Sam Posted March 25, 2008 Report Share Posted March 25, 2008 Its fairly common on the early E46's. So i thought i'd make a sticky, so newbies can find it easier. This is to do with the rear subframe cracking/splitting on the E46's. BMW know of this problem, they even have documentation for it, but still sometimes deny its a manufacturing problem and try to get owners to cough up the money. There are "fix kits" which are basically sheets that get welded to the subframe, but ideally you want it all replaced. I've personally had this problem and BMW fixed it for free 100%. Apparently at a cost to them of £2500. Here is the BMW PDF Please post if you have had the problem, letting us know the details, if BMW paid etc.. Member Phantom Mark has written a DIY if you choose to fix this issue yourself: http://www.e46zone.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=14652 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee131 Posted March 27, 2008 Report Share Posted March 27, 2008 1999 v reg 323ci E46 coupe ripped subframe mount clean from floor BMW paid 100% of repair cost once i had proof of other people having same problem and being paid out also had to have full service history becareful tho im sure theres a 10 yr /300000 miles clause Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steviejay Posted April 9, 2008 Report Share Posted April 9, 2008 Just found this Vid of the issue, so you guys can have a look for yourself. Subframe cracks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Mark Posted April 14, 2008 Report Share Posted April 14, 2008 Im absolutely flabbergasted !! Unbelievable, I will be checking mine over very carefully whilst I fit the new suspension. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dicky Posted April 15, 2008 Report Share Posted April 15, 2008 Im absolutely flabbergasted !! Unbelievable, I will be checking mine over very carefully whilst I fit the new suspension. Mate Yours should be alright as I believe that this only effected early 323's and 328's iirc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted April 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2008 last count on E46fanatics: By Model 323i 24 323ci 52 323iT 1 325i 1 325ci 3 328i 47 328ci 64 330i 1 330ci 4 320D 1 m3 5 By Year NA 10 1999 46 2000 134 2001 6 2002 6 2003 1 2004 1 Total 206 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dicky Posted April 15, 2008 Report Share Posted April 15, 2008 ^^^Oh Bugger, I didn't realise it was that bad across the range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Mark Posted April 15, 2008 Report Share Posted April 15, 2008 I am honestly speechless about this........not actually looking forward to looking at mine, I think I would have felt a problem like this tho when driving, or clunks from rear end etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay. Posted May 8, 2008 Report Share Posted May 8, 2008 bought car from an auction diff mount had been ripped clean out, paid an indy to sort it out cost 300 quid and they welded a plate in for me. been great ever since 2000 318ci Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Diddler Posted May 8, 2008 Report Share Posted May 8, 2008 Where exactly should we be looking for this ? Does it just affect some older cars? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steviejay Posted May 9, 2008 Report Share Posted May 9, 2008 Where exactly should we be looking for this ? Does it just affect some older cars? There is a vid up there dude, I've not looked myself yet, kinda dont want to!! Think is by the shocks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay. Posted May 9, 2008 Report Share Posted May 9, 2008 if you are stood underneath the car as if you've walked under it from the rear, facing the front and the nearside wheel is on your left, then you should look in the area of the coil spring and slightly to the right, there is a mounting bracket with a big bolt through it, and if the area round this is cracked, you have a problem. (well that was my case anyway) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Diddler Posted May 9, 2008 Report Share Posted May 9, 2008 if you are stood underneath the car as if you've walked under it from the rear, facing the front and the nearside wheel is on your left, then you should look in the area of the coil spring and slightly to the right, there is a mounting bracket with a big bolt through it, and if the area round this is cracked, you have a problem. (well that was my case anyway) Thanks mate, i'll have a look tomorrow, car already up in the air a sim in the middle of removing the brake calipers and arms for painting!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Diddler Posted May 9, 2008 Report Share Posted May 9, 2008 There is a vid up there dude, I've not looked myself yet, kinda dont want to!! Think is by the shocks. Thanks i'll have a look at this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weve33 Posted May 16, 2008 Report Share Posted May 16, 2008 If you didnt look, are there any other ways of knowing...maybe while driving etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muly Posted June 2, 2008 Report Share Posted June 2, 2008 The video is very scary stuff, i am off now to check mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steviejay Posted June 2, 2008 Report Share Posted June 2, 2008 I checked mine the other day, think it looks ok, (if I'm looking in the right place!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muly Posted June 2, 2008 Report Share Posted June 2, 2008 been under with the inspection lamp and all looks fine, i will have a really good close look when i change the suspension next week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james Posted June 23, 2008 Report Share Posted June 23, 2008 i have had this problem but never new about all this till after i looked on the net my machinc was wounding how this happened and how i had done it as his seen me do a few stang thing to cars 2 gearbox in 2 month being one of them i think he plated it and welded from the inside of my boot cost me £200 a month after buying the car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joey_d Posted June 24, 2008 Report Share Posted June 24, 2008 Ouch I had mine checked out last week. The mechanic said yes it was a problem, especially with the older E46s, but that it was actually quite a rare problem. Luckily mine was fine. I was worried because I sometimes get a deep THUD when changing from 1st to 2nd and thought that might be it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirty Tool Posted July 7, 2008 Report Share Posted July 7, 2008 My first post here and unfortunately not a positive one: This is the current stage on my 2000 328ci. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted July 7, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2008 My first post here and unfortunately not a positive one: This is the current stage on my 2000 328ci. Take it to BMW complaining of a loose back end etc. They should tell you its the subframe and offer to fix 100%. thats what happened to me. If they blame something else, drop a hint your local mechanic said its the sub frame.Then argue it for free! Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muly Posted July 7, 2008 Report Share Posted July 7, 2008 As i said on e36coupe , let us know what the dealer says and does about the situation, and welcome to the forum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirty Tool Posted July 7, 2008 Report Share Posted July 7, 2008 thanks guys - well i spoke to BMW GB and they said to book it in at my local BMW garage so done that. Still have to pay a diagnostic fee but if BMW decide to foot the bill I will get the money back. Fingers crossed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steviejay Posted July 7, 2008 Report Share Posted July 7, 2008 lets hope they sort it out!! Is not really your problem if their product falls apart in such a drastic way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...