Rear subframe / trunk floor / differential mount failure

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

I purchased car 6-4-12 after driving the car I noticed a squeak and a clunking noise coming from trunk, after removing trunk lining the spot welds [4] were broke loose in trunk floor from cross member where rear end is supported.. I took the car to dealer where car was bought hoping the dealer had a service bulletin on car I was told they would repair car at my expense I asked if that was an engineered repair or just a temporary repair there response was its the first time it had ever happened.. after searching the internet I found it was not the first time welds had come loose in the sub frame and if not repaired would cause major damage and possible control issues. This car is in excellent shape no rust issues at all was always garaged never driven in winter I believe the subframe and rear axle mounting is under designed for this car.

- Fort Morgan, CO, USA

On 24jun2011, I swerved from a parallel lane to avoid being sideswiped. No contact was made between vehicles. However, I noticed a noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehile has a manual transmission. I took the vehicle to an auto body repair shop. After examining the vehicle they told me that: The flange/bracket that held the differential in place had a complete hair-line fracture; and, that a substantial number of spot welds holding the body on to the frame had failed. I made contact with the local BMW dealership mcgrath BMW, ocated in westmont, il and told them of the incident. They stated that they did not undertake body repairs and directed me to a firm which did all types of body and structural repairs and was accredited by BMW. I was given an estimate for the repair of between $5,000-$6,000, and was told that there was no program offered by BMW to share in the cost of the flange/bracket and body repair. I went back to my local body shop and told them to estimate the cost and I also reported the problem to my auto insurance (state farm). An adjuster from state farm reviewed the failures and stated that the condition was one of a problem in manufacture and not covered by my auto insurance. My body shop then gave me an estimate of a not to exceed figure of approximately $2,500. I told them to undertake the repair. The flange/bracket has been replaced and reinforced and the body and frame have since been rewelded at a total cost to me of $1600. Additionally, I spent an additional $100 for a alignment (Firestone of countryside, il) the local body shop is douglas auto body, 4015 eberly avenue, brookfield, il (708) 485-7774 - they are a body and structural repair shop approved by state farm insurance. This vehicle has been used by me as a street vehicle and not for racing or track use of any kind. The failures seem to be a mfg. Design flaw.

- Brookfield, IL, USA

I heard a creaking from the rear of my car, I put it on jacks to check it out. To my surprise I found extensive damage to the floor pan mainly around the differential mount. The car is undrivable., but yet BMW will not take full responsibility for the matter. I see it as a safety issue as if I did not check it and continued to drive the cracks and tears in the body metal that exist could have continued even further and led to an accident or worse. I was estimated at a whopping 5200 dollars which BMW said they would only pay 3000 of. I believe it is a manufacturer defect, so it should be paid in fully by the company, but they will not stand up the their fault. I have at this time no choice but to drive the vehicle in its current state, there are cases of similar subframe problems popping up all over forums online. Enthusiasts of the Z3 will recognize this issue if they tediously and carefully inspect their cars, however the average person who just buys their car and drives it around has absolutely no idea of the problem at hand and the possible safety issue that it may lead up to if not taken care of properly.

- Dayton, OH, USA

BMW saw problem at the BMW Z-3 homecoming. Said if it was not the computer causing the door locks trapping passengers inside this car, it was a short in the wiring harness. Computer changed and the door locks trapped consumer inside the car for 3 days beginning on the N.J. turn pike headed to nova scotia. The only way to get out of this car when the door locks shortened out is to either put down the roof and windows and climb out of the car or roll down the window and take the key out of the ignition and reach on the outside of the car and unlock it from the outside. A nova scotia BMW dealer said locks were going into the double locking position which should never happen from locking this car from the inside. Only from the out side. I have written dozens of letters to BMW concerning this serious safety issue but no parts have been changed since October 2000. The door locks trapped me inside this car two weeks ago in augusta Georgia and again in brunswick Georgia this past weekend. I also have had continuous problems of a leaking roof, a rattling dashboard, radio cutting in and out in the left channel and a lot of other problems. I asked over 2 years ago for this 2000 BMW Z-3 to be replaced, but BMW refused. It has been in BMW shops over 7 times for over a month and the problems are still there.

- Savannah, GA, USA