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Structure
08/16/2006
THE REAR SUBFRAME MOUNT IN MY 2000 328CI HAS A SIGNIFICANT FATIGUE CRACK AT THE SUBFRAME MOUNT WITHIN THE REAR AXLE SUPPORT. THIS PART, BMW #41117000246, FAILS DUE TO FATIGUE CRACKS FORMING IN THE SHEET METAL AT THE PERIPHERY OF THE SPOT WELDS OF THE SUBFRAME MOUNT TO THE BODY OF THE CAR. THE CRACK WAS OBSERVED DURING A REGULAR INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A SERIOUS AND MORE COMMON FAILURE THAN THE NUMBERS REPORTED TO NHTSA. ONE ENTHUSIASTS SITE HAS A LIST WITH 120 1999 AND 2000 E46 CARS WITH THIS FAILURE. THE CRACK IN MY CAR WAS OBSERVED BECAUSE I KNEW TO LOOK FOR IT. OTHERS HAVE NO IDEA THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN. THERE WAS NO PRIOR ACCIDENT OR EVENT THAT WOULD MAKE ONE SUSPECT SUCH A FAILURE. I ONLY KNEW BECAUSE A FELLOW BMW CAR CLUB MEMBER WARNED ME TO LOOK. THE CONSEQUENCES IS THAT THE REAR DRIVETRAIN AND SUSPENSION ARE SEPARATING FROM THE BODY OF THE CAR. AFTER THE FIRST SUBFRAME MOUNTING POINT FAILS (VIRTUALLY ALWAYS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR) THEN THE PASSENGER SI...
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Visibility
06/21/2001
LEFT SIDE DRIVER WINDOW WILL NOT MAKE FINAL POWER UP AFTER SHUTTING DOOR IF THE WINDOW HAS BEEN PARTIALLY OPENED OR CLOSED PREVIOUSLY. THE ONLY WAY TO MAKE THE WINDOW CLOSE TIGHTLY IS TO POWER DOWN THE WINDOW COMPLETELY AND THEN POWER UP COMPLETELY WITH NO STOPPING PART WAY. *JB
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Suspension
06/17/2002
AT LOW SPEEDS, WHEN TURNING, THE FRONT SUSPENSION HAS A CREAKING SOUND DUE TO DISTORTED AND LOOSE BALL JOINTS ON BOTH FRONT CONTROL ARMS - REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF BOTH CONTROL ARMS. *JB
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Electrical System
06/21/2001
CABIN HEATER BLOWER FAN IS SPORADIC (RUNS HIGH THEN LOW THEN HIGH AGAIN ON ITS OWN) DUE TO DEFECTIVE FINAL STAGE RESISTOR. *JB
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Engine And Engine Cooling
11/29/2001
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON DUE TO FAULT CODE 168 - FAULTY THERMOSTAT THAT REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE THERMOSTAT. *JB
