2006 BMW M3 Dinan S3-R Resurrection

Thought you guys might enjoy this project I took on last year. Unfortunately, I couldn't keep the car, the car I thought would be buried next to me.

Take a walk back to 2008 when I became a BMW enthusiast for life after acquiring my first BMW a CPO 2005 JB 6 Spd E46 M3. Unfortunately, I could not keep her, as this was my DD and I was doing a lot of driving/hauling video equipment.

About 2 years ago, the itch to get another M3 began to grow. This consisted of daily search's for another "great white buffalo". I stumbled upon this 2006 ZCP S3-R with 49,400 on the clock and at first I overlooked it because of it's price tag. While I continued to search, this car kept popping up. I kept my eye on it, and after (2) auctions ended without meeting the reserve, I contacted the seller. It took almost (2) months to finally seal the deal.

The car started it's life in CA, and after the original owner sold it after almost 9 years of ownership, it went to it's new owner in GA. The new owner drove it, that's about it. Lol. After going through all of the service records from the original owner, it was apparent he was a lot like me/us. The car was meticulously maintained and serviced, and every document/receipt was kept in a binder, in it's own sheet protector.

The car:

Competition Package (ZCP) :
- CSL compound cross drilled rotors with larger front rotor diameter of 13.6 in (vs 12.6 in on standard M3)
- Factory 19 inch BBS forged wheels
- CSL quick ratio steering rack 14.5:1 steering ratio (vs 15.4:1 on standard M3)
- M-track mode button on steering wheel (changes DSC parameters optimum for track usage)
- Alcantara steering wheel and parking brake lever
- Cubed aluminum trim specific to competition package M3's
Cold Weather Package:
- Heated front seats
- Retractable headlight washers
- Ski bag
Premium Package:
- Power lumbar support
- Power glass sunroof/moonroof
- Power seats w/driver memory
- Nappa leather upholstery
Additional Factory Options:
- Rear sunshade
- Park distance control
- Xenon headlights
- Navigation System
- Harmon-kardon premium sound system
Dinan S3-R package
- Dinan S3-R intercooled supercharger system
- S3-R engine software tuning
- Dinan larger capacity aluminum radiator
- Dinan larger capacity oil cooler
- Dinan Exhaust
- Dinan high-flow throttle bodies (larger internal bore diameter)
- Dinan front and rear strut tower braces
- Full Dinan suspension along with adjustable front sway bar
- Dinan badges (not installed still in glovebox)
- Dinan short-throw shifter
- Dinan floor mats

To Do List -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Parts Inbound:
- OEM Oil and Filter
- OEM PS Fluid
- OEM Cabin Filter
- OEM Rain Tray
- OEM SC Belt
- OEM CPV
- OEM Fuel Filter
- Misc OEM Hardware
- Replacement Nav Screen

Plans -

Engine/Drivetrain:
- Repair Oil Leaks
- Oil Service
- Fuel Filter Service
- PS Fluid Service
- Diff Service
- Cooling System Flush
- Trans Fluid Change
- Brake Fluid Change
- Check, Clean, Lubricate all Suspension Components

Exterior:
- Replace worn/cracked rain tray
- Replace mismatch, missing fender and bumper trim hardware.
- New Tires (PSS 245/35/19 and 275/30/19)
- Paint Correction

Interior:
- Replace Rear Parcel Shelf
- Replace Rear Deck Speaker Covers
- Repair/Replace sagging/loose B Pillar Trim
- Clean/Restore Front Seats
- Clean Steering Wheel
- Replace Nav Screen
- Replace Shift Knob

4/15/15----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The car was picked up on 4/8 at noon EST and arrived yesterday. Props to Montway, and Eli of ELT Auto Transport for getting it here so quickly and safely. The driver was a super cool, nice guy. The car above it inside the truck was leaking oil, and thankfully the oil that leaked onto the car was only on the window, nothing touched the paint!





The car was dirty, really dirty. REALLY dirty. The driver even asked the seller why they didn't wash it.















Holy dirt batman!






Z German's!




I took the next day off work, as the car was suppose to arrive the following day. So I got a full day to go through the car. It was obvious, that this car was either driven on a budget or just didn't really care to care for the car the way it NEEDS to be cared for.

Tested out the Sonax Alcantara Clean on a 1"x1" portion of the steering wheel. :jawdrop:





That's how much crap is on that wheel.

