BMW E46 M3 - How To INSPECT for Cracks and REINFORCE your Rear Subframe

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BMW E46 M3 - How To INSPECT for Cracks and REINFORCE your Rear Subframe

Рет қаралды 52,007

4 жыл бұрын

Wile Motorsport in Walpole, MA shows us how to inspect for Cracks on an E46 M3 rear subframe, and how to install a reinforcement kit to prevent failures. We'll also show you what a completely failed floor looks like which required a full replacement.
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Пікірлер: 79

@TedwardDrives 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks to Wile Motorsport for the incredible work. Find them on their website www.wilemotorsport.com/ or instagram @wilemotorsport to service your BMW, Porsche, and Mini. Have you reinforced your subframe?

@ShenryRNBSN 3 жыл бұрын

Dude I swear everyone and their mother’s mother are re-examining this chassis regardless of engine. I think we’ll start seeing loads more of these on this streets done up nicely.

@DoctaM3 4 жыл бұрын

I agree. I love e46 M3. Which is why I will keep hunting for this. Thanks for sharing this-most will not ever see what this looks like. Thanks.

@georgmartin_ 3 жыл бұрын

im glad to see that someone does his job with a passion and correctly. Loved the video!

@gt1r 4 жыл бұрын

Had plates welded onto my rear subframe in addition to a mason bar installed in the trunk. Hope my car is good for a while. Great video!

@eastsideofthetracks8311 6 ай бұрын

Why tf did I get into e46 😂🤣 there’s so much big problems … anyone who is down to do all this work really has to love the car lol💯. My sub frame has no cracks 🙏 But I’m still doing this job

@the.oxfordcomma 4 жыл бұрын

Really detailed video. It's really helpful to see all the spots from underneath with the hardware removed. Great vid!

@TedwardDrives 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks nick! I wanted to show it both ways so people really understand how tricky it can be to spot small cracks when they just look under the car with a flashlight

@PatM3 4 жыл бұрын

Getting ready to do mine, and a VANOS rebuilt along with rod bearings... thanks for the vid.

@Rogerc1984 2 жыл бұрын

Ooof! Sounds like a dear do! Im after buying a cabriolet next spring, excited but nervous at the same time

@KelvinR79 3 жыл бұрын

Best documented video I’ve seen on this issue...great and insightful. Tks!

@TedwardDrives 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks kelvin!!

@saucyp123 4 жыл бұрын

Awesome exposé into this issue and how to repair it. I don't plan on buying an e46 m3 anytime soon, but this was very entertaining to watch!

@TedwardDrives 4 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

@colinjames2383 3 жыл бұрын

Next level ! Subscribed!

@TedwardDrives 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@elusivespeedster 4 жыл бұрын

Awesome shop!

@802Garage 4 жыл бұрын

Wooow. The ultimate cracking machine! Good to know for sure.

@TedwardDrives 4 жыл бұрын

Unreal right? It's a shame BMW let this go but fortunately there are things that can be done to help it live a bit longer.

@802Garage 4 жыл бұрын

Definitely. Props to the people who will do the work.

@johnaitken7430 4 жыл бұрын

Absolutely brilliant..

@johnaitken7430 4 жыл бұрын

Stay safe and look out for your parents: we are in our 70s ourselves and makes a huge difference having others help us thru

@makeyoulaugh8648 4 жыл бұрын

Nice video👌

@ssplintergirl 13 күн бұрын

Welp can’t wait to spend the weekend with the car on jacks for a full bushing overhaul and see if it’s still salvageable.

@HoneyQuarryFarm 4 жыл бұрын

great job

@chrisjovel6489 11 ай бұрын

Evan is awesome!

@Nahuelm3 2 жыл бұрын

My floor is shot! The examples on the video were no where near my floor. Good thing my dad is a welder and I got the new floor from a friend for 1k for both pieces. Would normally run about 1600.

@jdamore44 3 жыл бұрын

God I hope mine isn't any worse than this at 133k . I rarely red line my car. Never launch or do donuts, (atleast for the 10yrs I've owned it). I bought the CMP Aussie kit that does the upper bar solution for both front and rear mount points, plus plates and taller subframe solid bushings to counter the plates with a lowered car. Just need to get the damn thing on a lift!

@minski6474 5 ай бұрын

My 99 323ci also had cracks. It cost me a week of work. Rear axle also completely re-stored

@stephenpavlov8942 3 жыл бұрын

Better plates and a better welding process are available.

@DriversSide 4 жыл бұрын

I want them to look at my subframe! They seem very trustworthy

@rogerreyes4694 Жыл бұрын

Fr I’d wanna drive there just to have them look at it if only more shops like this

@chuy25 2 жыл бұрын

Hey is there anyone in California you recommend ? Also how much do you charge? Worst case scenario

@adnankksehick1513 2 жыл бұрын

I’m looking to get it done on my 2005 M3 Vert. What else should I do since everything is coming off? Anyone know a good shop in Tampa Bay Area?

@krustysfunbodegas 2 ай бұрын

My 325Ci has the exact same failure spots on the subframe with much less power than the M3 version

@sergio75ny1 2 жыл бұрын

Great video thank you. I was wondering how much (ball park) is one expected to pay for a reinforcement as seen on the video. Just wanting to know what to expect when it's my turn. And also,what mods or maintenance procedures would you recommend doing while the subframe is out?

@Jmort93 2 жыл бұрын

I believe $2k for reinforcement, $10k for floor replacement

@cesarorozco2462 2 жыл бұрын

How thick is the metal kit?

@patrickjohnson3715 3 жыл бұрын

doing this on a 170k mile 2000 328i (5 speed). Previous owner tried to fix the rear driver's side mount, but ended up making it worse. Opted for the RMS kit instead.

