"newton" (newton)
08/09/2015 at 00:39 • Filed to: bmw, e46, wagon, racewagon, s54, m3
109
88|
"newton" (newton)
08/09/2015 at 00:39 • Filed to: bmw, e46, wagon, racewagon, s54, m3 | 109
| 88 |
I seem to have !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Well alright, who am I kidding? Don’t we all? It’s a formula that proves to be flawless. It’s a driver’s car that doubles as a doer’s car. It’ll carry your small furniture, haul your kids to school, round up all your gear for a road trip and still draw a crowd at a car meet. It’s the Swiss — or in this case — German army knife of automobiles.
So then what if you take all that and further the ideology? What if the notion of a do-it-all wagon with the road manners of a true driver’s car still just seems too pedestrian?
Enter Juliann’s BMW E46 3-series Touring. From afar, it may look unassuming until you realize up close it’s no standard E46 wagon at all.
Yes, that’s a BMW S54. Juliann purchased this wagon with the keen understanding this car is essentially a E46 M3 with a bit of extra cargo space. And for the unaware, BMW never actually green-lighted a E46 M3 Touring for production. Once again, we bid grace to the car gods for the concept of an engine swap.
What would you do with what is essentially an M3 wagon? Sure you could hustle a few eager stoplight racers. You could confuse the master techs at a BMW dealership and arouse the unsuspecting at a BMW meet. As for Juliann however, she has made it a point to use the car exactly as a wagon is capable of being used. Juliann rescues dogs with her E46.
Juliann initially had only intended to save two surviving boxers from a litter. Before long however, she found herself saving dogs from high kill shelters by transporting dogs across Texas to various foster homes. Additionally, Juliann pairs dogs with fosters and provides mentoring opportunities to those who are interested in fostering dogs for the first time.
There are those who may wince at the sight of dog paws on the seats of an enthusiast’s car, but to Juliann her E46 serves a function. It is not a garage queen or a show car. It is not the puzzle piece of a collector and it does not serve to appease the perfectionist. Juliann’s E46 is the performance wagon BMW hoped people would understand. It’s everything you need and then, in the case with this particular car, a little extra of what we would all want.
At week’s end Juliann proves that her car is every bit of a driver’s car on the track. Being a E46, it receives most aftermarket parts from the sedans all the same. Slapping a coilover system and big brake kit on enables the car to rotate around corners faster than any vehicle of utility has a right to. Of course, the true value of the car is that it renders fellow racers little knowledge of what it actually accomplishes off the track.
Long live the wagon.
AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
> newton
08/09/2015 at 01:03 |
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That is the sexiest thing I have seen all week.
AM3R shamefully returns
> newton
08/09/2015 at 01:17 |
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I don't know her but I love her. Great taste in cars, great job helping out all those dogs.
Svend
> newton
08/09/2015 at 01:58 |
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Friend had one of these (though he had a Rottweiler and she only get sat in the boot area). Great car, happy to sit at 120mph all day (only only did for about 40minutes because speed cameras (I wasn’t driving), hit the accelerator at she’d be doing 70mph in the blink of an eye. He’s got an clean unmolested E46 M3 coupe now.
inlinesexzylinder
> newton
08/09/2015 at 09:18 |
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I love BMW wagons. I have one. An S54 Touring is a dream come true so I have to salute the woman. Awesome.
But, the dogs sitting in the interior and their paws scratching the paint drive me nuts. Ugh.
-Tom-
> newton
08/09/2015 at 09:28 |
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Too bad it doesnt have the M3 front end swap. I realize its more than just swapping panels as the fenders require some cutting and welding between coupes and 4 doors but it isnt an impossible task.
roachm
> newton
08/09/2015 at 09:36 |
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What an awesome human being. Well done.
Wolc *grammar nazis go f*** yourselves*
> -Tom-
08/09/2015 at 09:40 |
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should be OK, e46 m3 came in 4 door too
http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.p…
SpecedOut
> Wolc *grammar nazis go f*** yourselves*
08/09/2015 at 09:53 |
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The sedan skipped a generation, the one you linked to is a custom job as well. The E36 and E90 were available in sedan form, not the E46 though.
emm3
> newton
08/09/2015 at 10:13 |
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Lovely and nice to see it put to such a great use! BMW actually did build a prototype e46 M3 Touring. Shame they didn’t build it for real.
LongbowMkII
> newton
08/09/2015 at 10:15 |
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dat wheel/tire combo...
:drool:
mikecyc72usa
> newton
08/09/2015 at 10:18 |
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Having driven this car many times (to transport dogs even a few times) I can tell you it’s amazing. On every level. Juliann is also a super talented driver, probably the best fabricator I’ve met, and absolutely one of, if not the best person I’ve met in my life.
