Get 10% off Car Vertical using code Autoalex! GB: www.carvertical.com/gb/landing/v3?a=AutoAlex&b=38b26e3a&voucher=autoalex US: www.carvertical.com/landing/v3?a=AutoAlex&b=2c9b600c&voucher=autoalex
Chassis stiffeners should be a priority, apparently making the new m3 touring not wobble around like jelly was a tall order for the factory R&D M-sport guys
Unfortunately, body panels are not a straight swap, and there is a LOAD of modification / welding, especially the front and rear fenders, and rear bumper.
@@seancorrigan3531 For which part? I do understand though,that no man will admit his wife is fat or ugly,neither that his Touring is actually a ugly car. I am fully aware of that. Human nature. If you say that one touring car has better shapes than a coupe or sedan....then you have serious eye and perception issues.
Thing is, an imola manual M3 coupe is a rare car. I remember looking for them back when they were only a few years old and the colour is scarce, and most are SMG. I get it, M3 Touring is better for the channel, but a restored imola manual coupe would be collectible in the future no matter the mileage
THANK YOU. Alex saying that it's gonna owe him 18k so not worth restoring is so unbelievably short-sighted! Jump ahead 5 years and I reckon that car in decent working order will be worth over 30k, if not maybe 40k. Well worth the investment, imo. Hacking up this car to modify an estate is like giving a slim, 90yr old a heart transplant from an overweight 30yr old with a broken leg. This series is gonna make me cry.
I said the same thing. Also we were supposed to believe the M3 was his ''dream car'' yet a couple of weeks later and it's being broken up for the best bits to go in his touring. What a waste. E46 M3 values are only going one way and with Imola red and Laguna Seca blue examples demanding a premium it's no wonder matey claimed the shell.
I'll take it further and maybe weirder - Alex thrashed this car around roads and track with no problem, what's so wrong with welding up said cracks, or brace them together, whatever method is accessible, and continue with your day. How a car driving absolutely normally with cracks is going to be worse if those cracks are DIY fixed? I dont get it. It doesnt have to be factory or nothing is it, its real world
@@aidarhelpswithenglish4160 lots of places can sort RACP cracks. You can even install a new rear floor. It’s easy to sort. Alex should’ve found a carbon black SMG cabriolet to hack up.
wow, some cracks on the floor, such a catastrophy, like people haven't seen greater problems n restores..now lets swap the guts into a villager's wagon n get rid of almost healthy M3 body - that's such a brilliant idea..i'm simply shocked of some people n their thinking:/..the sanity is out there, somewhere...
Taylor Taylorington of Taylor Made Cars from Tayloringtonhamshier is just the best guy you can ever meet at anytime, This man will make you smile, we love you too Alex!!!
Why not use the bumpers, front fenders, mirrors, exhaust etc? Sure the rear arches would have to modified on the touring but it would be a lot more of an m3 touring this way, especially if you have all the parts available anyway.
Front fenders and hood dont fit the touring from the coupe. The coupe and convertible E46 have slightly longer hoods and fenders than the limo/touring. Same goes for the bumpers, those are about 2cm wider on the coupe/convertible. Mirrors do fit straight to the touring, but the Exhaust is to short, and youd have to swap in a different rear floor beneath the trunk from the M3 to make the exhaust fit. Side skirts look the same on the M3 and a car with M-Paket II so you dont have to change them. Ive seen a couple of those swaps made, most people use repair panels or straight up cut panels from a M3 for the rears. Front fenders and bumpers are available aftermarket that look like M3 parts but fit the Limo/Touring body. Same goes for the hood but you could also cut up a M3 hood and make it fit to the body, but thats most certainly more expensive than an aftermarket hood.
Part of me was expecting this to happen, but I'm still kinda sad about what happened to the M3. There's not many of these knocking about anymore, so I was hoping to see it become something else. Still, an M3 Touring in that purple's gonna be mad.
This is going to be a great bulid, but I'm not sure if using your 330i for a swap is the best thing, these cars are getting hard to come by in a good condition
If you're doing an M3 touring I would consider doing it on a 318i sport touring to begin with instead of the 330 as the 330 touring is special enough on its own!
