Heads-up for some of you BMW 3-series owners
05-02-2010, 03:27 PM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
Heads-up for some of you BMW 3-series owners
Since we're enthusiasts I know quite a few of you out there drive BMWs as a DD, so thought I'd pass this along.
If you have a BMW e46 series, be aware that there was a class action law suit regarding rear subframe failure. Apparently on the 1999-2006 version, the subframe attaching point for the suspension is failing. It looks like most of the failures were on the 1999-2001 versions and most of those I understand were the 330s not the 325s (less torque?). There were enough of these however that a class action lawsuit was filed and BMW lost/settled. If you own one of these then you have until September 2, 2010 to file a claim. I believe you can get a free inspection of your subframe for possible chassis fatigue/cracking at the dealer. Word on the BMW boards is this might also affect some of the previous generation e36s so might want to check.
Here's a couple of related links:
http://www.e46subframeclassactionsettlement.com/
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...light=law+suit
If you have a BMW e46 series, be aware that there was a class action law suit regarding rear subframe failure. Apparently on the 1999-2006 version, the subframe attaching point for the suspension is failing. It looks like most of the failures were on the 1999-2001 versions and most of those I understand were the 330s not the 325s (less torque?). There were enough of these however that a class action lawsuit was filed and BMW lost/settled. If you own one of these then you have until September 2, 2010 to file a claim. I believe you can get a free inspection of your subframe for possible chassis fatigue/cracking at the dealer. Word on the BMW boards is this might also affect some of the previous generation e36s so might want to check.
Here's a couple of related links:
http://www.e46subframeclassactionsettlement.com/
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...light=law+suit
05-02-2010, 05:04 PM
#2
The only issue is that if you don't opt out of the class, and you take your car down to the dealer today and they don't see an issue, then you have no recourse if the problem happens next year since you agreed to the settlement (free inspection and then a repair if necessary.) I have a 2002 330i with almost 100k on it and so far, so good. But I'm not going to be part of the class.
Most dealers are repairing it anyway, despite the class action suit. http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=453529
"The legal footing one might have is that this has been a "secret" warranty issue with BMWNA for a LONG time. They have been making these repairs on their dime for a number of years now. I think with that fact and this lawsuit settlement it would be very hard for them to deny almost any owner this repair.
BMW has been fixing this issue pretty routinely for quite some time now and they have done it for second and even third owners whether or not they bought from a BMW dealer. They don't offer it, but if someone comes in and knows about it, they usually make the repair on their dime. They usually have to get a BMWNA field engineer to approve the work."
Most dealers are repairing it anyway, despite the class action suit. http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=453529
"The legal footing one might have is that this has been a "secret" warranty issue with BMWNA for a LONG time. They have been making these repairs on their dime for a number of years now. I think with that fact and this lawsuit settlement it would be very hard for them to deny almost any owner this repair.
BMW has been fixing this issue pretty routinely for quite some time now and they have done it for second and even third owners whether or not they bought from a BMW dealer. They don't offer it, but if someone comes in and knows about it, they usually make the repair on their dime. They usually have to get a BMWNA field engineer to approve the work."
05-02-2010, 05:06 PM
#3
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...there was a problem with the e36's also..a friend of mine was traveling north bound on 101 in SF at hospital curve in his e36 m3 doing 70mph...the right rear dropped, went in to a drift, over corrected, lost control hit the divider and went over it and landed in the south bound lanes upside down...apparently something in the rear suspension can't take the torque...and fails..
05-02-2010, 05:12 PM
#4
Drifting
Thread Starter
...there was a problem with the e36's also..a friend of mine was traveling north bound on 101 in SF at hospital curve in his e36 m3 doing 70mph...the right rear dropped, went in to a drift, over corrected, lost control hit the divider and went over it and landed in the south bound lanes upside down...apparently something in the rear suspension can't take the torque...and fails..
05-02-2010, 06:02 PM
#6
Three Wheelin'
Both the e36 (including z3 models) and e46 have this problem, but it is uncommon in both and there are upgrades that can be done to reinforce the body to reduce or eliminate the problem (at least on e36, IIRC). I have an e91 and there has yet to be systemic problems with that series.....
