How common are e46m3 subframe cracks?

[VinceFox]

Been casually looking at these again and started warming to them a bit, but googling the subframe issue leaves me a bit cold to them. Is it a given that at some point they will all suffer from this or is it a relatively rare thing?

[VinceFox]

It's the shell, kind of the boot floor area. There's a really good youtube video from redish i watched the other day that shows them clearly but to check a car properly you need it right in the air. This of course brings up the aggro of getting anyone wanting to sell theirs to agree to putting it on ramps so you can inspect it fullly

[VinceFox]

Jesus, i'm starting to think there's no point looking at newer cars. I'd narrowed down my choices to the e46 m3 and a 996. After reading about the ims problems with the porsche and the cracks on these i'm starting to think bks to it, i'll keep my e36!

[VinceFox]

TheEnd said:

I was going to mention Reddish, he had some pics up on facebook of some reinforcement plates he's making that can be fitted.

It's just the cost of having it done that's the killer. It's not exactly a home diy on the driveway job.

[VinceFox]

TheEnd said:

£300-ish I'd have thought?, I had something similar on my old E36 325i (They used to love doing that same)

It's not great, but at the same time, it wouldn't be a deal breaker.

Yeah, it wouldnt put me off as long as i had the total job price agreed beforehand. How long should it take a garage?

[VinceFox]

TheEnd said:

Well, my E36 was done in a day, it's not all that tricky.

Exhaust off, prop off, drop rear axle, and then there's a choice of letting it sit close by, or undoing the handbrake cables etc.

Then it'll be some grinding and rewelding any cracks, and then the plates go on top.
It might be more, mine was done 5-6 years ago, and was fairly straight forward.
The theory is the same on the E46s (M and non M)

Everything bolted back on, brakes bled, and then time for tea and scones.

If I could weld, I'd have it as preferable / easier than a clutch change.

Good to know, cheers. What needed welding on an e36 though?