Rekpoint

Got the new shocks from TCK already! Time to swap the GC camber plates on and get these installed. Still not sure if the factory end links will fit. If not, maybe that'll be an excuse to replace them and upgrade front sway bar too.

Job is done and very well worth it! Didn't get a whole lot of pics, but got a few. First drive home makes me not want to put it in garage for winter yet. Lol. Revs like a son of a bitch and shifting is very smooth with new detents. 
I did screw up and bought the wrong DSSR. The one I got was for the e36, thinking it was the same. Well, the Z3 shift arm is almost twice as long as the e36. Had to reuse the stock arm for now and will be ordering the correct one to swap in over winter. 
All-in-all I'm very happy with the result and will be tough to take it easy next spring to break-in the clutch correctly.

I'd agree, the frozen black makes the car look cheap. Also, pretty crappy description and photos for a car of that caliber. 

That's cheap for a frozen car.  I've never been a fan of that black though.  Looks incomplete.

Tomorrow is clutch day! Taking the Z to a friend's shop to use his 2-post lift to knock it out before the salt flies. 
Finished up installing parts on the spare transmission. It got all new detents, new slave cylinder, SS braided clutch line, shift fork pin & spring, shift rod joint, UUC DSSR, shift bushings and Redline MT-LV fluid. 
Will be doing the rear main seal, JB racing lightweight flywheel, M3 pressure plate & spring hub clutch disc with new throwout bearing and pilot bearing as well.

I ended up buying some TC Kline coilovers from a forum member on nam3forum. They were advertised as a 3000 mile set and they looked pretty solid in the sellers photos. Upon getting them I realized he might have forgotten a 0 or two on the mileage. The two fronts are blown and the rears have a pretty old build date. This set is nearly $3200 new, so I hoped I could save a few bucks buying used. NOPE no chance. Bought two new front replacements that are on their way from TCK. Going to rock the rears until they wear out, might have another season or two in them.
On the bright side, I did get Ground Control camber plates included. They were a bit dirty and beat up, so I did my best to clean and re-grease the bearings. Think they'll work just fine.

Sandblast, Powdercoat, Sand. And I would clear powercoat over the top.

Tiny change, but swapped out the indicator bulbs with chrome coated ones. Barely noticeable but I think it’s subtly better looking in the clear housing. Good tip @Rekpoint

Finally got my new Rogue Engineering Delrin oval carrier bushings and continued on with the install. I would say the rest of the job was like fighting a grizzly bear on meth. My hands are raw, there is zero room to work, most of the job is by feel with no line of sight and there was no part of this job that didn't fight me until I just about gave up. Here's a list of things that went wrong:
Ordered the wrong carrier bushings, circle rather than the correct oval ones I installed the carrier upside down while not paying attention, and sadly I snapped the "bitch clip" down, the one notoriously nicknamed for being nearly impossible to remove Bimmerworld sent me a "bitch clip" thats backwards, causing the part you need to pry against to be inaccessible The UUC selector rod wouldn't fit on the shift rod joint, the built in bushings were preventing it from sliding on by about 1-2mm. I had to remove the carrier a 3rd time, because it needs to be off to take the shift rod joint out, so I could modify it to fit the DSSR Lots of swearing and some perseverance I got it done. I ended up removing the selector rod joint and actually sanding down the plastic bushings so they are nearly flush. I'm not sure if this will have consequences down the road, but it articulates freely and I added some grease. Worst case I'm pretty well versed in removing it by now.
I can't actually test it out since it's winter and the salt trucks have already been out here in Minneapolis, but I did row through the gears in the garage and it feels AWESOME. Virtually zero slop and feels like bolting a rifle or rowing a gated manual. I'm sure most would consider this a relatively easy job, but man this kicked my ass. Proud to have done it myself though, since my local shop quoted me at $550 for labor.
Edit: If you notice the random paint on the rear of the carrier, that's because I scratched the hell out of the sheet metal trying to remove that rear carrier bushing. Added some automotive paint I had laying around to prevent corrosion with the exposed metal. Whoopsie.
 

I can tell how excited you are 

The team at work shot some content on my car and I'm really excited about it!  It's the first time I've seen video rollers of my car and I LOVE IT!
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CWbN5lsgi52/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

159k
It been below freezing and snowed once already here so I guess it's time to fold the mirrors until spring.

