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Fellow E46 M3 owners,
I own a 2004 M3 coupe approaching 117k miles, that is needing its subframe properly inspected, repaired, and reinforced. I refuse to go into any BMW dealership to have this done. There is a local, independent import shop that is BMW certified, that I may take it into for mere inspection, but would like to gather some intel on this topic from the community before I venture down that path.
I've watched too many Redish Motorsport subframe crack repair and reinforcement videos on Youtube; I sincerely wish I lived in Bristol, or UK for that matter to have them as the sole, trusted authority when it comes to anything subframe and suspension related. Their quality of work and fine attention to details for this issue is unparalleled, I'm sure many of you can agree.
Sadly, I live in the Midwest region of the United States; Iowa to be exact. I am wondering if there are any shops in the Midwest area that others would recommend that can perform high quality repairs and reinforcement of the subframe / rear axle carrier panel, et al. I'm looking for the obvious repairing of hairline cracks (strop drill and weld), defective factory weld spot points, stitch welding of any warping of panels, before installing reinforcement plates (V2 kit from Redish).
Any recommendations that you guys can provide would be greatly appreciated!
2004 BMW e46 ///M3 S54 3.2L I6 NA ~360BHP RTD-6SM | Fully-rebuilt motor (forged lightweight rods & FSR pistons + rebalanced crank) & suspension, Conforti shark injector tune, aFe Stage 2 intake, Megan Racing catless SS headers (ceramic coated) + Status Gruppe sec 1 rasp elim + sec 2 un-resonated X-pipe + DNA motoring muffler (LOUD)
2013 BMW e82 135i ///M-Sport N55 3.0L I6 Twin-scroll Turbo ~380BHP DCT | MHD Stage 2+ tune, aFe Stage 2 intake, free-flow/catless down-pipe + unresonated mid sec + straight piped rear w/ titanium quad burnt tips (LOUD)
2012 VW GTI Mk6 2.0TSI EA888 2.0L I4 Turbo ~250BHP 6SM | Stratified tune, IE intake, hi-flow cat/downpipe, unresonated mid sec, stock gutted muffler (Sporty, civilized)
http://www.autolinkiowa.com/
I live in Dubuque. I have had good luck with this independent shop as far as general service and repair on my 2002 m3 vert. I have not had subframe issues so cannot speak to that.
2002 M3 Vert 6 speed with hardtop
1991 325i 'vert auto
1994 325is 5spd
2004 x5 4.4
2001 325i sedan
Thanks for your input; I've contacted them and awaiting reply back. If they are able to, I'll provide an update just in case others wish to know.
- - - Updated - - -
Also just contacted a "Merrill Axle & Wheel" shop right in Des Moines, inquiring if they can work on the subframe inspection, repair, and reinforcement (All 3 steps).
They specialize in suspension and body work repairs, and preventative maintenance.. sounds promising, they were recommended to me from a gent' with Jacobsen Auto Body, also in the DSM area.
I will provide an update just in case others are curious.
- - - Updated - - -
Thought I'd update:
Auto Link in Dubuque, IA, looks to be 95% able to perform this; they are now reviewing the Redish Motorsport subframe crack repair & reinforcement videos I sent them, along with the Redish V2 reinforcement plates kit link.
Hopefully they give it a green light and a ball park figure so I can provide this as well for others. I just hope the quality of work can be comparable to Redish. More to come tomorrow.
2004 BMW e46 ///M3 S54 3.2L I6 NA ~360BHP RTD-6SM | Fully-rebuilt motor (forged lightweight rods & FSR pistons + rebalanced crank) & suspension, Conforti shark injector tune, aFe Stage 2 intake, Megan Racing catless SS headers (ceramic coated) + Status Gruppe sec 1 rasp elim + sec 2 un-resonated X-pipe + DNA motoring muffler (LOUD)
2013 BMW e82 135i ///M-Sport N55 3.0L I6 Twin-scroll Turbo ~380BHP DCT | MHD Stage 2+ tune, aFe Stage 2 intake, free-flow/catless down-pipe + unresonated mid sec + straight piped rear w/ titanium quad burnt tips (LOUD)
2012 VW GTI Mk6 2.0TSI EA888 2.0L I4 Turbo ~250BHP 6SM | Stratified tune, IE intake, hi-flow cat/downpipe, unresonated mid sec, stock gutted muffler (Sporty, civilized)
Thanks for keeping us updated. Best of luck!