DEFINITELY reinforce the subframe on the touring. I would go with a CMP Engineering Kit or you could hit up Redish Motorsport in the UK to make sure it’s sorted. The extra power of the S54 will accelerate cracking on the touring if it’s not reinforced too!
this chanel is like my friday relax after work, just take a couple of beers, chill and then find what the next video is, its kind of traditon for me for the past 4 months :D love it
I hope this is done properly, Calvin at Calvin's Car Diary has recently done this. Would be a great shame cannibalising an E46 M3 if the touring isn't 100% perfect.
I’ve put about 25k miles on my S54 touring build. It’s the perfect all around car. I’ve used mine to transport TVs, transmissions, wheels and tires and all kinds of stuff. Best of luck with your build and let me know if you have any questions.
You need to speak to Calvin from Calvin's Car Diary, he's already done it, but he went the whole hog, grafting in the M3 rear arches on the touring, M3 boot floor, etc. Link below to his last video when he had his red interior finished. th-cam.com/video/JR2-K0Pi2A8/w-d-xo.html He might be able to give you some pointers.
I agree with Taylor maybe keep it more of a m3 engined touring rather than trying to make it an m3 touring. Calvin’s m3 touring build is almost finished but at a guess I’d say it’s cost him thousands!
Liking this idea. A LOT! You should definitely do the full conversion though including front wings, flaring rear arches and quad exhaust. CSL front bumper and air box could follow... Where could this end 🤔
There is an E46 M3 swapped touring that runs at the autocross events that I go to. He did everything down to the body and it is excellent but it took so much work to get it to that point.
An e46 m3 touring was always my dream car, looks so cool with the m3 body panels too including the legendary side vents and quad exhaust. I am very jealous, looking forward to this build.
You knw, I bought a 2001 e46 325i touring in 2017. Since we never got a 330i touring, I bought a sedan 330i and transferred everything into my touring. So it's been converted from a non M prep face-lift to a full spec face-lift. With the prices of the e46 m3 here in south Africa, it's depressing to knw my dream to convert my car to an e46 m3 may never happen. And I'm almost jealous each time I see someone do it. Lmao I so need a rusted up m3 like that. So I can pay around 60 to 70 thousand Rands for and do my swop Good luck with the build. Document everything and share. I followed HellBm's conversion and was detailed but allot of questions still left
At least with non-M cars it is not a common problem. It is just something that happens to old cars when they rust. I have been into E46 3-series for already two decades and never seen or heard this happen to a car with the updated chassis. (cars built after February 2000) Personally I would not even buy an E46 with a "reinforcement kit", because then the car would not be original anymore.
You will love it when it’s all done. Here in the US we only get 325 tourings. I had a customer have me build him up two ZHP 330i tourings and a awd with the 3.0 and a 6spd that he dailies and prefers over his F31s
This is the build of the century, finally for all us to see. Amazing! How about having Auto Alex logo engraved on the rocker cover or intake, just like the brackets under the car?
I always skip ads in the videos like car vertical but i never skip on @AutoAlex videos just to support as much as I can. But they are quite fun to watch though.
I would like this video multiple times if I could, but youtube does not allow this :( Wagons are my jam! Having owned 7 Nissan Stageas (so far) we need more fast wagons not SUV's in this world. Absolutely loving the channel!
Both cars have their own beauty, the 330i especially touring is already rare as it is, plus the m3 needs to see some love. I'd leave them the way they are and get the m3 to fresh condition
Amazing project you guys are doing! I know you probably would have more work editing it out, but i think i speak for the most that on this project we'd like like 1 hour long videos for each part with less timelapses, more in detail! Keep on the good work!
Can’t beat some quad tips. Want to go that route on my Z4 M40i. Loving the project and can’t wait to see how it all progresses. Although I would have thought the original was saveable because I think it’ll actually accrue more value then you think in the next few years as they seem to be disappearing from the roads rapidly.
ive never been a fan of bmw or red cars. but that M3, i did really like. but, having a car that has more boot space and lots of power, is more preferable. really looking forward to the finished build :)
You said it was your dream car, so I'd bet that the looks played a big part in your desire to own one. What's the point in building the ultimate version of your dream car, but you lose the looks of it in the process? I know it's a lot of work. But this needs the M3 front end and the wider rear arches.
Will put money on it, it will not even be close to how good Calvins M3 build is. No way will they do all the front and rear arches plus all the other little details that most people will never notice. Prove me wrong Alex.
