2000 BMW 328I Structure Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS COMING APART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NALLEY BMW OF DECATUR (1606 CHURCH ST, DECATUR, GA 30033, (404) 994-4329) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

Mileage: 130,000

WHILE DRIVING ON THE ON THE FREEWAY I FELT AND HEARD A POPPING OR CLUNCK NOISE WHILE SHIFTING LIKE SOMETHING WAS GOING TO FALL OFF AND IT BECAME HARD TO CONTROL AND STEER SO I TOOK MY 2000 328I BMW INTO A PROFESSIONAL MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE PROBLEM IS THE SUBFRAME IS SEPARATING FROM THE BODY OF THE CAR, I WAS ALSO TOLD THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I LOOKED UP ONLINE AND THIS EXACT SAME THING IS HAPPENING TO OTHER MODELS OF THE BMW , I DONT DRIVE MY CAR HARD AND IT IS WELL MAINTAINED AND I BELIEVE BMW SHOULD RECALL THIS FACTORY ERROR AND PAY FOR IT

Mileage: 118,000

"TAKATA RECALL" I WAS HIT BY A DRIVER GOING APPROX 100MPH ON HIGHWAY 50E FROM BEHIND AND AFTER BEING SEVERALLY HIT MY TEKATA AIRBAG DAMAGED MY CHEST, HURT MY FACE, BURNED MY CLOTHES, ARMS, AND MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO BREATHE. THIS WOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED IF BMW HAD MORE AVAILABILITY TO INFORM, REPLACE AND FIX SUCH A HORRIFIC EVENT.

Mileage: 167,000

AUDIBLE POPPING HEARD DURING ANY TORQUE THROUGH REAR OF VEHICLE, CRACKS FOUND ON REAR SUBFRAME WHILE BEING INSPECTED BY LOCAL MECHANIC.

Mileage: 160,000

REAR DRIVER'S SIDE SUBFRAME MOUNT POINT FAILURE. THE CAR HAS GONE THROUGH CLASS ACTION SUIT IN 2009, AND WAS INSPECTED BY DEALER IN 2010. BUT IT FAILED ANYWAY. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 20MPH ON CITY STREETS GOING STRAIGHT ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, BUT SHIFTING GEARS FROM 2ND TO 3RD (IT'S A MANUAL TRANSMISSION) WHEN A LOUD EXPLOSIVE BANG WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR WITH AN ALARMING JOLT. INSPECTION OF UNDERCARRIAGE REVEALED THAT THE FLOOR PAN WHERE THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SUBFRAME MOUNT ATTACHES TO HAS COMPLETELY SHATTERED, LEAVING THAT SIDE OF THE REAR AXLE FLOATING. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS THAT THIS IS A DANGEROUS FAILURE AND I SHOULD NOT BE DRIVING THE CAR. I DO NOT RACE THIS CAR, IT HAS NO RUST IN THE UNDERCARRIAGE, AND HAS NEVER EXPERIENCED SNOW. MECHANICS BELIEVE THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS FAILURE AND WAS SHOCKED THE CAR WAS NEVER FORMALLY RECALLED FOR SAFETY. HUNDREDS OF CARS ARE AFFECTED AND THIS IS JUST ONE GLIMPSE OF THE EXTENT OF THE FAILURES: HTTP://FORUM.E46FANATICS.COM/SHOWPOST.PHP?P=16850066&POSTCOUNT=1473

