Az's BMW M3 - Found out only 113 in my Paint/Interior, aww yeah

[Omnis]

Congrats on selling the MR-S. Now you won't look gay when you're driving around.

Subtle indeed.

 

[Azuremen]

Just wow.

Thanks guys

 

[hemisport15]

You said that now you have money for parts to put on the M3, what are you planning on doing?

 

[Rotary Junkie]

Fixing his broke rear suspension bits for one.

 

[Azuremen]

So, been a while has it not? Well, over a year

Anyhow, updates. The M3 is still waiting to get some stuff fixed, but will now be getting a full refresh of the suspension, bushings, new tires, etc. I also have 8 good DS1 wheels now for it and all the rear suspension and axles for both sides, which is part of why I am doing the bushings and what not at this point.

The more major item is the fact I have the MR-S back as well. Have had it since August. So I've been enjoying driving that around for the winter, which is fine since it lets me take the time on getting everything just right to be replaced on the M3 (and like hell I'd drive it in the snow anyhow)

 

[Small_Fryz]

How did you get the MR-S back?

 

[Azuremen]

How did you get the MR-S back?

Well, in America, we buy things with money. I'm pretty sure they trade sheep in NZ, though not really clear yet what you guys trade down there. Kangaroos? Boomerangs? Cases of beer?

I bought it back from my friend I had sold it to.

 

[Small_Fryz]

We buy things with cartons of beer.

Need a light installed? Cost you half a carton to your electrician mate.

Did you pay less or more then you sold it to him in the first place?

 

[Jay]

Yes beer is a national currency here, it has a lot of pull, much more than that "money" stuff.

 

[Crash]

Congrats on getting the MR-S back. I know someone who owns one for autocross use and he really likes it, although it's currently undergoing some major engine repair.

How much will do full suspension redo cost you on your M3?

 

[Azuremen]

Congrats on getting the MR-S back. I know someone who owns one for autocross use and he really likes it, although it's currently undergoing some major engine repair.

How much will do full suspension redo cost you on your M3?

I found the rear suspension bit (Arms, axles, hubs, etc) 2nd hand, so that was all under $300. The bushings though will run $400 or so. Still figuring out the shocks, but that will be $500 I think... Maybe. Sticking with OEM everything more or less because I really like how it drives stock and feels for longer highway trips.

 

[Azuremen]

Er, I mean...

BMW OPERATIONAL

So that is that.

 

[Cale]

Best color for the M3

 

[YSSMAN]

Nice! Time to run her, stretch out those muscles again!

 

[Small_Fryz]

Ready to roll out!

 

[Azuremen]

Another shot, despite the terrible weather for photography at the moment.

If anyone is curious how different this color can look based on the light, from a bit back (note the clear corners, ugh)

 

[Eric.]

So is that the drift setup (mismatched wheels) or what?

 

[Azuremen]

So is that the drift setup (mismatched wheels) or what?

Well, its more I had 2 good tires I could get mounted up at the time and then 3 good wheels, and only 2 with some tire on them. So the some tire wheels in the back, and the newer tires in the front. Very temp setup, but yes, it does make for drifting

 

[Eric.]

Maybe you should lay off drifting this one for just a little bit...

 

[Blitz187]

Wow... Looks awesome Azure! 👍

 

[Keef]

Maybe you should lay off drifting this one for just a little bit...

Nice to see you finally got around to doing some work. Feels good man.

 

[Azuremen]

Thanks. I had a friend do a lot of the work since he knew what he was doing and had the tools, and I suck at finishing car projects All new bushings in the rear, along with completely replacing the control arms and axles from a different '95 M3. Not quite sure if I feel the change, but I also haven't had it aligned yet.

After driving it around a bit, all the little things I needed to address have come back to my attention.

Ignition Barrel is starting to spin (common problem)
Squeaking from the steering wheel sometimes
Need a shift knob
Front brakes need to be done
Stereo is a mess at the moment (head unit is kind of in but ughh)
Window tint needs to be replaced
Fog lights need to be replaced

Mostly minor stuff. What I need to look at this summer, after I move, are the valve retainers and shock tower mounts.

 

[Azuremen]

Table of Content

MR-S bites the dust, M3 takes main stage
Discussing what to do with the M3 and MR-S
I bought a BMW /trollface

Pics
Summer 2012, a few pics and update
M3 in the snow on black DS1's

First set of the M3 with a friend
Getting dirty in style with the M
Black'd wheels in the garage
Black'd kidneys now too
New wheels time

MR-S in the snow pics
Celica pictures, 1
Celica pictures, 2
Garage Photos
Bought the Civic post
More in the snow fun
Street Lamp Civic photos
Interior Pics and engine bay - Civic
Civic at sunset


Current Cars

The German - 1995 BMW M3

Previous cars. . .

