Unbelievable Nut & Bolt Restoration on BMW M3

Watch us painstakingly restore the underside of this 2006 54,000-mile BMW E46 M3 SMG Convertible.
This work was carried out in 2021 and although the car had travelled a mere 54,000 miles, it seems that 15 years had taken its toll on the underside as many areas were showing signs of distress.
We found various amounts of corrosion on the hardware (bolt-able items), and a notable amount also on the chassis.
The owner has zero plans to sell this vehicle and knows its very much a 'keeper' so he reached out to us in regards to a Redish Motorsport Underside Restoration.
We first carried out an appraisal where we could assess and record the vehicle's condition.
This is the first stage of any sort of underside work and it's known as an RACP Check & Report.
You can read more about it here:
www.redish-motorsport.com/BMWE...
Once we'd carried out our thorough 5 hour report on the vehicle and recorded even the most smallest of defects like incorrect fixings, or missing clips, the owner had a very clear picture of what items needed attention.
It was decided a Redish Motorsport Underside Restoration would be beneficial for the vehicle, but better still a Nut & Bolt Restoration where there wouldn't be a single old fixing used.
Every fixing was purchased brand new, but rather than just installed, they were sent for Zinc Plating in a Yellow Passivated finish.
Then, to enhance this procedure even further, the owner wanted to 'up the ante' and go one further, so we had all 5 pieces of the exhaust system blasted and plasma coated by @Zircotec .
This process took 180 hours to complete.
Thanks for watching and apologies to anyone who can't spare the 2+ hours to watch the entire video.
We appreciate some of the video may be a little repetitive but feel it's worth including all the clips we recorded.
Thanks for watching, and be sure to look out for next Sunday's video....
Please SUBSCRIBE, and hit the NOTIFICATION BELL so you don't miss our M3 Touring build episodes as we release them in the future.
Follow us on INSTAGRAM: redish_motorsport
More info including pricing on our website: www.redish-motorsport.com
Thanks for watching!

[@jonnybarker2031]

When the guy restoring your car has a favourite bolt you know he's got that attention to detail 😆. Great work

[@RedishMotorsportbmw]

So true!

[@jhanraycorpuz6245]

@@RedishMotorsportbmw I’m high hungry I want I’ll GM 😅MISS YOU 979

[@jhanraycorpuz6245]

The Uu e be yet You L

[@therealvictorpo]

Here 1:24:47

[@markg8703]

😊😢🎉l m BM l q V.😢

[@deankalsevicius7610]

I could imagine reversing and taking a 20 mile detour to avoid a puddle 😁

[@mikebader3863]

Love the attention to detail and level of knowledge to even be able to identify incorrect fixings and features on a 15-20 year old car!

[@RedishMotorsportbmw]

Thanks Mike, means a lot.

[@darylmorse]

I've watched quite a few of your videos, but not recently. I'm just blown away by this restoration. No question that your skills have elevated to a very high level over the years of doing them. I think there must be a few people from the factory taking note. As the owner of a 2002 M3 with 35k kms, I've spent quite a bit of time underneath my car. It's pretty clean, since I've kept it off the road when the weather isn't nice, but this car is truly like new, even better than new. Considering how little extra work it would have been to drop the engine and transmission, I'm really surprised that you "spent hours" masking, when you could have dropped them and cleaned them up to the same standard as the rest of the car. Anyway, I can't imagine how much this restoration cost, so I guess you had to draw the line somewhere. Well done!

[@imfuctifino]

Superb attention to detail, I've had my e92 worked by these guys, can't recommend them enough

[@RedishMotorsportbmw]

Many thanks for your kind words.

[@ChrisNLger]

Never seen such a professional and amazing job! Incredible

[@chrisg4rr377]

Absolutely sick as fuck. I could happily sit in the cinema and watch this on a massive screen with a bucket of popcorn

[@RedishMotorsportbmw]

Thanks for the support!

[@guymanicone7921]

I like multi-part series. You're doing a great job, never bored watching.

[@adrianrandall2395]

This is brilliant. I am contemplating having my E30 M3 restored and this is so helpful.

[@ScottMicciche]

Absolutely stunning work.

[@leem3]

Well done guys, excellent work carried out with true passion 👌👍

[@newtechgs7471]

It's great that people are willing to spend the money to keep these lovely cars going

[@DoubleDeckerAnton]

Fantastic restoration, covered in extreme attention to detail

[@twinturbo1989]

I am always fascinated, with your videos I have seen so many undersides of e46s and I dont even have one anymore. Wonderful work. pleasure to watch.

[@Nicesh007]

People admire nature landscapes. For me this is the best thing I can see in my life. My dream is a brand new E46. Insanely beautifull? Your work is WOW. Not enough words to express what I feel.

