Ever reused brace plate bolts?

[jet_dogg]

Lot of replies for some stupid ass bolts.

[oceansize]

Lot of replies for some stupid ass bolts.

There is a 100 page thread on floor mats...

Seriously though, this is what makes the forum great. No matter the question everyone wants to help.

[jet_dogg]

Lol I saw that.

[r4dr]

Or see if the bolts holding FCABs are much cheaper. Ssame bolt basically, but with washer instead of flange.

They're both ~$3 from BMW it looks like. I have no idea what the reasoning might be, but I'm guessing BMW had something in mind when they specced a flange bolt + washer in one and a regular bolt + washer in the other.

[r4dr]

Lot of replies for some stupid ass bolts.

Ask people about what oil they run.

[Tbonem3]

Already did To get it outta the way ya know

[Obioban]

They're both ~$3 from BMW it looks like. I have no idea what the reasoning might be, but I'm guessing BMW had something in mind when they specced a flange bolt + washer in one and a regular bolt + washer in the other.

… not to mention that they specified that they should be replaced after every use.

[yhp2009]

Ask people about what oil they run.

Why whats wrong with that?

[jet_dogg]

Ask people about what oil they run.

I'm not falling for that one, bro.

The eternal debate.

[Icecream]

… not to mention that they specified that they should be replaced after every use.

Yeah, pretty black and white. If you torque them down the way they are supposed to be torqued down, get new ones.

[Syfon]

I'd always reused my bolts over 6+ years of ownership, and I suspect the previous owner never replaced them. I did, however, replace them recently and torqued to spec when installing (simply because I replaced everything else while rebuilding the engine lol)

TBH I've never replaced them on any of my other E46's.

Never torqued them on any other E46's too; always just rattled them on aha

[Arith2]

So when you impact, what torque spec are you using?

Well my impact is rated for 650 ft lbs so probably in the ballpark of 650. I forgot to mention I give it the ole breaker bar check. If it moves, it wasn't tight enough. How's that for rigidity? The car could be hit by a semi and that plate isn't coming off.

[old///MFanatic]

the thrust plate was listed as one of the main reasons the M3 chassis is 50% more rigid than the non M e46 coupe.

Yeah one document does lists thrust plate as a basis for the improvement in “front suspension” (along with using the convertible Front subframe). Yet another spec document doesn’t list it at all as changes done to the E46 M3 chassis that increase it’s rigidity over non-M coupe. They state the use of additional gusset plates & weld points, modifications to side frame structures, wheel arches, reinforced C-pillar...

There’s basically like two improved attachment points at control arm’s balljoints bottom and CAB popsicle on the E46 M3 plate from the E46 non-M Coupe plate. Knowing that, it is kinda hard to reason the plate is a major factor to increase E46 M3’s overall chassis rigidity 50% imho.

[Toby22]

Lol I’m not replacing mine after every removal. Had originals removed many times since 2010. Held up fine for me.

[SandeepM3]

If you're torquing them to spec (with the 90 deg), you should replace them. If you're just impacting them on, no need.

I think it's absolutely worth torquing them to spec, as the thrust plate was listed as one of the main reasons the M3 chassis is 50% more rigid than the non M e46 coupe.

It's odd that attaining the specific chassis stiffness can be attributed to using the exact proper torque spec for the bolts on the reinforcement plate yet we can attribute the same chassis stiffness between an e46 coupe with no fold-down seats and an M3 with a CF plate epoxied on. Seems like a different standard is being used.