Mileage: 172,000

REAR DRIVER'S SIDE SUBFRAME MOUNT POINT FAILURE. THE CAR HAS GONE THROUGH CLASS ACTION SUIT IN 2009, AND WAS INSPECTED BY BMW IN 2010--WAS TOLD EVERYTHING IS OK AND IT WILL NOT FAIL SINCE ONLY ONES WITH VISIBLE DEFECT WILL FAIL. BUT MINE FAILED ANYWAY 5 YEARS LATER. THIS SHOWS EVEN IF THE DAMAGE/DEFECT IS NOT VISIBLE IT CAN MANIFEST ITSELF AT ANY TIME. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 20MPH ON CITY STREETS GOING STRAIGHT, ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, SHIFTING GEARS FROM 2ND TO 3RD WHEN A LOUD EXPLOSIVE BANG WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR WITH AN ALARMING JOLT THAT TRIGGERED AN INTERIAL LOCK ON SEATBELTS, MADE ALL OCCUPANTS SCREAM IN SHOCK AND CHILDREN CRYING. INSPECTION OF UNDERCARRIAGE REVEALED THAT THE FLOOR PAN WHERE THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SUBFRAME ATTACHES TO HAS COMPLETELY SHATTERED, LEAVING DRIVER SIDE OF THE SUBFRAME, DIFFERENTIAL, AND REAR AXLE FLOATING WITH CHUNKS OF SHEETMETAL FROM MOUNT POINT MISSING. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS THAT THIS IS A DANGEROUS FAILURE AND I SHOULD NOT BE DRIVING THE CAR, AND THE ONLY REASON OF FAILURE IS DEFECT IN THE CAR. MECHANICS BELIEVE THIS FAILURE POSES SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD SAYING IT CAN EASILY SEPARATE THE REAR AXLE AND IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING, THE SEPARATED REAR AXLE WILL PULL ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE AND LOCK IT UP, IMMEDIATELY STOPPING THE CAR. IF THIS HAPPENS ON A FREEWAY IT CAN CAUSE CATASTROPHIC COLLISION INCIDENT, ENDANGERING LIVES. THEY WERE SHOCKED THE CAR WAS NEVER FORMALLY RECALLED FOR SAFETY. HUNDREDS OF CARS ARE AFFECTED AND THIS IS JUST ONE GLIMPSE OF THE EXTENT OF THE FAILURES: HTTP://FORUM.E46FANATICS.COM/SHOWPOST.PHP?P=16850066&POSTCOUNT=1473 IT IS APPALLING THAT SUCH DANGEROUS DEFECT THAT IS SO WELL-KNOWN AND PREVALENT IN 1999-2000 BMW 3 SERIES HAS NEVER BEEN RECALLED TO MAKE BMW ACCOUNTABLE. REPAIR ESTIMATE MIN. $5000

Mileage: 172,000

2000 BMW 328I. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE DEFECTIVE SUBFRAME STRUCTURE ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED A RECENT INSPECTION, REVEALED THE SUB-FRAME WAS CRACKED. WITH THE CRACK, THE CONSUMER WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS NEVER INFORMED OF THE DEFECT WHICH WAS THE SUBJECT OF A CLASS ACTION SUIT LAUNCHED AGAINST BMW OF NORTH AMERICA. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 328I. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A POTHOLE AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AND HEADLINER AIR BAGS PARTIALLY DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG HEAD LINER MODULE, PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AIR BAG MODULE, FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR TRIM PANEL, BATTERY, AND BATTERY CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V223000 (AIR BAGS), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Mileage: 90,000

I WAS DRIVING 20 MPH AND ACCIDENTALLY HIT A POT HOLE IN THE ROAD. AFTER DOING SO THE 2000 BMW 328I DROVE NORMALLY. HOWEVER AFTER THIS INCIDENT I BEGAN TO HEAR A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE REAR AREA OF THE VEHICLE EVERY TIME I PUT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE. I TOOK IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP FOR AN ANALYSIS AND WAS TOLD THERE IS A TEAR IN THE SUBFRAME. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THE CAR IS NOT REPAIRABLE BECAUSE THE 1999 TO 2006 BMW 3 SERIES HAVE A MANUFACTURING SUBFRAME DEFECT, AND THAT ONCE THE DIFFERENTIAL BEGINS TO SEPARATE FROM THE DEFECTIVE SUBFRAME THE VEHICLE IS RENDERED WORTHLESS. HE SAID THAT THE VEHICLE IS TOTALLY UNSAFE TO DRIVE BEEN WITH TRYING TO REPAIR IT BECAUSE OF THE INHERENT DEFECT. I CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY, USAA, EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM AND FILED A CLAIM. THEIR ADJUSTER LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE AND REPORTED THAT IT IS A TOTAL LOSS AND IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. HOWEVER, THE ADJUSTER SAID USAA WILL NOT PAY ANYTHING ON THE CLAIM BECAUSE IT IS A PRE-EXISTING MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT BMW SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR. I CONTACTED BMW AND FOUND THAT A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WAS FILED YEARS AGO BECAUSE OF THE MANUFACTURING SUBFRAME DEFECT RENDERING THE VEHICLES UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND WORTHLESS. BMW PAID FOR REPAIRS TO RE-WELD THE SUBFRAME BUT QUIT PAYING IN 2006. BMW ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ITS DEFECTIVE MANUFACTURING OF MY CAR, SO NOW I HAVE A CAR THAT IS TOTALLY WORTHLESS AND CAN ONLY BE SOLD FOR PARTS. BMW'S REFUSAL TO RECALL AND BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MODEL YEARS FOR WHICH IT MANUFACTURED DEFECTIVE SUBFRAMES, THEREBY CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD THAT COULD END IN DEATH FOR THE CAR'S OCCUPANTS, IS INEXCUSABLE. BMW SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND BE REQUIRED TO RECALL ALL OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES AND REIMBURSE ALL PERSONS LIKE MYSELF FOR MANUFACTURING A DEFECTIVE CAR THAT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD AND CAUSES THE VEHICLES TO BECOME WORTHLESS ONCE A TEAR OCCURS IN THE SUBFRAME. *TR

