Ross Ligibel’s BMW E46 M3 Time Attack Car

We love showcasing the cool builds our customers are putting on track. This time, we’re excited to highlight Ross Ligibel and his 2003 BMW E46 M3 — a car that’s been transformed from street car into a time attack-focused track car while also maintaining its traditional character.

The Motorsports Spark

What hooked Ross on motorsports? A childhood love of Gran Turismo, mixed with a natural competitiveness and an obsession with precision. “Trying to beat my previous best time satisfies me perfectly. Did I drive better? Did the parts I installed make it faster? If not, I will make a change and test again.” Time attack offered the perfect outlet to quantify progress while also challenging himself as a driver against some well-prepped cars and experienced drivers.

Ross also credits the track as a bit of an escape from his busy day-to-day life. “While I'm driving on track, everything feels calm, clear, and I can fall into a flow state rather easily.”

Unexpected Love

Ross purchased the E46 M3 in 2018, originally planning to build a spec Miata. “I never thought I’d own a BMW,” he recalls. “This one fell into my lap for a deal I couldn’t pass up.” What began as a dual-duty street/track car quickly evolved into a dedicated time attack machine. By 2023, Ross committed to optimizing the car for time attack, learning the nuances of squeezing performance within a strict ruleset while balancing limited budget and free time.

The Build

Ross’s M3 is powered by the original S54 motor, enhanced with a CSL-style intake, Supersprint exhaust, and Schrick 288/280 cams. To keep in line with GridLife Street class rules, he’s chosen to forego aero mods, focusing instead on pure performance enhancements. Nearly every aspect of the suspension has been touched: MCS 2-way coilovers, spherical and monoball components, Bimmerworld and Ground Control adjustable arms, Hotchkis sway bars, and MRT Engineering roll center and bump steer correction. Brembo GT 4-piston big brakes paired with Cobalt pads keep the car planted, while 18x10.5 Apex ML-10RT wheels wrapped in 285 RE71RS tires ensure exceptional grip. The drivetrain includes an ATS carbon hybrid 1.5-way differential with BMW Motorsport 4.10 final drive ratio, making corner exits a bit easier.

Best Mod

When asked what mod made the biggest difference, Ross points to his ATS differential paired with the 4.10 final drive. “It’s only been on for one season, but it completely changed how the car accelerates out of corners. Feels like an extra 50hp — and the locking is so progressive, improving traction on exit.” While MCS coilovers also play a huge role, Ross admits he’s never driven the car without them, so the diff stands out as the “wow” factor for cornering and acceleration.

The Cobalt Difference

Ross relies on Cobalt Racing brakes, currently running our XR1 fronts and XR3 rears, while testing out some XR2 rears to tweak the balance. “The modulation and release of the pads are fantastic,” he says. “But the biggest difference has been the support from Eddie and the team. Their knowledge and experience with E46s helped me optimize my setup. When I had a last-minute issue before ABCC this year, they got me pads in a day — saved my butt! I'll keep coming back for that personalized service and the access to a pool of knowledge.”

Motorsports Community

Ross started competing in GridLife primarily due to its proximity — tracks like Gingerman, Mid-Ohio, Autobahn, and Pitt are all within reach. Beyond location, the level of competition drew him in. “I wanted to see how I stacked up against some of the fastest time attack drivers in the country. GridLife also puts on an exhilarating event compared to local HPDEs or BMW Club events.”

For Ross, the motorsports community keeps him coming back: the shared challenge of making cars faster, the joy of improving at every event, and the friendships formed in the paddock. And let’s not forget the tracks themselves — driving Laguna Seca, Road America, or VIR is a dream come true for someone who grew up driving those tracks on a video game console.

Racing Highlights

Ross is proud to hold the GridLife Street class RWD record at Mid-Ohio, a title he’ll hold at least through 2026 since the series won’t be returning to Mid-Ohio. He’s also achieved impressive finishes with a car that’s over 20 years old, securing 7th overall in 2024 and 8th in 2025 in the GridLife Street class championship, competing against much newer and more powerful machinery.

Future Goals

Looking ahead, Ross plans to install a full roll cage and transform the car into an endurance-focused wheel-to-wheel race car. “The S54 is surprisingly robust, and these cars really shine in longer sessions - happy to just bang in lap after lap without complaining. Time attack will remain part of the mix, but endurance racing is the ultimate aim.” Dream goals if he won the lottery? Competing in SRO or IMSA events, historic races, or even the 24 Hours of Daytona or Le Mans. “A more achievable goal? Win a season in an amateur series, whether time attack or wheel-to-wheel,” he says.

“I have two kids under 3 at home, and an EXTREMELY supportive wife (love you, honey), but I just can't swing 4-6 trips halfway (or more) across the country. For 2026, that means that I plan to prove out the car's w2w capabilities and dabble in a handful of other local series like NASA & BMW CCA Club Racing and maybe AER or Champcar.”

At Cobalt Racing, we love to spotlight our customers and their stories — and Ross Ligibel’s M3 definitely stands out. What started as a car he never thought he’d own has turned into a thoroughly enjoyable time attack machine. As Ross transitions his M3 into a full wheel-to-wheel endurance race car, we’re excited to follow his journey and cheer him on in 2026 and beyond. We can’t wait to see what he accomplishes next!

Be sure to follow Ross on his Instagram: @trlracing