 
I had a pretty much trouble free year with the only problems that popped up being the battery going dead fairly quickly and a fuel leak at the fuel pressure regulator a few weeks ago. The leak stopped by just tightening the fitting, but I'll probably take it apart to re-seal properly before next season. I also swapped out the primered front lip for a cheap black one from ebay (you're welcome @straight6pwr). I'll admit it looks a heck of a lot better, though someday if/when I paint the car I will color match the primed one. 

109.5k
Winter mode engaged

 
I forgot to note I replaced the battery with a new one a few months ago. I used the Bimmergeeks pro-tool for the coding and it was extremely easy, worth the cost to not have to figure out INPA/etc. I also coded out the legal disclaimer on startup, so nice having that gone. 
 

Well, this is the post I dreaded making. The end of the season.
Finished up the season with an oil change from FCP at 168,984 miles!
Fully detailed the interior and removed my junk.
On my way to get a carwash with undercarriage wash I cruised to that 169k mile mark!
A few other things I forgot to update earlier from September if you haven't already noticed is that I swapped the black kidney + fender vents for some OEM chrome and I dig the look. Just need to install fog lights in the spring to complete it!
I also refinished the peeling soft touch center console with a product called Colorbond 258 BMW Black LVP paint. Gives it the OEM look WITHOUT the soft touch! I think it turned out OK. Alot of prep was my only complaint..
Car is going to be stored at my shop down the street. Non heated cold storage but at least under a roof. 4 carpet samples will be under the tires to hopefully reduce flat spotting (Mother is interior designer) in preparation for new tires come spring. Steelwool in exhaust tips, dryer sheets in cabin, trunk + engine bay and disconnecting the battery.
Using sheets for the time being to keep the dust off. My dad bought me an early Christmas gift of a car cover. So that will go on as soon as it gets here!
Last but not least I am pulling out the rear view mirror for a fluid change over the winter, the steering wheel and shift knob + shift boot for some changes to the driving feel for next spring.

Those 200tw RS4s will be roached after getting cold cycled 

Well, this is the post I dreaded making. The end of the season.
Finished up the season with an oil change from FCP at 168,984 miles!
Fully detailed the interior and removed my junk.
On my way to get a carwash with undercarriage wash I cruised to that 169k mile mark!
A few other things I forgot to update earlier from September if you haven't already noticed is that I swapped the black kidney + fender vents for some OEM chrome and I dig the look. Just need to install fog lights in the spring to complete it!
I also refinished the peeling soft touch center console with a product called Colorbond 258 BMW Black LVP paint. Gives it the OEM look WITHOUT the soft touch! I think it turned out OK. Alot of prep was my only complaint..
Car is going to be stored at my shop down the street. Non heated cold storage but at least under a roof. 4 carpet samples will be under the tires to hopefully reduce flat spotting (Mother is interior designer) in preparation for new tires come spring. Steelwool in exhaust tips, dryer sheets in cabin, trunk + engine bay and disconnecting the battery.
Using sheets for the time being to keep the dust off. My dad bought me an early Christmas gift of a car cover. So that will go on as soon as it gets here!
Last but not least I am pulling out the rear view mirror for a fluid change over the winter, the steering wheel and shift knob + shift boot for some changes to the driving feel for next spring.

Decided to give the UUC EVO 3 SSK + DSSR kit a go today. Kind of a pain to get to everything. Needed to drop the section 1 exhaust to access the trans brace, tilt the transmission down a couple inches just to reach the top clip on the shift carrier. Figured I might as well swap out the trans mounts with some new UUC ones too while I was at it. Managed to get everything removed (aside from the rear shift carrier bushing, that thing was FUSED to the car. If anyone says they removed it they're lying). Once I had all the shifter components out though, I realized I ordered the wrong front carrier bushing and need the oval one. Damn it, to be continued...

