ok another question!!!

[xxstevexx]

will a m3 bonnet fit my 323 coupe??

[BigFas]

in a word. No.

You will need wheel arch modifications in order for it to fit. If you know of a good bodyshop that can do the work then go for it. If not, then I wouldn't bother.

For the same money, why don't you speak to www.ca-automotive.co.uk, get a CF bonnet instead for about £800. If you don't like CF, paint it

[xxstevexx]

fas dont think me ignorant but why do i need to widen arches to fit a bonnet :confused:

[peppernick]

fas dont think me ignorant but why do i need to widen arches to fit a bonnet :confused:

The M3 bonnet is slightly narrower at the front but the different front wings on the M3 compensate for this. If you bolt an M3 bonnet directly onto your coupe, the hinges will fit but you'll get a gap between your front wing and the bonnet.

See what I mean ;)

http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/4364DSC00597.jpg

[BigFas]

thank you Nick :)

As you can see steve, it's not "plug and play". A little Polyfilla perhaps ;)

[peppernick]

Polyfill is probably not enough, you will need to bend the front wings inwards, then sand, polyfill and paint.

[Ali_]

Nice bit of research Nick.... What are your plans steve ??

[xxstevexx]

ok boyze ive seen the picture and see the problem!!! can it work if i bolt m3 wings on?? ive been seriously thinking of some how adding the side vents to my car (i do love those vents) i didnt want the wide arches though!!BUTTT if wings bonnet vents and bumper were on maybe adding rear arches wouldnt be so bad....but yet again i only really want bonnet and vents so i would try to fabricate my arches on to m3 wings :confused: god what a challenge all for a but bonnet what do you think nick?????

[westside]

mmm if u fit the m3 front wings i'd get some spacers to bring the front wheels out a bit otherwise there look cack tucked ringht under the m3 archs

ohhh the wrold of modding isn't it fun!

[xxstevexx]

so mr westside are you saying bolting m3 wings on will sort gap out on bonnet?? :confused:

[BigFas]

m3 wings will sort the bonnet issue out (I think - to be sure, I would speak to the guys on e46fanatics as they've done it).

however, your wheels will look like crap, really sucked in within the wings. You'll need spacers / new rims.

If I'm honest, if you REALLY want an M3 bonnet, get a replica, ca-automotive will have one, it'll be cheaper in the long run.

[westside]

yes it will butyour have to problkems

firstly thr front bumper is too skinny so the wings will stick out further then the bumper and secondaly your need a different offset alloy (or spacer) to bring the front allos out sounds a bit expensive dude

[Ali_]

so basicly buy an M3, get your stock arches played with or a get rep hood.

Then again how cool would it be to have a M3 front end and have to go out and get new rims.... lifes soooo tough

Would that explan that Hartage V8 that was on the cover BMWCar in june although it says its an M3 on their site it looked like it had that gap problem?????

http://www.bmwcarmagazine.com/images/june.jpg

[xxstevexx]

ok chaps what i want to know is their or have any of you seen out there a 323i coupe with m3 bonnet m3 front wings (but with standard size arches)?? obviously we all know the m3 front bumper goes on with a liittle work!!!!!! this is what i want to aim for!!! i know some of you will say "why dont you just buy an m3"?? answer is to that (1) an m3 is a bloody lot of money (2) wouldnt you feel nice lookin at something beautifull you had built and people saying what a lovely car?? (and they would if it turned out the way i plan) im not bothered about speed and thats all an m3 will have on me i want to look better!!! remember people wont see and admire your buggy when you whoosh past em....... what do ya think boyze?? am i waisting me time?

[peppernick]

with m3 bonnet m3 front wings (but with standard size arches)??

Dude, the front wheel arch is a integral part of the front wing, there's nothing as M3 front wing and standard arch :confused: . It comes as one unit.

Many modders over on www.e46fanatics.com have done it, a lot of work but not impossible; either you modify the stock front wing to match the M3 bonnet or you replace the bonnet and front wings altogether to the M3 units.