Mileage: 163,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 328I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHCILE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SUBFRAME WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,000.

Mileage: 173,000

SUBFRAME FAILURE ON BMW E46. ON MY REAR 2 DIFFERENTIAL MOUNTS OF THE SUBFRAME WERE CRACKS THAT WERE SPREADING. DRIVER SIDE REAR MOUNT HAD COMPLETELY TORN OUT AND THE SUBFRAME WAS A GAPING HOLE AROUND THE MOUNT. NO HARD DRIVING DONE TO CAR. *TT

Mileage: 118,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE SUSPENSION STARTED TO EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS CRACKED. THE DEALER WAS THEN NOTIFIED WHO STATED THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Mileage: 150,000

I HAD HEARD THAT SUBFRAME FAILURE WAS EXTREMELY COMMON ON BMW E46 MODELS (1999-2006) BUT HAD NO PROBLEMS, UNTIL TODAY. I WAS DRIVING MY 2000 BMW 328I WHEN SUDDENLY THERE WAS A LOUD POP, THE STEERING BECAME LOSE AND THERE WAS A CONSTANT KNOCKING NOISE. ONCE I GOT IT HOME I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND SURE ENOUGH THE SUB-FRAME HAD RIPPED COMPLETED AWAY FROM THE BODY, THE ENTIRE DRIVERS SIDE WAS RIPPED OUT LEAVING TWO BIG HOLE IN THE UNDER BODY OF THE CAR. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THERE WAS A SUCCESSFUL CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST BMW NA BUT THAT CLAIMS HAD TO BE FILED BY 2010. THEY ARE NOT REFUSING TO FIX IT. THIS IS A CLEARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND THERE ARE 10'S OF THOUSANDS OF OTHERS IN ONLINE BOARDS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME THING. *TR

Mileage: 135,000

BMW SERIES 3 SUBFRAME CRACKING. THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION SUIT -- I HAD NO DAMAGE DURING THE TIME PERIOD ALLOWED. THE DAMAGE IS JUST BEGINNING, AND IT IS STILL A SAFETY ISSUE. BMW SHOULD COVER THE REPAIR ! THERE IS STILL LOW MILEAGE ON THE CAR -- BUT IF I CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT WITHOUT THE REPAIR (SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS), THERE WILL PROBABLY BE A MAJOR ACCIDENT. *TR

Mileage: 110,700

2000 BMW 328I SUBSTANTIAL SUBFRAME CRACKING AT REAR DIFFERENTIAL AREA. *KB

Mileage: 100,000

MY 2000 BMW 328I BRACKET WHICH CONNECTS THE BELT THAT HOLDS THE MY GAS TANK BROKE OFF WHILE DRIVING AROUND A RESIDENTIAL STREET. I HEARD A NOISE AND STOP. THE BRACKET CONNECTED TO THE RIGHT INSIDE SHEET METAL WAS MISSING. THE BELT WAS DRAGGING AND MY TANK DROP A FEW INCHES. BMW WHICH NO LONGER MAKES THE PART QUOTED ME $1.800 AND SAID THEY HAVE HAD 3 SIMILAR INSTANCES. THE REPAIR REQUIRES WIELDING; REMOVAL OF GAS TANK; BACK SEAT AND RUG. I TOOK MY CAR TO MY REGULAR MECHANIC AND HE HAS ENCOURAGE ME TO WRITE THIS LETTER. HE FEELS THIS IS DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURE. *TR

Mileage: 152,630

REAR SUB FRAME MOUNTING POINTS ARE TEARING THROUGH THE FLOOR PAN. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON AND A RESULT OF INSUFFICIENT STRUCTURAL SUPPORT. *TR

