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So there I found myself at BMW of Seattle - They happened to have a brand new Jerez Black BMW M3 coupe sitting in the showroom. I’m not exactly in the market for a new car, but still aching to drive the new one just to see how it holds up to my 2006 e46 BMW M3. A short talk with the sales guy and he was wheeling it out for me.

Here’s What she looked like:

Jerez Black BMW M3 Coupe

2008 Black M3 Coupe

Jerez Black Metallic Paint with Black Leather interior. One of the best color combos available for an M3.

A couple of caveats:
1.) it was raining - you can only do so much in the rain.
2.) Seattle BMW got it yesteday … the car had 56 miles on it. I have a healthy respect for the vehicle and did not rev it past 5k rpm. I know - many folks here may think that’s lame … you’re also probably the same people whose wives/girlfriends complain that you go straight after the clitoris. This is a YP.

Initial impressions:
- The e92 m3 is MUCH better looking in person. The physique is much more slim with bulging lines here and there for the fenders and hood bulge.
- The car is significantly more behaved at city street speeds in 1st & 2nd gear & the clutch is easier to operate (it has LESS resistance the further it is depressed, whereas the e46 clutch has more resistance the further you depress it). Around town you can definitely feel the extra several hundred pounds. It just feels … heavy.

At freeway speeds… *cough* plus a little more… :
- I was always impressed with how comfortable the e46 felt at err… what’s 60+40? and this car made the e46 feel downright sloppy when I got back into it.
- very smooth. Just attributed to the added torque - the car is very smooth in 4th & 5th gear, but feels about the same in 6th gear (I didn’t have M mode on at this point).

With the exception to the fact that the car is more behaved at low rpm in 1st and 2nd gear - in general, as far as acceleration goes, the car felt like the e46, but with a little more juice to it. The gears actually felt shorter than the e46, but that I’m sure has to do with the fact that there’s that much more power and it pulls through the rpm band faster.

Cornering:

Others have said it, I’ll repeat it - this car corners amazingly! Before I was mentioning that you could feel the extra several hundred pounds of weight. It all disappears at turn-in. The turn-in on this car is so crisp it feels like a go-cart. There’s zero body roll with EDC turned on, and it’s incredibly responsive. Absolute A+++ on cornering. This car felt lighter than my old ‘88 Prelude with 205/40 R16’s and a spring kit on it. A feeling I thought was gone forever with 3000lb+ cars.

A quick side note on EDC - even though the body roll is almost totally diminished with EDC set to sport, the suspension doesn’t feel like it tightens up that much - BMW did a great job of preserving the suspension’s ability to absorb shock while minimizing body roll. Anyone who has ever driven in Seattle knows that you need good suspension around here.

Afterthoughts:

While driving away in my trusty ‘06 m3 I noticed a few immediate differnences:

1.) the e46 feels RRREALLY light compared to the e92 at low speeds
2.) the clutch is quite a bit heavier in the e46
3.) the e46 has a much more “GO GO GO GO GO GO GO!!!!” demeanor about it. Even without driving aggressively, I felt it pulling me and wanting to go faster in 1st and 2nd gear … and then a little bit more relaxed in 5th and 6th gear
4.) I immediately felt as thought I was in a dated piece of machinery when I got back in the e46.
4a.) After having a glass of wine and slice of pizza - I had forgotten the feeling of the e92, and felt back at home in the e46. ::siiiigh::

M3 Addict Test Drives BMW, BMW M3, e92, Jerez Black, M3, test drive

Okay, so last May I  installed the Umnitza Predator Orions.

To start - great service by Umnitza!  The Orion’s were shipped the same day I ordered them and even though I opted for the Cheap USPS shipping method, they were here on the 2nd business day.

Quality is great, installation is easy, and LOOKS ABSOLUTELY STUNNING when completed!  This product would have received an A++, but it did not come with a wiring diagram or install instructions.  I also wish the clips were made to fit perfectly - rather than having to slide around and “eyeball” the final fit.

Installation:
I am … used to be? … a fairly seasoned car electronics installer back in highschool & college.  It’s probably been 7 years since I picked up the crimps tho, so I was a tad rusty.

