Do Ti's have the subframe mount issues of other e36 cars?

[unterseeboot]

Ok, im new to BMW so i need some education.

Ive been reading about suspension upgrades. I keep finding comments about subframe mounting issues in E36 chassis cars. Basically the chassis was weak in that area and problems arise if it is not reinforced. I know our cars use the E30 suspension so is this also an issue on the Ti's?

Also what is an RSM?

Rear shock mount or rear subframe mount????

Thanks in advance.

[CirrusSR22]

Nope, never heard of an issue with the 318ti subframe mount points.

RSM usually refers to rear shock mount.

[bullmand]

Originally Posted by CirrusSR22

Nope, never heard of an issue with the 318ti subframe mount points.

The other E36s use a completely different system to attach the subframe to the chassis. The failure they encounter has something to do with the sheet metal in the trunk. I've also never heard of anything like that with a ti or an E30 for that matter. The common reinforcement for our rear suspension is the point where the swaybars attach to the trailing arms. Its a very small, relatively thin piece of metal and if you're running a stiffer rear sway bar or maybe even a stock bar with lots of track time you can rip the mounting off or tear the tab off completely. Turner and several other places sell kits to reinforce it, but it requires welding.

[unterseeboot]

Well, after 6 months and my alcoholic mechanics 90 day stay in the drunk tank for his second DUI, i may finally see my TI in the next few weeks.

I just came back to the forum as i can finally start hording parts and read a thread about rear diffs ripping out? Can anyone elaborate on this. As my car has high mileage 190k, but seems to have been well maintained i want to address any small issues before i take off down the road.

[familytruckster]

190K isn't high milage, and the ti's don't have subframe issues...Unless you are running 700+ hp on slicks.

The upper rear SHOCK mounts fail, which is a cheap easy fix.

[spidertri]

The rear diff mount failure occurs mostly on M Z3s with shot subframe and diff bushings. Theoretically, if someone put a S52 in a ti the same failure could occur if they didn't put in good subframe bushings too. The failure shouldn't occur in a stock ti with good bushings.

[BimmerBum]

The Z3's were plagued with rear sub frame issues and it seemed to cover the entire line and did not seem to be related to modification or driving style. Despite the fact that the Z3's had the same rear suspension as the ti, the ti did not seem to be effected. If you are running a lot of power in your ti you will eventually tear the differential (rear sub frame) mounting ear.

The rear sway bar mounts at the body (not the links) can also be problematic. Dinan's rear sway bar kit for ti's and Z3 includes weld in braces.

All in all I think the ti's rear sub frame and the body it mounts to is pretty solid. It works just fine for a stock car and with a few minimal modifications will work just fine on a heavily modified car.