BMW Sub-frame Defect Class Action Lawsuit

[Thorney]

Allow for a bit of labour for an inspection, we have to drop down the diff to really get a look.

[Dan_csl]

Didn't scrape away any underseal but it wasn't just me with a torch on the driveway lol it was up on my Dad's MOT ramps and given a thorough inspection as far as we could without starting to remove things.

I understand what you guys are getting at though, fingers crossed it'll be ok but I'll keep an eye on things for sure!

[shimmy]

i saw a couple recently up on ramps and they had the start of the problem in places i never would have found......

if left longer the repairs can be a lot harder and more £££ to put right

if you go near Thorneys or Simpsons etc i recommend getting it checked out

[_Nathan_]

And to be honest once you've dropped the rear subframe to inspect you may as well fix it there and then, especially if you've got after market suspension \ bushes which in many cases would have to be removed before attempting a warranty claim as many dealers will just blame it on AM parts.

If you factor in the cost of removing AM parts, putting back OEM parts, Geo then putting the AM parts back and re-geo you may as well just get Simpsons, Thorney, Geoff Steel, BMSport etc etc to fix it if it is found during inspection, got to be easier than fighting for a warranty claim that may never happen.

[Dan_csl]

i saw a couple recently up on ramps and they had the start of the problem in places i never would have found......

if left longer the repairs can be a lot harder and more £££ to put right

if you go near Thorneys or Simpsons etc i recommend getting it checked out

To be honest my M3 is pretty much good as sold mate, I'll be checking the CSL with a fine tooth comb though and wouldn't have a problem with taking it to either of the above if it had an issue dependent on where they are based

[Thorney]

And to be honest once you've dropped the rear subframe to inspect you may as well fix it there and then, especially if you've got after market suspension \ bushes which in many cases would have to be removed before attempting a warranty claim as many dealers will just blame it on AM parts.

If you factor in the cost of removing AM parts, putting back OEM parts, Geo then putting the AM parts back and re-geo you may as well just get Simpsons, Thorney, Geoff Steel, BMSport etc etc to fix it if it is found during inspection, got to be easier than fighting for a warranty claim that may never happen.

Tis fair point.

[thegingerninja]

This might explain a strange clonk that I sometimes get from the rear of the car. I have been able to recreate the sound by reversing into driveway on full lock one way, then driving back out on full lock the other way (as if turning around to drive off in the opposite direction). It is definately not the diff because the sound certainly travels through the shell / suspension. Where abouts should I be looking for failures in the subframe?

[_Nathan_]

Failures aren't in the sub frame but the chassis where the sub frame is mounted, from memory Steve Gill put up some pictures of his failure, worth looking at them.

You may be able to see a crease in the boot floor above the mount as Shimmy said or you may not, my car looked fine until the subframe was dropped but once under it you could see a crack.

[shimmy]

This might explain a strange clonk that I sometimes get from the rear of the car. I have been able to recreate the sound by reversing into driveway on full lock one way, then driving back out on full lock the other way (as if turning around to drive off in the opposite direction). It is definately not the diff because the sound certainly travels through the shell / suspension. Where abouts should I be looking for failures in the subframe?

the 'golf ball in the boot' noise i think if memory serves me well is the rear top mounts?

[DuncanR]

Gingerninja, check the height of the little thingy in the middle of the driveway that you hold the gates shut with mate !!!:hahaha:

[DuncanR]

Thorney, looks my list is growing ever longer mate :bigcry: !!
See you on the morrow as agreed.

[AlexGTT]

Steve's original thread here with lots of useful photo's and detail info on repair:

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/csl-register/csl-register-main-discussion-centre/380183-csl-bodyshell-stress-crack-warning

[The Gorilla]

Hi,

Turners have been selling this
kit for several years now.

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=TDR4675412

Its more common in Cabrio's than Coupes
but can really tear up the underside of the
boot floor, once it starts.

Very poor original BMW design.

Shows how much 'M' cars have become
pure bolt on.

Regards,

The Gorilla.

[NZ_M3]

Its more common in Cabrio's than Coupes
but can really tear up the underside of the
boot floor, once it starts.

Very poor original BMW design.

Shows how much 'M' cars have become
pure bolt on.

Sorry Gorilla, but I don't think you are right - this NEVER happens to Cabs - as far as the US reporting is concerned it has never happened (not that I am aware of anyway)

Edit - just checked the part numbers ... part 41 11 7 000 246 (item 16 above - rear axle support - Part 1 and part 16 actually refers to the same part, except 16 is the original part number and 1 is the new repaired part part number - confused yet?) is shared throughout the whole E46 chassis - be it a M or a 316i .. and even on the 4WD versions.

Edit again - just figured this out ...
I was right originally - this DOESN'T happen to the Cabrios - as far as I know it has never been reported on a Cab. This ONLY happens to Coupe, sedans, tourings, 4wd - not the Cabs. The Cabs had a different rear axle support floor from the get go - they were stronger!!

The old production E46 chassis used rear axle support part number 41 00 7 030 266 - this was discontinued and this part was never used on the Cabrio version of the E46 chassis - the Cabrio versions always had part number 41 11 7 000 246 as its rear axle support.

check the part numbers it's all there - these rear axle supports were phased in either as a repair part or quite late in the production (I believe sometime in 2006 - I have to check.)

[The Gorilla]

Hi,

I think if you dig around enough you will
Find Cabrio owners with this problem.

https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97056

Regards,

The Gorilla.