widowfactory Posted November 16, 2009 Report Share Posted November 16, 2009 I've discovered i've got this problem with my 1999 328i and i took it to the Sytner bodyshop in birmingham this weekend. The guy instantly knew the problem, was very helpful and submitted a warranty claim to BMW UK, which apparently will take two weeks. I am worried it may be rejected as i have exceeded the 10 year limit (car was first registered in September 1999) also it has category D insurance history with a previous owner... How are my chances? Fingers crossed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob- Posted November 16, 2009 Report Share Posted November 16, 2009 I've discovered i've got this problem with my 1999 328i and i took it to the Sytner bodyshop in birmingham this weekend. The guy instantly knew the problem, was very helpful and submitted a warranty claim to BMW UK, which apparently will take two weeks. I am worried it may be rejected as i have exceeded the 10 year limit (car was first registered in September 1999) also it has category D insurance history with a previous owner... How are my chances? Fingers crossed! Fingers crossed indeed m8, hope they sort it 4 u. Welcome to the forum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlpinaPete Posted November 16, 2009 Report Share Posted November 16, 2009 New member here! Just read this thread with interest as I've encountered this problem myself last month. You can add the one and only Alpina B3 3.3 to suffer from this to the list at the start if you like (albeit the doner shell would have been a 328 at the time). My car was fixed free of charge by BMW, although they did only put the reinforcement plate on the one side with the tear. I'm currently in communication with BMW to determine whether this is the correct 'fix' or whether it really should have a complete sub frame fitted. Basically, I'm asking three questions:- 1. Is this the correct repair? 2. Is this going to happen to the other side in the future? 3. If / when it happens again, will it still be covered, regardless of the cars age? I'll let you know when I get a response as assuming they guarantee any future repair, the letter may come in handy to other owners. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nellers Posted November 24, 2009 Report Share Posted November 24, 2009 Sorry to revive and possibly replicate things but really think people should check out this link I found. Looks like BMW are in trouble in America over this issue!!! http://www.wcclaw.com/CM/ClassActions/BMW-Subframe.asp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeM Posted November 30, 2009 Report Share Posted November 30, 2009 Just looking at a 2000 328i Saloon, any advice? How do I find out the manufacture date? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9804942r Posted December 1, 2009 Report Share Posted December 1, 2009 Hi new member here after some help. My car 1999 (June) e46 323ci has got the subframe problem. My local garage told me this as they found it whilst doing an oil change!!! Car is standard with complete service history 127000 miles. They asked BMW UK to foot the bill but they have refused. I have contacted BMW UK head office and they are still refusing the repair because the car is over 10 years old. I have mentioned the lawsuit in America and stated it is a design fault, however the best they done was to offer to pay for the parts if I paid for the labour. Hardly ideal as from what I read the labout will be about £2500 and the parts £500. Anyone else on here been refused by BMW because car is over 10 years old? I love my car but think i'll need to trade it in to a garage at this rate as the cheapest i've been quoted for an indy to fix it is £800. Thanks in advance for the replies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stringy93 Posted December 1, 2009 Report Share Posted December 1, 2009 Thats a pain mate I was lucky with mine as its not 10 years old until the end of December. Im not sure what to suggest really. Like you say the main part of the bill is the labour cost. Its a shame its not the other way round and you just pay for the parts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob- Posted December 1, 2009 Report Share Posted December 1, 2009 Just looking at a 2000 328i Saloon, any advice? How do I find out the manufacture date? Under the bonnet on the side of the passenger side suspension turret Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
widowfactory Posted December 8, 2009 Report Share Posted December 8, 2009 I've discovered i've got this problem with my 1999 328i and i took it to the Sytner bodyshop in birmingham this weekend. The guy instantly knew the problem, was very helpful and submitted a warranty claim to BMW UK, which apparently will take two weeks. I am worried it may be rejected as i have exceeded the 10 year limit (car was first registered in September 1999) also it has category D insurance history with a previous owner... How are my chances? Fingers crossed! Crossing my fingers didn't work, it was rejected. Bastards Phoned them up, tried to weasle the cost of the parts out of them but they weren't having it. Guess i'm going to have to take it apart myself and get a bloke to weld it for me instead :/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nellers Posted December 8, 2009 Report Share Posted December 8, 2009 Found mine was damaged on the passenger side when doing the discs a couple of weeks back. Took it to BMW and they inspected and confirmed it was the subframe issue and having taken pics and sent off to BMW GB about doing the work! I must chase them up this week though as that was nearly 2 weeks ago and want this done before too long into 2010 as otherwise they'll turn around and say my car is now older than 10 and they won't do it!