There were (2) oil leaks I knew about from the PPI. Those were my first concerns. Got the car jacked up, and went to work. The first leak, wasn't really a leak, it appears the PCV wasn't functioning or was blocked and was pushing oil vapor into the intake system. Pulled the PCV apart and found a considerable amount of sludge. Cleaned the entire system, including all the intake tubes and filter. Took it for a test drive, and it sounded/felt much better. I actually heard the by-pass valve for the first time as I lost traction from 2nd to 3rd :thumbsup2: (Insert massive grin here!). I haven't had a chance to check the intake tubes for any oil after the test drive.
Update: 4/15-No oil in the PCV line to the intake after test drive. Appears to be functioning properly.











The second leak appears to be the CPV, just based on it's location. (Fingers crossed) Haven't confirmed this just yet.

4/17/15----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Going through the intercooler, plumbing, working my way to the plenum and tab's. and PARTS!










4/18/15----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So got the rest of the S/C Plumbing out, and planing on doing ultra sonic wash tomorrow. It is all very oily. I also had a chance to go through the throttle bodies. They weren't as bad as I expected considering the S/C was blowing oil vapor through the intake track for who knows how long. They are now clean and my back is toast. Lol. When working on the plenum, the drain was leaking. Which I knew about, well turns out it was blocked completely.








After!






Blocked Plenum Drain



4/19/15----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Started putting the intercooler/plumbing/fan back together today. Cleaned everything up, cleaned/oiled the fan motor. Also added some dielectric grease to all the connections up front. Then, had some time to tackle that steering wheel!!!

Holy mother of dirt. Started with warm water and dish soap. Then soaked it in Sonax, gripped the wheel squeezing the dirt out, rinsed and repeated. Came out amazing, there is a little (about the size of a quarter) natty alcantara at the top of the wheel, which I can live with. Stoked on the results. Thanks to Braymond141 and others for the tips.










Got the steering wheel back on. Scored a some new wheel trim on eBay, and it turned out the guy lived in the next city over from me. Local pick up!

DME from Dinan shows up today, time to pass smog! Lol.



PCV lines and check valve replaced. Lines were cracked, and check valve was dirty. Thank you McMasterCarr! Added hose clamps just in case.



My OCD over took me, so I pulled the throttle bodies and injectors to be certain everything was clean.







Then worked on the sunshade which was also faded and getting jammed when closing. It must have been worked on at some point because it wasn't put back together correctly. The slides on the aluminum frame were backwards. Painted the aluminum slide, lubed everything and put it back together.







































Got the new Nav screen today, had to put it in. Success!

Couldn't have done it without this DIY. http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=446468

And fixed the volume adjustment knob which was loose and causing static when adjusting the volume.






Tackled the driver seat today.



Post-work, work.

Don't really have words for how poorly this lady was treated.

Cleaned up 1 wheel, amazing.



Wheels cleaned up nicely. Onward!




Ohhhhh so those shocks are yellow and the springs are blue! Lol.



Please don't judge my 20x20 tarp lol.



Amazing how much clean wheels can change he look of a car.

 

Alright, I've gone full retard.... You never go full retard.



I think the front is complete. I'm pretty happy it came out better than expected. There was a lot of oil down there.



Tires and the correct badge for the car. (Note the S3R badge does not exist)







*Forgot to mention how much I loath expansion clips. I ending up cutting them off and using spares I had ordered know what I was getting into.






I think I'm done with the underside for now, or at least my body is.

Last ones with plastics back on.





Rear shelf finally going back in. After some month long tint issues, it's now going back together.


Fresh covers.


Got a little more done today. Getting impatient I want to drive it haha.

Soaked the rear seats in Leatherique rejuvenation oil overnight.



Removed the oil wax and dirt from the sunroof.


Treated all the rubber.


Started working on the passenger side seat and floor.



Front seat back in.





Engine bay clean.



Photo of the vinyl in full sun. You can see the tint/vinyl transition but I'm still happy with it.



Car also got a quick bath.



Metal polish worked pretty well on the exhaust tips.


Started prepping for the paint correction.

Pulled the wipers, puller is a must for these jobs.


More parts.


Ended up taking the front bumper off, changed the air filter while I was down there. Pulled the head lights, as there are new lens on the way.



Stripping the old wax.




Condition of the paint, once the wax was removed, and clay barred.







Had to use the M100 with a Microfiber pad, BMW paint is so hard. This is after a pass of m100



After sonax perfect finish.



Full sun photos tomorrow once the Jet Seal cures.

