2018 F81 M3 Touring 6MT Build Thread

[TouringM3]

Got the car back from the body shop on Monday, and immediately got to work fitting the RWD transmission tunnel floor + longitudinal support brace (driver's side only).

Also, while my buddy was fixing a million spot weld holes, i got to work on the hybrid rear bumper supports.


You have to combine the M3 support (in white) with the tail light pocket contour of the F31 wagon – both to make the bumper fit, and to match the lines of the tail lights.

(The lights are the same in each car, but in a slightly different location)

[F30BMWWHITE]

Absolutly love the color of this!

[eljay]

That looks like a particle accelarator tunnel!

I think everyone using "build" in their car journals needs to find a new word, as this is actually a build!

Great progress!

[prezes93]

Fantastic work!

[TouringM3]

Originally Posted by eljay

That looks like a particle accelarator tunnel!

I think everyone using "build" in their car journals needs to find a new word, as this is actually a build!

Great progress!

HAHAHA – thanks a lot!

[TouringM3]

Shiny update on the fast-paced path to getting the M3 wagon up and running.

I got the car back from paint this week, in Marina Bay Blue Metallic.

Then this weekend I got as much of the wiring, and underbody / rear driveline together as possible.

This week i'll be tidying up the wiring harness and reinstalling the engine and transmission.

Along the way i'm upgrading a number of pieces, such as
• Turner / ECS Shift Bushing
• RK Autowerks Pinned Crank Hub
• Mishimoto Oil Cooler
and much more

[Equilibrandt]

These updates are 10x better than my morning coffee.

[TouringM3]

S55 IS IN!!!!!!!

Ryan from Dynasport PDX here in Portland swung by in his E39 M5 Touring (In Interlagos Blue) and helped me drop the engine and 6-speed transmission in.

I ended up putting in the majority of the exhaust and a bunch of other little wiring things last night.

Loving how this is looking as it comes together - man oh man.

[fretchh]

Looks awesome! excited to see it come together

[TouringM3]

First startup on Sunday. Never screamed that hard in my life!

Also, the front end is damn near together, looking mean AF.

[eljay]

Congrats on the startup! That's a big milestone!

[TouringM3]

I just realized i haven't posted an update in a while - I really went DEEP getting this thing mostly together over the past month, and while I didn't manage to get it ready for the Willow Springs "UrbxnFest" as I had hoped, it is running and driving pretty great.

I'm chasing down the last few wiring gremlins, coding tasks, and so forth, but i'll save that detail for the next post.

In the meantime, here are some progress pics. I'm so delighted with how it is taking shape. This has been my dream since 2015.



Some of the pics you'll see here:


Particularly proud of how the rear seats came together
– In order to do this right, you have to sacrifice two sets of seats to come away with one great set of M3 Wagon rear seats.

You use the frame / structure from the F31
You use the leather and padding from the F80
The upholsterer seam-rips the 60% section of the F80 rear seat so you maintain the "40 / 20 / 40" fold functionality
I had the upholsterer match leather texture & color and re-wrap the 20% section, including the arm rest and cup holder.

Because beverages.


Also, pics of the MSS Sport HAS kit, which so far has been SUCH an improvement over the H&R Sport springs that came on the car when i bought it.


Last, some photos from a spectacular Cars & Coffee style event here in Portland called "Doughnuts & Drip". A F31 owner - Joe - was there and pulled up next to me later on and you can really see the difference in the flares and contouring of the bodywork.

To say i'm pleased would be a horrific understatement

[Peertwelve]

Originally Posted by TouringM3

I just realized i haven't posted an update in a while - I really went DEEP getting this thing mostly together over the past month, and while I didn't manage to get it ready for the Willow Springs "UrbxnFest" as I had hoped, it is running and driving pretty great.

I'm chasing down the last few wiring gremlins, coding tasks, and so forth, but i'll save that detail for the next post.

In the meantime, here are some progress pics. I'm so delighted with how it is taking shape. This has been my dream since 2015.



Some of the pics you'll see here:


Particularly proud of how the rear seats came together
– In order to do this right, you have to sacrifice two sets of seats to come away with one great set of M3 Wagon rear seats.

You use the frame / structure from the F31
You use the leather and padding from the F80
The upholsterer seam-rips the 60% section of the F80 rear seat so you maintain the "40 / 20 / 40" fold functionality
I had the upholsterer match leather texture & color and re-wrap the 20% section, including the arm rest and cup holder.

Because beverages.


Also, pics of the MSS Sport HAS kit, which so far has been SUCH an improvement over the H&R Sport springs that came on the car when i bought it.


Last, some photos from a spectacular Cars & Coffee style event here in Portland called "Doughnuts & Drip". A F31 owner - Joe - was there and pulled up next to me later on and you can really see the difference in the flares and contouring of the bodywork.

To say i'm pleased would be a horrific understatement

Great news! I was following along on YouTube.. any plans for more videos? Congrats. Car looks great

[DrKevM5]

Looking amazing!!

[McIntoshMotorSports]

Wow amazing progress this last month! Thing is an absolute menace to the roads now!

Would love to see a cost analysis of the build!

[TouringM3]

Originally Posted by McIntoshMotorSports

Wow amazing progress this last month! Thing is an absolute menace to the roads now!

Would love to see a cost analysis of the build!

I can def. put that together soon once it's all buttoned up.

[azuritschwarz]

Looks so so so good... incredibly well done!

[TouringM3]

Hey Buds – My wife and I just wrapped up a 2wk road trip to Southern California, Mammoth, Bend, and back home all in the very freshly built and running M3 Wagon.

I was nervous, and excited, and I packed a shit load of tools, extra fluids, lots of cleaning supplies, and snacks.

MUCH to my great surprise and delight, the car ran and drove amazingly. It didn't present any issues, never broke down, didn't leak, nothing. I'm still shocked if i'm being completely honest.


OK, that's enough jibber jabber, here's the pics:

[bigj505]

Cleeeeean

[NYBulldog]

Wow congrats man, deserves another applause after the road trip

[TouringM3]

Originally Posted by NYBulldog

Wow congrats man, deserves another applause after the road trip

Uhhhh....tell me more about this signature car of yours!

[M3_Legend]

Wow amazing work!! In for more pictures