@TR4G 3 жыл бұрын

What did they manage to do that made it worse? 😬

@patrickjohnson3715 3 жыл бұрын

@@TR4G they welded parts of the crack, never prepped the area, and did not paint over their welds. 😩

@timothyer2447 4 жыл бұрын

Underside plates aren't really enough, they just prevent localized cracking and the next weakest link are the spot welds. You really need to solve the root of the issue with a Vincebar, CMP, or equivalent, which adds an additional loadpath from the subframe to the chassis rail.

@tribewu3223 2 жыл бұрын

You just said it they prevent it ? Lol the other stuff helps reinforce it.

@TonyRomeNewMoney Жыл бұрын

Don’t grind off undercoating or paint. Grinding takes away metal and further weakens the panel. Use a wire brush on a drill.

@emilepapillon2275 3 жыл бұрын

There is also a structural foam that BMW recommends using in a technical bulletin. I feel like its underrated. It's an aerospace grade structural material that expands in the cavity shown in the video. Its hard to find nowadays though as the shelf life of the product is very low.

@kenS87 3 жыл бұрын

That was a solution offer if you subframe floor didn't crack yet. I would personally do it after welding reinforcement plates.

@hammadali9414 3 жыл бұрын

I can guarantee mine is far worse than both of those examples. My whole floor disconnected to the mount and the it is squeaking and clunking really bad whenever I press in my clutch. I NEED to do a reinforcement job asap but I don't have a hoist in no one in town even wants to touch my car. I don't know what to do.

@IgnitionTube 4 жыл бұрын

Mid roll ad at 4:20.... you savage

@TedwardDrives 4 жыл бұрын

Finding humor wherever I can get it this week...or till mid july? Yikes.

@jalloor 2 жыл бұрын

What is causing these cracks? Is it the aftermarket suspension?

@khau.cr2 2 жыл бұрын

The rear subframe is mounted on a thinner sheet metal. That means it’s extremely prone to cracking due to the amount of stress and load that is directed towards those subframe mounting points as the car’s drives with its “suspension” moving up and down constantly. So no, aftermarket suspension parts aren’t what’s responsible for this common occurring problem in the E36 and E46 platforms. Literally ALL E46 models suffer from this flaw and one of the best ways to resolve this inevitable problem is through welding in those subframe reinforcement kits and reinstalling the subframe from there.

@joaomario8697 11 ай бұрын

How much for it?

@stekarenhd6911 3 жыл бұрын

I really like that mechanic, he has a really nice face, looks like his name is Adam.

@TedwardDrives 3 жыл бұрын

Haha close!! Evan

@holdenweese9589 Жыл бұрын

Welding up my subframe today 😭 forgot to buy reinforcement plates and now im going to have to go back in another time to reinforce it… what a nightmare

@philmedor13 3 ай бұрын

How much was it?

@stephenb.7273 3 жыл бұрын

I have a 328 do you think there could be cracks there too?

@rj6110 3 жыл бұрын

Yes

@abualghoul 4 жыл бұрын

Is this subframe cracks problem possible to found in convertible E46 m3 cars or only coupe?

@TedwardDrives 4 жыл бұрын

All of them will have the issue

@musguelha14 3 жыл бұрын

The only E46 chassis that doesn't crack is the compact. Every other cracks, but is more likely on pre facelift models with manual gearboxes.

@kenS87 3 жыл бұрын

The subframe floor is stronger on the convertible m3. If you're making high HP, I would suggest reinforcement for extra insurance.

@msBel98 2 жыл бұрын

BMW resolved the issue for most cars (excluding the M3) after march 2000. Still it is not impossible for cracks to occur in models built after that. Manuals are much more prone to this failure. A good method of preventing an e46 from cracking (again) is to install harder bearings in the rear axle carrier. This minimises possible tilting which usually weakens the subframe...

@BestMotorWerks 3 жыл бұрын

Does anyone knows if the cracks in the subframe may cause the car pulling right or left while driving?professor answers only pls...

@Jmort93 2 жыл бұрын

That’s probably going to be your rear trailing arm bushings. They fail and cause the vehicle to self-steer somewhat, quite unnerving if it gets bad enough.

@BestMotorWerks 2 жыл бұрын

@@Jmort93 thank you sir

@cosminpoenaru8169 7 ай бұрын

after 5 years of ownership of a e46 platform i just discovered this common issue. the subframe is basically holding to nothing. I am getting rid of this car asap!

@ridanann 4 жыл бұрын

inspecting rear cracks huh back malfunction welds

@justinv6132 2 жыл бұрын

Yeahhhhh idk if I want an e46 this bad...

@aaronboyle9565 2 жыл бұрын

Too late for me, my 328i’s rear end fell off, thankfully I only paid $1500 for the car…

@christopherhawkings8143 Ай бұрын

Earlier ones are worse than later. My 328ci started to crack but decided to sell and get a m240i Like the look of e46 but wouldn't sell the m240i for one now no way!

@bamsblanks 3 жыл бұрын

I’m sorry I was under the impression that there was crack in this video

@theewelder 11 ай бұрын

there compact to tiny,crampt inside,0 comfort or space next to the passenger,facts...,dont hit a pickup truck/fullsize car etc = dead/totaled golf cart.....5/6/7/8 series only....bigger,more powerful,very comfy,safe,solid cars....

@andyfreeman6865 3 жыл бұрын

Don't install plates. It's a bandaid and a stupid idea. Actually reinforce the chassis with a structural reinforcement bar. Plates WILL NOT stop cracking. Depending on where it pushes the stress point off to, the new spots could be weaker than the original stress point. This is basic engineering.