When you fit the M3 front wings, you will need an M3 front bumper, so we're talking about bonnet, R+L wings and bumper (plus fog lamps, mesh etc)....major $$$$$; don't think you get change from £3000 after painting.

Your best bet is to source an M3 bonnet and modify your standard wings to fit. You need to contact a bodyshop willing to undertake this task.

Here's a 323ci with M3 bonnet and modified standard front wings....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/790IMG_5232.jpg

[peppernick]

Here's a full conversion on a 330 saloon, M3 bonnet, front wings and CSL bumper.

http://jesselin.aynassociates.com/albums/car-pics/Bimmerfest_016.jpg

[xxstevexx]

very nice pic nic but do ya think that motor would look better if it had the vents on the side??

[peppernick]

It looks awesome just the way it is ;)

BTW any pics of your car? Let's have a look.

Putting on an M3 bonnet is regarded as fine detailing, for that amount of money, there are a lot more you can do to your car for better asthetics unless you have done a reasonable amount to it and is looking for the extra edge. Get a piccy up and we will try to guide you in the correct direction.............emptying your pockets :p

[xxstevexx]

very nice pics nic thankyou!!!! my car at the moment is standard black sport suspention leatherette interior myrtle wood sport back and front bumpers mv alloys m rearboot spoiler and harmann kardon..... i fitted and wired the multi function steering wheel my self cos it done my bloody head in haveing no cruise control ive tried to put pic on but the site allways says their too big but you just posted pics no bother!!!...

[peppernick]

Your car has plenty of potential :D

Try re-sizing to 640X480

[thejames]

Hi steve.

Completely agree with Nick here. I would be looking at sending my 'hard-earned' in other directions first tbh.

Wheels make the biggest difference to any car. Coupled with a tasty drop and it will change the looks completely. You'd also be able to sell your OEM parts to offset against your new bits :D

And come on!! Black car!! It's screaming out for some weave....... :cool: Check these pieces out:

http://www.ca-automotive.co.uk/images/carbon-fibre-vented-bonnet.jpg
http://www.ca-automotive.co.uk/images/carbon-fibre-boot-lid.jpg
http://www.ca-automotive.co.uk/images/e46rear-window-spoiler.jpg
And this beautiful front splitter.....
http://www.ca-automotive.co.uk/images/ACM3Frontspoiler.jpg

That little lot comes to just over £2k. Better spent IMHO than just to accomodate a different bonnet with a bulge ;)

And it would look haaaarrrrrrrd.

[xxstevexx]

my buggy now!!!!

[xxstevexx]

it most certainly will be as low as this

[BigFas]

nice looking coupe you have there steve. now get spending $$$$ and mod that sucker.

I may have a set of painted clubsport splitters available soon if you're interested. I'm going to change the front.

PM me if interested.

[BigFas]

LOL @ James.

CF Whore to the max. Love it

[peppernick]

nice looking coupe you have there steve. now get spending $$$$ and mod that sucker.

I may have a set of painted clubsport splitters available soon if you're interested. I'm going to change the front.

PM me if interested.

Dude, he's already got the CS splitters on :p ...looky the pic with a magnifying glass ;)

[peppernick]

Steve, I would loose those wing mirrors first :cool: .....then drop the car

[Ali_]

james u weave nut.......u know youve been sucking in to much of that octane..cant wait to see the 5 transformed if the three is anything to go by.

Steve... in my mind i love the M3 lump in the hood but it seems a hell of a lot of mix and matching for just that. Personally im not a fan of M3 vents on a non M3 perhaps its to try hard if you know what i mean :rolleyes:

The Cf GT hood now thats some show and tell, that combined with a one of teddys rep M3 front bars im sure you would have a winner...

Couldnt agree more wheel make your ride.

