A sad day today folks... im leaving the S3 club

I'm glad you'll be sticking around mate, as ill need your brain when I'm doing my build :) but your m3 looks gorgeous! Always loved it as I wanted one in candy red!! You should DMS the fecker and it'll fly! :cool: are you going to put bumble in the classifieds at all?
 
Good luck welly
never really got a chance to meet you properly, just that once @ kk Bristol and boy did your car shift

Get your *** upto the BMW meet @ ace there's some cracking lads up there with some mind blowing beemers
ive met up with them a good few times, after the friday meet they head down to the new road For some hardcore drifting
 
Sad news!

Now what is going to happen to Bumble? please don't put it on Ebay :asskicking:
 
m3cutters.co.uk is worth visiting, I spent some itme on there to get a feel of the +ve and -ve of the M3.
 
I will still be coming on here, no other forum has the wealth of members that I actually like.

Besides, my knowledge of the 1.8T isn't just going to up and disappear and I do like helping people where I can.

Agreed, I won't get anything near back what I have put into Bumble, but thats just how these things are. I didn't do it to get money back, I did it to make something impressive. The problem is that if I keep it, then I will just plough more and more money into it. I was pricing up cams and valves etc and then I realised that I just didn't want to spend another 2 grand or thereabouts on it, having only just rebuilt the engine. As long as I own Bumble I will keep doing it, and it's got to stop somewhere. Things changed for me with buying a house - the expendable cash just isn't there like it was.

With regards to the Vanos, yes they are weak, but the Vanos unit has just been replaced - bonus. Also, tyre prices do suck as the backs are not the stock 255 width, on the BBS rims they are 275 which is going to sting. Also has a new clutch last year.

It is just a completely different driving experience to the S3, everything is big and heavy, clunky and mechanical and I like that a lot. Its an involved experience driving it, you push the heavy clutch down and you know you are moving something.

I'm sure I will plough money it, why the hell not? It's just nice to start a new project, a new challenge, something I don't know inside out.

Bill, not long I have no doubt... will be strange dynoing the back wheels though.... :S.

I'll still be at Bills a lot, because I've gotten quite fond of him and Tuffty over the years... And I have other 1.8Ts on the go as well being ******** about with.

I will miss Bumble - I love that car.
 
LiveWire said:
Now what is going to happen to Bumble? please don't put it on Ebay :asskicking:
Click to expand...

Not sure really, she's going to be a hard sale. Bit of a specialist market really, and ebay is an easy way to reach a lot of people.

I don't know what she's worth either, it's more of a what someone is willing to pay scenario which does sort of make Ebay ideal, as much as I don't like the idea.
 
481015 10151261499350645 1577653698 n
 
Bm looks awesome dude!

my mate works for BMW he said I should tell you to check underneath the car at the rear something about the axle or something where the suspension goes (can't remember to be exact sorry) he said it starts to crack its a common fault in these model of bmw.

BMW know about it and fix it on warranty but don't tell any one about it.

It involves a whole new rear floor pan plus some extras. If it is starting to crack you can get it fix under warranty if its still covered.

Sounds like I'm just been an **** but just looking out for you mate as it would be pretty crappy for this to happen then find out it could of been fixed for free when the warranty runs out.
 
coatesy said:
Bm looks awesome dude!

my mate works for BMW he said I should tell you to check underneath the car at the rear something about the axle or something where the suspension goes (can't remember to be exact sorry) he said it starts to crack its a common fault in these model of bmw.

BMW know about it and fix it on warranty but don't tell any one about it.

It involves a whole new rear floor pan plus some extras. If it is starting to crack you can get it fix under warranty if its still covered.

Sounds like I'm just been an **** but just looking out for you mate as it would be pretty crappy for this to happen then find out it could of been fixed for free when the warranty runs out.
Click to expand...

Rear floor pan crasking around the sub frame.
Know fault since the E36s.
It happened to mine.

BMW don't really replace it under a warranty. They should but they don't.
Couple of mates have had the same issue and they went to BMW and got turned away.
They even went there with evidence, reports and other information to see if they will change their mind but they never did and refused.
One mate got his done via a nice letter from his mother, who is the PA or something to the director of BMW UK.

Its common on the E46 coupes but I don't think the M3s suffer from it that much as they normally have the extra plates welded in from factory.

My mate currently has a E46 318ci in with that issue. The guy who owned the car before the current customer hide the fault. covered the cracks in filler, duck tape and paint.
Its now go to a point the where the complete rear floor pan has to come out.

