ECS News

VF Engineering has designed a truly effective Cold Air Intake, improving upon the E46 M3 factory airbox by incorporating its cold-air routing and replacing the mass air metering function of the vehicle's ECU with a customized tune. The VF MAF-less intake system is one of only a handful of methods M3 owners can use to make significant power gains without forced induction. The "Alpha N" tune that this unit requires eliminates the MAF sensor, replacing it with power-enhancing air/fuel ratio and ignition timing maps for sizable power gains - up to 35hp at the wheels and 25ft/lbs tq.

Guesswork is expensive. It leads to costly repair errors that compromise vehicle safety. Talented pro-sumer or repair professional, you need accurate vehicle data and specifications. That's why ECS is happy to announce our entire inventory of Bentley manuals, a reliable, respected source of repair data for your BMW E46 M3. These quality books are carefully edited and illustrated. A worthwhile investment.

Guesswork is expensive. It leads to costly repair errors that compromise vehicle safety. Talented pro-sumer or repair professional, you need accurate vehicle data and specifications. That's why ECS is happy to announce our entire inventory of Bentley manuals, a reliable, respected source of repair data for your MINI. These quality books are carefully edited and illustrated. A worthwhile investment.

ECS Tuning is now supplying the excellent ECS Tuning Mechanic's Gloves for our dedicated following of DIY enthusiasts. Featuring a tailored elastic cuff and textured latex palms and finger tips, these work gloves are also breathable and comfortable with their knit top. Choose from Medium, Large, and Extra Large sizes. The Schwaben Folding Ground Pad is made from comfortable high density foam that will keep you off the hard garage floor. The heavy-duty covering resists oils and other fluids keeping it usable for weekends to come. Say NO to laying on cardboard forever!

The symptoms are annoying. The costs can be painful. DISA valves control intake manifold runner length to improve engine performance at different rpm. When they fail, the DISA valve bangs around in its housing, making a rattling noise accompanied by rough idle and off-idle hesitation. If your BMW experiences these symptoms, don't wait to fix it. In some cases, parts of the DISA--including a metal spreader pin--can be sucked into your engine, causing serious engine damage. Easy to replace, your new DISA screws to the side of the intake and comes with pre-installed sealing gasket.

The symptoms are annoying. The costs can be painful. DISA valves control intake manifold runner length to improve engine performance at different rpm. When they fail, the DISA valve bangs around in its housing, making a rattling noise accompanied by rough idle and off-idle hesitation. If your BMW experiences these symptoms, don't wait to fix it. In some cases, parts of the DISA--including a metal spreader pin--can be sucked into your engine, causing serious engine damage. Easy to replace, your new DISA screws to the side of the intake and comes with pre-installed sealing gasket.

Whenever a service is performed that requires the removal of the valve cover, replacing the gasket is so simple and effective that it should be done every time. A common source of oil leaks and excessive engine smoke, the valve cover gasket seals the engine cover to the cylinder head, allowing oil to effectively lubricate your valvetrain. ECS offers genuine OEM and Elring Valve Cover Gaskets for your M54 powered BMW E46.

Whenever a service is performed that requires the removal of the valve cover, replacing the gasket is so simple and effective that it should be done every time. A common source of oil leaks and excessive engine smoke, the valve cover gasket seals the engine cover to the cylinder head, allowing oil to effectively lubricate your valvetrain. ECS offers genuine OEM and Elring Valve Cover Gaskets for your M52 powered BMW E46.

The Schwaben 6 & 6.5L Fluid Extractor/Filler Systems make changing oil, ATF, or any type of fluid easy and mess free. These easy to use tools are undoubtedly the best Extractor/Fillers available on the market today. Easily change to pump in or out with the flip of a lever, and use the extendable foot step for stability while pumping. All of the included adapters mount on the tank for convenient storage. Both pumps are manually operated, requiring zero electricity or air pressure to operate, and also feature a pressure/vacuum gauge for easy monitoring to prevent overpumping.

The specialty tool experts at Schwaben have released a series of superbly engineered, exceptionally reliable car ramps, ramp extensions, wheel stands, & wheel chocks - now available from ECS tuning. 30" to 67" Low Profile Car Ramps are specially made to accommodate vehicles with low bumper clearance, eliminating the risk of body damage & sliding ramps. Schwaben Wheel Stands feature a cradled wheel support for superior stability compared to jack stands, supporting up to 3000 lbs. And when lifting your vehicle or placing it on an incline, Wheel Chocks are a wise investment.