Get 10% off Car Vertical using code Autoalex!
GB: www.carvertical.com/gb/landing/v3?a=AutoAlex&b=38b26e3a&voucher=autoalex
US: www.carvertical.com/landing/v3?a=AutoAlex&b=2c9b600c&voucher=autoalex
Please do a front end swap
Love the all you're video's from day one mate but I agree with Taylor i like to see one complete project bro
When you going to upload some good content?
u cud have gotten e60 M5 with zero rust and delivery mileage on auction starting at £925
If you’re doing an M3 touring do it fully and swap as much parts as you can! Body panels, exhaust, subframes, interior etc. will be amazing!
Chassis stiffeners should be a priority, apparently making the new m3 touring not wobble around like jelly was a tall order for the factory R&D M-sport guys
Unfortunately, body panels are not a straight swap, and there is a LOAD of modification / welding, especially the front and rear fenders, and rear bumper.
@@TheSorrow21 yes that is true but the only way to do it properly
Yes, go big or go home! So rear arches, exhaust, the lot
Someone has watched MCM 🤣
So, you are turning your 1 of 1 Individual E46 Touring into 1 of 1 Individual E46 Touring. Now, that's deep. Love the project!
I'll come visit when it's finished 😘
bmw m5 e39
Little self promotion
Calvin’s M3 touring is a thing of beauty! This needs to be done properly…I’d speak to him to understand how it was done!
No Touring car can be thing of beauty. It's Touring. Never meant to be beautiful.
@@eleonik76 You are so wrong
@@seancorrigan3531 For which part? I do understand though,that no man will admit his wife is fat or ugly,neither that his Touring is actually a ugly car. I am fully aware of that. Human nature. If you say that one touring car has better shapes than a coupe or sedan....then you have serious eye and perception issues.
@@eleonik76850 R BTCC car disproves this.
@@eleonik76 OK…sure😂
The build we all want to see for sure.
Nope, not at all. The M3 looks good as it is
Nah, stripping imolarot coupe in whatever condition is an unforgivable sin. But it's Alex's car,his stupid choice.
Already been done, look up Calvin's Car Diary. He went the whole hog too, body panels, boot floor, the works.
@@janprokopenko7928 Exactly his car so he can do what he wants with it. That's the car seen these days.
@@BRED510 my first thought 💭 Has he still got that?
Isn't it amazing how Taylor flips from lovable clown to consumate professional when we see him working in his unit. Maximum respect.
Is it just me or does he seem.... deflated this time around?
@@RollingRoadEFI A lot of work and a young child to carry about costs a lot of energy. 😉
@@lollypop9580 That's true. I love fatherhood, but it sure is consuming.
@@RollingRoadEFI I'm not convinced Taylor is enjoying dismantling a legendary car.
@lollypop9580 LOL.
Thank you for being a good Dad to Barney, it’s all I ever wanted for him x
I do like a cool, fast Touring.
You should buy one. I think it would be great for the channel.
@@abath3493 it was his 😂
Props to Alex for keeping it together when finding out the M3 was pretty f*cked, love this idea and can't wait to see it finished.
2:15 "...keeping it together..." XD
Taylor, Rory, and Alex arguing about being late was well worth keeping in the edit. Part of what makes this channel gold.
Thing is, an imola manual M3 coupe is a rare car. I remember looking for them back when they were only a few years old and the colour is scarce, and most are SMG. I get it, M3 Touring is better for the channel, but a restored imola manual coupe would be collectible in the future no matter the mileage
THANK YOU.
Alex saying that it's gonna owe him 18k so not worth restoring is so unbelievably short-sighted! Jump ahead 5 years and I reckon that car in decent working order will be worth over 30k, if not maybe 40k. Well worth the investment, imo.
Hacking up this car to modify an estate is like giving a slim, 90yr old a heart transplant from an overweight 30yr old with a broken leg.
This series is gonna make me cry.
I said the same thing. Also we were supposed to believe the M3 was his ''dream car'' yet a couple of weeks later and it's being broken up for the best bits to go in his touring. What a waste. E46 M3 values are only going one way and with Imola red and Laguna Seca blue examples demanding a premium it's no wonder matey claimed the shell.
