Dealer refuses to inspect a sub-frame

I made a subframe inspection appointment and the service guy tells me that there is no recalls on my particular car
I showed him the letter and in a nicely manner explained that they MUST perform a free inspection, and he says that the letter doesn't necessarily mean all 3 series, and they won't perform a free inspection. The general service manager wasn't aware of the sub-frame problem either, pissed the sh&t out of me. I was going to call the BMW NA right away, but some service guy comes up to the manager and tells him that yes, they are suppose to inspect sub-frame damage for free, now I am sitting in a lobby and waiting hopefully for the good news.

im having mine done on monday; my dealership SA was very aware of it. but i could see that most probably wouldn't be. do you have a copy of the letter by chance?

When is the deadline to get this inspection?


Also, are manuals and the earlier e46's more susceptible to this subframe tearing?

I went to a pretty big BMW dealership that does A LOT of business in the NJ/PA/DE/NY area and they told me mine was only the third or fourth car in almost a year that's come in for an inspection. I didn't even have the letter with me since I figured they would have gotten tons of requests already...

Originally Posted by OrientBlau

When is the deadline to get this inspection?


Also, are manuals and the earlier e46's more susceptible to this subframe tearing?

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=679669

September 10, 2010

Originally Posted by OrientBlau

When is the deadline to get this inspection?


Also, are manuals and the earlier e46's more susceptible to this subframe tearing?

from what i understand the deadline is sometime in sept of this year and yes early e46s are a bit more susceptible...

good luck...

Originally Posted by golf_234

im having mine done on monday; my dealership SA was very aware of it. but i could see that most probably wouldn't be. do you have a copy of the letter by chance?

I don't, but I think they are aware of it, however they are trying to get away from repairing it.

Originally Posted by OrientBlau

Also, are manuals and the earlier e46's more susceptible to this subframe tearing?

From what the SM told me when I had mine done, yes. The older 99-01's have more torque at launch and manual drivers have a proclivity to launch harder more often. Coupled with the fact that they're the oldest e46's on the road, you get more chance of having subframe issues...

Originally Posted by nastyemu

From what the SM told me when I had mine done, yes. The older 99-01's have more torque at launch and manual drivers have a proclivity to launch harder more often. Coupled with the fact that they're the oldest e46's on the road, you get more chance of having subframe issues...

So its also a matter of years on the road than construction? I thought they may have reinforced the later e46's to prevent this problem.

I will have to take it ot the dealer then. Mine is a 2003 e46 AUTO.

BTW, what is the ratio of owners who actually brought their vehicle in and FOUND tearing?

Are there statistics being kept somewhere. We should start a poll if one hasnt yet been created.

mine is 2000 323ci. pretty big tearing.

bringing mine in today. they asked me about the letter and I told them I just bought the car and read up about the frame issue. they confirmed, no charge for inspection.

I am hoping to see what they are looking at (location) so even after the deadline I can look at it to keep an eye on it.

they had better not scratch my leather while inspecting. i haven't let somebody touch my car since i got it everything has been diy

Originally Posted by TRBOVNM

bringing mine in today. they asked me about the letter and I told them I just bought the car and read up about the frame issue. they confirmed, no charge for inspection.

I am hoping to see what they are looking at (location) so even after the deadline I can look at it to keep an eye on it.

the guy who is inspecting my car is staring at the computer all the time

Originally Posted by OrientBlau

BTW, what is the ratio of owners who actually brought their vehicle in and FOUND tearing?

Are there statistics being kept somewhere. We should start a poll if one hasnt yet been created.

there was a big thread about it with a cumulative list of subframe inspection with pass failure results etc... ill try to find it in a bit. the basic consensus is 99-01 have MANY more failures than 02-05... there were like 70 99-01's, 1 02, and 1 '03 then an oddball '05 i think

Originally Posted by bumere46

the guy who is inspecting my car is staring at the computer all the time

oh god lol the awkward tension of somebody working on your car.. i know how you feel like you want to go out there and be like hey man be careful i just conditioned my interior and also look out for this this and this... oh and this

Originally Posted by golf_234

oh god lol the awkward tension of somebody working on your car.. i know how you feel like you want to go out there and be like hey man be careful i just conditioned my interior and also look out for this this and this... oh and this

Lol exactly

I had mine repaired before the class suit. i have a 99 323i that was torn pretty bad. Waiting to see if i get my $900 dollars refunded.

They did found the crack and its only about 20mm. They assured my that its safe drive, once they receive the parts they will repair it. Yay

op what is your year/model?