Rustamino
> newton
08/09/2015 at 10:22 |
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Just so long as she remembers to leave the windows cracked open when the car inevitably leaves her stranded somewhere then all will be well.
69vette427
> newton
08/09/2015 at 10:29 |
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I love my E46, and I love this car too! One of BMW’s best vehicles ever made. Good find Newton!
BC1BC2BC3
> newton
08/09/2015 at 10:57 |
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NSFW.
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-Tom-
> Wolc *grammar nazis go f*** yourselves*
08/09/2015 at 10:57 |
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No it didnt. Some people have definitely done OEM quality conversions using factory sheet metal but they did NOT come that way from the factory.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_M3#E4…
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Wolc *grammar nazis go f*** yourselves*
> SpecedOut
08/09/2015 at 11:09 |
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thanks
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True
> newton
08/09/2015 at 11:22 |
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So I get about 1/2-way through reading this and it occurs to me that I know her! Holy crap Juliann! If you read this give me a call, I’m bummed that we lost touch and I’d love to catch up!
True
RallyWrench
> newton
08/09/2015 at 11:25 |
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Damn right. Wish i didn’t need to sell mine.
Humpty-D
> RallyWrench
08/09/2015 at 11:33 |
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Where are you and what are the specs on the car?
M0L0TOV
> newton
08/09/2015 at 11:51 |
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Long live the wagon indeed! Beautiful and powerful car all being used for a good cause. Now I just want to put on some aftermarket bits on my Magnum R/T (not shiny chrome bits mind you).
PheeNoIVI
> newton
08/09/2015 at 11:57 |
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God damn that’s gorgeous
Frenchlicker
> newton
08/09/2015 at 12:07 |
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Amazing car and saves dogs? I need to find someone like that. Kudos for doing something awesome and not caring about what other people think.
Vin
> newton
08/09/2015 at 12:10 |
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Smells like dog. Goes like stink. Pretty good trade-off, I think.
Props to Juliann from a wagon-hater, because that thing is too bad-ass.
Ad_absurdum_per_aspera
> newton
08/09/2015 at 12:12 |
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You had me at the dog pictures, but the car looks pretty cool too. Happy rapid touring and good luck finding forever homes, as applicable, to all concerned!
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RallyWrench
> Humpty-D
08/09/2015 at 12:31 |
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SLO, CA. It’s an ‘03 325it, manual, 160k miles, sport/lux packages, Turner software, Koni adjustables & Eibachs.
blahrgen
> newton
08/09/2015 at 12:34 |
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wait, what? yellow calipers on the left and black on the right?
Ike B
> mikecyc72usa
08/09/2015 at 12:39 |
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Is she literally a unicorn, or just figuratively?
Bzasterdougie
> RallyWrench
08/09/2015 at 13:03 |
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Sounds identical to mine minus the Turner. How do you like the software?
functionoverfashion
> newton
08/09/2015 at 13:07 |
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As a two-time E46 wagon owner (both manual) and a dog owner, I approve. Also, nice wheels. My wife doesn’t believe me that if I won the lottery tomorrow I would put an M3 engine in my wagon.
6670charger
> newton
08/09/2015 at 13:17 |
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I love BMW wagons, particularly the E34. The only thing I don't love about that particular version is the dual sunroof which is terribly prone to leakage, and has far more relays and fuses than necessary to make it operate correctly. Beyond that, BMW wagons are some of the best driving do-it-all cars out there.
AfromanGTO
> newton
08/09/2015 at 13:31 |
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Wow! She save puppies, helps them find foster homes, and goes to track days with an awesome wagon!
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RallyWrench
> Bzasterdougie
08/09/2015 at 14:02 |
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The midrange feels slightly better, but there’s only so much you can do with the 2.5, it’s just underpowered. It sort of runs out of steam before redline, so i rarely use the higher rev limit.
Textured Soy Protein
> blahrgen
08/09/2015 at 14:10 |
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Probably some of the pictures were taken before the big brake kit (with its yellow calipers) was installed on the car.
Prophet of hoon
> newton
08/09/2015 at 14:35 |
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I’ll take your dog rescue E46 wagon - 5 speed, and raise you a Search and Rescue car (with rescued dog, not the one pictured)
this one
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newton
> Textured Soy Protein
08/09/2015 at 14:35 |
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LOL yes exactly. The first pictures were actually taken months ago before the BBK.
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newton
> Prophet of hoon
08/09/2015 at 14:40 |
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Awesome stuff. So glad to see there are more out there. There are dozens of you! Dozens!
sdmikev
> newton
08/09/2015 at 15:14 |
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What great work she’s doing! And of course, that wagon is awesome.
Andrew T. Maness
> RallyWrench
08/09/2015 at 15:14 |
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Details on sale?
