m3freak86's 2018 F80 M3 Build Journal

[m3freak86]

October 20, 2023,

What's being done: Belt Tensioner Replacement

Well... already had an issue with my m3. However! A very small one and an easy fix. After owning the car for a few months, I started to notice a rattling noise becoming more transparent when the car was at idle. I am always hyper sensitive to noises going on with my cars, which is both a blessing and a curse. Good because I can address issues as soon as it happens, but also bad because I am constantly listening for a new noises that pop up.

In this case, the noises started to become more and more noticeable as time went on. Instead of panicking, I did some diagnostics on the car to see if I could pinpoint the issue. Turned the car on and opened the hood waiting for the noise to click on. Sure enough, it was audible pretty quickly and I tracked down the noise. I knew it was coming from the front of the car, so looked down through all the lines and hoses and noticed the belt tensioner was rattling pretty violently. At first I told myself, maybe it's supposed to be move that much, but deep down I knew it was not normal. Did a bit more digging and research on the forums and it seems like these belt tensioner are something that does fail over time. Granted the car was under 20k miles, it was in need of replacement.

Picked up an OEM replacement from FCP Euro and it arrived at my door in a day or two. Little nerve-racking since this was my first "real" fix of the car since I took ownership, but I hopped into the garage and got to work. Now, the actual replacement is fairly simple. Remove the tension, unbolt, bolt new one on, and put the tensioner back. However, we all know zee Germans like making use of every square inch of their engine bays. Because of this, I had to remove quite a few things to get to the part. And even so, there was hardly any room to work.

After about an hour or so of squeezing my hands down there, I managed it get it into place, bolted up, and everything back in its spot. Started the car up and thankfully, the noise was gone! Always such a great feeling diagnosing an issue/noise and fixing it yourself. Huge sense of accomplishment and pride!

I was able to document the entire install so if anyone is interested in a step by step and see how it's done, check out the video below.

[m3freak86]

October 21, 2023

What's being done: IND Gloss Black Painted Roundels

If you weren't able to tell, small details on a car make the difference. Things that most people won't notice are the details that I notice. To me, it makes the car feel and look more complete at the end of the day.

One of these details I knew I had to have were the IND painted roundels for both the hood and trunk. I ordered these back in June when I placed my first large order, but since these are so popular, there is quite a long wait list.

After a few month wait, they finally arrived and pleased to see they were exactly what I was looking for. To most, this is such a small change, but when you are like me and despise anything chrome, the stock roundels stick out like a sore thumb. I am sure we can all agree after seeing them side by side, the IND painted roundels are a much more OEM look than even the OEM roundels. Simple and clean... just the way I like it.

Very easy install and everything in included to swap them over. Just be careful prying the old ones off as it can be a bit tricky. Take all the precautions necessary to protect the paint! A little heat goes a long way as well.

Check out them side by side and the install video below!

[m3freak86]

October 23, 2023,

What's being installed: Bayoptik GTS Style Tailights

It is something often over looked by many, but lighting to me is very important. While the stock tails on the F80 LCI do look good, I do think they can be improved upon.

Two things that bothered me about the OEM tails are the stock halogen reverse bulbs as well as the brake lights being halogen. I never understand when brands make an LED headlight or taillight and keep some halogen bulbs in them. Secondly, the red is a bit too vibrant and red. I much prefer a more cherry red look on tails as I feel it is less disruptive to the car. The OEM red's tend to catch my eye too much and distract from beautiful lines.

Started to look for a few options and came across the ever so popular GTS tails by Bayoptics. I loved the darker cherry red coloring as well as the upgraded and more modern look these provide. Not to mention a nice LED reverse light. Snagged them from my favorite lighting company, Lightwerkz, and they arrived in a few days.

Install was very straight forward as it is a plug and play setup. No extra wiring needed other than running the wires of the trunk lid lights. The darker coloring really suits the car very well for what I have going on. The only thing I was not a fan of is the sequential turn signal. I tried searching for a solution to have them only blink normal, but it seems like this only works for the m4 lights, not the m3.

Overall, very pleased with the updated look to the rear end. Fitment is spot on and they have been performing flawlessly. I would like to snag a set of the OEM Euro Shadowlines eventually, but these definitely satisfy my craving for now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WKE7fE-Jb4

[m3freak86]

November 5, 2023

What's being installed: Future Classic 5mm Spacers

Details matter! Even if it's something as minor as 5mm. Fitment to me is essential to making a decent car look phenomenal. Can't tell you how many times I've seen a car I would have never considered owning, but with proper fitting wheels, it makes me want it! Wheel fitment honestly can make or break a car. Sometimes, a simple spacer can remedy that issue.

Ever since I installed the Volk TE37SL's, I noticed there was a bit more room up front. Now, I didn't want to go too crazy and make the fitment unfunctional, but I knew I could make the wheels fit a bit better with a simple 5mm spacer.

I've always wanted to run future classic spacers as I loved their idea behind the rotor set screw holding the spacer into place. This method help alleviate any chance of the spacer causing any vibrations or unwanted wear on the car.

