E46 rear suspension problem
Printed From: Bavarian-Board.co.uk - BMW Owners Discussion Forum
Category: Technical & Model Specific Forums
Forum Name: BMW 3 Series
Forum Discription: This forum will deal with any issues on the BMW 3 Series (E21, E30, E36, E46, E90, E91 & E92)
URL: http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=46306
Printed Date: 02-May-2024 at 09:14
Topic: E46 rear suspension problem
Posted By: reggie hammond
Subject: E46 rear suspension problem
Date Posted: 02-February-2010 at 22:56
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Hey, i have a problem with a knocking noise in the rear of my 2000
318ci and just wondering has anybody experienced similar problems?
When i accelerate off and changing gears there is a loud 'clunk' coming from the rear..... I left the car with a friend who is a mechanic and he called me today to show me that the rear suspension on the passenger side is pulling away from the chassis. He worked for BMW previously and said he has seen the problem a few times, but only on the coupe. He said that at the time BMW covered the problem under extended warranty because of a design fault! Not sure if this is still the case as my car is now 10years old but i have left it into a main dealer to get their opinion. I'm just wondering has anybody had this problem before... Thanks in advance... |
Replies:
Posted By: Rossi
Date Posted: 02-February-2010 at 23:28
Welcome to the forum  It sounds to me as if your Rear Trailing Arm Bushes are shot. These rubber bushes do perish over time and the knocking you will hear is due to play in the linkage when moving off. This is common for BMW's over a certain age or mileage. Not a design fault, just general wear 'n' tear of the car. Save yourself some money and search out a local BMW indie mechanic opposed to a hefty BMW dealership bill. |
Posted By: Fooljam
Date Posted: 02-February-2010 at 23:28
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Your subframe is collapsing, that sucks. Yes well known issue particularly on the e46, all bodies. BMW might be able to cover the repair. Try them on. Otherwise basically your subframe needs to be welded with additional layers of metal. Not a massive job, but it is gonna cost a bit. Some companies, especially in the US, made the layers of metal that you can buy from them in order to melt them to your body. Not fun, good luck with that. Some readings here: http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=679669 Video http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8362789948066992482# Parts: http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=T DR4675412 |
Posted By: Dergside
Date Posted: 03-February-2010 at 10:34
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Reggie See below for a few links to info. I have to say that I haven't heard of the subframe mount floorpan failure occurring on a 318Ci until now, all other cases I've heard of have been 6 cyl models that would be more torquey that the 318. The problem mostly occurs on coupes but some saloons have been affected and I have a 328i Touring that was repaired a couple of years ago. Contact your local dealer and tell them you think you have a problem but play a bit dumb beyond that. Ask them to look at it because you think it may be a safety issue. If they don't spot it, suggest that you have heard that there have been some subframe mount floorpan issues and ask if it could be that. If they confirm it, they should volunteer to send the info to BMW. If not, ask them to. If the car has starship mileage, poor service history or has had significant wheel/suspension mods then they are more likely to turn down a goodwill request but I've read recently that they are still doing goodwill repairs on cars up to 10 years old. A goodwill gesture generally means a full coverage of the repair cost but in some cases they may charge for some incidentals. Given the cost of a proper repair then paying for incidentals will be a cheap price to pay. http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=45670&KW=subframe - http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=45670&am p;am p;am p;KW=subframe http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=34492&KW=subframe - http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=34492&am p;am p;am p;KW=subframe http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=36252&KW=subframe - http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=36252&am p;am p;am p;KW=subframe http://www.bmwland.co.uk/talker/viewtopic.php?p=325920#325920 - http://www.bmwland.co.uk/talker/viewtopic.php?p=325920#32592 0 http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=230988&highlight=subframe - http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=230988&hig hlight=subframe ------------- Now: BMW 523i SE '00, 318i SE - e91 '07, 325i Coupe '93. Prev: e46 328i SE Touring, 330Ci, 318Ci. e39 523i SE. e36 325i Coupe *2, 323i SE, 316iSE. e30 325iSE 2dr, 320i Conv, 320i 2dr, 316i. |
Posted By: Rossi
Date Posted: 03-February-2010 at 11:43
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After re-reading the post it does seem to be the rear sub-frame issue given the suspension pulling away. [Exit left...  ] |
Posted By: reggie hammond
Date Posted: 03-February-2010 at 21:07
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Thanks for all your help, you all seem to know the exact problem i'm talking about.... I brought the car to a main dealer last friday and played dumb, like i hadn't a clue what it could be, when i had just viewed the problem on my friends ramp. Anyway, i rang them today and was told that the manager had taken photo's and sent them to BMW and is awaiting reply. I will keep you informed, and thanks again for the replies. |
Posted By: reggie hammond
Date Posted: 05-February-2010 at 15:21
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Posted By: reggie hammond
Date Posted: 05-February-2010 at 15:24
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Spoke to the manager of the dealership my car is with yesterday, and BMW Ireland have agreed to cover the cost of the repair.... To say i'm over the moon would be an understatement  I can only imagine what the actual cost would be. But thanks again to everyone for their imput..... |
Posted By: Pete330
Date Posted: 05-February-2010 at 20:35
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Result ------------- Previous: E36 318is coupe, E36 323i coupe, E30 316 saloon, E30 318 saloon, E46 330ci Sport Conv E92 325d M Sport(3.0),With Loads of gadgets Current: 116i Sport F20 |
Posted By: Dergside
Date Posted: 05-February-2010 at 20:51
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That's great news reggie. Given BMW labour costs and the length of time that a repair takes its safe to say that the repair would run in to a few grand just in labour costs. There's a lot of disassembly, cutting, welding, painting and reassembly involved in the job. BMW actually have a floorpan part designated as a repair part for this job. ------------- Now: BMW 523i SE '00, 318i SE - e91 '07, 325i Coupe '93. Prev: e46 328i SE Touring, 330Ci, 318Ci. e39 523i SE. e36 325i Coupe *2, 323i SE, 316iSE. e30 325iSE 2dr, 320i Conv, 320i 2dr, 316i. |