Brad smith Posted June 22, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2017 So I'm feeling like my interior is a bit miss match ATM so looking to get that sorted. As I have different carbon fibre on the trims to the paddles and also my smg trim is still piano black. So I'm thinking do I get the smg trim painted Matt black to match the centre console and wheel trim or do I get it done in the same carbon. Issue is I'd have to send the other trim with it as I'd want the weave to all line up as it would bug me. And I'd want to get the paddles redone in the same carbon as that's different ATM. I'm also thinking of getting a new centre console as it's scratched and it's bugging me and also a new lower steering wheel trim as I don't want to wrap it Matt black or painted as just won't be happy. I'm also thinking to get a perforated handbrake that's on the 1 series. I've also got a e60 m5 gear knob on the way so going to wire that up so it lights up when reverse and stuff is selected. But then I don't like the silver trim so do I get that in carbon or paint it Matt black. I was going to go for stormworks but it's a lot of money for all the pieces I'd want. And I'd prefer to spend that money elsewhere. I'm also thinking of getting alcantara gaiters but again I'd want it to match my seats. So my interior currently looks like this So I'm thinking get the e60 knob on, either spray Matt black, piano black or get it done carbon Fibre. Get the 1 series perforated handbrake. Alcantara gaiters. New centre console and steering wheel trim. Get the smg trim either Matt black, leave as piano black or get it done carbon fibre. If I could get this sorted the interior would be perfect and would all match. What the gear knob will look like... Carbon fibre ? With the lights Thoughts ? Or bit of help on a few decisions as I'm currently torn between a few. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benji83 Posted June 22, 2017 Report Share Posted June 22, 2017 For me it has to be the carbon fibre gear knob, but I'd leave the SMG trim piano so it helps to break it up from the surrounding plate. As for the handbrake handle why not go for carbon fibre as well :') ? I'm sure Royals could do perforated charcoal gaiters but I see why you'd rather leave it, than have it not really match and look a bit tacky. You could just match them to the steering wheel? I've just ordered a centre console for mine off this guy on ebay. Used him before and have no trouble believing his stuff is genuine. I don't know how much one is from a BMW main dealer but this price seems pretty good. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-GENUINE-BMW-3-SERIES-E46-CENTER-CONSOLE-TRIM-BASE-BLACK-SHWARTZ-RHD-8218306/201904870111?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad smith Posted June 25, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2017 So the knob looks like the below. I've not wired it up yet but I'm really not sure if I'm keep. Thinking of selling and just going stormworks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad smith Posted June 26, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2017 Hated the knob once fitted so.... So as usual eBay strikes again for a bargain. Found a titanium stormworks gear knob, gaiter ring and handbrake with button for a great price. Must have been fate as they never usually comes up. Got it at about a 3rd of the price which I'm over the moon at. Now need to decide whether I get the paddles to match.... Also can get hold of a Csl replica bumper. Mine needs replacing as it's cracked on the bottom and really spoils the front, and front bumpers are becoming hard to get hold of for a good price. What do people think ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad smith Posted June 26, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2017 Now have paddles to match at not far off half the retail price. So pretty successful night Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad smith Posted June 29, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2017 So stormworks knob is in. I’m really 50/50 about the colour of it. Not sure if I should’ve gone for the stainless steel... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaz-777 Posted June 29, 2017 Report Share Posted June 29, 2017 Sounds like you got some bargains mate. I'm always on the look out for some stormworks items, I prefer the titanium as I think the stainless looks too much when the rest of the interior is dark. Just my personal opinion though but looks great bud 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad smith Posted July 1, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2017 So quite a few bits done over the last few days. Got all the storm interior bits installed and I must say now there all in I love them all. Especially the Paddles how the illuminate and have neoprene on the back, make the changes much nicer than the cheap carbon ones. I’ve sprayed the smg surround and wheel trim in a Matt black that’s pealable (plasti dip from Halfords) so if I didn’t like it I could remove it. But I’m really happy with it. And also changed the centre console to a brand new one as even though mine was in good condition I wanted it new to match the other new bits. Been bugging me for a while. I have to say I’m over the moon with the interior now I would say complete. As everything matches as I want it to. So pictures.... Old vs new Paddles Old centre console and new Rest of the pictures of the interior Close up of my knob [emoji23] TriggerFish and Mk2majik 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad smith Posted July 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2017 Stacks have been purchased. Got a very good price on them !! There silver grey atm with yellow hoses. But think I’d rather all black. But I can sort that out at a later date. I’m so excited to hear the noise. avalaugh 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
02Anders Posted July 4, 2017 Report Share Posted July 4, 2017 You sure have gone through a fair few SMG shifters!! Loving your half cloth seats. I never really have understood all-leather seats in a proper performance car - you end up sliding on the leather when cornering hard. Cloth is much better. Yours look awesome... TriggerFish 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad smith Posted July 4, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2017 You sure have gone through a fair few SMG shifters!! [emoji14] Loving your half cloth seats. I never really have understood all-leather seats in a proper performance car - you end up sliding on the leather when cornering hard. Cloth is much better. Yours look awesome... Yeah but think I’ve found the one I’m happy with now...finally. Yeah I love the half cloth seats they so comfortable and really hold you in. They don’t get too hot or too cold neither. I love the stitching on them to. 02Anders 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad smith Posted July 6, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 6, 2017 I could do with some help picking what colour to go for with the stacks. Few examples Do I go for: All black Black with grey hoses Silver grey with black hoses. Or pick a bright colour for them to stand out ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