I'll take it further and maybe weirder - Alex thrashed this car around roads and track with no problem, what's so wrong with welding up said cracks, or brace them together, whatever method is accessible, and continue with your day. How a car driving absolutely normally with cracks is going to be worse if those cracks are DIY fixed? I dont get it. It doesnt have to be factory or nothing is it, its real world
@@aidarhelpswithenglish4160 lots of places can sort RACP cracks. You can even install a new rear floor. It’s easy to sort. Alex should’ve found a carbon black SMG cabriolet to hack up.
wow, some cracks on the floor, such a catastrophy, like people haven't seen greater problems n restores..now lets swap the guts into a villager's wagon n get rid of almost healthy M3 body - that's such a brilliant idea..i'm simply shocked of some people n their thinking:/..the sanity is out there, somewhere...
Taylor Taylorington of Taylor Made Cars from Tayloringtonhamshier is just the best guy you can ever meet at anytime, This man will make you smile, we love you too Alex!!!
"what about stuff that's left unattended outside, like trailers?"
"na they get claimed by other people"
Pure gold lol
Why not use the bumpers, front fenders, mirrors, exhaust etc? Sure the rear arches would have to modified on the touring but it would be a lot more of an m3 touring this way, especially if you have all the parts available anyway.
Calvins car diary already did all this, it's a lot of work to do properly.
100% should do this 👌
Front fenders and hood dont fit the touring from the coupe. The coupe and convertible E46 have slightly longer hoods and fenders than the limo/touring. Same goes for the bumpers, those are about 2cm wider on the coupe/convertible. Mirrors do fit straight to the touring, but the Exhaust is to short, and youd have to swap in a different rear floor beneath the trunk from the M3 to make the exhaust fit. Side skirts look the same on the M3 and a car with M-Paket II so you dont have to change them.
Ive seen a couple of those swaps made, most people use repair panels or straight up cut panels from a M3 for the rears. Front fenders and bumpers are available aftermarket that look like M3 parts but fit the Limo/Touring body. Same goes for the hood but you could also cut up a M3 hood and make it fit to the body, but thats most certainly more expensive than an aftermarket hood.
that's the plan!
@@BRED510 CCDTH-cam channel Never finished the build 👀🔍🔎
Just stops after paint & interior.
Bought the R back and forgotten about the Touring 🤷🏻♂️
I'm so very excited about how much love the universe has for fast wagons these days. Super stoked to see how this turns out!
Part of me was expecting this to happen, but I'm still kinda sad about what happened to the M3. There's not many of these knocking about anymore, so I was hoping to see it become something else. Still, an M3 Touring in that purple's gonna be mad.
Taylor proudly is part of this channel no doubt. Awesome guy
First proper build, this is a big moment for the channel!
BMW made the E46 M3 touring. Just not for general public. It's in their factory museum. Magnificent machine.
This is going to be a great bulid, but I'm not sure if using your 330i for a swap is the best thing, these cars are getting hard to come by in a good condition
I agree. Get a clean 318i as a base
Barney is a very special, forever car for me, and I want to make him even more special. Plus, the M54 is on 222k miles and is now pretty tired.
@@AutoalexCars turn the m54 Into a table!
By far the best automotive channel on youtube. Always a delight. Makes me laugh every time 😂
Great to see @MightyCarMods being represented!
If you're doing an M3 touring I would consider doing it on a 318i sport touring to begin with instead of the 330 as the 330 touring is special enough on its own!
Taylor is a star. Personality for day's and his and Alex work so well together. Keep up the good work guys
Watching you and Taylor will never get old
True
True
True
True
DEFINITELY reinforce the subframe on the touring. I would go with a CMP Engineering Kit or you could hit up Redish Motorsport in the UK to make sure it’s sorted. The extra power of the S54 will accelerate cracking on the touring if it’s not reinforced too!
As an E46 320D owner, I'm watching this with massive interest and hope it goes well for you.
this chanel is like my friday relax after work, just take a couple of beers, chill and then find what the next video is, its kind of traditon for me for the past 4 months :D love it
I hope this is done properly, Calvin at Calvin's Car Diary has recently done this. Would be a great shame cannibalising an E46 M3 if the touring isn't 100% perfect.
