Having my M3 subframe strengthened
Discussion
Having owned my E46 M3 for about 8 months or so, It didn't take long for me to discover the scary stories - HGF, Subframe mounting cracks, Vanos failures...the usual s
t
Anyhow I tested the cylinder compression myself — all good!
Vanos - It seems quiet and the car pulls well
Subframe - that was my biggest worry.
Anyway getting to the point I started doing research into the problem and found that when it cracks, BMW replace a cracked panel and inject the subframe with structural epoxy resin to resist the twisting effect that causes cracking over time.
Mine is a low miler with 27k and 1 prev elderly owner and after inspection its all good! So me being a worrier I have booked it in with a company who specialise in this who are going to perform the resin strengthening so hopefully I can start sleeping again
As it's a common worry, Ive asked if I can take some pics so I can post up for others to see. So, Ill keep you updated.
Ideally I wanted to do it myself as I hate paying people to do stuff I can do, but the cost of the materials and specialist tools from BMW was far more than what these charged.
When I spoke to them they took good time explaining what they would do and seemed knowledgeable enough. Apparently the owner of the business is a chartered engineer and has done lots of calculations on the problem
Anyway, Ill post up some pics as I'm sure theres plenty on here who may be in the same boat of their car approaching 10yrs old, no cracks and soon to be out of the window of goodwill fix that BMW sometimes offer.
t Anyhow I tested the cylinder compression myself — all good!
Vanos - It seems quiet and the car pulls well
Subframe - that was my biggest worry.
Anyway getting to the point I started doing research into the problem and found that when it cracks, BMW replace a cracked panel and inject the subframe with structural epoxy resin to resist the twisting effect that causes cracking over time.
Mine is a low miler with 27k and 1 prev elderly owner and after inspection its all good! So me being a worrier I have booked it in with a company who specialise in this who are going to perform the resin strengthening so hopefully I can start sleeping again
As it's a common worry, Ive asked if I can take some pics so I can post up for others to see. So, Ill keep you updated.
Ideally I wanted to do it myself as I hate paying people to do stuff I can do, but the cost of the materials and specialist tools from BMW was far more than what these charged.
When I spoke to them they took good time explaining what they would do and seemed knowledgeable enough. Apparently the owner of the business is a chartered engineer and has done lots of calculations on the problem
Anyway, Ill post up some pics as I'm sure theres plenty on here who may be in the same boat of their car approaching 10yrs old, no cracks and soon to be out of the window of goodwill fix that BMW sometimes offer.
Hi if you don't mind me asking, how old is your car, who have you taken to and roughly how much?
Something drove me to get underneath my car and check for cracks yesterday and looking at proactive reinforcement rather than the retrospective job!
Will get subframe checked on the next service
Something drove me to get underneath my car and check for cracks yesterday and looking at proactive reinforcement rather than the retrospective job!
Will get subframe checked on the next service
Hi still hunting a mint low mileage M3 E46 vert but also thinking along the same lines.
Im also an oc worrier and intend to do some cross continental driving with the family and sundry baggage. Last thing I need is a Mr Bean car experience as I drive through Monaco...
Im also an oc worrier and intend to do some cross continental driving with the family and sundry baggage. Last thing I need is a Mr Bean car experience as I drive through Monaco...
Edited by Stingercut on Wednesday 18th January 15:32
Stingercut said:
Hi still hunting a mint low mileage M3 E46 vert but also thinking along the same lines.
Im also an oc worrier and intend to do some cross continental driving with the family and sundry baggage. Last thing I need is a Mr Bean car experience as I drive through Monaco...
I stand to be corrected but I dont think the subframe issue is problem on the vert.As for the other problems,I think the OP has just been very unlucky to have these problems with the car,esp at such low mileage.Im also an oc worrier and intend to do some cross continental driving with the family and sundry baggage. Last thing I need is a Mr Bean car experience as I drive through Monaco...
Edited by Stingercut on Wednesday 18th January 15:32
I wouldn't let these kind of stories put you off stinger.I have owned an E46 M3 vert for nearly 5 yrs now,78k on the clock with no serious issues whatsoever and it still drives like a new car.
Dont worry so much about low miles.I sometimes think a car that is used more often,providing the condition doesn't suffer is usually the better for it.
Edited by Nedzilla on Wednesday 18th January 16:13
Nedzilla said:
Stingercut said:
Hi still hunting a mint low mileage M3 E46 vert but also thinking along the same lines.
Im also an oc worrier and intend to do some cross continental driving with the family and sundry baggage. Last thing I need is a Mr Bean car experience as I drive through Monaco...
I stand to be corrected but I don't think the subframe issue is problem on the vert.As for the other problems,I think the OP has just been very unlucky to have these three major problems with the same car,esp. at such low mileage.Maybe the lack of use is the cause??Im also an oc worrier and intend to do some cross continental driving with the family and sundry baggage. Last thing I need is a Mr Bean car experience as I drive through Monaco...
Edited by Stingercut on Wednesday 18th January 15:32
I wouldn't let these kind of stories put you off stinger.I have owned an E46 M3 vert for nearly 5 yrs now,78k on the clock with no serious issues whatsoever and it still drives like a new car.