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmkev Posted December 11, 2009 Report Share Posted December 11, 2009 You guys seen this? - Video showing a bad case. I stand to be corrected but I thought that M3's never had a spare wheel well Hugh330 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAVE46 Posted December 15, 2009 Report Share Posted December 15, 2009 Hi guys can i be in your sub-frame f..ck up club? Bmw specialist found my sub-frame hanging off the rear passenger side, it was fresh as i had recently put new shocks on with reinforcement plates on top mounts. Told Bmw in Doncaster about the PDF document and they want it in to inspect and get funding clearance from BMW uk. Will get it to them asap and see if they stiff me for being a 10 years and 2 months old 328ci. Dont think i will be de-cating for a while.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nellers Posted December 21, 2009 Report Share Posted December 21, 2009 Heard back from BMW and our car is booked in for the 6th January for the work to be done...free of charge of course! They did say they would give us a loan car as long as we paid and sorted out insurance at which point I said no, so they said ok they will pay for and sort out insurance! Can't complain at that service really...well apart from the fact they mentioned two types of loan car and I only caught the second one....a Toyota Yaris!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAVE46 Posted December 22, 2009 Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 Heard back from BMW and our car is booked in for the 6th January for the work to be done...free of charge of course! They did say they would give us a loan car as long as we paid and sorted out insurance at which point I said no, so they said ok they will pay for and sort out insurance! Can't complain at that service really...well apart from the fact they mentioned two types of loan car and I only caught the second one....a Toyota Yaris!! Glad they accepted to fix for free, my 2000 328ci is in the Doncaster BMW dealer being assessed. Hope im as lucky as you. What sort of repair did they say they will do? New floor pan and reinforcement plates? Cheers TAV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nellers Posted December 26, 2009 Report Share Posted December 26, 2009 I hope they are going to fit the whole new uprated floor pan! I'm not going to be impressed if they just weld up the crack!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAVE46 Posted January 7, 2010 Report Share Posted January 7, 2010 I hope they are going to fit the whole new uprated floor pan! I'm not going to be impressed if they just weld up the crack!! Finally got Bmw Gb to approve the subframe work today. They said they will do all the work 100% for free and the estimate is between £3500-£4000 which is what the car is worth so im extremely grateful. Have asked for a courtesy car, still waiting on that. Also requested details of work to be sent to me so I can check if its up to a decent standard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stringy93 Posted January 7, 2010 Report Share Posted January 7, 2010 Good stuff mate, glad your getting it done. They'll give you a courtesy car, question is what tho! I got a brand new 1 series Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAVE46 Posted January 8, 2010 Report Share Posted January 8, 2010 Good stuff mate, glad your getting it done. They'll give you a courtesy car, question is what tho! I got a brand new 1 series I hope they do give me a car as im using my girlfriend's 1996 peugeot 106 and all the local e46 drivers are laughing at me lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stringy93 Posted January 8, 2010 Report Share Posted January 8, 2010 Im sure they will, everyone else has. If they dont demand one and say you cant get to work etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nellers Posted January 8, 2010 Report Share Posted January 8, 2010 ours went in on wed and now the proud users of a 58plate 1.2 fiesta. they said the estimation for completion is 10 days and are replacing the whole floorpan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Ledi Posted January 20, 2010 Report Share Posted January 20, 2010 1st post so hello, I've got a 2000 330d saloon and was worried about this problem as my back end is all over the place on uneven surfaces not to mention ice. A local indy had a look but couldn't see anything apart from surface rust. But having checked all the other suspension components couldn't expalin the adverse handling. What to do? Should i ring BMW saying i'm concerned that it may be going? Would they inspect it free?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richy_Boy Posted January 20, 2010 Report Share Posted January 20, 2010 They will inspect it for free.. my local BMW told me they're having quite a few cars coming in... I need to get mine checked out, although I'm hoping with the 'auto box' and softer suspension than the Sports e46s out there, I'm OK. My next problem is that if I DO have a knackered subframe floor then I have the small matter of a 70L LPG tank sitting in my boot which will need removing before repairs can take place! Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted January 20, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2010 They will inspect it for free.. my local BMW told me they're having quite a few cars coming in... I need to get mine checked out, although I'm hoping with the 'auto box' and softer suspension than the Sports e46s out there, I'm OK. My next problem is that if I DO have a knackered subframe floor then I have the small matter of a 70L LPG tank sitting in my boot which will need removing before repairs can take place! Rich Can you get it removed before the inspection? They may try to blame that extra weight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Ledi Posted January 21, 2010 Report Share Posted January 21, 2010 Can you get it removed before the inspection? They may try to blame that extra weight. I suppose there will be much more than a tank to remove. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Ledi Posted January 21, 2010 Report Share Posted January 21, 2010 They will inspect it for free.. my local BMW told me they're having quite a few cars coming in... Rich Cheers i'll be on the phone in the morning! Anyone dealt with MENZIES in Stirling before?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
