Chassis subframe cracking - anyone had it yet?

[robm3]

I notice there's chassis issues starting to occur on E46 M3's, specifically those with higher power output or a large amount of track work.

I have to presume this is also going to effect CSL's but as they run slightly different suspension I'm wondering if the pick up points are located differently.

Anyone had this issue yet or know of it?

Also I'm looking at buying another CSL so a little concerned this could be a big problem.

[darreni]

Its been an ongoing issue for all types of E46 for a number of years.

BMW offered a goodwill (not warranty) floorpan replacement on affected cars that were:
Within 10 years of build date
not modified
under 100k miles

All CSL's will now be outside of the BMW's goodwill fix period due to age. The options are: to get the floorpan plated by the like of Reddish or simpsons (£2k), or order the new floorpan from BMW & fix (£5k+).

Unless the car has had the fix already, you need to get it checked. Most dealers will need to drop the diff cradle to be sure.
Plenty of info here:

http://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/showthread.php?t=215...
http://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/showthread.php?t=650...

My floor was replaced by BMW in 2013.

[Leins]

I had mine checked (and no cracks found) by MProve last year, but got them to plate it up and fill both sides with epoxy resin as a preventative measure anyway. They've done the job on a few CSLs

[NBTBRV8]

robm3 said:

I notice there's chassis issues starting to occur on E46 M3's, specifically those with higher power output or a large amount of track work.

I have to presume this is also going to effect CSL's but as they run slightly different suspension I'm wondering if the pick up points are located differently.

Anyone had this issue yet or know of it?

Also I'm looking at buying another CSL so a little concerned this could be a big problem.

There are a few threads of those that have had it done on the CSL register.

[shim]

mine was fixed by bmw back in 2010, loads more done since, but now will have to be fixed by indies or pay BMW.

[petery]

I thought the issue would be fixed for cars 10 years from date of registration?

Mines not been done and no signs of cracking at the last check but it's going in to be check in a couple of weeks trust before the 10 years is up

[darreni]

petery said:

I thought the issue would be fixed for cars 10 years from date of registration?

Mines not been done and no signs of cracking at the last check but it's going in to be check in a couple of weeks trust before the 10 years is up

No, it's build date, not reg date.

[benny.c]

Being over 100K miles isn't a reason for BMW to refuse the work. Mine was done at around 117K.

[deanobeano]

Had mine done by Elms last November, they brought the date forward as BMW were insisting that the commencement of the repair has to fall in before the car was 10 years old.

Tiny less than 10mm visible crack on mine, but peace of mind for the next owner.

[Gibbo205]

Leins said:

I had mine checked (and no cracks found) by MProve last year, but got them to plate it up and fill both sides with epoxy resin as a preventative measure anyway. They've done the job on a few CSLs

Matt did my M3 last weekend, top job.

[Pip1968]

Mine has been checked a couple of times by two different dealerships including ELMs (Cambridge) and no cracks have been found. I think it is 'some' rather than 'all' that have been affected. Bear in mind that I have lowish miles but most of them on track.

Pip

[JUPE777]

Pip1968 said:

Mine has been checked a couple of times by two different dealerships including ELMs (Cambridge) and no cracks have been found. I think it is 'some' rather than 'all' that have been affected. Bear in mind that I have lowish miles but most of them on track.

Pip

Mine is going into Elms Bedford on Monday for the floor repair. When I purchased the car it had been inspected by another dealer and they had given the floor the OK! I was concerned it hadn't been checked thoroughly enough so paid for it to be inspected properly at Elms and sure enough they found cracks on both sides!! If Elms has checked your car I would be happy but a word of warning that some dealers so called check is inadequate. I would advise anyone to either use Elms or to pay for a thorough inspection, that way there should be some come back.

[kev b]

Many non M cars suffer from this, my 328Ci SE auto had major cracking of the mounting points at around 85K, it was older than 10 years by then so I repaired it myself.

It took a leisurely two days to complete but this was the first time I had tackled this job and I did not have a lift available.

I would be happy to do any number of these repairs for £4K each! Or for a fraction of that in truth.