Subframe Cracks: what else to get done?

[Heisenburg]

Hello all,

Just wondering what other parts to consider replacing while the rear axel is off the car, and hopefully save on some labour.

I'm currently looking at becoming part of the club (if you will have me of course haha :notworthy, and soon to seal the deal on one CSL I've had my eye on for a while. Just getting geared up now for potential works. It has done 33k miles.

Had my current M3 (e46 standard) repaired last year at Elms, so I realise that this is a good opportunity to get as much done as possible.

Cheers

[Bounce]

Hello all,

Just wondering what other parts to consider replacing while the rear axel is off the car, and hopefully save on some labour.

I'm currently looking at becoming part of the club (if you will have me of course haha :notworthy, and soon to seal the deal on one CSL I've had my eye on for a while. Just getting geared up now for potential works. It has done 33k miles.

Had my current M3 (e46 standard) repaired last year at Elms, so I realise that this is a good opportunity to get as much done as possible.

Cheers

welcome to the register.I had the Rear trailing arm bushes changed and a couple of seals on the diff,Elms did this at a very reasonable price while it was on the workshop floor.:-D

[CraigMillwardCroft]

Welcome to the mad house, just ask Gareth what he thinks needs doing, he may even know the car :thumbs:

[Portlandgrey]

I had new oem RTAB's & turner limiter kit fitted, all diff carrier bushes replaced, goodridge hoses allround & all new heatshields throughout.

[shimmy]

I had a new diff fitted, apparently old one was a bit knackered.

[philo_csl]

Don't think my floor/subrframe was ever done,should I be worried?
Has never been on track mostly motorway miles almost 90 k now

Car hasn't got warranty but full service history (bmw) is this covered ? Or you pay yourself.

What's best way procedure ,did check when bought car and all looked fine,any info would be appreciated

[Portlandgrey]

This was mine:


You need to drop the diff carrier to have a good look & remove the underseal (& shit).

The car should be covered by BMW if:

1) Its less than 10 years old
2) is not modified (this may depend on your dealer)
3) has covered less than 100k miles

[philo_csl]

What's best alternative ,I see someone In here got some welding etc done and some epoxy chemical??

I think it was a specialist at this,what's best way of doing job better,do bmw just put new floor in?

[Heisenburg]

Cheers for the replies and welcomes. :thumbs:

RTABs seem to be the main culprits alright. Will look into the diff seals and bushes. Anyone got any more recommendations?

just ask Gareth what he thinks needs doing, he may even know the car :thumbs:

Gareth is a top bloke; he has done all my work on my current car. But doubt he will be able help as the car will go to one of their bodyshops and he won't see it when it's all apart. Doubt he knows the car either as it's Irish...I'm looking to import. Might get him to have a look before it goes in.

I had new oem RTAB's & turner limiter kit fitted, all diff carrier bushes replaced, goodridge hoses allround & all new heatshields throughout.

The Turner limiter kit look like a good mod. How do you find it? Also, why the heatsheilds?

I had a new diff fitted, apparently old one was a bit knackered.

Hello again Shimmy...hoping I don't need this just yet, fingers crossed though.

[deanobeano]

Philo, the alternative is Reddish Motorsport

http://www.redish-motorsport.com/E46M3FloorSubframeCrackRepairReinforcement.html

Sure someone on here has had it done. Or search for them on cutters for reviews etc.

[Heisenburg]

What's best alternative ,I see someone In here got some welding etc done and some epoxy chemical??

I think it was a specialist at this,what's best way of doing job better,do bmw just put new floor in?

There is an extensive thread here of this issue with the E46 M3 generally and alot of peoples experiences are posted (quite a few different storys; many sucesses, some not so).

http://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/showthread.php?t=21572

For an alternative other than BMW route, I believe Reddish Motorsport do a decent job for about a grand.

[Bounce]

Cheers for the replies and welcomes. :thumbs:

RTABs seem to be the main culprits alright. Will look into the diff seals and bushes. Anyone got any more recommendations?



Gareth is a top bloke; he has done all my work on my current car. But doubt he will be able help as the car will go to one of their bodyshops and he won't see it when it's all apart. Doubt he knows the car either as it's Irish...I'm looking to import. Might get him to have a look before it goes in.



The Turner limiter kit look like a good mod. How do you find it? Also, why the heatsheilds?



Hello again Shimmy...hoping I don't need this just yet, fingers crossed though.

Deffo go for the Limiter kit,you can get them from Simpson Motor sport,probably the cheapest and best mod of them all.

[spoonz]

Don't think my floor/subrframe was ever done,should I be worried?
Has never been on track mostly motorway miles almost 90 k now

Car hasn't got warranty but full service history (bmw) is this covered ? Or you pay yourself.

What's best way procedure ,did check when bought car and all looked fine,any info would be appreciated

Mines 100k+ and been inspected independently twice and nothing found. I've put a grand aside to have Reddish sort if/when it does cause an issue. I'll have it checked again in 10k miles.

[LeinsCSL]

Mine was done as a preventative measure (no cracks found) by MProve near Warrington - plates, epoxy resin injection on both sides, new subframe bushings, etc. Would definitely recommend the guys there, and they've done a good few CSLs

[philo_csl]

Philo, the alternative is Reddish Motorsport

http://www.redish-motorsport.com/E46M3FloorSubframeCrackRepairReinforcement.html

Sure someone on here has had it done. Or search for them on cutters for reviews etc.

That looks great job,what type of cost from them?