If you get it early enough you can get away with welding the cracks, welding the strengthening plates in.

Here's mine when we did it.
Rear Sub Frame pictures by Axios - Photobucket
 
ScottB5 said:
Rear floor pan crasking around the sub frame.
Know fault since the E36s.
It happened to mine.

BMW don't really replace it under a warranty. They should but they don't.
Couple of mates have had the same issue and they went to BMW and got turned away.
They even went there with evidence, reports and other information to see if they will change their mind but they never did and refused.
One mate got his done via a nice letter from his mother, who is the PA or something to the director of BMW UK.

Its common on the E46 coupes but I don't think the M3s suffer from it that much as they normally have the extra plates welded in from factory.

My mate currently has a E46 318ci in with that issue. The guy who owned the car before the current customer hide the fault. covered the cracks in filler, duck tape and paint.
Its now go to a point the where the complete rear floor pan has to come out.

If you get it early enough you can get away with welding the cracks, welding the strengthening plates in.

Here's mine when we did it.
Rear Sub Frame pictures by Axios - Photobucket
Click to expand...

My mates a sprayer at teeside BMW he said that they change them under warranty. It must be down to the garage for wether they do this or not.

You would of thought that if it was a common fault they would fix it to prevent it from happening in other models.
 
coatesy said:
Bm looks awesome dude!

my mate works for BMW he said I should tell you to check underneath the car at the rear something about the axle or something where the suspension goes (can't remember to be exact sorry) he said it starts to crack its a common fault in these model of bmw.

BMW know about it and fix it on warranty but don't tell any one about it.

It involves a whole new rear floor pan plus some extras. If it is starting to crack you can get it fix under warranty if its still covered.

Sounds like I'm just been an **** but just looking out for you mate as it would be pretty crappy for this to happen then find out it could of been fixed for free when the warranty runs out.
Click to expand...

Thanks dude - I did have a look at the boot floor as I have heard about this - all looks fine so fingers crossed... lol.
 
coatesy said:
My mates a sprayer at teeside BMW he said that they change them under warranty. It must be down to the garage for wether they do this or not.

You would of thought that if it was a common fault they would fix it to prevent it from happening in other models.
Click to expand...

You would have thought but they don't.
Pain in the *** for the owners will FSH and this happens and BMW said no or they supply the parts but you have to pay labour.
A stupid issue that's been happening since 1990.

Welly said:
Thanks dude - I did have a look at the boot floor as I have heard about this - all looks fine so fingers crossed... lol.
Click to expand...

Any knocks, clunks or bangs from the back?

Welly said:
I can't bring an M3 to ADI can I? Really?
Click to expand...

I can't see why not.
It's not an Audi only show.
 
End of an era this but am glad your happy with your new car etc.

I would think that Bumble needs to go to another active forum member as they will know its true value etc.

Nice to see your gonna be sticking around the forum though :)
 
jojo said:
You can, but not on the track and visitors carpark only, Sorry. :sorry:
Click to expand...

Ummmm, not sure there is much point then really.

That's OK Joe, rules are rules. I'll just abide by these ones instead of ignoring them with my usual flagrant disregard.
 
ScottB5 said:
Yeah.
Sounds a bit like a broken spring.

But I think the M3s are ok cause they already have the extra plates welded in.
Click to expand...

E46 M3's are most definitely NOT safe from this issue. they're far more prone to it than the rest of the range, due to the masses of extra power going through them.

I have many mates with E46 M3's, and from what I've heard, almost all have cracked floorpans at the back, and it's pretty much impossible to spot. certainly not visable from above, and not really visable from underneath until it's all unbolted.

Broken Rear springs and RTAB's are also hugely common. Running costs of an E46 M3 compared to an S3 will be enormous!
 
Prawn said:
E46 M3's are most definitely NOT safe from this issue. they're far more prone to it than the rest of the range, due to the masses of extra power going through them.

I have many mates with E46 M3's, and from what I've heard, almost all have cracked floorpans at the back, and it's pretty much impossible to spot. certainly not visable from above, and not really visable from underneath until it's all unbolted.

Broken Rear springs and RTAB's are also hugely common. Running costs of an E46 M3 compared to an S3 will be enormous!
Click to expand...
Ive welded a couple up, and prawn is right it is invisible from inside the boot, you have to cut into 2 sections in the boot to see the damage, it will creak like **** esp when setting off uphill....
 
Prawn said:
E46 M3's are most definitely NOT safe from this issue. they're far more prone to it than the rest of the range, due to the masses of extra power going through them.