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05-03-2010, 09:50 AM
#8
Rennlist Member
I gave up on BMW after they finally 'fessed up that e46 M3 engines "grenading" was due to faulty con rod bearings. After the second "service action" for the same bearings, I sold mine before something else went wrong and decided to come back to Porsche.
05-03-2010, 10:55 AM
#9
I'll never buy that junk again.
Phil
05-03-2010, 12:09 PM
#11
The next class action suit coming will be for the High Pressure Fuel Pump in the 135, 335, and 535. I was contemplating getting one of those but steadily over the years more and more posts about those failing and BMW has done basically nothing except keep replacing them and extending the warranty. Now that quite a few people are turning their cars in for Lemon Law (some are on 4+ fuel pumps) maybe BMW will correct it.
05-03-2010, 12:22 PM
#12
Super Duty, crew cab
seats 6
16 mpg hwy.
180,000 mi.
Besides regular maintenance, the only unexpected repairs have been two water pumps and one transmission. One water pump and the transmission were covered by warranty, and the transmission cooking to death was most likely my own doing. That transmission died at 42k mi. The replacement now has 140k and is still going strong.
By the way, my warranty was expired and Ford stepped up to the plate.
Enjoy your Beamers!
Phil
p.s. I do have a e30 race car.
05-03-2010, 12:57 PM
#13
Rennlist Member
Follow the money on a class action suit. License to print, for the named firm.............
As mentioned, Z3/E36/E46 have all had problems. Locally, Ramon Lefrancois of Bavarian Motorsport and Tony Colicchio of TC Design have taken care of pretty much any of the track cars owned by friends. I don't think it's a problem at all if you have the car maintained by knowledgeable shops, or you personally know where to look.
We had an E46 for 10 years, and I probably spent less than $2K on it in repairs (exc. for tires). Our '06 E90 was found a little over a year ago with 26K for $23K in CPO form, with a maintenance warranty to 100K thrown in. Have only put gas in it for the past 15K. Best car I've been in for just pounding out the miles.
As mentioned, Z3/E36/E46 have all had problems. Locally, Ramon Lefrancois of Bavarian Motorsport and Tony Colicchio of TC Design have taken care of pretty much any of the track cars owned by friends. I don't think it's a problem at all if you have the car maintained by knowledgeable shops, or you personally know where to look.
We had an E46 for 10 years, and I probably spent less than $2K on it in repairs (exc. for tires). Our '06 E90 was found a little over a year ago with 26K for $23K in CPO form, with a maintenance warranty to 100K thrown in. Have only put gas in it for the past 15K. Best car I've been in for just pounding out the miles.
05-03-2010, 04:23 PM
#14
Drifting
I opted in for both my 2002 M3 and the wife's 323i, but haven't taken them to the dealer yet to get inspected. I autocross with a couple of the techs, so I'm hoping that they will look out for me. I also plan to have them let me come in once everything is unbolted so I can take a look for myself. Hopefully a crack would scream at me through the Phoenix Yellow paint!
In addition to the rear subframe issue, some of the auto transmissions in the 1999 and 2000 3-Series were made by GM and suddenly drop reverse gear around 100k miles. Unfortunately, my wife's car was one of them and we had to replace her transmission last year. Her car is the least exciting vehicle we own, but has cost the most to maintain. I've owned five other BMWs (e36 M3, E24 6-series, E39 540i6, E36 325i and an E46 M3) and none have been as bad as her car.
In addition to the rear subframe issue, some of the auto transmissions in the 1999 and 2000 3-Series were made by GM and suddenly drop reverse gear around 100k miles. Unfortunately, my wife's car was one of them and we had to replace her transmission last year. Her car is the least exciting vehicle we own, but has cost the most to maintain. I've owned five other BMWs (e36 M3, E24 6-series, E39 540i6, E36 325i and an E46 M3) and none have been as bad as her car.
