2001 BMW E46 M3 Ownership Journal

May 21, 2018

Automotive

Background

As some of you may know, my previous car was a 2002 BMW E46 M3 Dinan S1.

Before the start of 2018 I was involved in a car accident which totaled it. Sadly, I did not want to have the car fixed as it would be carrying a rebuilt title thus killing all collectability and resell value. Instead of jumping back into the first car I found, I wanted to wait till the right one came along. Perhaps use this as a chance to upgrade. After continuing to search for a new vehicle for months, I finally found one that checked the right boxes (maintenance + clean mods). I found this BMW for sale on M3Forum.net by a gentleman named Eric in SoCal. Turns out, he is one of the founders of GarageWelt, a popular automotive lifestyle brand. We talked on the phone extensively and eventually came to an agreement on the price. Two weeks later the car was delivered as promised and as described. I couldn’t have been happier. Huge shoutout to Eric for holding the car while payment details were being exchanged. He had lots of interest locally and could have sold for asking on site easily.

Vehicle specifications

2001 BMW E46 M3, 104k Miles (on arrival)
Jet Black, Black Nappa Leather, Piano Black Trim
Original 6 Speed Manual
Xenon Headlights, 4:3 Nav, Manual Seats, Moonroof

Modifications on arrival

Volk Racing 19″ CE28’s w/ Michelin Pilot Sports 245F, 275R
Stoptech ST40 BBK
Eisenmann Race 83MM Exhaust
TC Kline coilover suspension w/ front camber plates
Powerflex FCABS & RTABS
Hardwired Valentine1 Radar
Black kidney grills
Black side grills
LED Tails

Maintenance as of 104k delivery

Lang Racing Subframe Reinforcement
BEISAN Vanos (w/ Anti Rattle Kit)
Rod bearings replaced under recall by BMW @ 67k miles
Differential Service w/ AKG Diff Bushings
Rear Trailer Arm Bushings
Valve Adjustment
Lang Racing Camshaft Bolt Upgrade Kit
New OEM Lemfoerder Engine Mounts
Front Control Arm Bushings
Roundels, Badges, Headlight lenses refreshed

Changes and maintenance under my ownership (as of 4-30-22)

Black M3 Badge
Black bumper reflectors
Replaced leaky rear view mirror
Leather seat care and restoration
Hand wash, clay, and wax
New Bosch alternator
Shift lights and sport memory coded
Volk center caps
Dinan strut bar
Oil Change and Intake Filter
Oil Level Sensor
NKG Spark Plugs (6)
Bosch Ignition Coils (6)
Angel Eye Guy Opaque Switchback Halos
Amber side markers, corners, and tail lights
OEM 330D SSK
ECS Tuning Accessory Belt Kit (belts, pulleys, tensioners)
OEM F10 M5 illuminated shift knob retrofit
OEM ZCP rims powder coated pacific silver
ECS tuning 15mm spacer front
ECS tuning 12.5mm spacer rear
OEM CSL Bootlid
1×1 Carbon fiber interior trim
Coby alcantara steering wheel
Eventuri Intake
Megan Racing Catless Headers
HTE Tune (~330whp)
Paint correction and ceramic coating
Bluebus I-Bus System