Dont worry so much about low miles.I sometimes think a car that is used more often,providing the condition doesn't suffer is usually the better for it.
Ive not had any problems at all - I am just stating that these are what I read about and I have slowly worked through and checked things out to make sure I wasn't suffering or about to suffer from any of them.
The strengthening is purely a proactive measure thats all.
For those that have asked then it's being done here www.e46subframerepair.com
They are based in the NW.
I'm sure they'd do a GB or something...
Ill report back when complete
They inspected mine for cracks by dropping the subframe a little and used a camera (borescope?) to check all around the points where the bolt goes through.
I'm having both sides done and its costing 350 iirc. Pittance for the piece of mind I'll get as this ones a long term keeper. Its actually cheaper than me going to buy all the resin, applicator and foam. No brainer and a courtesy car given as it takes 24hrs to cure
Edited by Pig Skill on Wednesday 18th January 19:14
Pig Skill said:
Nedzilla said:
Stingercut said:
Hi still hunting a mint low mileage M3 E46 vert but also thinking along the same lines.
Im also an oc worrier and intend to do some cross continental driving with the family and sundry baggage. Last thing I need is a Mr Bean car experience as I drive through Monaco...
I stand to be corrected but I don't think the subframe issue is problem on the vert.As for the other problems,I think the OP has just been very unlucky to have these three major problems with the same car,esp. at such low mileage.Maybe the lack of use is the cause??Im also an oc worrier and intend to do some cross continental driving with the family and sundry baggage. Last thing I need is a Mr Bean car experience as I drive through Monaco...
Edited by Stingercut on Wednesday 18th January 15:32
I wouldn't let these kind of stories put you off stinger.I have owned an E46 M3 vert for nearly 5 yrs now,78k on the clock with no serious issues whatsoever and it still drives like a new car.
Dont worry so much about low miles.I sometimes think a car that is used more often,providing the condition doesn't suffer is usually the better for it.
Ive not had any problems at all - I am just stating that these are what I read about and I have slowly worked through and checked things out to make sure I wasn't suffering or about to suffer from any of them.
The strengthening is purely a proactive measure thats all.
For those that have asked then it's being done here www.e46subframerepair.com. They are based in the NW.
I'm sure they'd do a GB or something...
Ill report back when complete
They inspected mine for cracks by dropping the subframe a little and used a camera (borescope?) to check all around the points where the bolt goes through.
I'm having both sides done and its costing 350 iirc. Pittance for the piece of mind I'll get as this ones a long term keeper. Its actually cheaper than me going to buy all the resin, applicator and foam. No brainer and a courtesy car given as it takes 24hrs to cure
Theres speculation the SMG cars suffer more due to the harsh gear change slamNedzilla
You make some good points. I always tend to over maintain my car as I can't bear things not working properly and have a phobia of breakdowns, so the M3 vert will be pampered during my ownership. However, when it's time for it to move on in a few years, the mileage must be acceptable to other fussy buyers, hence my low mileage requirement.
Pig Skill
Great find. I am sure I will do the same. I have read too many stories about subframe issues, including on verts. I appreciate the verts are strengthened a bit more than the coupe but it does no harm to preempt problems. BMW will only honour warranty repairs on a non modified car for 10years. Micro Stress fractures can be hard to detect and it's likely I will be purchasing a 6/7yr old M3.
You make some good points. I always tend to over maintain my car as I can't bear things not working properly and have a phobia of breakdowns, so the M3 vert will be pampered during my ownership. However, when it's time for it to move on in a few years, the mileage must be acceptable to other fussy buyers, hence my low mileage requirement.
Pig Skill
Great find. I am sure I will do the same. I have read too many stories about subframe issues, including on verts. I appreciate the verts are strengthened a bit more than the coupe but it does no harm to preempt problems. BMW will only honour warranty repairs on a non modified car for 10years. Micro Stress fractures can be hard to detect and it's likely I will be purchasing a 6/7yr old M3.
DMT84 said:
Had mine checked, 65k coupe. All perfectly fine. Was told by the bodyshop who checks them regularly its mainly the models like the 323 that have been affected. They've found hardly any problems with M3s but are aware of the scaremongering on internet forums.
This is the same as I was told by Birds when they gave mine (90k manual coupe) a clean bill of health.I've just been through this (see here http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Mine had the cracks, now fully repaired by BMW. For reference it's 2003 M3 SMG on ~45k. Seems to be pot luck whether it happens or not.. If your E46 is less than 10 years old get it checked regardless.
Mine had the cracks, now fully repaired by BMW. For reference it's 2003 M3 SMG on ~45k. Seems to be pot luck whether it happens or not.. If your E46 is less than 10 years old get it checked regardless.
You might want to take a look at this thread also, scary stuff.
http://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/showthread.php?t=454...
The worst thing is that this is clearly the panel suffering metal fatigue as it simply isn't strong enough by design. Seeing as fatigue is cumulative then it means they'll all do it eventually so actually the lucky ones are the ones that fail before the 10 year age limit.
http://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/showthread.php?t=454...
The worst thing is that this is clearly the panel suffering metal fatigue as it simply isn't strong enough by design. Seeing as fatigue is cumulative then it means they'll all do it eventually so actually the lucky ones are the ones that fail before the 10 year age limit.
Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff