<<< AP3X_FTW's ULTIMATE WEEKEND WARRIOR >>>

[AP3X FTW]

Hey guys, Its about time I start documenting my build over here. The goal has really been to build an M with a healthy blend, a car that I can drive through the streets of SoCal yet also one that has the capabilities of tearing up the track once I've escaped the Mon - Fri daily grind. This is my second e46 M3 yet Im always learning, especially when it come to my mechanical abilities. She see's most tracks in So Cal and hopefully will see many more to come. As you all know moding the M is like the most addictive drug, its never enough. Keeping up with preventative maintenance has been a focus of mine, this way we can keep her healthy and on the track.


Bought this M in March of 2011 and here we are just over a year later.

Jet Black
Black Nappa
SMG II w/ reflash

DynoJet @ EAS
4th Gear Pull

308 whp / 245 tq
-without MS elbow

Mod List as of: 07/01/2012

Suspension/Brakes/Rollers
Apex ARC-8 18x10 Square
265/35/18 Hankook RS-3's
Alcon 6 piston BBK 365mm rotors > not installed yet
Goodrich SS Brakelines
Project Mu HC+ Pads
Motul RBF600 Fluid
AST 4100 Coilovers
Spring Rates : 500 F / 550 R
Ride Height : 13" F / 13" R
Camber : -3 Deg. F / -2 Deg. R
AST RSM's
AST Remote Cable Adjustors
Vorshlag Camber Plates
New OEM FCAB's
Powerflex RTAB's
Apex 75mm Studs
Macht Schnell 10mm spacers (rear only)
Fenders Rolled/Pulled
Corner Balanced

Exterior
CSL CF trunk
CSL CF Diffuser painted JB
EAS Blackout Grill Kit
New OEM Roundels
Smoked Sidemarkers
Aurora Angel Eyes
Lightwerkz ZKW Lenses
New OEM headlights lenses
6000k Low Beams
LED Taillights
LED license plate lights
35% Tint

Engine/Tuning
Evolve-R Catless Tune
Evosport Headers
Status Gruppe Resonated Section 1
RPI scoops
Macht Schnell Drop In Filter
Macht Schnell Intake Elbow
Secondary Air Pump block off plate


Interior
Suede CobyWheel Steering Wheel
-Grey stitching / Yellow 12 o'clock stripe
Suede SMG Boot
-Grey stitching
Suede E-Brake Boot
-Grey stitching
CSL e-brake assembly w/ suede handle
Short Console w/ euro tray (Arm Rest Delete)
JLevi CF SMG Paddles
Ultimate Pedals Anti Slip
iPod interface
Custom Suede Rear Seat Delete

Weight Reduction/Misc Work
Sunroof Delete (pending)
Rear Seat Delete
Trunk Gutted
Removed washer fluid resevior
Removed fog lights/housings
(makes room for brake ducting)
Secondary Air Pump delete/blockoff

Maintenance

Done @ 80k
-Oil Change
-Valve Adjustment
-Valve Cover Gasket
-Valve Cover Seal Washers (2)
-Spark Plugs (6)
-Spark Plug Seals (6)
-Rubber Seals (13)
-Fuel Filter
-New Center Console / Dash Compartments
-Clean MAF

Done @ 82k
-New side mirror lenses
-Cabin Filter
-New OEM FCAB's

Done @ 84k
-Oil Change
-New MS Drop in filter

Done @ 85k
-Powerflex RTAB's
-Differential Fluid Flush
-Transmission Fluid Flush
-Coolant Flush

Done @ 87k
-Oil Change
-Steering Flex Coupler
-CPV
-Brake fluid Flush

Future Maint/Mods
-VAC/TMS/Fall Line Pulleys and new belts
-OEM Guibo + new locking nuts
-Power Steering Flush
-Bimmerworld C&R / New OEM Radiator
-OEM Thermostat + O-rings (3)
-OEM Water Pump + O-rings (2) + Gasket
-OEM Upper Radiator Hose + Clamp
-OEM Lower Radiator Hose + Clamp
-OEM Coolant Temperature Sensors
-Vanos Bolts
-Vanos Filter
-Undecided brand Transmission Mounts
-Undecided brand Motor Mounts
-Undecided brand Diff Mounts
-Recaro SPG / Cobra seats
-Undecided brand Harnesses
-GC endlinks
-GC / TMS Swaybars
-CF Sunroof Delete
-Custom Roll Bar

[AP3X FTW]

[AP3X FTW]

Las Vegas Motor Speedway





























Buttonwillow

[stealthbeam]

Very cool! Looks like fun

[bostongreen328i]

Awesome setup!

