BMW E46 M3 - How To INSPECT for Cracks and REINFORCE your Rear Subframe
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ต.ค. 2024
- Wile Motorsport in Walpole, MA shows us how to inspect for Cracks on an E46 M3 rear subframe, and how to install a reinforcement kit to prevent failures. We'll also show you what a completely failed floor looks like which required a full replacement.
www.wilemotors...
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Thanks to Wile Motorsport for the incredible work. Find them on their website www.wilemotorsport.com/ or instagram @wilemotorsport to service your BMW, Porsche, and Mini. Have you reinforced your subframe?
Dude I swear everyone and their mother’s mother are re-examining this chassis regardless of engine. I think we’ll start seeing loads more of these on this streets done up nicely.
Getting ready to do mine, and a VANOS rebuilt along with rod bearings... thanks for the vid.
Ooof! Sounds like a dear do! Im after buying a cabriolet next spring, excited but nervous at the same time
I agree. I love e46 M3. Which is why I will keep hunting for this. Thanks for sharing this-most will not ever see what this looks like. Thanks.
Really detailed video. It's really helpful to see all the spots from underneath with the hardware removed. Great vid!
Thanks nick! I wanted to show it both ways so people really understand how tricky it can be to spot small cracks when they just look under the car with a flashlight
im glad to see that someone does his job with a passion and correctly. Loved the video!
Had plates welded onto my rear subframe in addition to a mason bar installed in the trunk. Hope my car is good for a while. Great video!
Awesome exposé into this issue and how to repair it. I don't plan on buying an e46 m3 anytime soon, but this was very entertaining to watch!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I want them to look at my subframe! They seem very trustworthy
Fr I’d wanna drive there just to have them look at it if only more shops like this
Why tf did I get into e46 😂🤣 there’s so much big problems … anyone who is down to do all this work really has to love the car lol💯. My sub frame has no cracks 🙏 But I’m still doing this job
Wooow. The ultimate cracking machine! Good to know for sure.
Unreal right? It's a shame BMW let this go but fortunately there are things that can be done to help it live a bit longer.
Definitely. Props to the people who will do the work.
Best documented video I’ve seen on this issue...great and insightful. Tks!
Thanks kelvin!!
My floor is shot! The examples on the video were no where near my floor. Good thing my dad is a welder and I got the new floor from a friend for 1k for both pieces. Would normally run about 1600.
Underside plates aren't really enough, they just prevent localized cracking and the next weakest link are the spot welds. You really need to solve the root of the issue with a Vincebar, CMP, or equivalent, which adds an additional loadpath from the subframe to the chassis rail.
You just said it they prevent it ? Lol the other stuff helps reinforce it.
Welp can’t wait to spend the weekend with the car on jacks for a full bushing overhaul and see if it’s still salvageable.
Mid roll ad at 4:20.... you savage
Finding humor wherever I can get it this week...or till mid july? Yikes.
Better plates and a better welding process are available.
My 99 323ci also had cracks. It cost me a week of work. Rear axle also completely re-stored
God I hope mine isn't any worse than this at 133k . I rarely red line my car. Never launch or do donuts, (atleast for the 10yrs I've owned it). I bought the CMP Aussie kit that does the upper bar solution for both front and rear mount points, plus plates and taller subframe solid bushings to counter the plates with a lowered car. Just need to get the damn thing on a lift!
doing this on a 170k mile 2000 328i (5 speed). Previous owner tried to fix the rear driver's side mount, but ended up making it worse. Opted for the RMS kit instead.
What did they manage to do that made it worse? 😬
@@TR4G they welded parts of the crack, never prepped the area, and did not paint over their welds. 😩
There is also a structural foam that BMW recommends using in a technical bulletin. I feel like its underrated. It's an aerospace grade structural material that expands in the cavity shown in the video. Its hard to find nowadays though as the shelf life of the product is very low.
That was a solution offer if you subframe floor didn't crack yet. I would personally do it after welding reinforcement plates.
Evan is awesome!
I really like that mechanic, he has a really nice face, looks like his name is Adam.
Haha close!! Evan
Absolutely brilliant..
