The new Ride ///M Content

[Drift]

I was recently reminded that I haven't posted any M3 updates recently. However, that doesn't mean that things weren't getting done.

Its been up in the air for a few weeks now. It was my intention to do everything relatively quickly, but things don't always work out that way. I got everything apart and was pressing out the bushings from the rear subframe and noticed that one of them was pretty misshapen and didn't want to come out. So I had to buy one off of ebay, which took some time and a paypal dispute to get the guy to ship it. So the "new" subframe should be here on monday.

The lower left bushing is fuxored.

While I waited, I got to reinforcing all the other rear suspension parts and pressing in all the new bushings I got for those parts.

The rear camber arms, (LCA) with the fresh plates welded on.

Spring perch with the gusset I made waiting to be welded.

After welding. . .

Other fresh parts are being added as the car is being reassembled:

Fresh center bearing for the driveshaft

Turner Motorsport Rear trailing arm bushing supports

A fresh Guibo (flex disk for the drive shaft)

The rear diff is getting a fresh rebuild with an upgraded 40% for lock-up. Also getting new seals and solid bushings

One of the solid bushings for the rear diff case, also a Turner motorsport kit.

Some fresh hardware and sway bar bushings

I got both front wheel straightened. The M3 wheels are notorious for bending, especially around New England.

New Short Shifter



I also did the rear wheel bearings while the trailing arms were out. The rear end should be better than new when its all back together.

The rear spring perches, camber arms and trailing arm mounts getting treated before paint.

The paint. Its the best.

 

[nsjames]

nice fab work.

I really wish BMW RTABs didn't suck. WTF is up with that, they've been a problem for like 30 years.

FWIW the wife's next car will be an E30 that's upgraded to M suspension with a rebuilt hybrid motor. She's already approved the project.

 

[JDM_Rook]

Your custom fab work looks very professional! I would love to learn to weld again one day. I like to make gusset plates for a boat trailer toungue, but it's galvanized steel. What material did you use for your gussets?..steel, aluminum? Did you tig weld? Keep up the good work!

 

[Drift]

nice fab work.

I really wish BMW RTABs didn't suck. WTF is up with that, they've been a problem for like 30 years.

FWIW the wife's next car will be an E30 that's upgraded to M suspension with a rebuilt hybrid motor. She's already approved the project.

I was considering the Turner Motorsport solid billet bushings, for the trailing arms, but since this car is still going to be driven on the street all summer, I opted for the rubber bushings with the limiters instead.

Turner also makes a nice Bilstien spring and strut package for the 30 m3 that would bolt right on to your wife's car. My bro is running it on his e30 318, its a very nice addition.

Your custom fab work looks very professional! I would love to learn to weld again one day. I like to make gusset plates for a boat trailer toungue, but it's galvanized steel. What material did you use for your gussets?..steel, aluminum? Did you tig weld? Keep up the good work!

We weld everything from migging mild steel to tigging titanium. I must admit, those arent my welds. Those are both the bosses, aka, the master fabricators. Both Alex and Bill, (especially Bill) are superb fabricators and its super handy having them around to weld up anything I can think of. All the gussets that you saw were all tigged mild steel.

I painted all that stuff before leaving the shop yesterday. I'll have some pics once I get to work. POR15 makes everything look so god, Im pumped to see it.

 

[Drift]

 

[RedRyder]

Lookin good Nick, nice updates. Oh, to have connections with a shop...

 

[ryan s]

POR15 needs to have a topcoat if its exposed to sunlight at all at least the gray stuff does...

 

[Russianred]

Great progress Nick! Can't wait to see the M3 rolling.. they are BEAST.

 

[AllGOnoSHOW]

There is one thing I am sure about from this thread. This BMW is is great hands! Love the car

 

[Drift]

POR15 needs to have a topcoat if its exposed to sunlight at all at least the gray stuff does...

True. I have the POR15 primer to put on, but opted not too since all of these parts are under the car and won't be seeing any direct sunlight.

Thanks guys! There is a lot more to do, and I'll be updating it more as I go.

Also, I'm still waiting for the rear differential clutch packs to rebuild the rear diff. I can't wait until this spring!