I have many mates with E46 M3's, and from what I've heard, almost all have cracked floorpans at the back, and it's pretty much impossible to spot. certainly not visable from above, and not really visable from underneath until it's all unbolted.

Broken Rear springs and RTAB's are also hugely common. Running costs of an E46 M3 compared to an S3 will be enormous!
Click to expand...

s3dave said:
Ive welded a couple up, and prawn is right it is invisible from inside the boot, you have to cut into 2 sections in the boot to see the damage, it will creak like **** esp when setting off uphill....
Click to expand...

Not impossible from inside or out side.
You can see it on the inside if its far enough gone but generally you can't.
Same with the out side.
Get it up on the ramp and look around where the sub frame mounts the body with a light and you can see it.
But again, it all depends on how far gone it it.
 
The organisers extended it to include other VAG group vehicles. I think sneaking an M3 in and pretending it's a prototype Golf, may catch their attention
 
ScottB5 said:
Is it just VAG cars then?

I remember seeing none Audi's last year.
Click to expand...

The show is an Audi only show in terms of parking and clubstands, but the track is anything VAG related, including Porsches, Gumpert Apollos, VWs etc.

I guess Welly could stick VW 1.8T 20v quattro on the boot, he might just get away with it! :laugh:
 
Prawn said:
E46 M3's are most definitely NOT safe from this issue. they're far more prone to it than the rest of the range, due to the masses of extra power going through them.

I have many mates with E46 M3's, and from what I've heard, almost all have cracked floorpans at the back, and it's pretty much impossible to spot. certainly not visable from above, and not really visable from underneath until it's all unbolted.

Broken Rear springs and RTAB's are also hugely common. Running costs of an E46 M3 compared to an S3 will be enormous!
Click to expand...

s3dave said:
Ive welded a couple up, and prawn is right it is invisible from inside the boot, you have to cut into 2 sections in the boot to see the damage, it will creak like **** esp when setting off uphill....
Click to expand...

ScottB5 said:
Not impossible from inside or out side.
You can see it on the inside if its far enough gone but generally you can't.
Same with the out side.
Get it up on the ramp and look around where the sub frame mounts the body with a light and you can see it.
But again, it all depends on how far gone it it.
Click to expand...

All interesting info this guys. What I shall do is go here: E46 M3 Floor Crack - Redish Motorsport Ltd - BMW Specialists of Bristol

They'll do a check FOC and we'll see what's what.
 
Mr Redish?
Yeah. Known him for years.
Use to work with him, in a round about way.

Check his facebook page for more pics of some of his builds mate.
 
Right then folks, some photos from after the first ceremonial wash:

7.jpg


8.jpg


9.jpg


10.jpg


11.jpg


Now need to wash and prep Bumble for ADI on Sunday. Need to whip the front bumper off and trim the IC pipework to make the bumper fit properly!

Just been reading up on the 'M Clunk' on the bim bim. Makes me laugh that there is a well known transmission clunk caused by the slip diff.

Fixed one clunk - move on to another.
 
Welly said:
All interesting info this guys. What I shall do is go here: E46 M3 Floor Crack - Redish Motorsport Ltd - BMW Specialists of Bristol

They'll do a check FOC and we'll see what's what.
Click to expand...

Hi Welly, congrats on what looks like a stunning E46 M3 from the pictures so far.

You don't know me, but Scott kindly mentioned you may be interested in getting a thorough and knowledgeable inspection of your floor (to check for cracks).

I'm James (owner of Redish Motorsport), and as Scott mentioned, well, friends with Scott :friends:

Here's a video I put together to help people check their own floors (if they can't travel to Bristol):


And here's the video of the car Scott was mentioning earlier. It's an M3 which has heavy cracking which a previous owner seems to have 'covered up':
BMW E46 M3 heavily cracked subframe - floor split - total failure - Part 1 - YouTube

Feel free to call or email anytime and I'll happily take a look at your M3 - free of charge.
All whilst you wait and with you able to view the car with me in the workshop too.

Congrats again!

James
 
Last edited by a moderator:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Pops848
It's a sad sad day :-(
Replies
28
Views
2K
vrbob
vrbob
Naresh
Its a Sad Day!!
Replies
8
Views
847
Markb
Markb
scoobyra
  • Locked
Sad Day! :-(
Replies
1
Views
649
S3 Paul
S3 Paul
indiemike
Sad Day
Replies
16
Views
2K
swatchuk
swatchuk
N
It's a sad day, but..
Replies
2
Views
732
Aky
Aky
Top
Back