Nice car you have there Steve :D

[BigFas]

Dude, he's already got the CS splitters on :p ...looky the pic with a magnifying glass ;)

Ah, see it now. Thanks :mad:

[Ali_]

face it mate youre getting old, the eyes arent what they used to be. ;)

[xxstevexx]

right chaps your opinions are being carefuly noted and i am seeing a squint of light very far down that mod tunnel!! the mirrors are definately on there way peppernic (trust me) its gonna be on the deck no matter what but those side vents keep haunting me what do you boyze think of these wings instead of m3??????????? i think they would look awsome on my coupe

[Musa]

what do you boyze think of these wings instead of m3??????????? i think they would look awsome on my coupe


i don't like them... not subtle enough...

[Har5ha]

nice looking coupe you have there steve. now get spending $$$$ and mod that sucker.

I may have a set of painted clubsport splitters available soon if you're interested. I'm going to change the front.

PM me if interested.

what u putting on instead? m3?

[xxstevexx]

these wings cost £720.00 shipped from america!! how can anybody justify that price?? (robbing gits)

[BigFas]

Steve, those are Racing Dynamic wings, I'm sure you can find a local supplier for cheaper. Let me dig out a couple of ads, I know of 2 suppliers off the top of my head

[BigFas]

Harsha, hopefully getting Hamann add-on

[peppernick]

Fas, the Hamann will look SIIICKK :D

http://people.freenet.de/db-330Ci/Hamann_330Ci_01.jpg

[xxstevexx]

where can i get the bottom add on in your pic nic?? you sure have some cool photos(thats gonna be my buggy in ya rear veiw) :D

[Ali_]

Steve im more in favour of those RD vents than i am M3 but thats a lot of cash..

[Ali_]

Just to back up what Fas has already stated. The fenders are indeed Racing Dynamics.

"The big BMW V8 generates a lot of heat, especially in the 5.0 liter trim of the R50 Tornado. During some test runs in Southern Italy, where summer temperatures can easily reach 42º C, we noticed an annoying drop in performance due to the engine temperatures that were higher than optimal.

We went back to the drawing board and designed these fenders with side chimney vents, and while we were at it, we widened the wheel arch by 10mm, to fit an optional 9" wheel if needed.

The TORNADO Fenders look great, and solved all of our engine bay heat problems instantly.

The TORNADO Fenders are made in Italy of Carbon Kevlar composite, and are a straight replacement for the original fenders. The chimney vents can be trimmed back to avoid cutting the firewall, if heat issues are not your primary concern."

http://www.racdyn.com/Localized/International/Images/Web/E46/RV_1210346110.jpg
http://www.racdyn.com/Localized/International/Series/3/E46/E46_Aero/RD_Int_E46_Aero.htm

[peppernick]

That's the Hamann M-Tec add-on. You can get it from www.autovogue.com or www.ca-automotive.co.uk

Have you seen this? ;)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/2461DSCN2585.jpg

Still want that M3 bonnet?....Told ya we'll help you spend your money! :D

[thejames]

Oh my.... Doesnt she look all PMT'ed up?? V Haaarrd.

Unsure on those wings dude. Would need a full on chunky kit to pull 'em off methinks.

As Nick said previously, you still to be picking out all the 'finishing touches' - fecking expensive ones come to that!! Pick a them or 2 (mine: ACS and weeeeeaaaaaave), get it going on with wheels, mirrors, get it dropped etc and then whack on your unique touches. You may find that all these finnicky little bits that you wanna add now dont suit the modding route you end up taking.

Does that make sense??

Just a tuppence from my good self to the xxstevexx charity modding kitty :D

[Ali_]

Nick that is a awesome looking hood, 5 style i guess but how :eek:

[BigFas]

Ali, that's a standard sedan hood, it's a facelifted model, it's the front bumper that's changed

[Ali_]

Really!!!!! thats sooo pretty, hard edged, industrial..i want & ive got to get out more often.

What sort of year we talking about here?? arh i dont need it :( dont worry.