New BMW Race Car E46 M3

[Bernard///M3]

So after a couple of years in my E36 Race Car, I decided to build a new car. Originally I was going to build a E46 325ci with a 330i motor

I found an E46 M3 with no Motor or gearbox being stripped at Designa Rides and we did a deal for basically the shell, the doors, bumpers, bonnet, bootlid, interior, exhaust, wheels and glass was removed. Was just the shell with brakes, ecu and dash. As I knew eventually I would fit lightweight panels.

The car was stripped. Any piece of metal not required was grinded off!! Even the roof was cut out!

Quality Carbon Concepts produced all the lightweight panels. The Doors, bonnet, bootlid, bumpers are all made from an Epoxy Composite. The Roof, dash, door cards splitter, rear wing and canards are all Carbon fibre.
All of the above weighing 42kg.

The Roll cage was done by CMC engineering!

The car was built by Mike & Shane Grobler, TuneTech did all the wiring and tuning
Shield Panelbeaters the spray painting
Fire System, brake pads & hoses from International Race Supplies
Other racing material from ATS and 1st Race

Some parts came off my friend Varish’s E46 325ci with a 330 motor as he upgraded it to a turbo. Got his exhaust and Maxtrax suspension. Will hopefully upgrade some time to something else!

Specs:
E46 M3 Shell
E46 330i motor and ECU
E46 330i gearbox
Ecu Master Dash
E46 M3 Diff
E46 M3 Radiator
OMP Carbon Seat
Vari 8 Pot Front brakes and E46 M3 rear brakes with PFC racing pads and PFC Racing brake fluid
Maxtrax Suspension
Running on Avgas
18” ALine RK wheels
265/35/18 Bridgestone RE11 semi slicks


The car isn’t 100% complete, still needs the Fire system, rear wing and canards installed and couple of other small items.

Now I need seat time and get the car into a higher Class at the BMW ///M Performance Parts Race Series

 

[Bernard///M3]

We arrived at the first race without any testing as we ran out of time. Car had literally done 400m on and off trailers.
We had some teething issues with a leaky o-ring on the tappet cover.
As it’s a new car I started in the lowest class, qualified 1st in Class E and won the 1st race in Class E, but inbetween we found the car leaking. The power steering brake fluid had perished. We changed the pipe. But during the 2nd race I lost power steering while waiting on the grid and by end of first lap also lost ABS then eventually in lap 4 my dual fuel pumps stopped pumping. We later found out the powersteering fluid leaking into the alternator and stuffed it up hence the power loss.

We quite happy as we used the race as a shakedown and if it’s just the above issues, then it’s great news for a brand new build

Car has been fixed l now need seat time to get used to this car as it’s quite a bit different to the 36, and get it up to Class D where it belongs!

 

[Benji]

So cool, car looks like a lot of fun

 

[zabbo]

Wowza!!! Car looks stunning and definitely a step up from the e36. All the best.

 

[Tinuva]

M54B30 in a M3 shell

You will have one solid track car after those minor issues are sorted out!

 

[Nukleuz]

awesome build. Good luck!

 

[///M Individual]

Wow brilliant build! Well done

 

[Gordvisr]

Awesome build , out of curiosity, why not using the E90 330i ( N52 ) engine ?

 

[Crash_Nemesis]

AMAZING!

 

[Bernard///M3]

So during the off season. We upgraded my car.

Out with the 330 motor and in with the S54 M3 motor.

Now it’s a proper M3 again.

Unfortunately missed the first race meeting of the year due to wiring issues. The harness wasn’t 100% and some relay kept cutting the motor on start up. Problem was finally sorted and it started on the Friday afternoon of the race weekend. Just a day or 2 too late as the car was still in pieces due to this delay.

The car should be ready in the next couple of days then we can take our time and test. We will be ready for the Kyalami 9Hr Support Races

 

[Crash_Nemesis]

So awesome Bernie!

PS. I am coming to film you on your practice / shakedown day. Will whatsapp you.

So excited for you man! This is so awesome!!

 

[Bernard///M3]

So tomorrow we go testing and shakedown the new motor.

Feeling super excited for the S54

Gazoo Racing
Transporting
BMW Race Series

 

[Crash_Nemesis]

Awesome Bernie! Well done to you and the team! Super excited for you!

 

[zabbo]

How did the tests go? We need vids!!

 

[DonovanPorter]

what a machine, looking forward to the videos and times

 

[Bernard///M3]

Wow, now we talking.

What a difference from the 330 motor to the S54.

We ran the car up to 5500 to 6000 revs only for the shakedown. Car turns in beautifully and handles great.

Unfortunately Midvaal is in a sad state of affairs, bumpy and even has a pothole coming out of turn 3 with cones and certain corners u can’t take the racing line anymore

But anyway I probably did about 45 laps one session was about 20-25 laps straight without stopping

But the best part was having a fat smile on my face and loading it back on the trailer with no issues

So now back to workshop to double check a few things and fit the big ass wing

PS thanx Crash Nemesis for coming to watch and shoot some videos

 

[Bernard///M3]

How cool does the exhaust look. We running Avgas

 

[Bernard///M3]

can’t load the videos 🙈🙈

 

[DonovanPorter]

Sjoe, that exhaust, child hood memories.

 

[Bernard///M3]

So First Race with New Motor done and dusted!
And what a place to debut the motor! The Kyalami 9 Hr.

Went straight into Class C during Qualifying.
Finished both races. So now I need to work on being more competitive in the higher class