Opinions about an M Roadster as a weekend fun car?
01-12-2006, 01:40 PM
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Opinions about an M Roadster as a weekend fun car?
<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/78997/1593567383.185499316.im1.main.565x421_a.565x378.jp g"></center><p>I have a third bay in my garage that is begging to be filled by a convertible. Right now, even if it is not the highest performance car I could choose, my heart lies with the BMW M Roadster. Here are somes pics of a 2000 model year I've got my eye on. Anybody love it? Hate it? Heard anything one way or the other about ownership experiences? I don't know how to post multiple pics, so a pic of the interior will follow in next post...
01-12-2006, 01:43 PM
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Pic of the interior - black and blue, baby!
<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/78997/1593567386.185499316.im1.04.565x421_a.565x378.jpg" ></center><p>
01-12-2006, 01:50 PM
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Are you aware of the rear subframe issues with these cars?
There are two types of M Roadsters. Those with rear subframe/differential mount issues and those that will have rear subframe/diff mount issues. Expensive repair and/or reinforcement. Add $2.5-3k to whatever you're paying for the car
I came very close to buying one last year until I did a little research. Search the BMW M sites on this topic and you will find tons of info. Also, call Dinan. They offer a reinforcement kit but it is a pricy install.
I came very close to buying one last year until I did a little research. Search the BMW M sites on this topic and you will find tons of info. Also, call Dinan. They offer a reinforcement kit but it is a pricy install.
01-12-2006, 02:04 PM
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Re: Are you aware of the rear subframe issues with these cars?
I have definitely heard about it with respect to the E36 Ms, not the M Roadster. Are you sure it is also an issue with the convertible - are the sedan and convertible on the sam frame?
01-12-2006, 03:39 PM
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Absolutely.
In fact, I think it's worse on the convertibles than the coupes. I don't have my links anymore or I'd direct you to some of the info. Seach and ye shall find. There's plenty of info out there.
If you look at a car, pull up the carpet in the trunk and look for cracks around the edge of the trunk floor pan. Also look for cracks on the differential mount under the car and listen for clunking in the rear end during a test drive.
If you buy a car with damage already, you're going to have to get it fixed and then brace it. Big $. If you find one without any damage, you should do the brace kit, which I recall was about $2,500 installed by Dinan.
Two other comments. I found that every M Roadster owner I talked to at the time didn't know about this issue. It was just starting to grow, so I don't think the issue had yet impacted the used pricing. I'll bet by now it has started to impact prices. Another thing is I seem to recall that there were two class action lawsuits being filed against BMW N.A. over this issue, one in the Western US and one in the Eastern US. I believe BMW was repairing some cars, but then started refusing to do so. Either way, they were only repairing them back to the same defective state they started with from the factory.
If you look at a car, pull up the carpet in the trunk and look for cracks around the edge of the trunk floor pan. Also look for cracks on the differential mount under the car and listen for clunking in the rear end during a test drive.
If you buy a car with damage already, you're going to have to get it fixed and then brace it. Big $. If you find one without any damage, you should do the brace kit, which I recall was about $2,500 installed by Dinan.
Two other comments. I found that every M Roadster owner I talked to at the time didn't know about this issue. It was just starting to grow, so I don't think the issue had yet impacted the used pricing. I'll bet by now it has started to impact prices. Another thing is I seem to recall that there were two class action lawsuits being filed against BMW N.A. over this issue, one in the Western US and one in the Eastern US. I believe BMW was repairing some cars, but then started refusing to do so. Either way, they were only repairing them back to the same defective state they started with from the factory.
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01-12-2006, 04:21 PM
#9
M-roadster has a different subframe than the e36 M3.
many of the e36 M3's that failed were highly modified and tracked often. NEVER heard of a problem with M-coupe or M-roadster subframe.
01-12-2006, 04:58 PM
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Re: All subframes will tear away...
It's the diff mount and floor pan that actually cracks, the subframe itself is not the problem. I really don't know why this is an issue though since BMW has covered the expense of fixing mine and everyone else that I have come in contact with.