If adventure is what you seek, don't let anything slow you down. There's never been a better time than now to load up and take all of your gear along with roof racks and necessities from Yakima and rockymounts. Wherever you go and whatever you take, these racks will hold it. Bikes, skis, snowboards, or surfboards, no problem. Cargo carriers, cage baskets, canoes, and kayaks, there are rack accessories, straps, and locks to hold them down. With many different designs, colors, and options, you'll find exactly what you need with the style that you are looking for. Roof Rack Necess

If adventure is what you seek, don't let anything slow you down. There's never been a better time than now to load up and take all of your gear along with roof racks and necessities from Yakima and rockymounts. Wherever you go and whatever you take, these racks will hold it. Bikes, skis, snowboards, or surfboards, no problem. Cargo carriers, cage baskets, canoes, and kayaks, there are rack accessories, straps, and locks to hold them down. With many different designs, colors, and options, you'll find exactly what you need with the style that you are looking for. Roof Rack Necess

There's no better feeling as a driving enthusiast than having the perfect supplies ready at hand in the event of an emergency or unexpected circumstance. ECS supplies all of the most complete and useful Emergency Roadside Assistance Kits for your BMW E46 M3, giving you an assortment of excellent safety and preparedness tools to get you back motoring as quickly as possible. The portable and attractive Roadside Tool Kit from European BMW includes wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers and gloves, while the BMW First Aid Kit contains all of the most critical first aid appointments.

There's no better feeling as a driving enthusiast than having the perfect supplies ready at hand in the event of an emergency or unexpected circumstance. ECS supplies all of the most complete and useful Emergency Roadside Assistance Kits for your BMW E46 3 Series, giving you an assortment of excellent safety and preparedness tools to get you back motoring as quickly as possible. The portable and attractive Roadside Tool Kit from European BMW includes wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers and gloves, while the BMW First Aid Kit contains all of the most critical first aid appointments.

Check out some of our new releases from last month for BMW.

There are tools that any serious technician will regard as essential to their work - tools that make so many projects faster and simpler that access to a quality set is critical. Schwaben Specialty Tools recognized the need for better designed, more fully-featured puller tool kits; this variety of tool is so frequently used across such a wide variety of projects, mechanics deserve the best engineered product possible. Schwaben Pry Bar and Twin-Arm Puller Kits are highly adjustable, exceptionally durable sets of some of the most versatile tools in any home or professional garage.

Automotive electrical work demands patience, knowledge, & above all else, the correct tools. European car owners oftentimes find themselves using ineffective, dangerous, & cumbersome methods when attending to electrical issues - Schwaben Tools has developed all the right solutions for these common problems. Offering 2 or 4 amp charging, LED setting indicators, and a reverse polarity warning, the Automatic Battery Charger is a highlight of this Schwaben release. The 12 Ft 6-Gauge Booster Cables are also offered, while the Coiled Cord Circuit Tester is ideal 6 to 24 volt systems.

Lowering your vehicle provides several proven advantages in handling performance. Many enthusiasts, however, ignore the issue of disadvantageous suspension geometry changes resulting from a lower ride height. Chief among these harmful effects are unwanted changes in camber angle. In order to maintain a consistent, performance-enhancing tire contact patch, the ability to control the camber angle is critical. ECS Adjustable Rear Control Arms allow for over 8 degrees of adjustment. Street & track enthusiasts will appreciate this needed measure of adjustability.

Lowering your vehicle provides several proven advantages in handling performance. Many enthusiasts, however, ignore the issue of disadvantageous suspension geometry changes resulting from a lower ride height. Chief among these harmful effects are unwanted changes in camber angle. In order to maintain a consistent, performance-enhancing tire contact patch, the ability to control the camber angle is critical. ECS Adjustable Rear Control Arms allow for over 8 degrees of adjustment. Street & track enthusiasts will appreciate this needed measure of adjustability.

Produced and bottled exclusively in North Bay, California, Torque sells just one product: the best racing brake fluid on the market! Torque R700 Brake Fluid is the highest density brake fluid on the planet, protecting your braking system components from heat and corrosion with a boiling point of an incredible 683 degrees Fahrenheit! Also, take advantage of the best brake bleeding and filling system available! The Schwaben Level 3 Racing Brake Fluid Flush Kit includes the European Pressure Bleeder & Catch Bottles, a Schwaben Bleeder Wrench, and 1 liter of RT700 fluid.

