E46 M3 sub frame issues?

[roygarth]

I've noticed in ads for these cars that often reference is made to the 'sub frame is OK' etc etc. What are the issues with the sub frame?

Thanks!

[rb5er]

The boot floorvcracks and the car falls apart from what I glean.

[supertouring]

roygarth said:

I've noticed in ads for these cars that often reference is made to the 'sub frame is OK' etc etc. What are the issues with the sub frame?

Thanks!

Cracks appear in the rear boot floor, around the sub-frame fitting points or spot-welds split. It appears to be stress related.

A general problem with the E46 and a case of when and not if is the general view.

Get it checked BEFORE you buy.

[krisdelta]

A pretty common issue from what I can gather - although my '04 car had no issues in my ownership to 77k. It was fixed by BMW in many cases up to 10 y/o - so only the lastest E46's would get that now. Here is a "what to look for" vid.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaTYBaMpUtE

[roygarth]

Does this tend to happen after a certain number of miles? And presumably linked to how hard car has been driven?

[pidsy]

Mine went to deutschtech and had reddish plates fitted. They've seen cars as low as 50k needing the work done. It's a poor piece of design by BMW but at least they'll fix it on a car up to 10 years old.

Needs to be check by someone who knows what they're doing - not just up on a jack when you are viewing.