1. Decontamination Wash
-CG Foam Cannon
-CG Citrus Wash and Gloss + Pinch of APC (Helps pull old sealant/wax off the car)

2. Clay
-DI Medium Clay Bar
-CG Luber
-Rinse the Car (Trying to Tape off trim that might have the Clay Luber is a PITA)

3. Correction
-Griots Garage DA w/ Megs 5.5", 3.75" and 3" Backing Plate
-Megs MF Pads
-Megs M100

4. Polish
-Lake Country Orange
-Sonax Perfect Finish

5. Seal X2 Coats
-Lake County Black Pad
-CG Jet Seal 109
-CG V7 Optical Sealant Wipe Down

Misc.
-303 Aerospace Protectant
-Zephyr Pro-40 Metal Polish (Exhaust/Struts/SC/Intercooler)
-1Z Gummi Pflege
-CG Wheel Guard



Well all that sweat paid off.

I am so anxious to drive it, come on ECS! Waiting on headlight lens, bumper grille and kidneys.

And had a chance to finish the interior.

Products:
1Z Cockpit Premium
1Z Gummi Pflege Stift
Leatherique Prestine Clean
Leatherique Rejuvenation Oil
CG Carpet Stain and Odor Extractor



Oh and finally installed the new rain tray.




Parts! I hate waiting for parts.


New B-Pillars

New upper support and ash tray, both of these were beat up.

New head light lens and seals

New kidneys, as you can see the mods to clear the fan on the originals wasn't the cleanest. Fixed that.



Wiper arms and new blades are back on.

Glamour shots. Dusted of my DSLR.

 

Amazing work...the steering wheel especially amazed me! Sorry you had to sell it, I'm sure it was hard after putting all that sweat (and financial) equity into it! Hopefully you were at least rewarded for your hard work. Gorgeous car.

 

Amazing transformation!!

I have this sudden urge to detail my truck now haha

 

Beautiful and amazing work! I will always have a spot for the E36 and E46 M3s....

 

Absolutely gorgeous. I'm sorry you had to part ways with her. My wife and I read this thread and I think both of us were drooling by the end.

 

WHat a beauty! I absolutely love the E46 - don't think BMW has found its groove since then in terms of style and beauty. I had a 2003 Orient Blue 323 Ci that I did some DInan work to. I loved that car but moving to a home on a dirt road in northeast PA forced my to pass it on to a new owner. I'm still running my '96 Z3, though.

 

one of a kind .... too bad you had to sell it..

 

Dude I thought I was decent at keeping my E46 328i in good condition... After seeing your work I feel like I am closer to the old owner now. Absolutely love how she turned out, sorry you had to sell her. I miss my E46 328i also, hard to let her go, don't miss everything always breaking though. Did love all the wrench time I put into her though, still have my Buell though, so that's where I get my speed fun! Was thinking about one day in the near future finding a well kept E46 M3 with the natural leather interior (favorite interior color ever).

 

I miss this car!



But still have this one to toss around the corners. 20 years old this year.

 

Thanks for all the positive remarks. Nice to see fellow BMW enthusiast on the site as well. The car came out way better than I expected. After all that it ran like new. Prior to selling it, the buyer had a PPI done on the car by a very reputable BMW shop. They performed a compression and leak down on each cylinder, and the results were so good, the tech did it again to be sure. He said he doesn't see those numbers on new cars, or even factory rebuilt engines. So that made it even harder to let go. The supercharger is fun, really fun, but trying to just cruise that car was a pain, all those ponies just wanted to gallop. Horrible problem to have right?

 

Good God,..That was one of the finest vehicle "Go-Throughs" I have seen. Ive been around BMW's most of my life (Grew up in a 2002 tii) and just recently parted with my 135i. Will be back in the market shortly, and an E46 M3 manual is what I'll be looking for. If I find one,...I may just ship it out to you with a check to perform your magic!
Great Great work. Sorry you had to part with it.

 

beautiful detail work! i got a car at home i try to keep clean i have to give that leather conditioner a shot

 

Just stumbled across this thread. You sir are my new hero. Especially when you jacked up the car and went full crack head on the chassis. Ill be hitting you up with some PMs for tips.

 

Wow. Seriously. Amazing.

 

Inspired by your attention to detail and follow through. Car is absolutely beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

 

Love the car, always had a soft spot for Beemers but mostly the old ones (Mostly ). Can't stand the cocks driving the new ones. My first car was a 81 528i and I wish I didn't blow it up. Keep up the good or should I say damn near perfect work.

 

Thanks for all the kind comments. It was A LOT of fun peeling back the layers of that car. I love working on BMW's, the build quality is incredible. Everything is over engineered, and well thought out. I already have an itch for another. Hunting for my unicorn - E46 Laguna Seca Blue 6-Speed with Black Interior STOCK. OR a high-mile E36 so I can rebuild the engine bottom end up.

Oh and the Dinan Parts are worth every penny, they use race car quality parts with all there kits, really impressive.

 

Love all of the pictures!