Taylor is a legend. Straight to the point
I’ve put about 25k miles on my S54 touring build. It’s the perfect all around car. I’ve used mine to transport TVs, transmissions, wheels and tires and all kinds of stuff. Best of luck with your build and let me know if you have any questions.
You need to speak to Calvin from Calvin's Car Diary, he's already done it, but he went the whole hog, grafting in the M3 rear arches on the touring, M3 boot floor, etc.
Link below to his last video when he had his red interior finished.
th-cam.com/video/JR2-K0Pi2A8/w-d-xo.html
He might be able to give you some pointers.
Collaboration with a head to head versus comparison, drag race etc @calvinscardiary
Quite a few people have done m3 tourings now , mainly in USA
I agree with Taylor maybe keep it more of a m3 engined touring rather than trying to make it an m3 touring. Calvin’s m3 touring build is almost finished but at a guess I’d say it’s cost him thousands!
Liking this idea. A LOT! You should definitely do the full conversion though including front wings, flaring rear arches and quad exhaust. CSL front bumper and air box could follow... Where could this end 🤔
Lol ,farmer detected 🤣
There is an E46 M3 swapped touring that runs at the autocross events that I go to. He did everything down to the body and it is excellent but it took so much work to get it to that point.
Finally Alex I'm so happy for you buddy ;) keep going
Would love to see a little more of u discovering the issues with the M3. You and Taylor really bounce off each other.
This is an awesome project. Can’t wait for the next video!
Taylor and Alex is very entertaining duo, please keep up the good work boys.
Not really a fan of a beema after owning one but this is an interesting project. Looking forwards to what comes next. Good luck lads :)
An e46 m3 touring was always my dream car, looks so cool with the m3 body panels too including the legendary side vents and quad exhaust. I am very jealous, looking forward to this build.
Inevitable… cheaper than a resto .. and cooler 😎👌🏻
You knw, I bought a 2001 e46 325i touring in 2017. Since we never got a 330i touring, I bought a sedan 330i and transferred everything into my touring. So it's been converted from a non M prep face-lift to a full spec face-lift.
With the prices of the e46 m3 here in south Africa, it's depressing to knw my dream to convert my car to an e46 m3 may never happen. And I'm almost jealous each time I see someone do it. Lmao
I so need a rusted up m3 like that. So I can pay around 60 to 70 thousand Rands for and do my swop
Good luck with the build.
Document everything and share.
I followed HellBm's conversion and was detailed but allot of questions still left
The boot floor cracking is a common problem on these cars. Always check that if you are looking to buy
At least with non-M cars it is not a common problem. It is just something that happens to old cars when they rust.
I have been into E46 3-series for already two decades and never seen or heard this happen to a car with the updated chassis. (cars built after February 2000)
Personally I would not even buy an E46 with a "reinforcement kit", because then the car would not be original anymore.
I'm 100% behind this build, I love a quick estate. All the car anyone needed.
I love that my favourite car channel actually appreciates estates, they need more love ❤️.
You guys are the type of people I would be glad to call friends
Don't get buying 5 more cars now Alex, let's see this built
So many people doing/attempting this over the last couple of years on TH-cam i hope you guys really stick at it 😎🤟🏻
Alex spreading his wings and doing his own thing was long over due. This is the project we all didn’t know we needed 👍🏼
The E46 M3 Touring is one of my dream car ever! Thank you to let us be a part of this gorgeous project!
It has to be asked...How did your M3 check out on Car Verticle?
Looks more like the previous owner ran out of talent than it’s been involved in a accident so car vertical wouldn’t of shown anything
You will love it when it’s all done. Here in the US we only get 325 tourings. I had a customer have me build him up two ZHP 330i tourings and a awd with the 3.0 and a 6spd that he dailies and prefers over his F31s
Should have done a car vertical report on your M3 🙈😅
If I'm honest, I think you're doing the right thing. That S54 B32 was what you paid that money for. The rest of that E46 is a woof!
Hell yeah!!! Love seeing some touring builds!! can't wait to see both Barney and Taylor's 5 series on the road
This is the build of the century, finally for all us to see. Amazing!
How about having Auto Alex logo engraved on the rocker cover or intake, just like the brackets under the car?
Great idea!
@@AutoalexCars Is it?
Alex and Taylor sure know How to Have Fun in a workshop. That is lacking in most auto repair shops these days.