[@themysterybmw7261]

That is an absolute masterpiece, my anxiety as the owner come next mot would stress me out knowing they'll get metal pry bars to all that nice new powder coated suspension. Ud have to get them sign a damage waver before mot hahaha

[@evaniezzi]

Wow this may be the only E46 in the world that isn't leaking! Beautiful job!

[@helmsman6542]

Absolutely stunning mates!

[@dobermansnp]

I've never seen some thing like this before!! Its absolutely amazing what you did!! Congrats!!

[@kyleaiken4903]

Still here till the end mate, bloody French cars, never ends does it! I’d love to see you track it, with one/two modifications every time to see the time differences to see what mods do the most on track! Keep up the good work 👍

[@K-S-Y123]

Love the before and afters at the end of the video!

[@Thomas88-_-]

This really tightened up my jeans. Awesome work brothers

[@scott4036]

Superb! Wish we had one of you in the states

[@louiswalter4543]

Wow amazing work ! I look the complete 2 hours so much details .. it’s better than new. Awesome 👏🏽

[@RedishMotorsportbmw]

Thank you so much 😀

[@jamjestlx]

This is unbelievable! Amazing work!

[@RedishMotorsportbmw]

Thank you very much!

[@maxplank4083]

Amazing detail......

[@theequalizer3330]

I would love to see the look on the MOT testers face when it goes in for a MOT. I’d imagine he would be spending more time admiring it than testing it. Fantastic work guys, definitely another one to be proud of.👍🏽

[@arealsourapple]

I'm so stoked to watch this.

[@RedishMotorsportbmw]

Thanks!

[@stevenpower3780]

not one second to short. Great work

[@RedishMotorsportbmw]

Glad you liked it!

[@PawnshopmikeATL]

I wish I was this passionate about ANYTHING!!!!!! You sir are an amazing creature !!!!

[@orestsvilsons3205]

This is what you call loving your job👍

[@YootubeUK]

Blimey! Really impressive but your work and finish always is. Nice video.

[@RedishMotorsportbmw]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@odortiz]

such beautiful attention to detail.

[@faulkie666]

Took my M3 here and they were great! Definitely coming back when they get a gap.

[@RedishMotorsportbmw]

Thanks Mark!

[@redsteal92]

More than 2h of perfection! Awesome

[@RedishMotorsportbmw]

Wow, thanks!

[@dropsey3007]

Amazing work honestly some of the best restoration quality ive ever seen, and i watch a lot lol

[@sealslayer]

Absolutely stunning work, I’d be scared to drive it now 😮

[@sanderbhuis]

If money does metter this is the way to go!! A low miles car as this deserve this!! Great video love the details.

[@RedishMotorsportbmw]

Couldn't agree more! Thanks.

[@daves4026]

Wow beautiful work.

[@465painkiller465]

Very informative to me as I am currently restoring my own non m3 e46. I found lots of trapped corrosion between the floor and transission tunnel leg. Nice idea to cut it off rather than tackling from above which I started out doing.

[@RedishMotorsportbmw]

Glad it helped

[@yamahattr6006]

Nice job looks amazing the mot man will love looking at that beautiful job

[@rolyace0993]

You are right - he does!

[@RedishMotorsportbmw]

Thanks!

[@herridge819]

Looks a cracking job!

[@RedishMotorsportbmw]

Thank you

[@ianmangham4570]

Beautiful underneath with those skid trays 🤠🤟🙏,wonderful break pipes

[@ripptorr]

ths channel should have 10 mil subscribers

[@garylawlor6308]

I watched all 2 + hours, I think it would be helpful if you could add the costs in stages to give viewers some idea on planning some work from your company. Total wow factor and it’s giving me insight on products I can use as Im working on my 08 R56 Cooper D👍

[@lewiskrammer7157]

Absolutely 👍🏼

[@Tim82621]

unbelievable car and work

[@zyrrre]

This is phenomenal! Can someone bring you any car other than a BMW for a similar underside treatment?

[@adamjacobadamson]

IMPRESSIVE!!!

[@parisbmw320]

Could you recommend a proper cavity wax? I did the subframe with your kit a couple of years ago and would like to keep the insides rust free

[@aaronbligh3619]

Very detailed,

[@TomB1988]

Incredible work. Although, I was starting to get a headache towards the end. The underside is now better than new and 'perfect'. I do think this chasing perfectionism is a not always healthy - you could argue a perfect M3 is a brand new one or one with very low miles too. This car could be considered imperfect due to the fact it isn't original. How many miles did these cars manage before the boot floor area starts to crack from new? Slightly scatty reply as I'm in a rush. Thanks for the video :-)

[@rolyace0993]

Boot floors could go early or last - depends how the car has been driven. My thoughts are that an SMG car, driven hard, will be the first to have the RACP, as the gearshift, especially on the quickest setting, really gives the rear end a kick. Eventually all will get some cracking - this one had no visible cracks but just the two hidden under the diff carrier bushes, which no inspection would have found, unless the diff carrier had been dropped of course, but who does that when buying!

