Big Pimp
RMS Trader
So, considering I've owned this for about 10 months, I thought it's about time I put up a thread on it!
As most on here will know, I was one of the lucky winners from the RKings (@pkhardman) raffle site. A 1 ticket purchase for £22.50 and I got a phone call from the guys at RKings 4 days before my 40th birthday to let me know I had won the Dakar Yellow E46 M3 they were raffling off!
I didn't realise just how rare these are, and according to the online research tool, Dakar was very rare, with only 126 examples made worldwide, and only 34 being made in right hand drive. mine is even more rare being a manual coupe, and that makes it 1of 20 in the world!
On collection day, @big_pete and myself took a trip to pick it up, and Pete took it back under explicit instructions to give it a good testing to see if it was a keeper or a seller (I trusted his opinion as he has owned several M3's in various guises) and well, we did indeed test it out well, and I still have it so it was definitely a keeper!
I actually didn't even get to take it home, as Pete decided that he was keeping it for a while to carry out a full 'mirror finish' correction, (he can explain the process) and topped it with gTechniq crystal serum ultra to really make the Dakar paint job shine.
Whilst it was at Petes, I had a few modifications in mind, and I started by adding the LED upgrade bulbs inside and out which really freshens it up.
One of the first proper 'modifications' I carried out was the M5 gearknob swap - its an easy job to do and really does transform how it feels being shorter and just more ergonomic and nicer in your hand.
Next on the list was a Royal Wheels steering wheel re-trim. I opted for slightly thicker nappa leather with the BMW tri-stitching colour scheme. It really sharpens up the interior and the thicker wheel just feels so much better in your hand. I also changed the mirror glass (another common fault is the rear view mirror leaking) and whilst doing that I also done the driver and passenger door mirrors.
And it stayed like that for a while.
The car came to me with modified with some carbon features already installed like the CSL style exhaust diffuser, bonnet vents and a set of CSL wheels, which, to be honest, I would have fitted anyway as I think they suit the car so well. I also love the carbon as I think it compliments the Dakar Yellow really well, and I'm not a stickler for things being original so I wasn't fussed about adorning it with chrome kidney grills etc. to make it standard.
As mentioned above, I'm not a stickler for originality, and even though mine came with the top of the range (for its time) TV headunit, there is little point in trying to make an 18 year old head function like a modern unit, so I opted for a Kenwood DMX 7049 shallow fit double din head unit, which has the all important CarPlay and integrates with the steering wheel etc. and gives me Spotify, google maps and calls etc and is just so easily integrated.
I also got a great deal on a set of Rainbow SLS 5.25 components and a 12" slimline kenwood sub in a coupe sub enclosure paired with a 4ch Kenwood amp from @PDK on here, so they were fitted along with the kenwood headunit by the guys from Blackline, and they done a fantastic job too, with everything fitting nice and neat and sounding very clear.
This was me all but finished with the modifications, but after Pete gave me some genuine carbon trim pieces for around the radio and gearknob and it was obvious how good it looked, especially when compared with the scuffed cube trim (and even a bit of fake carbon wrap which was around the door speakers) and it started a bit of a carbon fetish and I went on a hunt for more!
There was a chap on M3Cutters who had a set of front and rear carbon doorcards custom made for his M3, so when the opportunity came to buy them I jumped at the chance. They fit perfectly, and the weaves are perfect matches - well, except for the door handles which use a 4x4 weave which annoys me a bit, but thats another problem for another day.
Even though the car already has a Scorpion back box which sounds louder and deeper but retains the distinctive E46 M3 raspiness, I picked up a set of decat pipes (which I haven't fitted as everyone I've asked have differing opinions on how it will sound).
One thing I had been keeping an eye out for was a carbon fibre Eventuri intake, so I sourced one, fitted it and I have to say it sounds unreal and i love how it now sounds. The carbon scoop which integrates into the foglight surround is subtle but functional, and compliments the CSL style carbon fibre flippers I've also added to the front perfectly.