This is an awesome series idea. Im looking forward to watching this.
Taylor is pure comedy has a heart of gold
I always skip ads in the videos like car vertical but i never skip on @AutoAlex videos just to support as much as I can. But they are quite fun to watch though.
😘
This build gone be mega for your channel. I can feel it.
I would like this video multiple times if I could, but youtube does not allow this :( Wagons are my jam! Having owned 7 Nissan Stageas (so far) we need more fast wagons not SUV's in this world.
Absolutely loving the channel!
E46 M3 is the best M3 ever made - stunning design and glorious S54 motor
Both cars have their own beauty, the 330i especially touring is already rare as it is, plus the m3 needs to see some love. I'd leave them the way they are and get the m3 to fresh condition
We need more uploads Alex , only enjoyable car related channel
Calvin's done this. Massive job to do it properly
Surely you do the M3 headlights, cluster, mirrors, bumpers etc. etc. SURELY This will be the best build of alex's
2 door touring would be 🔥🔥🔥
Only big chanel hue work on normal cars .
Love it. Big respect
It's a nice conversion, seen a local one done in New Zealand. Rear guards and doors made to flare where the hardest part, but it worked out.
Little Choi’s E46 M3 estate in the State’s with the rear arches grafted in is unbelievable ❤
I have a converted touring, not bodywork other than M3 boot floor and I love it!
I love the team spirit and sound while taking of the heater pipe. 😃👌🏻👍
Calvin from Calvin’s car diary has built one. Looks great tbh. Hopefully the shell lives on with some TLC done. Will be a good project anyway.
Great to see the penultimate video in this extensive series! Can’t wait for the final next week! 😅
Do chassis reinforcement on the wagon, the cracking on the floor where the subframe mounts will happen if you dont
This project will never be seen again.
Sorry for your loss but happy that you'll get to create your dream .. dream M3.
Great episode
One thing about your content maté everything you set out to do you finish so I’m looking forward to seeing the build.
Amazing project you guys are doing!
I know you probably would have more work editing it out, but i think i speak for the most that on this project we'd like like 1 hour long videos for each part with less timelapses, more in detail!
Keep on the good work!
REALLY looking forward to this series. Big love for the estate
Loved my 525 touring, 250 k mi and 30 mpg, and would have drove it forever but hitting a rutting stag at 100kph ... and that was that
Calvin's car diary did a great example of one of these
Can’t beat some quad tips. Want to go that route on my Z4 M40i.
Loving the project and can’t wait to see how it all progresses. Although I would have thought the original was saveable because I think it’ll actually accrue more value then you think in the next few years as they seem to be disappearing from the roads rapidly.
10:56
Taylor is ruthless 😂😂
Dudes got so many projects on the go😂🔥
Absolutely love this type of ridiculous project work! Great moves getting the upgrades into the Touring!
@11:54 5 mins into autoalex and chill..👌
This build, Nour Hummadi's E91 M3 build and Thicwhips 1M build are my favorite 😍🍿🥤
That leather jacket is VERY Mike Brewer 😂
Great idea, looking forward to this
ive never been a fan of bmw or red cars. but that M3, i did really like. but, having a car that has more boot space and lots of power, is more preferable. really looking forward to the finished build :)
Hahaha the arguing is like they are a couple, funny how Alex keeps smiling through this!
Brace yourself for a big project.. even just swapping the M3 seats involves fab work for the belts! Good luck, excited to see it progress
You said it was your dream car, so I'd bet that the looks played a big part in your desire to own one. What's the point in building the ultimate version of your dream car, but you lose the looks of it in the process?
I know it's a lot of work. But this needs the M3 front end and the wider rear arches.
Now I'm very very excited man iv just finished my sr20de conversion on my Primera GT .....LOTS OF FUN 😂best of luck with build lads
Will put money on it, it will not even be close to how good Calvins M3 build is. No way will they do all the front and rear arches plus all the other little details that most people will never notice. Prove me wrong Alex.
8:10 to 9:10 embodies all of what’s so fun about working on a car with your mates: hurling insults and roasts at each other 😂
I could see this coming after reading 99% of the comments in the last video. Gonna be a great car
You’ve got to check out Calvin’s Car Diary his M3 touring videos were great!