I’ve got a few answers from a couple people, but I need someone who really knows for sure what I can and cant do.
I brought the m3 to keeler 2 weeks ago to get the oil filter seal replaced and told them to check out the car at the same time.
They told me one of the control arms was bent which it was an since fixed, the rear pinion seal leaking which is was and was fixed and they said that the rear subframe mount was cracked and the estimated cost was $6-8,000 to fix.
I brought it Capital cities today and they VERY thoroughly check out the car down to the discoloration in my side view mirrors lol… They said there is absolutely no rear subframe damage ANYWHERE on the car what so ever!!!
I have both diagnostics in writing.
This is the second time keeler has tried to fuck me, the first they got away with… they said my 07 530 needed thrust arm bushings, replaced the thrust arm bushings and car made same noise they diagnosed as thrust arm bushings… a tech came outside, tightened the bolts on my strut bar and the noise went away… Wouldnt remburse me, told me “they would have had to be replaced soon anyway”
What year M3? They can suffer from the chassis cracking where the subframe mounts, not the subframe itself. It sounds like there is some confusion there…
no man, your like the 5th person who said this, I know all about the rear subframe mounts being the problem and this is NOT the case… the subframe mounts ARE intact and in perfect condition.
In all honesty, if there isnt anything I can see, it doesnt mean it might not be a problem later on. OR that the bushings and other shit could be in the way, blocking your line of sight and its starting to crack under that. If you plan on keeping it for some time, it might still be worth dropping the frame, gussetting it in the known problem spots and on the unibody spots where the E36’s pull through too and not worrying about it after that. Even if you dont plan on keeping it a while, thats a VERY good selling point when it comes to offloading the car for the next whip.
thats really not my problem though, my problem is Keeler telling me it needs fixing and is unsafe to drive NOW, NOT “oh these rear subframe mounts crack all the time on this, you might want to reinforce it soon”
no, they flat out told me, its cracked NOW, unsafe to drive NOW and will cost $6-8,000 to fix and do I want to go ahead and do it NOW
E46 330ci and 325ci have known rear sub frame issues. The issues seem to stop after '02.
EDIT: My bad, Didn’t realize OP was aware until I re-read.
I’m sure you/everyone knew that though…just sayin’.
The list compiled on E46fanatics definitely has m3’s mixed in as well.
There is a relatively cheap fix if the subframe is cracked. As long as it didn’t pull totally off the mount. I can’t remember who makes the “kit”, but it has gotten GREAT reviews.
Why didn’t you ask Keeler to show it to you. If it is that dangerous and undriveable, they should have let you see it.
When Toyota did the frame rot recall a few years ago, they wouldn’t let me drive the truck home for liability reasons.
take my advice for what you will but you can contact the dept of motor vehicles and report “unethical business practices”. this is what got saratoga nissan raided by the FBI over the summer looking for billing discrepencies. it all matters how far you want to take it.
Dave have you had a second opinion look into this yet? This is a common issue but there are ways to properly fix this that do not cost 6-8K by far. If you want a second set of eyes on this that has dealt with it before just let me know.
Also, that rear valance part if finally on its way here from a different seller. My apologies that it’s taken this long to get one of the CSL pieces in. First time I’ve dealt with a shit seller on evilbay. As soon as it’s here I’ll swing by your store and we’ll discuss the day/time to swap it out.
My E46 323i had the chassis come apart where the sub-frame mounts to it. It was covered under the recall… It was incredibly obvious though. There was a straight up tear in the steel on the chassis of the car originating from where the sub-frame mount was.