I keep toying with the idea of is a genuine CSL bootlid as I think they look amazing, and @amg306's M3 looks superb with his.
Other plans - as I'm for keeping it, I will likely take it off the road and have the rear subframe plates welded to protect it from the common fault of the boot floor ripping! I've also had a friend had his shells and bearings done and i'm tempted to do the same with mine as a precaution.
I keep looking at a set of Recaro CS seats as an upgrade, especially after seeing how well they look in @Kernohan94 E46 touring.
Onto more important matters, and it is a brilliant thing to drive. Its not the fastest car on the road (but is still a quick car, even by todays standards) and a mapped 335 diesel would leave it in a cloud of reek, but on the right road at the right time - it's just sublime.
The heavy weighted steering feels so engaging and direct, and the LSD inspires more confidence than it maybe should. It does make you have hooligan tendencies though, and old sayings like "if the junctions empty give her plenty" are in your head all the time as your finger hovers over the traction control button. Its either on or off. no faffing about with AYC etc. you've either got the grand cajones or you don't!!! Donuts are easy to do, and the throttle control makes it very easy to have some senseless fun.
I love it. When I first started driving, my cousins boyfriend at the time had a PY E46 M3, and he took me out a few times in it, and the memory of the acceleration, leaving a junction sideways and the odd hoop have always remained in my head, and I've always wanted one. Now I'm lucky enough to have my childhood dream car, and I couldn't be happier with it!
Anyway, enough waffle. here's a few pics from my time with it.
Thanks for reading
So there we go..... the £22.50 M3!
The R Kings photos and me collecting it:
look at that big gearknob!!!
full book and folder of receipts:
look at the cheesy grin!
arriving at PMG and the first mod
The old worn steering wheel:
Royal Wheels
The gorgeous tri stitching
and fitted
the carbon fibre doorcards and head unit upgrade
old mismatching cube trim / wrap
front & rear (you can see the mis-matched 4x4 door handles)
doorcards, trims, gearknob & steering wheel all fitted
a few more
function & form
meaty front end broken up with carbon
perfect colour combo!
in my unit
As most on here will know, I was one of the lucky winners from the RKings (@pkhardman) raffle site. A 1 ticket purchase for £22.50 and I got a phone call from the guys at RKings 4 days before my 40th birthday to let me know I had won the Dakar Yellow E46 M3 they were raffling off!
I didn't realise just how rare these are, and according to the online research tool, Dakar was very rare, with only 126 examples made worldwide, and only 34 being made in right hand drive. mine is even more rare being a manual coupe, and that makes it 1of 20 in the world!
On collection day, @big_pete and myself took a trip to pick it up, and Pete took it back under explicit instructions to give it a good testing to see if it was a keeper or a seller (I trusted his opinion as he has owned several M3's in various guises) and well, we did indeed test it out well, and I still have it so it was definitely a keeper!
I actually didn't even get to take it home, as Pete decided that he was keeping it for a while to carry out a full 'mirror finish' correction, (he can explain the process) and topped it with gTechniq crystal serum ultra to really make the Dakar paint job shine.
Whilst it was at Petes, I had a few modifications in mind, and I started by adding the LED upgrade bulbs inside and out which really freshens it up.
One of the first proper 'modifications' I carried out was the M5 gearknob swap - its an easy job to do and really does transform how it feels being shorter and just more ergonomic and nicer in your hand.
Next on the list was a Royal Wheels steering wheel re-trim. I opted for slightly thicker nappa leather with the BMW tri-stitching colour scheme. It really sharpens up the interior and the thicker wheel just feels so much better in your hand. I also changed the mirror glass (another common fault is the rear view mirror leaking) and whilst doing that I also done the driver and passenger door mirrors.
And it stayed like that for a while.
The car came to me with modified with some carbon features already installed like the CSL style exhaust diffuser, bonnet vents and a set of CSL wheels, which, to be honest, I would have fitted anyway as I think they suit the car so well. I also love the carbon as I think it compliments the Dakar Yellow really well, and I'm not a stickler for things being original so I wasn't fussed about adorning it with chrome kidney grills etc. to make it standard.
