Fierce Clubsport build 2001 BMW M3 Coupe E46/2S

Rich Paice had always wanted an E46 M3, and when the opportunity came up to buy a Clubsport-spec build, he jumped on it and proceeded to give it an even more hardcore flavour.

Words: Elizabeth de Latour

Photos: Jason Dodd

FULL-ON E46 M3 – fierce Clubsport build

Paice Car

This Clubsport-spec E46 M3 is a hardcore build that effortlessly blends ultimate handling prowess with some serious style, and it’s an awesome machine.

The debate will rage about the best generation of M3, and, truly, there is no wrong answer. Each generation has something to offer, its own unique character and appeal, and there’s plenty to like about each one. For many people, though, it’s the E46 M3 that stands head and shoulders above the rest of them. The combination of that howling straight-six, the aggressive styling, the compact size, the driver involvement and handling precision make it an unbeatable and irresistible package, and that was absolutely the case for Rich Paice.

“I’ve been interested in BMWs for years,” Rich begins as we chat. “My first one was an E30 325i. It was a lovely car with a great engine. What makes them special is the build quality and the M badge – all M cars are special, especially the early models,” he smiles. “The E46 M3 that you’re featuring has been a dream car for me for many years,” Rich continues as we turn our attention to this rather spectacular machine. “I’ve wanted one since they came out in 2000,” he says, and that long wait for a car we’ve dreamed about to finally become affordable is something a lot of us can relate to. In this case, Rich was waiting 21 years, but, as they say, good things do come to those who wait.

“A friend of mine found the car for sale for me on eBay in Beckenham, Kent. The owner was very meticulous, and it was in amazing condition, better than showroom,” enthuses Rich, and, unsurprisingly, a purchase was made. What made the car all the more appealing to him was the fact that it had already been equipped with some rather tasty mods, but that didn’t stop him from adding a few of his own. “I didn’t have many plans for the car as it was pretty sorted. But, me being me, I had to add more upgrades, and I’ve since added my own touches to it,” he grins.

It only takes a quick glance at this E46 M3 to see that this is pretty much the perfect trackspec Clubsport build. It ticks all the boxes you could possibly want it to if you were setting out to do the same thing yourself. Everything about it is just so good, and, looking at this example, it’s easy to understand why so many people love the third-gen M3.

While the exterior additions are certainly subtle, they combine to give this E46 some serious presence, and everything works so well here. For example, we’re not usually huge fans of smoked lights on older BMWs, but here, the smoked front indicators look so good. Naturally, this M3 wears a healthy helping of carbon, and you don’t need us to tell you how good that looks. The carbon splitter fills out the front bumper and gets the front end looking lovely and aggressive, then you’ve got the carbon grilles and wing vents, while at the rear sits a carbon diffuser and a genuine CSL boot lid. It all comes together beautifully, and it results in one indecently sexy E46 M3.

What you can’t see, though, is the extra work that went into making this E46 M3 look so incredibly fresh. “In 2018, two brand new genuine wings were fitted while having a full respray to the front end/sides/rear bumper (at great expense),” says Rich.

“Once complete, I had all the bodywork and wheels protected in Gtechniq Crystal Serum Ultra, and the bodywork and finish are better than when it left the factory. On top of that, the front end is now fully PPF protected,” he says, and it’s little wonder this car looks so incredibly good. If you’re talking about looks, you have to talk about wheels, and whether you’re doing a road build or a track car, APEX wheels are always a winner, and the ARC-8 is pretty much the go-to choice for any M3. “The wheels were on the car when I bought it, and I would choose the exact same wheel for this car, so it was a result they were fitted on purchase,” grins Rich. The multi-spoke matt grey finish on these hardcore, lightweight wheels looks fantastic. They are wrapped in super-sticky Toyo R888 rubber, and they sit on MW Motorsport titanium wheel studs.

With this being a Clubsport build, the suspension has, naturally, received some attention to enhance the handling, and it’s got this M3 feeling sharper than ever. “It’s just recently had new coilovers fitted, ST XTAs made by KW. It’s also got new Powerflex subframe bushes,” says Rich.

In addition to that, the chassis has been enhanced with some Powerflex adjustable rear camber arms, Turner Motorsport front and rear three-way adjustable antiroll bars, Powerflex extra caster control arm bushes, and custom adjustable rose-jointed rear antiroll bar links. This combo ensures the chassis is now razor-sharp and has endowed this M3 with simply superb handling, feel and feedback, and it’s a track day delight. The brakes have also been treated to some upgrades, with a PB Performance BBK up front comprising 380mm discs and eight-pot calipers plus custom braided lines. “They’re stunning to look at and even better at stopping!” chuckles Rich, and, at the rear, sit AP Racing four-pot calipers.