02Anders Posted July 6, 2017 Report Share Posted July 6, 2017 Definitely silver grey with black hoses. Looks stealth... Brad smith and daboy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad smith Posted July 15, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2017 So first problem with the m3 has happened. Driving from Birmingham - London to pick up the girlfriends new car. Literally pull up on the drive of the seller. Heard a loud bang and smoke coming from under the bonnet. Lifted it could clearly see the coolant expansion tank seals had gone. So tried to fill again with coolant then drove round the corner but same happened smoke everywhere so pulled up and phoned the RAC to come and recover it. Fast forward 17 hours a stay overnight in a hotel and it finally got collected. Absolute nightmare with RAC. So now have an extra day in London as a bonus. But what a s**t day. Now got to get that sorted, ordered the new tank from Bmw. Will be getting the air conditioning condenser replaced as I was told Wednesday when trying to get it re gassed I had a leak from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avalaugh Posted July 15, 2017 Report Share Posted July 15, 2017 Fingers crossed this doesn't go deeper for you [emoji106] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Brad smith 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
govich Posted July 18, 2017 Report Share Posted July 18, 2017 Unlucky re coolant mate, doesn't feel to me like the longevity of BMW's cooling systems of the era is great. Just looking at those trumpet designs, they look amazing & I'd love to hear the noise. Do they typically gain power? I'd question the air distribution, particularly the back two cylinders when the cabin air assembly is on, might result in some of them working harder than others Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad smith Posted July 18, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2017 Unlucky re coolant mate, doesn't feel to me like the longevity of BMW's cooling systems of the era is great. Just looking at those trumpet designs, they look amazing & I'd love to hear the noise. Do they typically gain power? I'd question the air distribution, particularly the back two cylinders when the cabin air assembly is on, might result in some of them working harder than others I know hopefully get it sorted. New tank was roughly £90. Trumpets are great and I love the look in black. The noise is insane. Went inside one with them and been thinking about them ever since. Yes think they gain between 10-15bhp. So they say. No I believe there okay regarding air distribution as they’ve been tested thoroughly and quite a few run them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad smith Posted July 22, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2017 Car is finally back !!! I’m over the moon. Had the water pump, thermostat, viscous and new tank all done. Had Bmw coolant put in. Had a few bits done just as preventative while they had access to it. Took it for a drive god I forgot how much I love it ! All back to normal. Stacks are getting fitted next weekend now. Can not wait !!!! Air con condenser needs to get fitted. Not sure if it’s something I could do myself or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad smith Posted July 29, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2017 stacks were fitted today. I’m over the moon with how they look at the sound!!!!!! So awesome. Really opens the sound up to how a m3 should sound. Pics. TriggerFish, AndyT99 and avalaugh 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad smith Posted August 28, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2017 So I had a xenon bulb on the passenger side that was a different colour to the driver side. Bit more yellow but looked rubbish in the dark. So got two new bulbs and sidelights. Then nothing else has happened apart from giving it a clean today and looking back and realising how good it looks. Thanks for looking. avalaugh 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveNE Posted August 28, 2017 Report Share Posted August 28, 2017 (edited) Love seeing you progress with this It's making me seriously thinking about an M3 in the next year. Where did you get the iPad Mounting kit from got a spare iPad Mini lying around might put it to some use. Seen a few peoples with the Cheap s**te off eBay and they are terrible headunits Edited August 28, 2017 by DaveNE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad smith Posted August 28, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2017 Love seeing you progress with this It's making me seriously thinking about an M3 in the next year. Where did you get the iPad Mounting kit from got a spare iPad Mini lying around might put it to some use. Seen a few peoples with the Cheap s**te off eBay and they are terrible headunitsThanks mate. I’d definitely do it. I’ve not looked back since I got mine. Nothing I want to swap it for neither. I found someone selling it on eBay. There is a company who make them. I’ll have to try find the name. It’s a great upgrade, I’ve had the Chinese units and there terrible. DaveNE 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad smith Posted August 30, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2017 Small update but something that I always like to do. New side indicators from BMW. Old driver side New driver side Old passenger side New passenger side Also stupidly got a price from Bmw for a CSL bootlid and all the bits to fit [emoji85] not ordered yet as still a few bits I want to get done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aspire_Dan Posted September 1, 2017 Report Share Posted September 1, 2017 On 8/28/2017 at 13:03, Brad smith said: So I had a xenon bulb on the passenger side that was a different colour to the driver side. Bit more yellow but looked rubbish in the dark. So got two new bulbs and sidelights. Firstly, love this car, it's stunning! Secondly, what Xenon bulbs did you go for? Mine are in a similar state to your yellow one above and not sure which Xenon bulbs to go for! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad smith Posted September 4, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2017 Thank you mate. I got them off a guy on cutters mate. There good quality tbf. Got a few more updates done and a few to come. But I think I’m going to save them all for one post... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