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Humpty-D
> RallyWrench
08/09/2015 at 15:30 |
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Nice! That's a really rare setup, you shouldn't have any problem moving it down there
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RallyWrench
> Andrew T. Maness
08/09/2015 at 15:31 |
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Family growing, bought a (gasp!!) minivan, need to pay for it. I’d like 6k for it, have stock wheels and springs, factory bike racks, and uninstalled Turner short shifter for it.
31ModelA
> newton
08/09/2015 at 15:47 |
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boredalways
> newton
08/09/2015 at 16:22 |
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happy dogs
EricisDaywalker
> newton
08/09/2015 at 16:34 |
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Fantastic car, and fantastic person! Thanks for what you do for the animals!
However, for wagon use, my taste is more toward this:
Balance, beauty, and brawn!
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mikecyc72usa
> Ike B
08/09/2015 at 16:52 |
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Of all the women I’ve met, she is one of the tops. A rare combo of ability, graciousness and generosity. And doesn’t put up with carp from anyone.
Fuel_of_Satan
> inlinesexzylinder
08/09/2015 at 17:08 |
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Yep. Great car. Shame it’ll have to be burned.
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Fuel_of_Satan
> emm3
08/09/2015 at 17:10 |
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And that’s not even the coolest M3 in that garage, let alone the coolest BMW.
Their prototypes is the stuff of dreams!
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RandomHero278411
> mikecyc72usa
08/09/2015 at 17:16 |
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Do you know if she has a facebook account? I happen to be apart of a Euro/BMW based facebook group with chapters all through Texas, as well as an Admin of a Euro/BMW Retro chasis group, and all of the groups would be more than welcome to have her as a member.
Delta88
> newton
08/09/2015 at 17:36 |
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I don’t really care for BMWs at all...but man is that thing fuckin slick lookin!
SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman
> newton
08/09/2015 at 18:00 |
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I have a problem with calling it “rescuing” dogs....
I’ll let Burr explain
BATC42
> RallyWrench
08/09/2015 at 18:16 |
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But, but, but, you have a Wagon?? It’s like a minivan, but lower. (and with less seats sure).
TwinTurboTank
> Prophet of hoon
08/09/2015 at 19:52 |
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Awesome. How’d you get involved in dog rescue? What does it involve?
tommyscooter
> inlinesexzylinder
08/09/2015 at 20:07 |
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Not a dog owner I assume.
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Prophet of hoon
> TwinTurboTank
08/09/2015 at 20:27 |
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finding people. It’s traditional K9 Search and Rescue. We find lost kids, adults who have misplaced their minds, and the occasional hiker who is convinced the sun rises in the west.
How I got involved.... I’m not sure there’s a short answer to that other then simply showing up and getting involved in a local SAR group. The longer version of that story involves that bloodhound that needed to work otherwise she’d accomplish complete destruction of our house.
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Prophet of hoon
> newton
08/09/2015 at 20:29 |
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We had to upsize vehicles, and I still miss it.
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mikecyc72usa
> RandomHero278411
08/09/2015 at 21:08 |
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She does but is very picky about friending people she hasn’t met in person. She belongs to some of the local groups already.
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mikecyc72usa
> EricisDaywalker
08/09/2015 at 21:11 |
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She and I have a mutual friend with the last true manual transmission one ever built. The mutual friend is also a really cool woman.
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mikecyc72usa
> mikecyc72usa
08/09/2015 at 21:15 |
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I need to clarify. Our friend has the last manual CTSV wagon built.
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Andrew T. Maness
> RallyWrench
08/09/2015 at 21:54 |
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shoot me an email, let’s talk more. theroadlessdriven@gmail.com
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lawlence
> Rustamino
08/10/2015 at 00:27 |
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That's assuming she has at least 1 functional window regulator.
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SLinKK
> newton
08/10/2015 at 01:25 |
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Mine isn’t a bmw but it’s still a fast non stock wagon!!! Long live wagons!!!
SixOnTheFloor
> newton
08/10/2015 at 02:42 |
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Oh yeah.
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inlinesexzylinder
> tommyscooter
08/10/2015 at 03:35 |
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You’re right.
I’d at least get some seat covers and rubber mats. Think even BMW sells something like that .
EauRouge
> newton
08/10/2015 at 07:10 |
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It’s been my dream ever since I had my 330d to swap it with an s54 .. Too bad it’ll never pass inspection here in Belgium. Engine swaps aren’t allowed
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EauRouge
> RallyWrench
08/10/2015 at 07:14 |
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need to sell mine too, i feel you ...
