Front subframe cross member with stop-buffer

[sapote]

The E46 M3 doesn't have this but all Z4 S54 and and other non-M cars all have this part.
Interesting that only the left side has the buffer, and I believe it's to prevent the oil pan from hitting the subframe moving forward during hard braking. Wonder why our M3 don't have this piece.

I'm removing the 325i transmission to swap out the torque converter, and I think the tranny/engine can be tilted down further (to acess the tranny top bolts) with this buffer removed.

Btw, I should ask this question on E46fanatics but I was banned due to giving too much information in helping a guy with the weird problem after SMG to 6sp conversion: reverse lights turned on when he stepped on the clutch. Someone told him to connect the reverse switch 2 wires to the reverse relay pin2 and 6, which means bypassing the relay. I told him to connect the wires to the relay input and use the relay instead of bypassing it. But later realized the SMG didn't have the relay and told him so. Admin deleted my posts and banned me for one week 🙄
Post number 8 of this thread:
https://www.e46fanatics.com/threads/...-swap.1321684/

[nextelbuddy]

I'm using 325 subframe with my S54 swap and I have that buffer..I tilted my S54 all the way back when doing the gps sensor change and my engine didn't seem affected by that buffer when tilting back/down

[sapote]

I'm using 325 subframe with my S54 swap and I have that buffer..I tilted my S54 all the way back when doing the gps sensor change and my engine didn't seem affected by that buffer when tilting back/down

It's good to know. Btw, the same subframe cross member is used for all E46 non-M and M cars, except some don't have the stop buffer.