[@rolyace0993]

Some modifications were made by BMW on later cars but they can still crack.

[@Amrablack]

Very very, vvvbvvbeeeeeerrrryyyyy wellllll work

[@gerard7997]

nice diagnosis!

[@st170restoration]

Top job!!

[@RedishMotorsportbmw]

Thanks!

[@firdausHITMAN]

excellent work gents. sadly the UK climate and roads aren't conducive for motor vehicles namely of the performance variety. this makes it a hard place to live in when one is a petrolhead to see our beloved M cars suffer the dreaded corrosion and rust issues.

[@firdausHITMAN]

not withstanding the above we got that doucebag mayor of London Khan destroying the city with his bs ulez scam, 20 mph speed limit, narrowing of the roads and heavy penalties. people, we need to throw this greedy megalomaniac scum bag out and the likes of him and then start to put London back to where it belongs which is for the people and some of us petrolheads.

[@hansmalcolmringger2294]

Beautiful work, Redish. What is the price range for a radiation like this?

[@yavorkasterliev4976]

This time it is even more amazing! Next time I expect you to start galvanising components 😂

[@michaelchueh]

good stuff. Would have loved to hear the engine on your first fire up at the end!

[@vodjara]

Awesome !!! 👍

[@therealvictorpo]

Great work. Can you advise how does one avoid having their car underbody getting to such bad shape in the first place ?

[@sealslayer]

Don’t drive in the snow or rain 😊

[@xsteveoxsteveox]

i live in the US, but your care, and attention to detail is superb. well done guys. if was in the UK or anywhere near you. i have a '21 m2 comp id gladly take to you 15 years down the line!

[@btwbrand]

This is the type of work you have done now rather than later. The process will be easier for both them doing it and your cost as the client.

[@daevid21]

New cars will be junk in 15 years lol

[@xzing7]

Enjoy now before everything goes electric. And fuel prices will be $500. A litre.

[@xsteveoxsteveox]

@@xzing7 there is no physical way everything will go electric. California is learning that right now, the electrical grid can’t handle everyone having a 30 amp charging station in their garages. They have rolling blackouts daily. The infrastructure just isn’t there. No way small town Nebraska can handle it. It will never happen lol.

[@robertdean3974]

Awsome!!!

[@adcampo7601]

What an amazing job. Not a dollar spared. Better than factory new. I can't imagine how much this cost. I'm not a 2006 M3 convertible SMG M3 is worth the investment.

[@nunoolivera1973]

Hello from Spain is a very job 👍👍👍😁😁😁 congratulations.

[@matthewgramuglia4263]

Is there a business in the USA who can do this kind of work? It’s incredible

[@alexkustov523]

Great work. I'm stunned the gearbox and engine were not at least dry-ice cleaned though. Why?

[@Dudewheresmym3]

How much for this to be done approximately. I know you said 4 to 8 weeks but how much an hour how many hours + parts?

[@Keane-to-clean]

Absolute credit to you! This is beyond mind blowing.. Wish u took on ek hondas 😍

[@FIGURRE30]

Thanks for the incredible video!👏🏻 Please tell me how much such a restoration cost? At least approximately. 🤔 I also really want to carry out a complete restoration of the car's undercarriage. 😊 I will be very grateful for the information👍🏻

[@buellboy24]

Literally better than new.

[@JP212nyc]

That is one lucky M3 ! 👍

[@wadehampton4499]

Great work as always by James and the team at Redish. If I ever buy an M3, I know where I'm taking it for care and attention.

[@RedishMotorsportbmw]

Thanks Wade!

[@hsingh630]

How long did this take from start to finish, ie man hours

[@gbmwp]

Can you tell again how you remove the wax or the products they used to protect the car underneath? Which products?

[@peterolsson193]

Beautiful, I can just watch this all day long! :D I have one question though, have you given any thought on hydrogen embrittlement when coating nuts and bolts? I'm currently restoring a bmw on my own, at a smaller scale but still. And I bought mostly new nuts and bolts from bmw but unsure how handle protecting on them, kind of worried about hydrogen embrittlement with anodizing, especially when it comes to suspension bolts of 10.9 and up so I'm not sure what route to go for there.

[@btwbrand]

You obviously were not paying attention. They didn't anodize , they plated. Anodizing changes metal structure of aluminum, titanium, magnesium and other metals with no iron content. The finishes they used were all surface additive using powder coating and metal plating. Even the aluminum parts they had were not anodized but instead coated.

[@peterolsson193]

@@btwbrand I guess you were the one that wasnt paying attention. Large pieces were powder coated and are a non issue but it doesnt matter if you call it anodizing, electroplating or whatever, the fasteners were protected by using electrolysis which releases hydrogen and in turn cause hydrogen embrittlement. There is no way around it except for instant heat threatment which is not 100% either.