No more pinched fingers or dropped tools - the one-hand operation Schwaben Euro Locking Pliers can be unlocked with your lower finger while maintaining grip. Included are 7" Straight Jaw Locking Pliers, 7" Curved Jaw Locking Pliers, and 6" Needle Nose Locking Pliers. Remove exhaust pipe hangers in seconds with the specially designed Schwaben Tool. Ear-Type Clamp Pliers are also available. Remove and install clamps found on CV joints, hoses, and some fuel filters. Use with a torque wrench for stainless steel clamps and extended functionality.

Take it to the streets with FK. Streetline X Coilovers eliminate guesswork by combining full height adjustment at all four corners with matching adjustable dampers. The Streetline X has been engineered to allow the fine tuning of your settings for various driving conditions, giving you excellent flexibility. The large adjustment range improves vehicle appearance and handling while maintaining ride comfort suitable for the daily driver. FK Streetline X Coilovers for your BMW E46 has been made to meet the tough new DIN quality standards, and come with a one-year warranty.

Why use wheel studs instead of wheel bolts? When removing and installing wheels that utilize the factory wheel bolts the process can be frustrating, holding the wheel up with your legs, lining up the holes, and threading the bolts all at the same time. Wheel studs also allow the use of varying length wheel spacers - a highly convenient feature for those that anticipate using different spacer size setups in the future. Conical seat lug nuts are available for a maximum of 10mm, 20mm, or 30mm wheel spacer use.

Why use wheel studs instead of wheel bolts? When removing and installing wheels that utilize the factory wheel bolts the process can be frustrating, holding the wheel up with your legs, lining up the holes, and threading the bolts all at the same time. Wheel studs also allow the use of varying length wheel spacers - a highly convenient feature for those that anticipate using different spacer size setups in the future. Conical seat lug nuts are available for a maximum of 10mm, 20mm, or 30mm wheel spacer use.

Why use wheel studs instead of wheel bolts? When removing and installing wheels that utilize the factory wheel bolts the process can be frustrating, holding the wheel up with your legs, lining up the holes, and threading the bolts all at the same time. Wheel studs also allow the use of varying length wheel spacers - a highly convenient feature for those that anticipate using different spacer size setups in the future. Conical seat lug nuts are available for a maximum of 10mm, 20mm, or 30mm wheel spacer use.

Why use wheel studs instead of wheel bolts? When removing and installing wheels that utilize the factory wheel bolts the process can be frustrating, holding the wheel up with your legs, lining up the holes, and threading the bolts all at the same time. Wheel studs also allow the use of varying length wheel spacers - a highly convenient feature for those that anticipate using different spacer size setups in the future. Conical seat lug nuts are available for a maximum of 10mm, 20mm, or 30mm wheel spacer use.

The E46 M3 is a favorite to many enthusiast with its smaller lightweight design and high revving M powered engine. The real fun begins when you start installing a few high performance mods to really increase the horsepower - but with all that new power there needs to be an upgrade to stop it. ECS Tuning found a cost effective option to get our exotic CSL 2-piece rotors on your Standard M3, increasing surface area for greater stopping power. The larger rotor increases the brake torque and reduces the fade - bottom line: consistent, hard braking!

A better secured drivetrain supports power modifications, average every day stresses on your vehicle's chassis, and allows for a more immediate feeling of connectedness between the driver and the road. The factory rubber BMW mounts have a propensity to degrade over time, causing over-revving, mis-shifts, and even chassis damage. ECS has developed a 70A or 80A polyurethane density Transmission Mount Sets for the BMW E46 - soft enough for comfortable daily driving, but durable enough to increase drivetrain solidarity and responsiveness.

A better secured drivetrain supports power modifications, average every day stresses on your vehicle's chassis, and allows for a more immediate feeling of connectedness between the driver and the road. The factory rubber BMW mounts have a propensity to degrade over time, causing over-revving, mis-shifts, and even chassis damage. ECS has developed a 80A polyurethane density Transmission Mount Set for the BMW E46 M3 - soft enough for comfortable daily driving, but durable enough to increase drivetrain solidarity and responsiveness.

The engine in the E46 325/330 is known for only one weakness - the cooling system. The ultimate assurance that you wont be left on the side of the road with an over heated engine is to refresh all the major components at the first sign of any failure. In many cases, M54 engines last the life of the vehicle - meaning by this time there will be more wear and tear on cooling system components than predicted by BMW. ECS offers Cooling System Refresh Kits with varying levels of components for this very reason - Three levels of ECS-assembled kits are available.