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Cheddar7171
> newton
08/10/2015 at 08:38 |
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Best article iv ever read on here. Its just full of win! Wagon/BMW/Dogs. WIN, WIN, and WIN!!!
qbeezy
> newton
08/10/2015 at 08:43 |
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Amazing wagon. I definitely think yellow calipers look best on black or dark blue cars. This wagon is clean. 12/10 IGN
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OneHeadLight
> newton
08/10/2015 at 09:42 |
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Best use of a BMW or any vehicle ever. I understand the concept of the immaculate show car /weekend racer. But this is simply brilliant. Find or mod a car you love to drive, and do what you love to do in it.
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TwinTurboTank
> Prophet of hoon
08/10/2015 at 10:03 |
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Oh whoops, my misunderstanding. Even more awesome than I originally thought then. Sorry to hear you had to give the car up, though.
Juan
> emm3
08/10/2015 at 10:23 |
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Bastards... just teasing us.
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ieatbabies1o9
> AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
08/10/2015 at 11:06 |
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First he speaks about the 3 series wagon rescuing puppies. Then he mentions about the M3 engine swap. At the end, he added that the owner is a she and tracks it. Nothing is sexier than that combination.
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Lydia F. James
> newton
08/10/2015 at 11:08 |
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My husband works from home. it’s saved United States of America virtually thousands of greenbacks in travel expenses. as a result of he will work for anyplace there’s a reliable net affiliation, we have a tendency to were ready to stick with my mother once the death of my stepparent while not my husband desirous to take vacation time
——->> www.CashValt.com
fairlady78
> newton
08/10/2015 at 11:14 |
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But wouldn’t it be more appropriate to rescue boxer puppies in a Subaru?
EmbraceTheRasp
> -Tom-
08/10/2015 at 11:21 |
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I like it without the M3 facia. So stealthy. No one will know what went by them until they see the four pipes and get their ears shattered by the rasp. #embracetherasp
IncognitoM
> newton
08/10/2015 at 12:33 |
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Damn near looks like a e39 with that bumper!
Matt@ShiftCarBlog
> Wolc *grammar nazis go f*** yourselves*
08/10/2015 at 13:36 |
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There was never an E46 M3 Sedan or a facelifted E46 M3.
rigidjunkie
> newton
08/10/2015 at 13:38 |
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Is there a build thread somewhere? A neighbor has a wagon like this and I wonder about the engine swap complexity.
Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura
> newton
08/10/2015 at 14:34 |
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Tempted to find a wagon and do an N54 swap for shits and giggles.
Juliann
> -Tom-
08/10/2015 at 16:44 |
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I’m on a 9” wide wheel square setup right now due to the stock 3 series bodywork, fenders are pulled as much as I can. ALMS GT Carbon front fenders, rear sheet metal fenders arches & splitter going on this winter. Full wrap in white too. #stealthmode #becuasetexas
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Juliann
> RandomHero278411
08/10/2015 at 16:46 |
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I do have a FB account.... and lurk here :)
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Juliann
> Rustamino
08/10/2015 at 16:47 |
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Bonus of being a mechanic & having AAA. I won’t be stranded long. All window regulators currently functioning. Spares on the shelf.
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Juliann
> True
08/10/2015 at 16:47 |
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Hey True! Pretty sure I still have your # :)
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True
> Juliann
08/10/2015 at 17:06 |
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Use it!
Or connect via linkedin.
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-Tom-
> Juliann
08/10/2015 at 17:44 |
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all wagons are #stealthmode
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RandomHero278411
> Juliann
08/10/2015 at 18:59 |
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i was actually able to find out that you are part of the groups i was asking about. i had no idea. apparently you were at Mfest, guess i didnt see you. i dont remember any wagons other than the e30 wagons.
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Rustamino
> Juliann
08/11/2015 at 04:06 |
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Cool! How awesome to see a reply from the lady herself!
I daily drive old cars too, my newest car is a 31 year old Buick Grand National, so I am too familiar with what can happen as well. My message might have seemed a bit harsh, but I wasn’t intending on sounding mean, just from experience. :)
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Juliann
> RandomHero278411
08/11/2015 at 17:59 |
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I was at Mfest with my wagon. Parked right by the dyno & line for coffee. We had a 10x10 canopy for windingroadracing.com. If I wasn’t a kinja N00b I’d link a pic.
dannyzabolotny
> emm3
08/25/2015 at 16:52 |
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To be honest, I never really liked the way the M3 looked from the front, I much prefer the regular facelifted E46 look. That S54 powered wagon is damn near perfect.
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OneTyreFyer
> newton
04/30/2018 at 16:05 |
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So, they say ~80% of the parts on the M3 are not on regular ‘3er. Once of the things I learned owning an M3 and reading service manuals / bentley manuals for example, is that there are a bunch of gussets and reinforcements on the M that aren’t on a ‘3. So, simply throwing an S54 into an E46 touring does not make an M3. But unless you’re on a track I’m sure the differences are trivial.