Rear subframe mount failure on E46 - SUCCESS!

[lithebod]

Hello all - just wanted to share my recent experience in getting this sorted - I have a 2000W E46 323ci which recently developed a creaking noise at the rear of the car mainly on the passenger side - having googled the symptoms and read on this site and others about peoples experiences I took the car to an indy for a service -lo and behold the rear subframe mount failure was diagnosed - I took this up with BMW UK who advised me to contact a dealer - took the car to Sytner Harold Wood (thats in Essex in case you wondered)- 2 weeks later (a bit long but apparently most of this was a delay at BMW UKs end) it got the go ahead for the £2000 repair - completely free of charge!!! - I dont think I would have ever thought to try if it hadnt been for this and other bmw forums so thanks to those who contributed to the discussion - it pays to search the internet I say! my car has about 98k on the clock - Sytner have been great to deal with overall and I cant fault them despite the intial delay - they even threw in a courtesy car aswell - not the 6 series convertible I was hoping for but a lilac nissan micra! - oh well cant complain transport is transport at the end of the day - and I will have my own car back in 2 weeks - so all in all Im a happy BMW customer

[Black Sabbath]

Good to see some positive feedback with regard to BMW customer service,its always easy to knock poor service sometimes we forget to praise them when stuff like this happens,glad you got it sorted

[adood84]

glad you got all sorted out m8

[J13JUT]

LILAC MICRA !!!!!!!:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

[Stock323iSaloon]

did you car have any chassis mods? not always easy to get them to do the work FOC, especially after warranty expiry.

My boss's 4 year old C320 failed it's first MOT due to a snapped rear coil and front arms all buggered. He fought hard for a good will gesture, especially for the front arms but Mercedes insisted they were wear n tear items:(

All repaired now but the total cost for first ever MOT...








1700quid £chi-ching

[lithebod]

no chassis mods at all just a sport kit and bigger alloys on my car - to be honest I was amazed at the ease of the whole thing - I had already penned my complaint letter to Watchdog and was expecting a bit of a fight but thankfully it never happened

Mercedes are woefully bad in my opinion - my wifes 06 plate SLK was in for a repair it took over 1 month for Merc to sort out and lots of hassle - not to mention the Smart car they gave to replace it in the mean time was rubbish - compared to the service I got for my 7 year old out of warranty car I think that is shameful especially since we had to call them numerous times to get it sorted

I know BMW grant these goodwill repairs to keep customers loyal and it worked in my case as Im already making plans on aquiring my next BMW which I wouldnt have done if they refused the repair.

[Doc Matt]

Great result mate. Nice to hear of them still honoring the subframe problem even on high mileage cars.:)

Nissan Micras are there to be caned, hope u gave it some stick :D

[madmatt m3]

good result mate, which Sytner dealer did you use? my local dealer is Sytner and they have given me some problems recently

[M_Hunter]

took the car to Sytner Harold Wood (thats in Essex in case you wondered)-

That one MadMatt?

Hope this helps...

M

[madmatt m3]

That one MadMatt?

Hope this helps...

M

that will teach me to read the thread properly hahahah

cheers Martin :D

[M_Hunter]

i have always had really good service from a sytner dealership (which ever one i've been too) ...

I only experianced a problem with one in High Wycombe, i had a really snotty sales guy who wouldnt let me near an E92 as i wasnt a potential sale....

all i wanted to do was look round it... and other dealerships never had a problem, even let me sit in it.

///M

[Oz Striker]

I have 2000 330Ci, with 50k on the clock. I'm thinking of fitting Eibach Pros & Koni FSDs, but i'm worried should i have any subframe issues that BMW wont fix it.

I guess i could have the rear suspension thoroughly inspected for any signs of imminent failure, and if there is hold off on any suspension upgrades until after any potential repair.

I read in the last few days that the 323/328Ci's are more prone to the failure than the updated 325/330Ci's, but for the life of me i cant remember why. It was a letter in one of this months BMW magazines.

[peppernick]

M54 engined cars (320,325 and 330) have reinforced rear subframe mounts. You shouldn't have a problem.

[Oz Striker]

thanks for that very prompt reply peppernick................ I guess its just the hardcore BMW fans like you and me that are up at this time browsing the forums!;)

[lithebod]

This is what I beleived to be the case also but when I googled it I came acrosss a company which have a gallery of subframe failure gave an example of a 2002 M3 with the problem - although they could just be trying to sell their products

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=TDR4675412

[lithebod]

A short update on this 10 day without my car and the subframe was fixed - however having done this a weird noise was coming from the exhaust (came close to complaining about the fact this wasnt picked up when they tested the car) anyhow Im glad to report that all is now well - subframe fixed and the weird noise from the exhaust was also resolved (they fitted it wrongly when they reattached it after the repair - however one slight sting in the tail the original squeak from the rear (there was a creak and a squeak that alerted me to the problem) is still there! so it wasnt linked to the subframe so Im still at a loss to cure that one - I think it might be the shocks but the guy at sytner has agreed I can book it in for a look free of charge.

[Black Sabbath]

Glad you got it sorted in the end