e46 m3 subframe failure stats

[anonymous-user]

so everyone knows someone thats had the infamous crack but are there any numbers out there to help paint a picture of how commonplace or rare this is?

i know the dealers will all being well take care of it if under 10 years old and stock but not modded so id want an 03 plate on the safe side

does the 10 year countdown start from date of manufacture or registration date?

[Cemesis]

Grab an 04 if you can as they have 12 year anti-corrison warranties and some M3's are starting to rust now.

[Mr Bimmer]

Best to buy one that needs the repair, then get it done at BMW. I wouldn't even consider buying a 2001 M3 if the floor looked ok (unless it's already been fixed of course)

They will all crack in time, so the secret is to buy one that soon needs the repair, or get down to the drag strip to 'move things on a bit'. A 2003 model should be fine for that. Just bear in mind that if it doesn't show any cracks when it gets to 10 Years old, it may become almost worthless soon after.

[anonymous-user]

thats what i was thinking or get one thats already had the floor pan refitted by bmw rather than the foam bodge or retrofit panel

[E30M3SE]

Cemesis said:

Grab an 04 if you can as they have 12 year anti-corrison warranties and some M3's are starting to rust now.

Believe that is '04 build not registration date.

[neiljohnson]

Seen this on a couple that i have Mot'ed now but also spotted on a 330d recently so its not only an m3 issue.

[mat205125]

Mr Bimmer said:

Best to buy one that needs the repair, then get it done at BMW. I wouldn't even consider buying a 2001 M3 if the floor looked ok (unless it's already been fixed of course)

They will all crack in time, so the secret is to buy one that soon needs the repair, or get down to the drag strip to 'move things on a bit'. A 2003 model should be fine for that. Just bear in mind that if it doesn't show any cracks when it gets to 10 Years old, it may become almost worthless soon after.

If/when it happens to mine, that's the time when the interior and carpets go onto ebay, I repair and strengthen the car, and weld in the multipoint roll cage

Anyone go any pictures of what the repaired areas look like? Is it an obvious repair?

[anonymous-user]

found this thread on the m3cutters site:

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


best info ive found so far. the site has a wealth of other info well recommended

[E30M3SE]

Here is a thread on a WIP repair.