Stay safe and look out for your parents: we are in our 70s ourselves and makes a huge difference having others help us thru
Next level ! Subscribed!
Thanks!
Don’t grind off undercoating or paint. Grinding takes away metal and further weakens the panel. Use a wire brush on a drill.
Welding up my subframe today 😭 forgot to buy reinforcement plates and now im going to have to go back in another time to reinforce it… what a nightmare
How much was it?
Awesome shop!
My 325Ci has the exact same failure spots on the subframe with much less power than the M3 version
What year if you don’t mind me asking? Coupe or convertible?
great job
Nice video👌
after 5 years of ownership of a e46 platform i just discovered this common issue. the subframe is basically holding to nothing. I am getting rid of this car asap!
Hey is there anyone in California you recommend ? Also how much do you charge? Worst case scenario
inspecting rear cracks huh back malfunction welds
Great video thank you. I was wondering how much (ball park) is one expected to pay for a reinforcement as seen on the video. Just wanting to know what to expect when it's my turn. And also,what mods or maintenance procedures would you recommend doing while the subframe is out?
I believe $2k for reinforcement, $10k for floor replacement
What is causing these cracks? Is it the aftermarket suspension?
The rear subframe is mounted on a thinner sheet metal. That means it’s extremely prone to cracking due to the amount of stress and load that is directed towards those subframe mounting points as the car’s drives with its “suspension” moving up and down constantly.
So no, aftermarket suspension parts aren’t what’s responsible for this common occurring problem in the E36 and E46 platforms. Literally ALL E46 models suffer from this flaw and one of the best ways to resolve this inevitable problem is through welding in those subframe reinforcement kits and reinstalling the subframe from there.
Yeahhhhh idk if I want an e46 this bad...
I can guarantee mine is far worse than both of those examples. My whole floor disconnected to the mount and the it is squeaking and clunking really bad whenever I press in my clutch. I NEED to do a reinforcement job asap but I don't have a hoist in no one in town even wants to touch my car. I don't know what to do.
How thick is the metal kit?
I’m looking to get it done on my 2005 M3 Vert. What else should I do since everything is coming off? Anyone know a good shop in Tampa Bay Area?
How much for it?
I have a 328 do you think there could be cracks there too?
Yes
Too late for me, my 328i’s rear end fell off, thankfully I only paid $1500 for the car…
Earlier ones are worse than later. My 328ci started to crack but decided to sell and get a m240i
Like the look of e46 but wouldn't sell the m240i for one now no way!
Does anyone knows if the cracks in the subframe may cause the car pulling right or left while driving?professor answers only pls...
That’s probably going to be your rear trailing arm bushings. They fail and cause the vehicle to self-steer somewhat, quite unnerving if it gets bad enough.
@@Jmort93 thank you sir
Is this subframe cracks problem possible to found in convertible E46 m3 cars or only coupe?
All of them will have the issue
The only E46 chassis that doesn't crack is the compact. Every other cracks, but is more likely on pre facelift models with manual gearboxes.
The subframe floor is stronger on the convertible m3. If you're making high HP, I would suggest reinforcement for extra insurance.
BMW resolved the issue for most cars (excluding the M3) after march 2000. Still it is not impossible for cracks to occur in models built after that. Manuals are much more prone to this failure. A good method of preventing an e46 from cracking (again) is to install harder bearings in the rear axle carrier. This minimises possible tilting which usually weakens the subframe...
I’m sorry I was under the impression that there was crack in this video
gotta take out the drive train? jesus
there compact to tiny,crampt inside,0 comfort or space next to the passenger,facts...,dont hit a pickup truck/fullsize car etc = dead/totaled golf cart.....5/6/7/8 series only....bigger,more powerful,very comfy,safe,solid cars....
Don't install plates. It's a bandaid and a stupid idea. Actually reinforce the chassis with a structural reinforcement bar. Plates WILL NOT stop cracking. Depending on where it pushes the stress point off to, the new spots could be weaker than the original stress point. This is basic engineering.
Thanks BMW for ruining another beautiful car. 😅
So what you are saying is bmws are trash lol I have a 325i
💯
Too much work , not worth the hustle of hunting for an E46. I'm put off!!
The video has served its purpose 😂