[@thebigmacd]

​@Peter Olsson OEM bolts are electroplated. This isn't a nuclear reactor. Cars drive around just fine with undercarriage bolts half rusted away.

[@peterolsson193]

@@thebigmacd Nope, oem 10.9 and up bolts are never electroplated for this very reason. Bolt heads sure do rust but it will take a whole lot of rust for it to affect the tensile strength of the bolt whereas hydrogen embrittlement could cause a high carbon steel bolt to snap in half like it's made of glass. Not sure why people question this, its a fact that it happens. The question is how to alleviate the issue and still protect the bolts, zinc flake coating seems like an ok choice and probably what most oems use but doesnt seem very diy friendly and maybe not as long lasting.

[@johndc2998]

29 seconds in and subscribed !

[@florinlepadatu5648]

That's the way to do it! Absolutely superb! Congratulations! Maybe you could aqua blast the oil pan and transmission pan while you were there changing the oil and gaskets. Also I wonder if you also clean the engine bay compartment. If there's no secret perhaps you could mention the cost for each project you present...

[@mikebader3863]

Has to be £30k all in for this, maybe more 😮

[@arealsourapple]

@@mikebader3863 wouldn't be surprised. Over 400 pounds for just that pile of fasteners, and THEN the labor of zinc coating them, gives a good idea of the no compromises nature of the project.

[@rolyace0993]

Gearbox when the clutch gets done. Sump pan when the rod bearings get done.

[@btwbrand]

If you want to refinish the gearbox and engine surfaces without removal then consider CO2 cleaning. Vast majority of the surfaces will simply be dirt and grime covering the original finish.

[@mdcollins3806]

😮unreal!!! 👍👍🙌🙌

[@amullally]

I know every job is different price but roughly how much to do that work thanks

[@vmn1451]

Do you guys do work in the USA what about e46 non M, how much for a job like this

[@andrewthompsonuk1]

Wow, I watched the whole thing!. Hypothetically or not so hypothetically, how much would it cost to bring a "brand new" BMW up to this standard?

[@jac1793]

im really impressed you guys take your work very seriously. I would bring my car to you guys but it's a Toyota!

[@ceesoprinsen3832]

Factory new!👏😎

[@keyo525]

Good man on the rear zink paint- as you said some internal wax after will be better then factory- far too many welders doing the bare minimum and not buying these products in and using them - aka means they will rust pretty sharpish .

[@RedishMotorsportbmw]

Thank you!

[@Spiceynuts]

Wow how much did this job cost ?

[@DER_OSMANE]

Nice 😮😮

[@l9iip]

how much cost it ? all costs together

[@SpArTaNmAnR]

What was the total for this whole process? Definitely a bucket list item lol

[@ThatSlowWagon]

Easily $10,000 with parts and labor

[@1kontrabida]

@45:02 Are these brackets only for the bottom or inside and bottom Like sandwich together?

[@janpittner5024]

this is my dreamwork

[@justinnewton9679]

Do you guys sell those supports you have made to hold the engine while the front subframe is out great video as usual

[@btwbrand]

Just make them. 4 slugs of metal drilled with bolt holes welded together with solid bar for the motor and a flat bar with two holes for the transmission.

[@justinnewton9679]

@@btwbrand I don’t have a welder mate

[@Jb001jb]

I like twice! 👍🏻👍🏻TOPJOB

[@pouchy400]

Will you try dry ice cleaning?

[@Tewty11]

all that for a vert...jokes. amazing work.

[@polloloci21]

This is amazing. Would love to do this to my e30 but…..it probably costs more than the car 😂

[@vesuviusenigma7739]

Yes,sir! This guy sounds like an MIT PROFESSOR.

[@edwardarias1312]

I would love to know how much this restoration costs.

[@KRmotorsports]

El sistema de refrigeración en los autos mid engine hay que colocarle el refrigerante por bombeo a presión para que cargue completamente y no le queden bulbujas de aire,vas a tener q montar una bomba eléctrica para que le ayude a la bomba mecánica del K20 ya que no es de alto flujo,ya q eventualmente cuando logres hecharlo a correr cuando haga fuerza se va a calentar,pasa los mismo en los Toyotas MR2 cdo los haces K serie swap, el viaje de el agua es muy largo

[@toomuchsauce4442]

What’s the rough price to have the underside rust free .

[@HiruS22]

Really interesting to watch, but a bit depressing for those of us who own E46s that we think look ok for corrosion when we look underneath and now know they’re rotting away in all sorts of hidden areas 😢 Don’t think I could justify spending £31k to have mine restored, I’m afraid I’ll just have to move on when it finally crumbles.

[@Arrozconchopsticks]

I wish I knew how to do this type of stuff. My E90 needs it.