Well, this is the post I dreaded making. The end of the season.
Finished up the season with an oil change from FCP at 168,984 miles!
Fully detailed the interior and removed my junk.
On my way to get a carwash with undercarriage wash I cruised to that 169k mile mark!
A few other things I forgot to update earlier from September if you haven't already noticed is that I swapped the black kidney + fender vents for some OEM chrome and I dig the look. Just need to install fog lights in the spring to complete it!
I also refinished the peeling soft touch center console with a product called Colorbond 258 BMW Black LVP paint. Gives it the OEM look WITHOUT the soft touch! I think it turned out OK. Alot of prep was my only complaint..
Car is going to be stored at my shop down the street. Non heated cold storage but at least under a roof. 4 carpet samples will be under the tires to hopefully reduce flat spotting (Mother is interior designer) in preparation for new tires come spring. Steelwool in exhaust tips, dryer sheets in cabin, trunk + engine bay and disconnecting the battery.
Using sheets for the time being to keep the dust off. My dad bought me an early Christmas gift of a car cover. So that will go on as soon as it gets here!
Last but not least I am pulling out the rear view mirror for a fluid change over the winter, the steering wheel and shift knob + shift boot for some changes to the driving feel for next spring.

Well, this is the post I dreaded making. The end of the season.
Finished up the season with an oil change from FCP at 168,984 miles!
Fully detailed the interior and removed my junk.
On my way to get a carwash with undercarriage wash I cruised to that 169k mile mark!
A few other things I forgot to update earlier from September if you haven't already noticed is that I swapped the black kidney + fender vents for some OEM chrome and I dig the look. Just need to install fog lights in the spring to complete it!
I also refinished the peeling soft touch center console with a product called Colorbond 258 BMW Black LVP paint. Gives it the OEM look WITHOUT the soft touch! I think it turned out OK. Alot of prep was my only complaint..
Car is going to be stored at my shop down the street. Non heated cold storage but at least under a roof. 4 carpet samples will be under the tires to hopefully reduce flat spotting (Mother is interior designer) in preparation for new tires come spring. Steelwool in exhaust tips, dryer sheets in cabin, trunk + engine bay and disconnecting the battery.
Using sheets for the time being to keep the dust off. My dad bought me an early Christmas gift of a car cover. So that will go on as soon as it gets here!
Last but not least I am pulling out the rear view mirror for a fluid change over the winter, the steering wheel and shift knob + shift boot for some changes to the driving feel for next spring.

Well, this is the post I dreaded making. The end of the season.
Finished up the season with an oil change from FCP at 168,984 miles!
Fully detailed the interior and removed my junk.
On my way to get a carwash with undercarriage wash I cruised to that 169k mile mark!
A few other things I forgot to update earlier from September if you haven't already noticed is that I swapped the black kidney + fender vents for some OEM chrome and I dig the look. Just need to install fog lights in the spring to complete it!
I also refinished the peeling soft touch center console with a product called Colorbond 258 BMW Black LVP paint. Gives it the OEM look WITHOUT the soft touch! I think it turned out OK. Alot of prep was my only complaint..
Car is going to be stored at my shop down the street. Non heated cold storage but at least under a roof. 4 carpet samples will be under the tires to hopefully reduce flat spotting (Mother is interior designer) in preparation for new tires come spring. Steelwool in exhaust tips, dryer sheets in cabin, trunk + engine bay and disconnecting the battery.
Using sheets for the time being to keep the dust off. My dad bought me an early Christmas gift of a car cover. So that will go on as soon as it gets here!
Last but not least I am pulling out the rear view mirror for a fluid change over the winter, the steering wheel and shift knob + shift boot for some changes to the driving feel for next spring.

A few weeks ago @pynacl and I decided to meet up in Prescott Wisconsin and drive the Mississippi down to Pepin then up towards Durand for some Stone Barn Pizza. One of the last HOORAHS before putting the M3s in storage.
Great driving roads + fall colors, Cant get much better then that.
Saw a few cool cars out doing the same thing we were. A few miatas, a Z3M roadster with a Dinan exhaust and a sweet brand new Aston Martin
Shout out to Ethyn + Jake for the photos. I forgot my camera as per usual.

Yup! M3 clutch & pressure plate with a jb racing lightweight flywheel. Along with a DSSR and all new shifter parts and detents.

Good things will be happening this winter...

Posted in the FB group chat, but was able to score two pretty rare items for a steal on eBay last week. They are in pretty good condition, the dead pedal has a little bit of the paint flaking. I’m not sure if these are painted or powder coated from the factory. 
I don’t know what the proper way to “restore” these would be. Media blasting and then powder coated? Or would it be better to just leave them as is? The valve cover would be a really good candidate for dry ice cleaning.