2002 M3 Vert 6 speed with hardtop
1991 325i 'vert auto
1994 325is 5spd
2004 x5 4.4
2001 325i sedan
Another update; actually haven't heard back from Auto Link yet.
However, Merrill Axle & Wheel in Des Moines, IA, has given a green light to be able to perform this repair. This includes an inspection of the damage, repairing the damage found, and then installing the reinforcement plates kit.
I will continue to update on the subframe repair as it progresses until completion; looks like an initial inspection is to occur next week.
2004 BMW e46 ///M3 S54 3.2L I6 NA ~360BHP RTD-6SM | Fully-rebuilt motor (forged lightweight rods & FSR pistons + rebalanced crank) & suspension, Conforti shark injector tune, aFe Stage 2 intake, Megan Racing catless SS headers (ceramic coated) + Status Gruppe sec 1 rasp elim + sec 2 un-resonated X-pipe + DNA motoring muffler (LOUD)
2013 BMW e82 135i ///M-Sport N55 3.0L I6 Twin-scroll Turbo ~380BHP DCT | MHD Stage 2+ tune, aFe Stage 2 intake, free-flow/catless down-pipe + unresonated mid sec + straight piped rear w/ titanium quad burnt tips (LOUD)
2012 VW GTI Mk6 2.0TSI EA888 2.0L I4 Turbo ~250BHP 6SM | Stratified tune, IE intake, hi-flow cat/downpipe, unresonated mid sec, stock gutted muffler (Sporty, civilized)
I sent you a PM. I am looking for a shop here is dsm as well.
Merrill Axle & Wheel is able to perform this job for anyone interested.
They can perform full suspension refreshes also.
MAW charges a little under $100 per hour, typical of most shops, but is one of the oldest and most trusted in the DSM area.
2004 BMW e46 ///M3 S54 3.2L I6 NA ~360BHP RTD-6SM | Fully-rebuilt motor (forged lightweight rods & FSR pistons + rebalanced crank) & suspension, Conforti shark injector tune, aFe Stage 2 intake, Megan Racing catless SS headers (ceramic coated) + Status Gruppe sec 1 rasp elim + sec 2 un-resonated X-pipe + DNA motoring muffler (LOUD)
2013 BMW e82 135i ///M-Sport N55 3.0L I6 Twin-scroll Turbo ~380BHP DCT | MHD Stage 2+ tune, aFe Stage 2 intake, free-flow/catless down-pipe + unresonated mid sec + straight piped rear w/ titanium quad burnt tips (LOUD)
2012 VW GTI Mk6 2.0TSI EA888 2.0L I4 Turbo ~250BHP 6SM | Stratified tune, IE intake, hi-flow cat/downpipe, unresonated mid sec, stock gutted muffler (Sporty, civilized)
Another shop that can perform this job, ontop of other really difficult jobs like the rod bearing replacement service, is Simson Motorsport in Iowa City. Highly recommend them.
If you need general labor performed for aftermarket parts, I HIGHLY recommend Joey's Auto Shop also in Des Moines... family owned, amazing prices, very flexible, pretty quick with their work, and super friendly!
If you need exhaust work, I recommend Iowa Muffler & Brake, the oldest in the area I believe for exhaust work.. also family owned, great prices, pretty flexible, very swift with their work, very friendly!
2004 BMW e46 ///M3 S54 3.2L I6 NA ~360BHP RTD-6SM | Fully-rebuilt motor (forged lightweight rods & FSR pistons + rebalanced crank) & suspension, Conforti shark injector tune, aFe Stage 2 intake, Megan Racing catless SS headers (ceramic coated) + Status Gruppe sec 1 rasp elim + sec 2 un-resonated X-pipe + DNA motoring muffler (LOUD)
2013 BMW e82 135i ///M-Sport N55 3.0L I6 Twin-scroll Turbo ~380BHP DCT | MHD Stage 2+ tune, aFe Stage 2 intake, free-flow/catless down-pipe + unresonated mid sec + straight piped rear w/ titanium quad burnt tips (LOUD)
2012 VW GTI Mk6 2.0TSI EA888 2.0L I4 Turbo ~250BHP 6SM | Stratified tune, IE intake, hi-flow cat/downpipe, unresonated mid sec, stock gutted muffler (Sporty, civilized)
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