snapped. rear lights were letting in water, amp needed fixing as only 2 of the speakers were working.

Pictures from owner back in 2012.

looks like it's been looked after, guy i bought it off had a couple of kids so keeping on top of the visual kind of things obviously wasn't priority, it wasn't bad, but i'm quite fussy.
Sub frame issue

all out!

Car already had some fog light covers and some goodridge hoses, apart from that was bog standard.
Options list from the factory.

For sale pictures

 

[flybikeslee]

so, got it home

gave it the usual treatments,

arches and underneath cleaned and treated

Wheels refurbed. Chrome powdercoat.

replaced the exhaust clamps, last ones had seen better days

Wet Vacced the boot liner

facelifted the rear lights

replaced bulbs for LEDS to freshen things up

had the amp fixed and upgraded. also installed an AUX lead in the driver side cubby hole

 

[flybikeslee]

New springs on, back end needs to be raised a little bit so will be playing with rear pad thickness to get it sitting right, will more than likely end up on coilovers. Spacers also on

Blacked the chrome bits and replaced the indicators as original ones were full of water and looked poo.

debadged the rear and private plate on. M3 (obvious) LW are my initials. X... more of just a space, hides the age which is all i was fussed about.

binned the plinth for the plate, some holes behind whick will get smoothed off. how it's currently sitting

 

[flybikeslee]

one with the pooch too

 

[flybikeslee]

old centre caps all bubbled and corroded

fresh newies

 

[b16a2vtiguy]

Good lad, welcome to the M3 club lol

 

[Ally138]

Another one gone onto the M3.org crew love seeing a car clean underneath though. Looking good

 

[oifovo]

A good few from the forum have gone that way recently and I can see why! My dad used to have it, it's a truly awesome car but the running costs compared to the civic are much much higher. Congrats on choosing one with the right gearbox Out of my reach atm I'm afraid!

 

[harVTEC]

Lovely car, always had a soft spot for the E46 M3s, not a colour you often see the M badged ones in either, some tasteful changes being made already. Will be keeping an eye on this

 

[rd55 dun]

Very nice! Like these a lot!

 

[Dannyboy205]

Haha crossed to the darkside like me.

Its a different car to an old honda but awesome in a different way. Yours looks a great example!

 

[eternal blue 2000]

Great looking dog..................car is ok I suppose also

 

[flybikeslee]

new front arms, bushes and track rods fitted as the old ones were past there sell by date. if you're going to tackle this yourself a 21mm ratchet spanner is your friend! Had a good nosey and check round rear subframe, no issues (wasnt expecting any but best to check when possible

also fitted the thicker spring pads, sits how i want to now, just sociable. (£20 per side...robbing bastards)

Geo settings

need to do some more reading into this to get the front camber bang on, there are ways to do it with oem top mounts by taking a nipple off (oooerr) and elongating the holes a tad (will do till it inevitably ends up on coilovers)

gave the bay a clean too and checked all fluids

Need to get the proper camera out now it sits better.

 

[b16a2vtiguy]

Good lad, yes you do as I'm still waiting for a photoshoot

 

[flybikeslee]

where's my thermostat you jew

 

[b16a2vtiguy]

In my house

 

[flybikeslee]

 

[si8pny]

nice purchase! Really fancy one of these as a ring toy!

 

[flybikeslee]

managed to get a few better photos

also collecting some 18s tomorrow, 4 rears so should sit something like this

 

[flybikeslee]

did 1600 miles to and from Nurburg. 162mph on the autobahn (on nav, 175 on clocks) 4 laps round the ring. best lap was 9.45, pretty happy with that for first visit, brakes need some new pads and fluid, would benefit coilovers but not too fussed at the moment as car drives lovely.

wonderful place, future plans are to buy somewhere over there to go to a few times a year and rent out the rest of the year.

Averaged 38mpg to germany, overall finished on 28mpg for the full trip. for anyone who hasnt been do it! great atmosphere, cheap food and accomodation and not as daunting as people make out. one thing you dont realise is the elevation changes, no videos or games give any idea of it.