Subframe Elms

[shimmy]

Firstly subframe repairs in uk are Goodwill

Secondly it is registration date and not manufacture date that matters

[portlandgrey]

Originally Posted by Neil M

I'm not sure that BMW are legitimately entitled to discriminate on a point of when the car was registered as it has not bearing on 'fit for purpose'
As we all know, all CSL were manufactured in 03 and none in 04, therefore in legal terms a manufacturers warranty (in whatever guise) should run from the date of manufacture and not registration.

The basis of the US E46 case was that the sub frame cracks occurred due to an inherent design flaw, which was upheld. The CSL was constructed knowing that the boot floor was susceptible to deformation under strain and yet instead or reinforcing it to take account of the performance characteristics of the car, they went in the opposite direction and introduced composite materials which can only contribute to what was already known to be their Achilles heel.

I rest my case!

In what way did BMW use composite materials that would have any bearing on the rear floorpan cracks/failure?

[cps]

Originally Posted by Neil M

I'm not sure that BMW are legitimately entitled to discriminate on a point of when the car was registered as it has not bearing on 'fit for purpose'
As we all know, all CSL were manufactured in 03 and none in 04, therefore in legal terms a manufacturers warranty (in whatever guise) should run from the date of manufacture and not registration.

The basis of the US E46 case was that the sub frame cracks occurred due to an inherent design flaw, which was upheld. The CSL was constructed knowing that the boot floor was susceptible to deformation under strain and yet instead or reinforcing it to take account of the performance characteristics of the car, they went in the opposite direction and introduced composite materials which can only contribute to what was already known to be their Achilles heel.

I rest my case!

mmm, interesting so has there been much discusion with the more experienced owners on how repairs and fixing might be dealt with in the future? if i can afford it i'd like to keep one till i can't drive.. will we be 3d printing a subframe in 10 years, has anyone bought a subframe part do we know, and can you buy them? i saw some work by a company in bristol. and is there a crytalised view on using the epoxy as a good or bad thing? all questions from the new boy...

[portlandgrey]

Originally Posted by shimmy

Firstly subframe repairs in uk are Goodwill

Secondly it is registration date and not manufacture date that matters

Shim is spot on, the repair is under BMW's goodwill, not the anti- corrosion warranty or any extended warranty you may have (though i suspect this helps).

There is talk on the cutters forum that some dealers are now stating the entire repair must be completed before the 10th anniversary, rather than just having the issue disgnosed before the 10 years are up.

Maybe BMW taking a harder line with the claims?

[deanobeano]

Update on this today.

My November 2003 car was booked in for Elms Bedford for January 2014.

Had a call from the bodyshop department stating that BMW were insisting that all repairs had to be performed whilst the car was still under warranty.

As a result of this, Elms were putting together a 'special department' to expedite repairs.

The result of this is my car is now going in for repair on 9th November, ie just before it is 10 years old.

[cps]

Originally Posted by deanobeano

Update on this today.

My November 2003 car was booked in for Elms Bedford for January 2014.

Had a call from the bodyshop department stating that BMW were insisting that all repairs had to be performed whilst the car was still under warranty.

As a result of this, Elms were putting together a 'special department' to expedite repairs.

The result of this is my car is now going in for repair on 9th November, ie just before it is 10 years old.

oh .. so it would seem a line is being drawn, i'm still not sure how common this is, my 2002 m3 is fine, maybe i should be driving harder..

so if you have to pay for exhaust brackets, oil seals, brake lines and the subframe i imagine that will be quite a bill.. on a standard m3, that's quite a commitment. so in essence we will all be out of warranty in just over a year for CSL's.. anyone know if the weld up and epoxy is a good fix?

[Mark CSL]

I have had the repair done by bmw.
As for how long it will last only time will tell but i would think ther resin will sort the problem as the box section will not flex now as its like a solid bar not a hollow tube.

[cps]

Originally Posted by Mark CSL

I have had the repair done by bmw.
As for how long it will last only time will tell but i would think ther resin will sort the problem as the box section will not flex now as its like a solid bar not a hollow tube.

ah, thanks mark, so did you have the epoxy as well as the new subframe? i'm pondering if i don't have cracks is it better to pay for epoxy fill if i'm over 10 years, or just wait and see what happens..

[CraigMillwardCroft]

Originally Posted by cps

ah, thanks mark, so did you have the epoxy as well as the new subframe? i'm pondering if i don't have cracks is it better to pay for epoxy fill if i'm over 10 years, or just wait and see what happens..

Mine had no cracks on inspection so had the epoxy fill done

[Mark CSL]

Originally Posted by CraigMillwardCroft

Mine had no cracks on inspection so had the epoxy fill done

Was it free craig or did you have to pay for it