Hello everyone,
I have recently (5/18) picked up a new car that I have waited for over 18months to say I rightfully own! I initially put a deposit on it in October, after searching for something like it for 8 months. I always wanted an ///M, but in the spring of 2013 I couldn't decide between an e46 m3 and a 135i, yes I know, the 135i is not an ///M. Two very different cars and I liked the fact that the n54 in the 135 could easily be upgraded FBO to run 400 whp. We'll out of left field, I met a man with a red lotus exige. Well his daily driver was a z4m coupe and I fell in love. I did an extensive amount of research and knew that the z4mc would be my next car, but with only 1815 ///M coupes ever made I had my work set out. I knew I wanted a blue car, and my sights were set on an interlagos blue specimen. I searched for months and by august I lost hope. Occasionally one would pop up and be way to expensive, and let's face it, I might have just been dreaming the entire time. Well in September a beautiful 2 owner example popped up. Literally my dream example. 60,000 miles, interlagos blue over black, carbon fiber trim, some other goodies. I was in love.
I made it a mission to earn the car and I did everything in my power. Proving to them that I was capable, not only financially, but mentally. Finally, last sunday, my work paid off, and I went and picked up "Helios." Maintained by an phenomenal forum member, I could not have found a better car. I researched the car more then need be, examined the car and the owner was along side every step of the way, helpful and knowledgable, a really stand up guy. A lot of his, as well as my time had gone into this car and I can say that when I went to pick it up Sunday, I felt ready. My e46 had taught me well, and I was ready for the next tier.
The previous owner,kept the car in a heated garage where he planed to build the m coupe to a high hp racecar, even having catless headers, a m-stache 2, wheels, seats, cf wrapped trim, tires, suspension, and a vf-570 supercharger in the garage. I chose from the lot and got the wheels, apex arc-8s, wrapped in fresh toyo proxes r888s. A phenomenally meaty stance with the 10.5 in wide rears wrapped in 275s. I also chose the coilovers as we'll. which were installed prior to my first visit back in October. Then he kept the car all winter while I worked my *ss off. I could not have asked for a better deal, nor a better car nor previous owner.
The car was also fitted with cf trim and black panels, originally all wood and tan. Inside were replica porsche gt2 cf seats, Reducing the cars weight by 52 lbs.The previous owner installed a few other lightweight components and corner balanced he car perfectly. I hope to soon weigh the vehicle.
The car handles phenomenal. An Unlimited amount of grip, and boy does the s54 sound intoxicating. Not a normal engine sound either, you can hear the engine breathing and working, all the way up to 8000rpm. It rides low and fast, attracts attention from it's unique exotic look, and pulls harder then I would have ever expected.
The journey home from northern nj was a little worry some. I had driven the car 5 miles prior to Sunday. It was a difficult car to get used to, small, with an elongated nose. You are basically sitting in the trunk. It's aggressive, menacing and absolutely fun. I had a few interesting cars tag along on my voyage home, a lotus, couple audis and even a v8 vantage try to catch a glimpse.
I got home and put the car on the lift to inspect it more. It was literally perfect. I was trying to find something wrong, and couldn't. It felt weird, coming from my e46 that would constantly throw a fit after being driven that far.
I put 600 miles on the car by Monday night. The previous owner put 2000 on it in 2 years. I put it in my garage and stared at it for awhile Monday night, knowing that I couldn't drive it for a few days. That turned out to be much harder then I thought.
Now for some pictures
My old e46 "track car" with a roll bar and plenty of cf goodies
And I present you with #1197 of 1815
Hopefully I can get some good ones with my friend who just bought an alpine white 2007 m6.
So some future plans for the m coupe include learning the car, taking things slow and getting accustomed to it. Most important, Enjoying it. I don't want to modify it to much, I think I got the mod bug out of me with the e46, the m coupe is basically perfect from the factory.
I would like to get some beefier exhaust tips, either a rpi muffler which drops a total of 30 lbs and adds a loud raspy exotic tone, as well as a unique look with it's staggered tips, or maybe a RE diablo muffler that exemplifies what the s54 should sound like. Deep and roaring, with symmetric tips. Maybe a RE diablo x pipe in addition to either muffler to get even more sound. Although I have heard that doing so can be very loud with rpi's, and that I should add 2 "1/4" wave resonators in the exhaust.
Then a few little things like painting the reflectors to match the body, and getting my m-stache front lip installed. I do a lot of composite work and would love to sand down the lip and add a beautiful finishing layer of carbon fiber. I also saw a forum member who added distance sensors to tell how far away from the curb the car is. I really like this idea and might ask him how he went about doing so.
Maybe upgrade the transmission mounts and a few other little things, but other then that nothing extreme. Just keeping it as the garage king and hoping to sell the e46 and pick up a daily(considering a Prius).
Lastly, does anyone recommended a good tow hook mount? I'm nervous to drill holes in the front bumper.