Picture of "subframe" failure repair panel.

daniel · 11-04-2010, 07:09 PM

Hi,

I found the below pictures while investigating what BMW intended to do with my car (standard m3, not csl) while in for its subframe repair. They were a bit coy about the whole procedure and what exactly was being replaced so I found it interesting to see the actual size of the part that needed replacing and what exactly it entails(ie front and rear subframe mounts plus RTAB cradles).

And this is where it goes

Here are some pictures courtesy of the m3forum of the old panel removed prior to install. Decent sized job...

Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of the work being done to mine.

**TMAQ** · 11-04-2010, 07:21 PM

hope BMW know what they are doing

.... looks like a big job.

daniel · 11-04-2010, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMAQ

hope BMW know what they are doing

.... looks like a big job.

Guess it depends where you take it. The place mine went apparently had a lot of experience!

DuncanR · 12-04-2010, 12:19 PM

Fair play to BWM for what they have done with this failure. I carry out lots of installation work in the Automotive business, including installation of the very large presses for banging out the steel underbody and body panels. (No ! im NOT responsible for the installation of the E46 press line before you fookers ask !!!)That replacement panel, due to the complex nature of it, represents a huge investment in additional tooling obviously not allowed for in the original budgets. Im sure others would have probably tried to get away with a much cheaper work around ... . Cant believe I have just poured praise on the Germans !!

**AlexGTT** · 13-04-2010, 12:58 PM

Thanks for sharing these pics mate, will be of interest to all those with E46.

Good to meet you the other day. Maybe see you at a few TD's this year.

**grumps** · 14-04-2010, 11:33 PM

I would not be having that back after that kind of intrusion!(check out the air chisel marks)no fooking way....

daniel · 14-04-2010, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexGTT

Thanks for sharing these pics mate, will be of interest to all those with E46.

Good to meet you the other day. Maybe see you at a few TD's this year.

No problem. It looks like it is a bit of an eye opener when people see what BMW actually do with the car.

Hopefully going to be on track in the next month or so, just need to replace the rear pads now!

Bounce · 15-04-2010, 12:25 AM

Glad to see bmw doing a sound job,ive heard some say they just fill with a special bonding foam in the cracks.

DuncanR · 15-04-2010, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grumps

I would not be having that back after that kind of intrusion!(check out the air chisel marks)no fooking way....

Underseal will sort that out grumps !

**grumps** · 01-02-2012, 10:05 PM

Yippi just noticed my boot floor is fooked! off to westerly tomorrow for warranty inspection and to think i've just decided to keep it as opposed to a gt3 woh some reward!

11-04-2010, 07:09 PM	#1
daniel S4 - Getting the hang of it Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 247 Casino cash: $11332	Picture of "subframe" failure repair panel. Hi, I found the below pictures while investigating what BMW intended to do with my car (standard m3, not csl) while in for its subframe repair. They were a bit coy about the whole procedure and what exactly was being replaced so I found it interesting to see the actual size of the part that needed replacing and what exactly it entails(ie front and rear subframe mounts plus RTAB cradles). And this is where it goes Here are some pictures courtesy of the m3forum of the old panel removed prior to install. Decent sized job... Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of the work being done to mine.

12-04-2010, 12:19 PM	#4
DuncanR CSL Register Uber-poster! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Olney, Bucks Posts: 3,735 Casino cash: $9984	Fair play to BWM for what they have done with this failure. I carry out lots of installation work in the Automotive business, including installation of the very large presses for banging out the steel underbody and body panels. (No ! im NOT responsible for the installation of the E46 press line before you fookers ask !!!)That replacement panel, due to the complex nature of it, represents a huge investment in additional tooling obviously not allowed for in the original budgets. Im sure others would have probably tried to get away with a much cheaper work around ... . Cant believe I have just poured praise on the Germans !! __________________ " I use Gleaming Kleen.... for that new car look " I wish I had used - Race Data Systems - Motorsport Data Loggers forgive me Nathan !

13-04-2010, 12:58 PM	#5
AlexGTT CSL Register Uber-poster! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Herefordshire Posts: 4,374 Casino cash: $8572	Thanks for sharing these pics mate, will be of interest to all those with E46. Good to meet you the other day. Maybe see you at a few TD's this year. __________________ CSL Register Alcoholics Anonymous Group Leader & Businessman of the Year '93! www.earleyengineering.com

15-04-2010, 12:25 AM	#8
Bounce CSL Register Uber-poster! Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Cornwall Posts: 7,057 Casino cash: $35793	Glad to see bmw doing a sound job,ive heard some say they just fill with a special bonding foam in the cracks. Last edited by Bounce; 01-02-2012 at 11:12 PM.

11-04-2010, 07:21 PM	#2
TMAQ S5, Sport Off, DSC M-track Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Surrey Posts: 591 Casino cash: $2203	hope BMW know what they are doing .... looks like a big job.

14-04-2010, 11:33 PM	#6
grumps S4 - Getting the hang of it Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: devon Posts: 181 Casino cash: $632	I would not be having that back after that kind of intrusion!(check out the air chisel marks)no fooking way....

01-02-2012, 10:05 PM	#10
grumps S4 - Getting the hang of it Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: devon Posts: 181 Casino cash: $632	Yippi just noticed my boot floor is fooked! off to westerly tomorrow for warranty inspection and to think i've just decided to keep it as opposed to a gt3 woh some reward!