1998 BMW M Roadster body problems

Filed Dec 24, 2009 · Body · 135,000 miles · TX

Rattling noise from back of vehicle. Local shop replaced worn exhaust bracket; did not fix problem. Shop looked more closely at car and saw cracks in differential bracket and cracks in rear subframe. Took car to local frame shop and they also saw popped tack welds. Quoted $1800 to fix. Advised car is not safe to drive in this condition. I saw the cracks and I am inclined to believe them. Car creaks, groans, and rattles a lot when being driven.

Filed Jul 10, 2008 · Body · 70,000 miles · GA

My 1998 bmw m roadster, with under 71,000 miles, is showing signs of rear subframe failure. I am aware that this has happened on many of them that were driven hard on tracks, but this car has been used almost exclusively for driving on the highway to/from work and between chattanooga and atlanta. After recently hearing some more rattling from the rear, I've lifted the trunk mat and found the tell-tale sign: popping spot-welds. I'm not sure how severe it is at this point, and as a student, I can't afford to take it to a dealership or other shop to have it checked yet, but it will become a severe problem, and I have heard that bmw is unlikely to offer any assistance. I would like any advice you can offer.

Filed Feb 8, 2008 · Body · 114,640 miles · CA

My bmw m roadster has sustained a massive chassis and subframe failure making the car unsafe to drive and inoperable.

Filed Dec 6, 2007 · Body · 128,780 miles · CA

2 months ago my exhaust system dropped on my car, and was rubbing on the rear differential. I took it into a shop, and the exhaust bracket was modified to clear the differential. I went in to have my belts replaced yesterday, and found that the entire rear subframe of my car had torn away from the body. This is a manufacturing defect.

Filed Feb 4, 2007 · Body · HI

I have a 1998 bmw m roadster. The subframe is starting to rupture (tear) and welds in the trunk are breaking. If this continues the result could cause an accident. The problem was just diagnosed so no repair action has been taken.

Filed Dec 27, 2006 · Body, Transmission · AZ

I read about the rear subframe tearing off of bmw z3s and m roadsters and decided to have a look at mine. Found the welds holding the subframe on were failing badly and the bracket hold my rear differential was splitting. This is a very common problem I guess.

Filed Aug 15, 2006 · Body, Transmission · 75,000 miles · FL

1) driving, sub-frame weld separation (seam and spot welds) and differential mount crack. 3) one failed attempt at re-weld by body shop.

Filed Apr 23, 2006 · Body · 101,000 miles · NJ

I have a 1998 bmw m roadster with 101,000 miles on it. The rear of the car has many cracks in the rear subframe and trunk area, including the differential mount. The car was never raced or autocrossed, but is my daily transport to work. This is very dangerous, as the transaxles could easily fall out of the car at speed. Fortunately, I spotted it while replacing the exhaust and no one was hurt. I am a phd materials scientist and spot this as metal fatigue.

Filed Nov 14, 2005 · Body · 79,553 miles · WI

(1)I noticed there were creaks coming from the trunk. I saw five spot welds pulled through the sheet metal from the middle to the left side, and the sheet metal was separating on the left side of the trunk. (2) after bringing in the '98 m-roadster in to a bmw dealership for an estimate I was told the car was not safe if I were to be involved in a rear end accident. (3) the trunk was re-welded, but not reinforced.

Filed Oct 5, 2005 · Body · 132,000 miles · GA

Tear in subframe of rear differential support.