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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Bolton, MA
    Posts
    876
    My Cars
    2001 740iL, 2001 325Ci

    Have you had to replace your rear subframe?

    I just bought an '03 X5 (3.0) and thought, other than needing new tires, that it was in great condition. When I brought it for the safety inspection, it "failed" because of the tires and a brake light being out. They jacked up all four wheels/tires and used a prybar & tugged/pulled on all 4 wheels ...with no issue.

    I brought the vehicle to a different repair shop to get the tires etc. and have them go through the vehicle, do a detailed inspection. They got me the tires, but, also said that it needed lower control arms and 2 rear subframe bushings. I approved it when I paid the bill, was ...aggrevated with myself that I did not take a different approach on the LCA's and subrame bushings. A little over $1,000. AND, in the notes of the work order when I paid the bill, they said I needed a new rear SUBFRAME.

    ???

    How often do you all have to replace your rear subframes? I climbed under the rear of the vehicle and ...I admit there's a little surface rust, but, nothing that would give me concern that I would need to replace it. I can only imagine how much that repair would cost; $1,500 - 2,000??

    I'm kinda thinking I got taken to the cleaners. (Obviously, for those of you reading this post, you didn't inspect the rig before I brought it in to the second repair shop). But, I jacked up all 4 wheels and gave each a solid yank/pull. I felt very little, if any, play. Same with the inspection shop - and I know them and think they're good. Even driving the vehicle gave me no indication I had such "issues" needing repair. No 'clunking' going down the road, no drifting on the highway; just the opposite - nice & tight. And not for nuthin, but, when I climbed under to visually inspect it myself (after the repairs) I was shocked to see one of the muffler support brackets, bolted under the subframe bushing ...and it was beyond loose; almost had a 1/2 inch left to go. NOT EVEN HAND TIGHT!

    I know it's rather minor, but, I found it puzzling that one of the other list of things I should get fixed, (ideally with them), was a "frozen" rear windshield wiper arm. Which I knew was wrong because I had it going before I brought it in. And when I checked it after I got it home, it worked fine. I just think they didn't know how to turn it on......

    I think I got hosed. You?
    Last edited by jpilk99; 08-05-2018 at 08:28 PM.
    '01 325Ci Convertible, 5-speed
    '01 740iL, Stahlblau with beige interior & 18" M-Pars, GROM bluetooth
    '03 X5 3.0 six cyl, Gray on gray

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Montreal/Cape Coral
    Posts
    207
    My Cars
    2012 X6 35i
    Why on earth would you need a complete subframe? Rust? Accident?
    2007 FJ Cruiser (best vehicle to date)
    2012 X6 35i Sport
    2013 ML350 BT
    2019 4Runner

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Bolton, MA
    Posts
    876
    My Cars
    2001 740iL, 2001 325Ci
    Quote Originally Posted by peter2772000 View Post
    Why on earth would you need a complete subframe? Rust? Accident?
    I had a repair shop "offer" to do an overall in-depth Inspection where they go through the entire vehicle and come back with a hit-list. They said I needed lower control arms and the 2 rear bushings of the subframe. I didn't entirely agree, but, said to go ahead and do those things. Then, in the notes of the invoice, they said I needed a new subframe. I have been under the vehicle and I'll admit there's a minor amount of surface rust, but, I absolutely don't believe I need a new one. Hence my question.
    '01 325Ci Convertible, 5-speed
    '01 740iL, Stahlblau with beige interior & 18" M-Pars, GROM bluetooth
    '03 X5 3.0 six cyl, Gray on gray

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Montreal/Cape Coral
    Posts
    207
    My Cars
    2012 X6 35i
    Bro, I dunno about Mass., but in Quebec, we put salt on the roads in the winter. Surface rust means nothing under the car. Our X6 drove thru our salty streets form 2012 to 2015 and there's nothing out of the ordinary under there. Yes, your vehicle is older. But I can't believe that a complete subframe is rotted out
    2007 FJ Cruiser (best vehicle to date)
    2012 X6 35i Sport
    2013 ML350 BT
    2019 4Runner

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Northwest Ohio
    Posts
    809
    My Cars
    2001 750iL
    With the number of BMWs I maintain here in my family the only one I can say might even be close to needing a subframe is my daughter's 2002 325xi that has 314K miles on it. It does have a bit more than surface rust but still nothing that requires replacement at this time. Only thing I could think it would need would be the subframe bushings where it bolts to the frame and where the rear diff bolts to the subframe.

    But that is a far cry from replacing the entire subframe. I would tend to agree with you that they were simply finding ways to get your money.
    2005 X5 4.8is (DD winter) * 2001 750iL (DD summer) * 2001 Ford Excursion 7.3 L <> 2005 X5 3.0 * 2003 X5 4.4i * 2009 X3 3.0 * 2009 X5 3.0 * 2007 Toyota Avalon Limited

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