BMW E46 M3 rear floor subframe crack repair - Part 1 of 3
Part 1 of 3:
BMW E46 M3 with 2 cracks in the rear floor where the subframe bolts up to. We show how to access the damaged area's by removing the complete rear axle and fuel tank system, then weld repairing the cracks, then welding the reinforcement plates to strengthen the area and spread the load of the bush into a greater area. Protecting the floors and installing Powerflex polyurethane bushes completes the underside work.
Then we show how to access the 3 rosette welds inside the boot/trunk floor cavity, and how to weld reinforce them.
For more pictures and info - www.Redish-Motorsport.com and look out for the 4-page magazine feature in Total BMW Magazine - March 2012.
subframe
Fractures in the subframe mount area on my fully stock 2003 m3.
E46 M3 Differential Mounts Clunking
I heard a clunking coming from rear of car when there are drive line torque changes. So I put the car on jack stands and took some video.
Front diff mount is clearly shot and rears don't look so hot either.
BMW E46 M3 heavily cracked subframe - floor split - total failure - Part 1
This 2002 BMW E46 M3 Convertible has come into Redish Motorsport for our E46 M3 Subframe floor crack repair & reinforcement process - http://www.redish-motorsport.com/E46M3FloorSubframeCrackRepairReinforcement.html
But it has cracked and split the Rear Axle Carrier Panel so much that a reinforcement is not an option.
This E46 M3 will need a new Rear Axle Carrier Panel (some people call this the Subframe or Boot Trunk Floor).
Also the internal boot floor panel is damaged and will either need replacing or remodelling and reinforcing using a stronger (but non OEM) option.
THIS IS PART 1.
Keep checking back for the next video which will show the car stripped down.
For more info, ask a question below or contact Redish Motorsport via google.
BMW E46 differential noise - very loud
Posting this video to show the noise coming from my differential. Car is a 1999 BMW 328i sedan, E46 model, manual transmission. The diff was swapped about 30k miles ago for a 3.38 final drive.
If you notice around the :30 second mark, I turn the wheel to the left a bit. Every time I turn the wheel to the left, the sound goes away. Otherwise, it is extremely loud all the time -- louder than the engine, even with my Conforti cold air intake.
Thinking about just doing some counter-clockwise donuts for a while so I can remember what it sounds like normally. Sigh.
BMW E46 Differential bushings/mounts.
This is an up close look at the bushings/mounts on my rear differential. These cars are notorious for this problem; problem being when shifting from one gear to another there is a "clunk" that comes from the rear of the car. Cars affected from my knowledge and may not be limited to 3 series E46 model range 1999-2006. These mounts are on order and will be installed as soon as possible, the DIY will be posted with pictures and this video to Bimmerforums.com subcategory E46 and in the DIY section. Thanks for watching and please rate, and comment/question.
Update DIY link with tons of pictures: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1328871
Mother-in-law in the BMW E46 M3
January 14th, 2012
Taking my mother-in-law to the grocery store in the 2006 BMW E46 M3.
Recorded with GoPro HD Motorsports HERO setting r3 720p 60fps
Normal e46 rear end noise
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFXwkHiAw-I&list=UUDOyYugBti7JWVkFr22uFbA
Link to subframe reinforcement installation
E46 M3 vs 370z - Snetterton
Up against a 370z. Not bad for a stock 370z. I didnt have any problems keeping up with it. We were going 2-3 seconds slower per lap compared to my normal times.
Update: The M3 had cracked rear subframe, and loose ARBs up front. The handling was all over the place :(
