Subframe floor cracked NO goodwill warranty

[stevenEK9]

what is the extent of the damage out of interest? any pics?

[shane@mbtech]

Plating the car does not fix the problem, instead the cracks form around the plates. Tom (from New Zealand) did a very detailed explanation of why this occurs. It is better to go down the BMW strengthening route with the foam injection (which is what BMW do when they replace the floor section). This attempts to prevent the sawing motion that causes the cracks, where the plating just moves the issue from the holes to the edge of the plating.

There are some horrific photos available if you do a search of how the plated cars then crack even worse (but you can see these haven't been foam filled as well, so maybe plating and foam filling is the best course of action).

This is exactly what I'm doing mike. Plate and foam

[rstoughy]

This is exactly what I'm doing mike. Plate and foam

You tying in the cage as well Shane?

[Monkey]

Ok, thanks for that! :beer:

Has anyone used the Redish Motorsport one?

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

It looks good but I'd love to hear some reports from owners down the line.

We use the Reddish motorsport kit at the moment. Its decent, thick guage steel, lazer cut and very uniform. The first one I did, I used the Turner Motorsport kit, and it short it wasn't a patch on the Reddish kit.

We've done several cars now, the last 3 we have bought the foam injection kit from BMW. This is why there is now an increase in the cost of the repair, as the 2 different tubes of foam are bloody expensive!

As we're starting to do more and more we'll get our own kit made up I'm sure. I think it's too early to tell if there are issues with the plating with the foam injection. It'll be some time before we get any feedback from those.

[shane@mbtech]

You tying in the cage as well Shane?

Yes getting cage welded through floor too.

[patphnx]

We use the Reddish motorsport kit at the moment. Its decent, thick guage steel, lazer cut and very uniform. The first one I did, I used the Turner Motorsport kit, and it short it wasn't a patch on the Reddish kit.

We've done several cars now, the last 3 we have bought the foam injection kit from BMW. This is why there is now an increase in the cost of the repair, as the 2 different tubes of foam are bloody expensive!

As we're starting to do more and more we'll get our own kit made up I'm sure. I think it's too early to tell if there are issues with the plating with the foam injection. It'll be some time before we get any feedback from those.

Thanks for this. Any chance you could post (or PM me if you prefer) a total cost for the whole procedure?

[pinkpanther008]

Epoxy Foam

The only issue i had with the foam injection after BMW subframe repair was the intoxicating smell and the fumes. They seemed to also react with the Alcantara covering on my wheel as the adhesive seems to have come thru and leaves the wheel feeling a touch tacky?? Strange i know! Dont know if anybody else had experience of this?

[alexk]

Thats extremely strange.
Did the car not sit for 24+ hours at the dealer and with the boot opened ?

It should even sit in the lift so as there is no stress from the suspension

[J2LTB]

Pm'ed you my repair details

[rs4steve]

Hi there,
I bought my car December 14th 2013, I took mine for an inspection the very last day of its 10 year warranty 30th December 2013, it was found a 30mm long crack, it was refused twice by Bmw uk on goodwill, I then wrote a letter to Bmw Munich where it was granted and that they would cover 100% parts and labour, I have just picked the car up this week,
I think that I am exceptionally lucky to have had this sorted!

[shimmy]

Hi there,
I bought my car December 14th 2013, I took mine for an inspection the very last day of its 10 year warranty 30th December 2013, it was found a 30mm long crack, it was refused twice by Bmw uk on goodwill, I then wrote a letter to Bmw Munich where it was granted and that they would cover 100% parts and labour, I have just picked the car up this week,
I think that I am exceptionally lucky to have had this sorted!

Bloody result, well done.

[leaded]

Hi there,
I bought my car December 14th 2013, I took mine for an inspection the very last day of its 10 year warranty 30th December 2013, it was found a 30mm long crack, it was refused twice by Bmw uk on goodwill, I then wrote a letter to Bmw Munich where it was granted and that they would cover 100% parts and labour, I have just picked the car up this week,
I think that I am exceptionally lucky to have had this sorted!

Nice work, who did you address it too? Will do both, one to BMW UK and one to Munich.

[pinkpanther008]

Epoxy Foam

Thats extremely strange.
Did the car not sit for 24+ hours at the dealer and with the boot opened ?

It should even sit in the lift so as there is no stress from the suspension

Yep, i have even left the boot/doors open for a few days to exhasut fumes but it still is intoxicating....epoxy is always like this when ive used it before. Nasty stuff indeed! My S'wheel needs a wheel re-trim so maybe its about time i got this done!

PP

[Neil M]

I agree with you Neil, but they state that it only applies to models until 2001 or 2002 according to the TIS.

The memo is headed BMW TIS SI Fractures on rear axle support E46

It states "Manufacturing period: Start of series production until 2002" which is probable what they are referring to.
However bearing in mind when the memos were originally circulated in 2003, they are hardly likely to to state to the end of E46 production.
The problem didn't go away in 2002, it continued along with E46 production to the end.

[Fasteddie]

Just had mine inspected by the local BMW dealer, 7 days before its 10th birthday, all clear. I take it if the problem was there it would be fairly evident? ie, no chance of them missing something??