Mileage: 108,000

COMMON FAILURE ON 2000 BMW 3 SERIES CARS: THE REAR SUBFRAME TEARS AWAY FROM UNIBODY. I JUST RECEIVED A REPORT FROM THE DEALER THAT MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. IT IS ACKNOWLEDGED BY BMW AS A DEFECT IN THE MATERIALS BUT IT IS NOT NECESSARILY COVERED BY BMW. THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION AND WILL REQUIRE UPWARDS OF $5000 IN REPAIR. *TR

Mileage: 92,000

I HAD BEEN HEARING A NOISE FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS AND THOUGHT IT WAS THE CLUTCH, I TOOK THE CAR INTO A BMW-APPROVED BODY SHOP AND THEY POINTED OUT THE FLAW IN THE SUBFRAME AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND HOW THE METAL HAD TORN DUE TO STRESS. *JB

Mileage: 51,500

IN MAY '06 I PURCHASED MY (E46) 2000 BMW 328I. A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER (I DON'T RECALL THE EXACT DATE) I NOTICED A SUBTLE SQUEAK COMING FROM THE REAR END. THINKING IT WAS NOTHING SERIOUS, I IGNORED IT FOR A WHILE AS MY LIFE WAS VERY BUSY AT THAT TIME. AFTER CONSULTING SOME VEHICLE-SAVVY FRIENDS AND A VISIT TO MOTORSPORTS OF LEXINGTON (THE PLACE TO GO IF YOU LIVE NEAR LEXINGTON, KY); THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE SOURCE OF THE SQUEAK AS IT WAS WINTER AND JUST MY LUCK, THE SQUEAK WAS ALMOST NON-EXISTENT THAT DAY. I WAS ASKED TO BRING IT BACK DURING WARMER WEATHER. SO TODAY 3/13/2007 (70 DEGREES AND SUNNY) I TOOK IT BACK TO THE SHOP. TO MY UTTER DISMAY I WAS SHOWN THAT THE REAR DRIVER-SIDE DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT HAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE CHASSIS. THEY TOLD ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH E46'S. TOTAL REPAIR COSTS WERE ESTIMATED BETWEEN $600-$1000. OUT OF CURIOSITY I VISITED THE DEALER (DON JACOBS BMW) HERE IN LEXINGTON, TO SEE IF MY POWERTRAIN EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERED SUCH DAMAGE. TO NO SURPRISE IT DOES NOT. HOWEVER, THE SHOCKING PART WAS THAT THE DEALER TOLD ME THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR OF SEARCHING THE INTERNET FOR OTHER BMW OWNERS WHO MIGHT HAVE EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR PROBLEM, I FOUND MANY WHO HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, AS WELL AS SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE SUBFLOOR AND NOT JUST ON THE E46. THIS HAVING RESULTED IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN 2005, FROM WHAT I'VE READ, MANY PEOPLE HAVE RECEIVED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THIS REPAIR. I CAN SEND PICTURES IF NECESSARY, AS THE REPAIRS HAVE NOT YET BEEN PERFORMED. *JB

Mileage: 52,000

IN MAY '06 I PURCHASED MY (E46) 2000 BMW 328I. A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER I NOTICED A SUBTLE SQUEAK COMING FROM THE REAR END. THINKING IT WAS NOTHING SERIOUS, I IGNORED IT FOR A WHILE AS MY LIFE WAS VERY BUSY AT THAT TIME. AFTER CONSULTING SOME VEHICLE-SAVVY FRIENDS AND A VISIT TO MOTORSPORTS OF LEXINGTON (THE PLACE TO GO IF YOU LIVE NEAR LEXINGTON, KY); THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE SOURCE OF THE SQUEAK AS IT WAS WINTER AND JUST MY LUCK, THE SQUEAK WAS ALMOST NON-EXISTENT THAT DAY. I WAS ASKED TO BRING IT BACK DURING WARMER WEATHER. SO TODAY (70 DEGREES AND SUNNY) I TOOK IT BACK TO THE SHOP. TO MY UTTER DISMAY I WAS SHOWN THAT THE REAR DRIVER-SIDE DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT HAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE CHASSIS. THEY TOLD ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH E46'S. TOTAL REPAIR COSTS WERE ESTIMATED BETWEEN $600-$1000. OUT OF CURIOSITY I VISITED THE DEALER (DON JACOBS BMW) TO SEE IF MY POWERTRAIN EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERED SUCH DAMAGE. TO NO SURPRISE IT DOES NOT. HOWEVER, THE SHOCKING PART WAS THAT THE DEALER TOLD ME THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR OF SEARCHING THE INTERNET FOR OTHER BMW OWNERS WHO MIGHT HAVE EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR PROBLEM, I FOUND MANY WHO HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, AS WELL AS SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE SUBFLOOR AND NOT JUST ON THE E46. THIS HAVING RESULTED IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN 2005, FROM WHAT I'VE READ, MANY PEOPLE HAVE RECEIVED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THIS REPAIR. *JB