Once I figured out which end was up, the installation was a breeze! A quick search of M3Forum and I found this page: http://www.fastm.com/m3/angeleyes.html

These instructions were super helpful and pictures were incredibly helpful as well.  Thanks to whomever put it together =)

The install took me about 4 hours - but I was being super duper careful and I am always very anal about where the wires go and making sure everything is hidden, so that took a good hour or so.  There was NOTHING in here that was really difficult, The removal of the painted trim piece under the headlights was the toughest thing -and make sure to wash your hands before handling the clear plastic headlight cover so you don’t get fingerprints on there (your fingers will get FILTHY).

Finished Product:
After the install these things look really great!  Super Clean - nice color - stunning look!!  I can’t compliment them enough! Before ordering I was concerned that the bright white would be “too bright” for my carbon black - but because it’s so crisp, it actually looks really nice, and there’s the slightest shade of blue in the light - which goes very well with the faint blue of the carbon black.

For now, I just hooked them up to the “Accessory” switch - as per the instructions in the link I posted - but what I plan on doing is ordering the Euro  Light Control Module (I’m guessing it’s Euro?) and wiring the angel eyes to the lower right button:

BMW M3 Rear Fog Switch

This way I can turn them off & on independently of other lights so I can run under the radar if desired.

Here are some pics -taken at night with a dirty car, please excuse:

Under the hood - wires ran along passenger and driver's side edge

Fuse, Power Hookup, Switch, & Ground All Bundled Up

shot of the wire running down the driver's side - note this runs back to the ECU box, as that's where the accessory wire is tapped.

Money Shot

Close Up of Umnitza Angel Eyes

Angel Eyes on E46 BMW M3

Sorry! I told you the car was dirty! Here's a pic of the Angel Eyes from directly in front of the ///M

Really satisfied with this product!  I had some problems with the lights rattling loose a couple of times, then I dropped a single dab of super glue on the clip and they’ve stayed put.  Total cost was about $120 including shipping.  I was told by my BMW service rep that the cost of the Euro Fog Light switch panel was about $100.  I will probably add that shortly.

Thumbs up for Umnitza on this one.

M3 Addict Do It Yourself (DIY), M3 Mods & Upgrades Angel Eyes, BMW, M3, Umnitza

So about a year ago I picked up the Dinan Short Shift Kit (SSK) for my M3.

Right away I noticed a difference.  Not only was the throw shorter (thank god!), but it seemed a bit smoother.  Now there’s a nice gliding sensation and it pops into and out of gears easier.  The throw being shorter, I find I’m shifting faster and missing fewer shifts.

Dinan Short Shift Kit

For the price of about $250 installed, I think this was worth it.  The height that the shifter rests at is more comfortable, especially when that lame armrest is folded up.  And as a result of quicker and more direct shifts, the car has more of a “racer” feel to it.

Definitely Recommend this upgrade.

M3 Addict M3 Mods & Upgrades Dinan, M3, Short Shift Kit

Break-Out diagram of Engine	Cutout picture of Engine
S54B32 Crank Shaft	e46 M3 Header
Double VANOS on M3	M3 Cam Shaft
Cut Out of BMW Intake Manifold	Inline-6 M3 Intake Manifold
Pistons and Valves	Stripped Engine Block
Drivetrain on Imola Red M3	e46 BMW Drivetrain Diagram
M3 Vehicle Diagram	BMW M3 Undercarriage
Phoenix Yellow M3	M3 Engine Bay
BMW M3 Engine	e46 M3 Headers
e46 BMW M3 S54B32 Torque and Horsepower Curve

M3 Addict Automobile Press, M3 Addict BMW, M3, M3 Engine, S54B32

Check out this video I Just came across on Youtube:

This is just insane, I don’t know how these guys can rally the M3 like this. These cars are simply amazing - driving a rear wheel drive car at speeds like this on wet and gravel courses. Sort of reminds me of my own commute … except I don’t slide quite as much as this … and don’t really drive as fast as this … and I’m not this hardcore either.

M3 Addict M3 Addict BMW M3, e30, M3, Video

Picture day for the m3 =) It was rainy on Thursday and Friday, so this morning I gave the m3 its first bath and took it out for a photoshoot.

Check Out The Pics By Clicking Here

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