Snagged a set of 5mm Future Classic spacers from IND and they arrived a few days later for install. Install is extremely straight forward with these, but does involve a bit more work than just slapping them on. Removing the rotor set screw can be a bit tricky since these like to strip, but just take your time and go slow.

Although it may not look like much, the extra push on the front wheels really made the car look so much more aggressive. It was exactly what I was after! Anything more would be too much and would make me have to run more negative camber. Which isn't always a bad thing! But in this case, I wanted to keep the same alignment specs, but have the front wheel pushed out a bit. Effectively, this brought my front wheels to an 18x9.5 et17.

Check out the pictures and video of the install below!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxLB-MlA_Oo

[Johnny250]

I didn't connect the dots that I'm following you on IG and I also remember you from the m3forums days lol.

[m3freak86]

Originally Posted by Johnny250

I didn't connect the dots that I'm following you on IG and I also remember you from the m3forums days lol.

Ha! Very cool. I appreciate the support. Truly miss the old m3forum days.

[LXAS613]

Just read/watched through your build series, great work and VERY tasteful mods! You have that Mineral Grey example looking really sharp. I am intrigued about the VLAND tail lights... ever since I saw the M4 GTS as a kid in high school, I was enamored by the tail light design (and the orange 666m wheels lol). I would really love to install these taillights on my Alpine White F80, but just like you, I love when a car has nice and bright lighting. Can you truly say that the aftermarket tail lights hold up to the standard LCI ones, for brightness and overall light quality? I know in your YT video you were all for them, just wondering if your stance has changed since you have had them installed for longer now.

Great build and great video series, thanks for your contribution!

[m3freak86]

Originally Posted by LXAS613

Just read/watched through your build series, great work and VERY tasteful mods! You have that Mineral Grey example looking really sharp. I am intrigued about the VLAND tail lights... ever since I saw the M4 GTS as a kid in high school, I was enamored by the tail light design (and the orange 666m wheels lol). I would really love to install these taillights on my Alpine White F80, but just like you, I love when a car has nice and bright lighting. Can you truly say that the aftermarket tail lights hold up to the standard LCI ones, for brightness and overall light quality? I know in your YT video you were all for them, just wondering if your stance has changed since you have had them installed for longer now.

Great build and great video series, thanks for your contribution!

I appreciate it! Still trying to catch up on here. Hacking away at it when I have the time.

The GTS tails are very nice. I am really happy with them. THe overall brightness of the actual tail is as bright (possibly brighter) than OEM. Although, the turn signal isn't as vibrant or bright as OEM. But it shouldn't deter you from purchasing a set. For the price, it's worth a try and see if you like them.

I do eventually plan to move to the OEM Euro Shadowlines to keep that OEM+ look, but the GTS tails are a great bang for the buck.

[LXAS613]

Originally Posted by m3freak86

I appreciate it! Still trying to catch up on here. Hacking away at it when I have the time.

The GTS tails are very nice. I am really happy with them. THe overall brightness of the actual tail is as bright (possibly brighter) than OEM. Although, the turn signal isn't as vibrant or bright as OEM. But it shouldn't deter you from purchasing a set. For the price, it's worth a try and see if you like them.

I do eventually plan to move to the OEM Euro Shadowlines to keep that OEM+ look, but the GTS tails are a great bang for the buck.

Excellent, thanks for the feedback! Yeah when I clicked the product link in the YT description, I was VERY surprised to see that they were $300 on Amazon. Is that link where you sourced these? I see that Kies motorsport sells them for twice the cost, so I wasn't sure if it was a quality sort of thing between the two.

[m3freak86]

Originally Posted by LXAS613

Excellent, thanks for the feedback! Yeah when I clicked the product link in the YT description, I was VERY surprised to see that they were $300 on Amazon. Is that link where you sourced these? I see that Kies motorsport sells them for twice the cost, so I wasn't sure if it was a quality sort of thing between the two.

All the same thing

[LXAS613]

Originally Posted by m3freak86

All the same thing

Good to know, I will be giving them a shot then! Thank for the guidance, I am subscribed to this thread because I enjoyed it so much, and planned to do a few of the component upgrades that you did anyways. The AA equal length setup is calling my name... as well as a carbon fiber diffuser like yours.

[The_Olivia_Collection]

im going to binge watch your build series for inspiration. amazing work🩷

[m3freak86]

Originally Posted by The_Olivia_Collection

im going to binge watch your build series for inspiration. amazing work🩷

Awesome! I appreciate the support. Any questions, don't hesitate to ask!

[heymarkv]

Absolutely love your build and videos; just watched the Recaros install and its great content. Cant' wait to see what you do next with the car!

[m3freak86]

Originally Posted by heymarkv

Absolutely love your build and videos; just watched the Recaros install and its great content. Cant' wait to see what you do next with the car!

I appreciate it! I got a lot to catch up on here haha. Thanks for following the journey.