Mileage: 52,000

AT ABOUT 112K MILES I NOTICED A CREAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION. UPON INSPECTION, THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT HAD MULTIPLE STRESS FRACTURES AND SEPARATIONS AT THE POINT WHERE THE MOUNT WAS WELDED TO THE UNIBODY. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD ALL REQUIRED MAINTENANCE INSPECTIONS AT NORMAL INTERVALS. THIS CAR IS DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY 90% OF THE TIME AND THE REST IN RESIDENTIAL STREETS. IT IS A FAMILY CAR AND HAS HAD NO MODIFICATIONS PERIOD. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED WITH A BMW NA CPO WARRANTY THAT HAS SINCE EXPIRED. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO COVER ANY REPAIR COSTS ( ESTIMATED AT >3000 DOLLARS) BMW NA HAS IGNORED REPEATED REQUESTS FROM OWNERS TO FIX THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION. IN FACT, BMW GERMANY HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND COVERS THE COST OF REPAIRS, THEY EVEN HAVE A METHOD OF REPAIR. THIS SITUATION IS VERY DANGEROUS AND REQUIRES IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. THE SUSPENSION SHOULD NEVER SEPARATE FROM THE BODY BECAUSE OF TORSION FORCES FROM THE TRANS/DIFF. IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW. I PERSONALLY HAVE A LIST OF OVER 100 NAMES WITH DOCUMENTED SUBFRAME CRACKING/FAILURE OF THE E46 BODY YEARS 1999-2000. THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF THESE HAVE SUBFRAME DAMAGE AT THE SAME REAR DRIVERS SIDE DIFF MOUNT, IN OTHER WORDS, OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE FAILURE POINTS, THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE IS NEARLY ALWAYS THE FAILURE POINT !! I IMPLORE THE NHTSA TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE IMMEDIATELY BEFORE SOMEONE DIES !!*JB

Mileage: 112,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A VIBRATION WAS HEARD AND FELT WHILE DRIVING ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BUT CONTINUED TO HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS. A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND WAS HEARD WHILE MAKING A TURN AT 10MPH. THE NOISE WAS CONTINUOUS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE REAR SUB FRAME HAD FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DETERMINED THE SAME SOLUTION AS THE DEALER.

Mileage: 80,000

REAR SUBFRAME DAMAGE (2000 328I, 80,000 MILES). *NM

Mileage: 80,000

THE EXACT DATE UNKNOWN. IT WAS DURING HEAVY RAINS IN SAN DIEGO. INSURANCE CO. SAID I NEED A DATE. WE PUT DOWN NOV 02 2005. DURING HEAVY RAIN SAN DIEGO DEVELOPS HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF POT HOLES. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IN THE RAIN, THE CAR RAN INTO A LARGE POT HOLE. THE WHEEL WAS DAMAGED ACCORDING TO THE MAN THAT INSTALLED NEW TIRES ON THE CAR. AT LATER WEEKS THE CAR WAS MAKING STRANGE NOISES, I THOUGHT IT WAS REAR SHOCK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. MY SON TOOK THE CAR TO BMW REPAIR SHOP. AFTER THE INSPECTION MY SON WAS TOLD THAT IT IS NOT SHOCK BUT THAT THE FRAME WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE WELDED. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES BODY SHOP AND INSURANCE ADJUSTER EXAMINED THE CAR AND SAID THAT HE CONTACTED BMW DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT IS METAL FATIGUE THAT CAUSED THE DAMAGE AND THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS. (THE INSURANCE CO.) BMW DOES NOT HAVE A REGULAR FRAME THAT OTHER CARS DO. ALL THE WHEELS AND OTHER PARTS ARE HELD UP BY SOME KIND OF JOINT THAT IS WELDED TO THE FRAME. HE GAVE ME AN EXAMPLE "IF YOU HAVE A TOWEL RACK IN THE BATHROOM AND SOME ONE PULLS IT DOWN YOU KNOW HOW SCREWS AND DRY WALL WILL LOOK LIKE?" HE BLAMES IT ON MANUFACTURER DEFECT BECAUSE THE BMW DEALER SAID THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM BEFORE. *NM UPDATED *JB ON FEBRUARY 6, 2006 BMW ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE VEHICLES DEFECT. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE BODY SHOP BEING REPAIRED AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35MPH THERE WAS A NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE THAT VIBRATED THROUGHOUT. THE NOISE BECAME MORE COMMON AT ALL SPEEDS AND WHILE DRIVING IN GENERAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THE SUB FRAME SEPARATED FROM THE BODY ALONG THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS CRASHES OR DAMAGE TO CAUSE THE SEPARATION. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO INSPECTED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP, BUT NO REPAIRS WERE MADE.