[MikeLenoch5]

Nice to see a non-poser E46 M3 for once!

[Inv3ctiv3]

Not normally a fan of the whole blacked out thing but this looks pretty cool.

[AP3X FTW]

Thanks guys, more updates to come. Next event is CA Speedway on Aug 12th.

[savage217]

Looks awesome and strong numbers. How do you like the Rs3's? I want them but am worried about the wet grip coming from star specs, which work well in the rain.

[AP3X FTW]

Looks awesome and strong numbers. How do you like the Rs3's? I want them but am worried about the wet grip coming from star specs, which work well in the rain.

I am a huge fan of the RS3's but I have only experience dry track conditions. I have however driven them on the street in moderate rain conditions (SoCal) and they held up just fine. Star Specs are great tires as well.

The thing that really impresses me is that I have DD'd this car for a good 15 months and completed 3 full track days on one set of RS3's. I would have never expected them to last this long!

[dubledee]

I am a huge fan of the RS3's but I have only experience dry track conditions. I have however driven them on the street in moderate rain conditions (SoCal) and they held up just fine. Star Specs are great tires as well.

The thing that really impresses me is that I have DD'd this car for a good 15 months and completed 3 full track days on one set of RS3's. I would have never expected them to last this long!

How many miles did you put on in those 15 months? I toasted mine within 6 months, driving about 8000 miles within those months though. Looks good, keep modding the driver!

[AP3X FTW]

How many miles did you put on in those 15 months? I toasted mine within 6 months, driving about 8000 miles within those months though. Looks good, keep modding the driver!

Thanks. I would say I put about 10k a year on my M, that should help give you a reference.

[bob(NJ)]

Very nice car! I love how the apex's look on the e46 m3, I wish they would fit like that on the 335

[Tonester]

Ryan,

Nice to see that you started a journal on this forum!! Car is coming along great, I was test my car at the Autoclub event but didn't get take care of all the items on my checklist.

Come out to BW on the 26th with Raceline, less car count, more track time and it's cheaper than other providers. See you at the track soon!

[AP3X FTW]

Ryan,

Nice to see that you started a journal on this forum!! Car is coming along great, I was test my car at the Autoclub event but didn't get take care of all the items on my checklist.

Come out to BW on the 26th with Raceline, less car count, more track time and it's cheaper than other providers. See you at the track soon!

Thanks brotha, I may come by the shop when I get back into the country for this Alcon BBK install.

Yea Ajay said you were coming out, I was hoping to see that beast. Cant do the 26th, Ill be tying the knot in Italy

Catch you out there when I get back.

A couple terrible iPhone pics from the track day yesterday, broke in some new Alpine Star driving gloves as well.

It was a great day overall, the M ran strong although the last couple sessions had my cooling system entering the red. Cant complain when your running all day in humid 100+ degree weather. Most of the guys had the same misfortune with there M3's, luckily mine didn't start until later in the day.



6 A.M. fill up and tire pressure check, already freakin 90 degrees out.









The GT3 RS in our garage belonging to a friend of the crew... Of course it was parked next to my face all day, what a confidence booster lol.

[jeremy5000]

Absolutely love your setup, I'm surprised how meaty the 265s look on a 10" wheel... Are the wheels et25?

[stealthbeam]

Very cool! Wish these temps could drop, I wouldn't want to risk it with 200k on the clock o_0

[AP3X FTW]

Absolutely love your setup, I'm surprised how meaty the 265s look on a 10" wheel... Are the wheels et25?

Thanks, yea I get that alot with this set up. Your correct 18x10 et25.

Very cool! Wish these temps could drop, I wouldn't want to risk it with 200k on the clock o_0

I hear ya, CA speedway was 100+ this weekend... brutal. I had sweat dripping in my eyes in mid session.

[Tonester]

Thanks brotha, I may come by the shop when I get back into the country for this Alcon BBK install.

Yea Ajay said you were coming out, I was hoping to see that beast. Cant do the 26th, Ill be tying the knot in Italy

Catch you out there when I get back.

Congrats!!!!

Alcon....?