That's very true John. It's quite thin in comparison to how they did it on an E36 for example. They used 2 separate RACP's to distribute the load into different/separate parts of the chassis whilst still keeping it 1.2mm It's true that if they'd have used thicker material it would have been less likely to crack on a worldwide scale. However, I think we'd still see some issues even with 1.5, or 1.7mm for example. No way they'd be able to us 2.0mm as the panel is already 21.3kgs which would have turned out to be some 35.5kgs. Shame the entire designed was flawed (or some might say 'floored') with a combo of poor decisions.
Really wish you guys had a location in the USA.. I'd drive anywhere in the country to get the extraordinary attention to detail of work you perform on the E46 M3!
Hi Fiat Lux, thanks so much for that vote of confidence - it's great to hear people are enjoying our content even in different countries! We wish we could cater for everyone too - it's surprising how many people in the USA tell us they want us to carry out their work. Maybe one day....... who knows...... Thanks again for your comment. Please consider Subscribing to our channel!
I’m getting ready to do this job. On my e46 m3. I was wondering if you could pls let me know the best seam sealer to use as well. As I’m very confused do I need epoxy primer and weld through primer ? A quick list of paints primers and seam sealer would help me out a lot. Thank you 🙏
Hello Redish Motorspotr, what is the sprayable seamsealler that you are using for the finish coating of the uderside? I am considering to spray polyurethane on my e46 330i underside, but your finish looks really decent!
Would you consider a rear strut brace linked to the rear subframe bolts and strut towers beneficial in slowing or preventing RACP fractures? I live in Australia and there is no one able to do reinforcing to your standard in my locality,I have ordered the puretech/sweden brace which looks well made. The local BMW dealer seems to ignore small fractures and then replace the whole RACP which is the same as the original with very little additional strengthening and would most likely fail in the same way after several years use.
Hi Alan, Thanks for the kind words. Yes a RACP Brace is a good idea. Could be a little over the top - but that depends on your usage. It certainly won't harm the RACP and will only add strength. We've made Redish Motorsport in house ones for years now for cars on site in our workshops, as well as install SME and PureTech - who both offer great RACP Braces. Yes, the BMW official route for any crack longer than 20mm is to replace the entire RACP for a new one (still available currently in 2020 at approx £1,050 GBP - parts only). Please consider subscribing to our channel too!
Amazing attention to detail. At what point would it make sense to replace the RACP with a new one? They don't appear to be super expensive (approximately $1300 new in the US). Though, I assume the installation process is tricky.
Hi Rauly, there's some further info on our website - including HOW TO videos which might help you: www.redish-motorsport.com/BMWE46M3SubframeRACPCheckReport.html Please consider subscribing to our channel too!
@@RedishMotorsportbmw just did thanks for all the good info but sadly I don't have access to the tools u have in the video so it going to be very difficult for me to check properly thanks for the info none the less great channel
@@RedishMotorsportbmw im actually suprised you only charge 2 grand for such a high standard of work lol. I did one myself years ago, took me a good few days. I recall doing something in the boot floor too. Nightmare 😡.
Good tunes as always, bit of Lemonjelly there. The attention to detail always impresses me. Seems a shame putting all the scabby looking bits back on but painting them is trivial I guess compared to the body.
Less often after march 2000, nonetheless the 330d has a great amount of torque - if also a manual, often used for towing, I would be rather pessimistic...
Hi Josepino, yes the E46 Battery area (outside) is a real problem due to that rust-trapping bracket. If it's an M3 model then you can remove the bracket and leave it off as it's only needed on 316i-330i for example. If it's rust inside the Battery area (inside the boot/trunk) then you probably have a battery acid or battery vapour leak which is causing the paint to come off. Either way, we have lots of Battery rust content in our E46 videos on our TH-cam channel. Take a look for some help. Please consider subscribing to our channel too!
Sure no worries. As John has said above. Here's the link to our site which shows prices: www.redish-motorsport.com/E46M3RACPUndersideRepairReinforcement.html Please consider subscribing to our channel too!
Thanks for the info Gazza. We've recently purchased a new camera rig with lighting and broadcast quality mic - so future videos shouldn't pick up background noise/music.
Amazing work as always! Should be a benchmark on how to properly repair these cars.
Redish are the RACP benchmark.
Thanks very much for the kind words Dr Jay
Thanks John - appreciate it!
I still find it incredible that BMW thought that a 1.2mm box section was enough to contain 338BHP.
That's very true John. It's quite thin in comparison to how they did it on an E36 for example.
They used 2 separate RACP's to distribute the load into different/separate parts of the chassis whilst still keeping it 1.2mm
It's true that if they'd have used thicker material it would have been less likely to crack on a worldwide scale.
However, I think we'd still see some issues even with 1.5, or 1.7mm for example. No way they'd be able to us 2.0mm as the panel is already 21.3kgs which would have turned out to be some 35.5kgs.
Shame the entire designed was flawed (or some might say 'floored') with a combo of poor decisions.
wow you guys are so thorough with your work and it's obvious you put 100% into every job
I'm defo travelling down to see you to sort my e46!!
