E46 M3 & 330 subframe / floor pan cracks !?!

[Tame Technician]

Does any body know when / if they ever actually uprated the floor pan where the rear subframe attaches. Have been told different things from different people.

One mate of mine is looking at E46 M3's to buy, and I'm looking at 330CI (slightly different budgets)

Have looked under a number of cars and with the subframes fitted its virtually imposible to see if the floor has cracked or not.

Just wondered if there was a factory modification or production change that could rule out all the fear of buying something that could turn out to be a complete nightmare.

Also if you get a Vanos failurem does it put the valve timing out enought to destroy the valve train, or does the Vanos assembly just need repairing/ replacing.

Thanks in advance.

TT
(Audi dealer master tech)

With subframe and underseel removed

[Moar]

You're safe on facelifts.

[PJ S]

2001 onwards should be factory sorted, so prior to that you'd want to check or hear that it'd been done already.

[bikealarmblair]

PJ S said:

2001 onwards should be factory sorted, so prior to that you'd want to check or hear that it'd been done already.

cars as late as 04/05 have suffered