Subframe Repairs - Who has had it done?

After getting solicitors involved, BMW agreed to fix mine at their cost. The fight initially was going bad for me until I got legal advice.

Of course messing around with ride height, wheel sizes etc, it ill put more strain on the subframe, but again it will just cause the damage to happen sooner. As I mentioned, mine was bone STOCK when I noticed the cracks. As 02PRUV has mentioned it affected a wide range of models. Not just M3's. Ive even seen it in verts, and ive personally seen a 325 that had bigger cracks then mine on the host :/

What I CAN confirm is though, if your car is less then 10 years old, you can force BMW to fix it at no cost. - However, you might need to get a solicitor to do the fighting for you...

What I cant stress enough is what Alan said, if cracks happen they will go from tiny to huge in a VERY short time. Its a good idea to have you mechanic to check it out at every service, and don't just check your rear mounts either, my cracks were on the front 2 mounts where you need a cavity camera to get in there to have a look.

Originally Posted by Honro

What I CAN confirm is though, if your car is less then 10 years old, you can force BMW to fix it at no cost. - However, you might need to get a solicitor to do the fighting for you...

Yep I remember this. I must have read this from a thread I believe you made when you got your sub-frame fixed.

<3 my imune vert.. suckers!

Looking through all the posts on e46 fanatics, am yet to find a affected vert post '00-'01.

Interesting thread with a list of affected cars and location below.

http://www.e46fanatics.com/forum/sho...6#post11009796

Just found out over the weekend that my subframe has crack pretty bad. I first noticed the clunk about 2 weeks ago, i initially thought it was my exhaust as it had just been removed for the guibo replacement. My car is a 99' 323i and judging by the comments it looks like i have zero chance of BMW fixing it.

Should i get it fixed and the TMS re-enforcement plates installed at the same time? Or just fix the crack?

Images
http://i.imgur.com/m2rDx.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Gm0lg.jpg

^ ugh...sorry to hear, that looks pretty bad how many kms has your car done? hard driving?

Originally Posted by tomb25

Just found out over the weekend that my subframe has crack pretty bad. I first noticed the clunk about 2 weeks ago, i initially thought it was my exhaust as it had just been removed for the guibo replacement. My car is a 99' 323i and judging by the comments it looks like i have zero chance of BMW fixing it.

Should i get it fixed and the TMS re-enforcement plates installed at the same time? Or just fix the crack?

Images
http://i.imgur.com/m2rDx.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Gm0lg.jpg

Ouch! If it's only a 323 I probably wouldn't worry about tearing it again. If you're planning on SC'ing it or doing an engine swap then reinforcement is probably a good idea.

Originally Posted by ating

^ ugh...sorry to hear, that looks pretty bad how many kms has your car done? hard driving?

194,000, i've only had the car since 160,000 and i don't really drive hard. Going to europe for 2 months next week so that will hopefully make me forget about it.

Dude sorry to see that man

Sent from my GT-I9305T using Bimmer App

Going for a full subframe inspection tomorrow, either going to come out of it happy or incredibly depressed.

If its all good I get to keep on enjoying my M
If its bad - ill have to redraw on my loan - get it fully repaired and then there will be a beautiful M3 with a full subframe replacement and 5 year warranty for sale soon after haha.

Nervous wait.

^ why are u getting a full inspection? for peace of mind? or are there symptoms?

Originally Posted by ating

^ why are u getting a full inspection? for peace of mind? or are there symptoms?

Peace of mind cause its going in for a oil change and replacing my idle pulley. There is the occasional clunk going in my driveway dropping down to first but pretty sure that's the gearbox and one of those beautiful M sounds

Well my right side has a 10cm crack....I'm f**king pissed.

Ill be repairing the crack and reinforcing it, giving it a full service and replacing the water pump as its starting to go then selling it so if anyone is interested let me know.

Originally Posted by DesiredM

Well my right side has a 10cm crack....I'm f**king pissed.

Dang, sorry to hear that man.
Where did you go to get your subframe looked at?

Originally Posted by [SeN]

Dang, sorry to hear that man.
Where did you go to get your subframe looked at?

BEMW in castle hill, great people would recommend them.

Ah, I thought you were in Vic.
Did they find the crack at the rear or front of the subframe mount.

Ahh damn, sorry to hear that. How long did they take to do the thorough check? I only get mine briefly checked with each service, but now I'm worried. Maybe I should get a full thorough check? Are you going to attempt to get BMW Australia to fix it for you? I'd at least try...worth a go...

Originally Posted by [SeN]

Ah, I thought you were in Vic.
Did they find the crack at the rear or front of the subframe mount.

Bought the car in Vic and drove it to NSW

Turns out there is 1 5cm crack on the right side in front of the mount and then a hairline crack near the right mount to the side and on the left there is a hairline crack on the inner side of the mount. So 3 cracks in total - the guys here weld up the cracks and install a reinforcement kit so should be ok but is still around a $4000 job.

Originally Posted by DesiredM

Bought the car in Vic and drove it to NSW

Turns out there is 1 5cm crack on the right side in front of the mount and then a hairline crack near the right mount to the side and on the left there is a hairline crack on the inner side of the mount. So 3 cracks in total - the guys here weld up the cracks and install a reinforcement kit so should be ok but is still around a $4000 job.

i am not sure if you are handy with the tools, but if you wanna save money maybe get the whole back end stripped on your own. then maybe call a mobile welder to weld the reinforcement plates in and then put it all back together...cant see it being a $4000 job

How long have you had it? Did you buy the car privately?

If you bought it from a dealer, go get your money back.

Originally Posted by Honro

How long have you had it? Did you buy the car privately?

If you bought it from a dealer, go get your money back.

I got it from a dealer in VIC but had to sign a stat warranty waver form to get my 5 year warranty. I've had it just over 3 months :s