Really wish you guys had a location in the USA.. I'd drive anywhere in the country to get the extraordinary attention to detail of work you perform on the E46 M3!
Hi Fiat Lux, thanks so much for that vote of confidence - it's great to hear people are enjoying our content even in different countries!
We wish we could cater for everyone too - it's surprising how many people in the USA tell us they want us to carry out their work.
Maybe one day....... who knows......
Thanks again for your comment.
Please consider Subscribing to our channel!
I’m getting ready to do this job. On my e46 m3. I was wondering if you could pls let me know the best seam sealer to use as well. As I’m very confused do I need epoxy primer and weld through primer ? A quick list of paints primers and seam sealer would help me out a lot. Thank you 🙏
Surgery work !! 👌🏻 so Well done
Thank you Mohamed
i wonder what the engineers originally speced for subframe mounts? did penny pinchers suggest 1.2mm steel?
What's the difference, or reason for using, sprayable seam sealer over underseal ? Isn't seam sealer just for small application along seams ?
Hello Redish Motorspotr, what is the sprayable seamsealler that you are using for the finish coating of the uderside? I am considering to spray polyurethane on my e46 330i underside, but your finish looks really decent!
Would you consider a rear strut brace linked to the rear subframe bolts and strut towers beneficial in slowing or preventing RACP fractures? I live in Australia and there is no one able to do reinforcing to your standard in my locality,I have ordered the puretech/sweden brace which looks well made. The local BMW dealer seems to ignore small fractures and then replace the whole RACP which is the same as the original with very little additional strengthening and would most likely fail in the same way after several years use.
Hi Alan, Thanks for the kind words. Yes a RACP Brace is a good idea. Could be a little over the top - but that depends on your usage. It certainly won't harm the RACP and will only add strength.
We've made Redish Motorsport in house ones for years now for cars on site in our workshops, as well as install SME and PureTech - who both offer great RACP Braces.
Yes, the BMW official route for any crack longer than 20mm is to replace the entire RACP for a new one (still available currently in 2020 at approx £1,050 GBP - parts only).
Please consider subscribing to our channel too!
@@RedishMotorsportbmw I would have preferred to keep it original and not looking as if it is a track car but the paranoia is just too much!
Amazing attention to detail. At what point would it make sense to replace the RACP with a new one? They don't appear to be super expensive (approximately $1300 new in the US). Though, I assume the installation process is tricky.
Great work as always
im trying to get one of these is there any way u can spot this with out take the rear sub frame out ???
Hi Rauly, there's some further info on our website - including HOW TO videos which might help you:
www.redish-motorsport.com/BMWE46M3SubframeRACPCheckReport.html
Please consider subscribing to our channel too!
@@RedishMotorsportbmw just did thanks for all the good info but sadly I don't have access to the tools u have in the video so it going to be very difficult for me to check properly thanks for the info none the less great channel
Best one ive seen
Thanks Dan.
Please consider subscribing to our channel too!
@@RedishMotorsportbmw im actually suprised you only charge 2 grand for such a high standard of work lol.
I did one myself years ago, took me a good few days. I recall doing something in the boot floor too. Nightmare 😡.
Good tunes as always, bit of Lemonjelly there. The attention to detail always impresses me. Seems a shame putting all the scabby looking bits back on but painting them is trivial I guess compared to the body.
Hello , nice job ! Does the 330d e46 (184-204ch ) have the same problem ?
Less often after march 2000, nonetheless the 330d has a great amount of torque - if also a manual, often used for towing, I would be rather pessimistic...
How much does something like this cost
Mate, I have seen that you installed many Ohlins DFV on e46 M3. I'm torn between Ohlins and KW V3. Could you give your input?
How come my battery space is rusted on the floor. I took out the battery and I saw a nightmare
The battery tray is a common place for bmws to rust since the beggining of times
Hi Josepino, yes the E46 Battery area (outside) is a real problem due to that rust-trapping bracket. If it's an M3 model then you can remove the bracket and leave it off as it's only needed on 316i-330i for example.
If it's rust inside the Battery area (inside the boot/trunk) then you probably have a battery acid or battery vapour leak which is causing the paint to come off.
Either way, we have lots of Battery rust content in our E46 videos on our TH-cam channel. Take a look for some help.
Please consider subscribing to our channel too!
Too nice of a work just to put back all the rusty rear axle components on again ☹️
Thanks for the kind words. Yeah some owners go for lots of additional work, and some don't need so much.
Please consider Subscribing to our channel!
Redish Motorsport love your work if you were in US, I’d definitely take my e46 m3 with you guys for underside restoration and cracks repair
Can i get a quote on a job like this?
www.redish-motorsport.com/E46M3RACPUndersideRepairReinforcement.html £2k
Sure no worries. As John has said above.
Here's the link to our site which shows prices:
www.redish-motorsport.com/E46M3RACPUndersideRepairReinforcement.html
Please consider subscribing to our channel too!
The bass in the background is off putting.
Thanks for the info Gazza. We've recently purchased a new camera rig with lighting and broadcast quality mic - so future videos shouldn't pick up background noise/music.
I can't believe the existing corroded suspension parts were not cleaned and restored! What a shame.