As mentioned above, I'm not a stickler for originality, and even though mine came with the top of the range (for its time) TV headunit, there is little point in trying to make an 18 year old head function like a modern unit, so I opted for a Kenwood DMX 7049 shallow fit double din head unit, which has the all important CarPlay and integrates with the steering wheel etc. and gives me Spotify, google maps and calls etc and is just so easily integrated.
I also got a great deal on a set of Rainbow SLS 5.25 components and a 12" slimline kenwood sub in a coupe sub enclosure paired with a 4ch Kenwood amp from @PDK on here, so they were fitted along with the kenwood headunit by the guys from Blackline, and they done a fantastic job too, with everything fitting nice and neat and sounding very clear.
This was me all but finished with the modifications, but after Pete gave me some genuine carbon trim pieces for around the radio and gearknob and it was obvious how good it looked, especially when compared with the scuffed cube trim (and even a bit of fake carbon wrap which was around the door speakers) and it started a bit of a carbon fetish and I went on a hunt for more!
There was a chap on M3Cutters who had a set of front and rear carbon doorcards custom made for his M3, so when the opportunity came to buy them I jumped at the chance. They fit perfectly, and the weaves are perfect matches - well, except for the door handles which use a 4x4 weave which annoys me a bit, but thats another problem for another day.
Even though the car already has a Scorpion back box which sounds louder and deeper but retains the distinctive E46 M3 raspiness, I picked up a set of decat pipes (which I haven't fitted as everyone I've asked have differing opinions on how it will sound).
One thing I had been keeping an eye out for was a carbon fibre Eventuri intake, so I sourced one, fitted it and I have to say it sounds unreal and i love how it now sounds. The carbon scoop which integrates into the foglight surround is subtle but functional, and compliments the CSL style carbon fibre flippers I've also added to the front perfectly.
I keep toying with the idea of is a genuine CSL bootlid as I think they look amazing, and @amg306's M3 looks superb with his.
Other plans - as I'm for keeping it, I will likely take it off the road and have the rear subframe plates welded to protect it from the common fault of the boot floor ripping! I've also had a friend had his shells and bearings done and i'm tempted to do the same with mine as a precaution.
I keep looking at a set of Recaro CS seats as an upgrade, especially after seeing how well they look in @Kernohan94 E46 touring.
Onto more important matters, and it is a brilliant thing to drive. Its not the fastest car on the road (but is still a quick car, even by todays standards) and a mapped 335 diesel would leave it in a cloud of reek, but on the right road at the right time - it's just sublime.
The heavy weighted steering feels so engaging and direct, and the LSD inspires more confidence than it maybe should. It does make you have hooligan tendencies though, and old sayings like "if the junctions empty give her plenty" are in your head all the time as your finger hovers over the traction control button. Its either on or off. no faffing about with AYC etc. you've either got the grand cajones or you don't!!! Donuts are easy to do, and the throttle control makes it very easy to have some senseless fun.
I love it. When I first started driving, my cousins boyfriend at the time had a PY E46 M3, and he took me out a few times in it, and the memory of the acceleration, leaving a junction sideways and the odd hoop have always remained in my head, and I've always wanted one. Now I'm lucky enough to have my childhood dream car, and I couldn't be happier with it!
Anyway, enough waffle. here's a few pics from my time with it.
Thanks for reading
So there we go..... the £22.50 M3!
The R Kings photos and me collecting it:
look at that big gearknob!!!
full book and folder of receipts:
look at the cheesy grin!
arriving at PMG and the first mod
The old worn steering wheel:
Royal Wheels
The gorgeous tri stitching
and fitted
the carbon fibre doorcards and head unit upgrade
old mismatching cube trim / wrap
front & rear (you can see the mis-matched 4x4 door handles)
doorcards, trims, gearknob & steering wheel all fitted
a few more
function & form
meaty front end broken up with carbon
perfect colour combo!
in my unit
Last edited:
mods looks great and compliment the yellow so well