As with the chassis, the interior has also been treated to a selection of upgrades that give it that Clubsport-spec feel, and it’s just what Rich wanted. “The car came with a Wiechers half cage in it with two bucket seats, and it’s exactly what I was looking for,” he smiles. The Corbeau buckets sit on custom lightweight mounts and are quipped with Schroth harnesses, and there’s also an Alcantara steering wheel with carbon shift paddles as the finishing touch.

Finally, we come to the S54 under the bonnet, and it’s not been forgotten about. “The engine modifications are basic, really; I feel no need to heavily modify the S54 engine as it’s so good from the factory,” Rich reasons. The first step was ensuring that the straight-six was nice and healthy, so he had the Vanos done along with the rod bearings, and the engine is now equipped with ACL bearings and ARP bolts. “I’ve added a Karbonius CSL carbon airbox and snorkel, along with a CSL map and CSL gearbox software, that adds CSL rev-matching and M Track Mode,” Rich says, and this has given the S54 some serious spice. The gearbox changes make the SMG shifts that much more satisfying, and not only has the CSL airbox setup added a few extra horses to proceedings, but it’s also given this car one epic soundtrack, so it’s no surprise it makes Rich rather happy. “My favourite mod is probably the CSL airbox, the noise it makes is fantastic,” he grins, and this M3 sounds good from the other end, too, thanks to the Scorpion stainless steel exhaust that’s been fitted.

Rich may have waited over 20 years to finally get his hands on his dream BMW, but he’s definitely making up for lost time and making the most of this awesome E46 M3. It’s got the looks, the chassis upgrades and the noise, and all of that combined makes it a machine that’s impossible not to fall for in a big way. Regardless of which generation M3 might be your favourite, you cannot deny that this build is badass. Naturally, Rich isn’t quite done with his M3 just yet. After all, “a car is never really finished,” he chuckles, and a set of AP front calipers are currently on the shopping list.

This E46 has also gained a new companion in the shape of an M2, but don’t worry, it’s not about to replace his dream machine. “Spending money on the M3 will definitely slow down now,” admits Rich, but we get the feeling this car will be sticking around for a long time to come. The driving experience might be fast-paced, but the ownership experience is a long and happy one.

Eventuri air scoop in the front bumper; the carbon diffuser frames the Scorpion exhaust.

I’ve added a Karbonius CSL carbon airbox and snorkel, along with a CSL map and CSL gearbox software, that adds CSL rev-matching and M Track Mode

Carbon shift paddles look rather sexy, as do the Corbeau bucket seats. Rear seat delete and Wiechers roll-cage. Grippy Alcantara-rimmed steering wheel looks good and feels great to use.

TECHNICAL DATA BMW E46 M3

• ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION: 3.2-litre straight-six S54B32, ARP bolts, ACL bearings, Karbonius CSL airbox, CSL map, Scorpion exhaust. SMG II six-speed gearbox, CSL rev-matching and gearbox flash, including M Track Mode
• CHASSIS: 9.5x19” (front and rear) APEX ARC-8 wheels with 265/35 (front and rear) Toyo R888 semi-slick tyres, MW Motorsport titanium wheel studs, ST XTA coilovers, Turner Motorsport three-way adjustable anti-roll bars, custom adjustable rose-jointed rear anti-roll bar links, Powerflex yellow subframe and diff bushes, Powerflex adjustable rear camber arms, Powerflex extra caster control arm bushes, Vibra-Technics engine/gearbox mount kit, PSDesigns subframe reinforcement plates, PB Performance front BBK comprising 380mm discs and eight-piston calipers with custom braided lines, AP Racing rear calipers
• EXTERIOR: Carbon grilles and side vents, smoked front indicators, carbon front splitter, genuine CSL boot lid, carbon diffuser
• INTERIOR: Corbeau bucket seats, custom lightweight mounts and slider rails, Schroth harnesses, Wiechers half roll-cage, Alcantara steering wheel with centre stripe
• THANKS I’d like to thank Matt at ETA Motorsport for doing all the work on the car since I’ve owned it. Big thanks to Daniel, the guy I purchased it from, who also spent a small fortune on it. And the guy who started the build, Dale Ellis, he also put blood, sweat and tears into it

this is pretty much the perfect track-spec Clubsport build. It ticks all the boxes you could possibly want it to if you were setting out to do the same thing yourself

The Karbonius CSL airbox gives the S54 an absolutely incredible induction noise. This M3 wears APEX ARC-8 lightweight wheels and has a PB BBK up front and AP Racing calipers at the rear.