What I did today...
Discussion
Couldn't sleep properly last night as today was the day to collect my M3 from the bodyshop, where it has spent the last 5 weeks having a paint job.
As she's now done 130k miles there was a decent peppering of stonechips across the front, plus a couple of broken fog lamp lenses and headlamp lens. I'd also managed to dent one of the wings on a trackday, there was rust breaking through the rear arches and above the windscreen, and also on the bootlid - a bootlid that had the typical 90s M3 spoiler. Add to that the fact the wheels had peeling lacquer and it was time for action.
So, here's some pics of the progress:
And now the finished article:
So all in pretty bloody pleased!! Big thanks to Mark at Owlsbury Accident Repairs for all his hard work - HIGHLY recommended to anyone looking for a bodyshop in the South East.
Next job today was to head round to Surrey Rolling Road, to meet Charlie (Vixpy1). With the car now looking like it should, I wanted to see if it was running like it should.
Charlie suggested that typical bhp for an Evo is 290ish, and anything over 300 is good, over 310 is exceptional (in both senses!). With 130k miles, no clearances set in the last 12 months and a Simota CF induction kit the only mod, hopes were for around 290.
Here's the graphs:
Estimated flywheel BHP
RWHP
So overall she's not looking too bad! I've now got a baseline, so I'll know the impact of any future mods.
All in all, a pretty good day! My pockets are substantially lighter, but I've not stopped grinning yet so it was definitely worth it!
As she's now done 130k miles there was a decent peppering of stonechips across the front, plus a couple of broken fog lamp lenses and headlamp lens. I'd also managed to dent one of the wings on a trackday, there was rust breaking through the rear arches and above the windscreen, and also on the bootlid - a bootlid that had the typical 90s M3 spoiler. Add to that the fact the wheels had peeling lacquer and it was time for action.
So, here's some pics of the progress:
And now the finished article:
So all in pretty bloody pleased!! Big thanks to Mark at Owlsbury Accident Repairs for all his hard work - HIGHLY recommended to anyone looking for a bodyshop in the South East.
Next job today was to head round to Surrey Rolling Road, to meet Charlie (Vixpy1). With the car now looking like it should, I wanted to see if it was running like it should.
Charlie suggested that typical bhp for an Evo is 290ish, and anything over 300 is good, over 310 is exceptional (in both senses!). With 130k miles, no clearances set in the last 12 months and a Simota CF induction kit the only mod, hopes were for around 290.
Here's the graphs:
Estimated flywheel BHP
RWHP
So overall she's not looking too bad! I've now got a baseline, so I'll know the impact of any future mods.
All in all, a pretty good day! My pockets are substantially lighter, but I've not stopped grinning yet so it was definitely worth it!
Neil.D said:
Much better without the spoiler.
have you considered the E46 lip spoiler?
Yep, I've got one in the boot actually!have you considered the E46 lip spoiler?
I wasn't sure whether I wanted it fitted or not, so got it sprayed so I could see it before sticking it on. After a test fit, I've decided I prefer it without.
So, I have an E36 spoiler AND an E46 lip spoiler up for sale!
That looks great mate.
I must admit I have never been a real fan of the E36 coupe, always liked them but the E30 M3 was a poster car and I wanted an E46 M3 the moment I saw one, where as the E36 M3 was always just a really nice car.
However, I think it is aging well and when I see a mint one like that I now love them!!
They look so much better keeping the lines clean and with proper BMW wheels on them, I really like it.
I must admit I have never been a real fan of the E36 coupe, always liked them but the E30 M3 was a poster car and I wanted an E46 M3 the moment I saw one, where as the E36 M3 was always just a really nice car.
However, I think it is aging well and when I see a mint one like that I now love them!!
They look so much better keeping the lines clean and with proper BMW wheels on them, I really like it.
I did almost exactly none of it myself in all honesty - I wanted a top-notch job, and I have hands like a buttered monkey so they don't mix well.
The cost was about the same as a decent M3 Evo will set you back in the classifieds...
The chaps that did it were Owlsbury Accident Repair - find them here - second job they've done for me, and massively recommended.
The cost was about the same as a decent M3 Evo will set you back in the classifieds...
The chaps that did it were Owlsbury Accident Repair - find them here - second job they've done for me, and massively recommended.
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