Mileage: 120,000

REAR SUBFRAME DAMAGE WHERE REAR SUSPENSION CONNECTS. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN MISTREATED OR RUN ON ANYTHING BUT STREET ROADS. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN RACED, PRIMARILY A FAMILY VEHICLE. *NM

Mileage: 85,000

MY 2000 BMW 328I IS ALL STOCK WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A HIGH-END AFTERMARKET INTAKE... IT IS ONE OF MANY E46 BMW'S TO HAVE THE DREADED "BODY FAILURE AT REAR SUBFRAME MOUNTING POINT". LET ME BRIEFLY DESCRIBE THE ISSUE AT HAND: "...THE REAR MOUNTING POINTS FOR THE SUBFRAME CAN RIP OUT FROM THEIR SPOTS IN THE SHEET METAL. ...THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL TRANSMITS THE TORSIONAL LOAD FROM THE ENGINE THROUGH THE SUBFRAME, THEN INTO THE CHASSIS. THIS CONSTANT LOADING AND UNLOADING WEAKENS THE SHEET METAL AND CAUSES IT TO FATIGUE AND SEPARATE FROM THE CHASSIS. THIS IS WHERE WE HAVE SEEN MANY FAILURES OF THE CHASSIS ON LOW MILEAGE STREET CARS.." THAT IS A QUOTE FROM THE RESPECTED BMW SPECIALISTS AT TURNER MOTORSPORT (WWW.TURNERMOTORSPORT.COM). THAT IS THE EXACT PROBLEM THAT I'VE HAD. BMWAG (GERMANY) RECOGNIZED THIS ISSUE AND HAS ADDRESSED IT... BMWNA (NORTH AMERICA) HAS BLOWN A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF US OFF... STATING THAT WE ARE POST WARRANTY AND THAT IT'S DUE TO ROAD HAZARDS OR JUST WEAR AND TEAR. THE FRAME, SUBFRAME, AND IT'S MOUNTING POINTS SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR, WITHOUT QUESTION. I'VE ALREADY GOT A LAWYER WHICH WILL BE PERUSING THIS - AND I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER BMW UNTIL THEY TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE AND ISSUE A RECALL ON ALL E46 BMWS. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNSAFE - WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE REAR SUSPENSION / FRAME COLLAPSES ON A WINDY ROAD OR ON THE HIGHWAY? IT WILL ABSOLUTELY LOSE CONTROL AND MOST LIKELY HEAD LEFT - TOWARDS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HAVE NO OTHER VEHICLE WHICH I CAN DRIVE AND THE CONDITION IS ONLY GETTING WORSE ... LOUDER ... MORE ANNOYING. PLEASE HELP. THERE ARE MUCH MORE OF US THAT HAVE THIS ISSUE... PLEASE REFER TO THE LINKS BELOW. I'M NOT TRYING TO GET OVER ON ANYONE - I JUST KNOW THAT BMW NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE ... THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE ONE OF THE SAFEST AUTOMOBILES ON THE ROAD, NOT TO MENTION "THE ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE". THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME, I DO APPRECIATE IT. JOHN HANSON. *NM

Mileage: 80,000

A KNOCKING NOISE WAS COMING FROM REAR AND VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE REAR SUB FRAME CRACKED,AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *AK

DASHBOARD REFLECTS INTO WINDSHIELD, CAUSING AN OBSTRUCTIVE VIEW. *AK

RIGHT SIDE TRUNK LINER IS LOOSE DUE TO A MISSING CLIP, THIS WAS ALSO INSTALLED INCORRECTLY. *SLC