The Toy - 2000 MR-S

The Project - 1977 Celica GT

The Daily Beater - 1994 Acura Integra LS

The new guy - 1993 Civic B20Z VTEC

The old Toy - 1987 MR2 Silvertop 20V

The old daily - 1999 Corolla CE

And by that, I mean MR-S. A 2000, black with black cloth interior. Fairly low miles too - 66,000. Only had to go on a small trip to get it

Some quick pictures, more will come when I have time and weather agrees

I've driven the car about 500 miles now, and I have to say I love it compared to my AW11. It isn't quite as fast as the AW11 in a straight line, but the chassis and suspension are so much better. The chassis is very stiff while the ride is perfect for throwing around while not beating the driver to death on bumpy roads. The 1ZZ-FED is not as powerful as the Silvertop 20V 4A, and I do miss revving to 8400 RPM, but the smoother torque delivery and more consistent and linear power development makes the car quite a bit more predictable mid corner, even on snow.

Yes, snow. I just spend 2 hours playing around in empty parking lots getting the feeling for the car when its sideways. And by empty, I mean well off any road and out of site manufacturing parking lots with zero cars at 3am. The open differential makes it self known very quickly on the snow, but the car is easy to coax into over steer and just as easy to maintain and control the slip angle. I was easily able to do figure eights and slalom style runs while constantly maintaining a decent slip angle.

As far as the top goes, it seals completely and keeps noise decent in the car, though visibility suffers with it up. Top down, and the only thing getting a breeze on my 6'4 body is the very top of my head. Which reminds me that I do in fact fit in the car quite well, with a little space from the top with it up for my head - much better than the Miata I drove around.

Some quick specs for reference.

2000 Toyota MR-S (MR2 Spyder)
Engine: 1ZZ-FE (1.8 L, 140 HP @ 6400 RPM, 128 ft-lbs @ 4200 RPM)
Weight: 2195 pounds, 45% Front; 55% Rear
Wheels: 15x6 Front; 15x6.5 Rear

 

[///M-Spec]

Good to the M running again 👍

Are the Victors still on the CSLs? I guess that's one way to tackle understeer...

What happened to the clear corners? You going all retro ironic on us?


M

 

[Keef]

Dude, the clear front and rear corners are so much better. You just need the clear fender lights to match.

 

[homeforsummer]

Agree with Keef. Until I saw the last pic I was going to recommend changing the front and rear light clusters as they look a bit odd with the amber sections. But yeah, the side repeaters need changing too.

I'd also personally have the wheels re-sprayed silver again. It looks way too understated (read: bit too much like a 318i) with the blacked-out wheels. Either that or get some of the five-spokers from the E36 Evo. Also, possible to get colour-coded door handles or not?

Also think although the colour is great it's definitely one that needs sunlight to really work. Don't recall them offering it in that shade in the UK and as a result, again it has a bit of a 318i-look to it, most of our E36 M3s were in vibrant metallic blues and other bright colours.

Of course, this is all just cosmetic stuff... regardless it's still a great car...

 

[Azuremen]

Good to the M running again 👍

Are the Victors still on the CSLs? I guess that's one way to tackle understeer...

What happened to the clear corners? You going all retro ironic on us?


M

No, I sold the V700s to an Autocrosser in the area that would put them to better use; no need to drive those on the street, no matter how much I hate understeer.

As for the corners, I did get Ambers to replace the clear - I think clears make it look too posuer-ish on darker colors. My friends have clears on their Titanium and Estoril, and it looks good, but I never liked how they looked on my car, regardless of the side markers. So, sorry HFS and Keef, but Ambers are here to stay.

The wheels will be going back to silver, as I've left those wheels untouched. I also have 8 straight DS1s laying around now, so I may get one set refinished in some insane color just to stress the Stance people, or leave it for winter wheels and sell the other set.

FYI, the current state of the car is the mis-matched wheels and Ambers. That older shot in the sun with the clears was just to show how the color looks on a bright day.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

Just to go on record, I prefer the amba-lamps.

 

[eSZee]

Yeah, keep the ambers. I know some 10 years ago, when I was a teenager, clear corners were the thing but I think that time has passed. They just look cheap.

 

[motortrend]

yeah, keep the ambers. I know some 10 years ago, when i was a teenager, clear corners were the thing but i think that time has passed. They just look cheap.

this.