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Thread: Can anyone look at this?

  1. #1
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    Can anyone look at this?

    This is for an E46 M3 coupe. I noticed this weird looking weld spot on the left door frame near the dashboard (under weather strip). It looks like two weld spot next to each other but on the back side there is only one. Can anyone look at his/her own car and see if it's the same? Also I noticed some black sticky mark near the spare tire well towards front under the carpet. Any guess on what this might be?

    IMG_32481.jpgIMG_32511.jpgIMG_32541.jpg
    Last edited by Xinqi Chen; 04-25-2018 at 10:51 PM.

  2. #2
    dworthy's Avatar
    dworthy is offline Wagon meister :) BMW Tech Expert
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    I would bet that the robot in the Regensburg plant didn't hit the pinch weld right, so it moved over a little and zapped it again. I wouldn't be too worried about it as it pass the QC inspection at the end.

    Not sure where that black sticky stuff came from, are you a new owner? That looks like a bit of tar to me, or perhaps some black silicone?
    Darin
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  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by dworthy View Post
    I would bet that the robot in the Regensburg plant didn't hit the pinch weld right, so it moved over a little and zapped it again. I wouldn't be too worried about it as it pass the QC inspection at the end.

    Not sure where that black sticky stuff came from, are you a new owner? That looks like a bit of tar to me, or perhaps some black silicone?
    Thank you for your reply. I did not know the welding robots are programmed to self-correct but it makes sense. If a weld is missed and no one caught it, it would not be cost-effective to re-weld that spot manually. It's easier if the robot detected its own mistake and fix it.

    I am the new owner but just finally have time and space to work on this car. The black stuff does look like tar but that is a very strange location of putting it. I cannot even imagine what the PO could have done to leave a mark there.

  4. #4
    dworthy's Avatar
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    Yeah, people do weird things with cars, as I have found very odd stuff at times.

    I would try some goo gone or a similar product to remove it.
    Darin
    Current:
    16 220i Active Tourer Platinsilver MET (C08)/Dakota Black (PDSW), P7ACA, P7LDA, P7LHA, P9BDA, 6sp Manual - Wife's new toy!
    05 325it Electric Red(438)/Gray(N6TT) ZCW, ZSP 5sp Manual Back set cover, trunk mat, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield, and mud flaps! Mr. Wagon My new Winter car.
    05 M3 Imolarot II(405)/Gray(N5TT) ZCW, ZPP 6sp Manual C.F. Lip, CSL diffuser, SSK, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield and a trunk liner! Mr. Go_Fast Stored for the Winter
    Past:
    95 318is Montreal Blue Met (297)/Beige(K1SN) RIP, killed by an Idiot.
    84 M535i gray market Burgandy Rot Met/Black Leather Lowered by Intrax on bilies, poly everywhere, B&B cat back system, K&N, and a hitch! Da Beast - Still running w/400k+!
    91 316i euro Tizianrot/Gray cloth - E-36 w/M-40 RIP, but great on gas! Best was 38 MPG
    82 528i euro Saphire Blue Met/Blue Leather RIP
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  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by dworthy View Post
    Yeah, people do weird things with cars, as I have found very odd stuff at times.

    I would try some goo gone or a similar product to remove it.
    After closer look at the black mark in the trunk, it turned out the black material actually burnt/melted through the insulation material below by a couple mm. Black silicone should not be corrosive so it does not look like it. It could have been something really hot or corrosive to the insulation material in the trunk at that location. Since I am not sure what material is that factory insulation, it's hard for me to figure out...

  6. #6
    dworthy's Avatar
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    That is possible that the PO put something hot and melted the insulation. You could just take a strip of plastic to cover it to keep the mat from sticking to it.
    Darin
    Current:
    16 220i Active Tourer Platinsilver MET (C08)/Dakota Black (PDSW), P7ACA, P7LDA, P7LHA, P9BDA, 6sp Manual - Wife's new toy!
    05 325it Electric Red(438)/Gray(N6TT) ZCW, ZSP 5sp Manual Back set cover, trunk mat, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield, and mud flaps! Mr. Wagon My new Winter car.
    05 M3 Imolarot II(405)/Gray(N5TT) ZCW, ZPP 6sp Manual C.F. Lip, CSL diffuser, SSK, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield and a trunk liner! Mr. Go_Fast Stored for the Winter
    Past:
    95 318is Montreal Blue Met (297)/Beige(K1SN) RIP, killed by an Idiot.
    84 M535i gray market Burgandy Rot Met/Black Leather Lowered by Intrax on bilies, poly everywhere, B&B cat back system, K&N, and a hitch! Da Beast - Still running w/400k+!
    91 316i euro Tizianrot/Gray cloth - E-36 w/M-40 RIP, but great on gas! Best was 38 MPG
    82 528i euro Saphire Blue Met/Blue Leather RIP
    79 525 euro Green/Green RIP
    79 318 Silver/Black - The first one that got it all started
    M-Flight Member

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Xinqi Chen View Post
    This is for an E46 M3 coupe. I noticed this weird looking weld spot on the left door frame near the dashboard (under weather strip). It looks like two weld spot next to each other but on the back side there is only one. Can anyone look at his/her own car and see if it's the same? Also I noticed some black sticky mark near the spare tire well towards front under the carpet. Any guess on what this might be?

    IMG_32481.jpgIMG_32511.jpgIMG_32541.jpg
    Chen I have the same black substance in my trunk but it's more along the seal line next to the subframe mounts (going horizontal across the trunk deck). I guess it's just some adhesive I wouldn't worry about it as I have it too. I'm sure others do as well.
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    '98 M3/2/5 - Sold

  8. #8
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    Honestly, I have seen a few cars online that don't have this black mark. See this link as an example: http://gt-auto.ca/catalog/e46s-commitment-to-the-track/

    I have hard time believe OEM would put something like this in the M3s.

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