Installing Mason Engineering X Brace for BMW E46 Models. Cause of the subframe failure part.1

[@johnkaing2451]

Thanks for providing us with the good info on installing the mason engineering x brace. I'm definitely going to have to tackle on this project soon.

[@diamondplays8944]

Hey, how did your installation go? I am planning on doing it myself soon.

[@SkywalkerAnakin996]

I’m thinking of building a x brace by myself and weld it completely in. I think it shouldn’t be too hard. But I don’t know if doing it completely solid is a good idea

[@HansGarage]

Marco S. Woahhh where you at? Id love to join you if i can

[@SkywalkerAnakin996]

Im from Germany 😅 i Never did something like this but my grandpa was a professional welder so it should be really strong 💪

[@HansGarage]

Marco S. Ahhh I see well keep me posted!

[@Hexthrill]

Yo man, how did that project turn out?

[@zfloz9895]

I'm sure it's a good choice. You will have better body rigidity and no more issues.

[@stektirade]

is there any way you could install cross braces up in where the subframe mounts in? id beef up everything i could, cause this is ridiculous.

[@oliverb.7860]

Isn't that an E39 M5 rear differential at 1:43? And arent the mounting points of the E46 M3 in different locations? 2 at the rear, one at the front? And isn't your whole explanation on why the rear frame mounts rather wrong?

[@oliverb.7860]

Oh it's an E46, not an M3. I am sorry for the mistake.

[@Scope951]

Superb video, thanks for such details and even the comment about it being noisy while driving

[@francischan8263]

Did you do any rust proofing after drilling the holes? Is the chassis still holding up eversince you did the reinforcement?

[@stuxtruth]

What about the rear mounts? It seems like this only supports 2 of the 4

[@HansGarage]

+stuxtruth Yeap this x brace is for the rear mounts. The front 2 mounts are attached to the cars chassis.

[@schooner325ci]

Fronts can indeed be treated, it's been well known for a long time that the front mount ( on the upper side) is the first point of failure. and just to clear things up. The front mounts are NOT attached to the chassis. To address fronts you must remove rear seats and cut a window in the sheet steel and reveal the top side of the front mounts. This is crucial because every one of these cars will have cracks there and no one checks. (Trust me here). mason brace is good but doesn't attach to the frame rails which I don't like. Front mounts need to be rewelded

[@tolgac9975]

Can you do this x brace with the reinforcement plates I want to do both for that extra strengthening in the rear.

[@HansGarage]

Yes of course

[@David-yh5po]

To me looks like it might do the same thing eventually with the x mount. I think it would put the stress on the driver side just up top on shock mount .

[@HansGarage]

Yea so I actually reinforced the front side too

[@David-yh5po]

@@HansGarage i just want to do it right the first time. I am not trying to be rude. I think you are very smart about this. I just want to make sure I am looking at this all the way through. Thanks again

[@David-yh5po]

I have a 323 year is 2000 5 speed. I know that I have some very bad issues going on in this area. I really thought of just letting it go to the junk yard for parts.

[@josesoto307]

how dod you reinforce front side any pictures of what the underside looked like after

[@Flozman1982]

I wouldnt mind one of these but the shipping cost is more than the brace as they have no distributers in Euro land.

[@emanueladamache7034]

right on for getting an 330i! got myself a 2003 330i bout two weeks ago! 77k miles!

[@HansGarage]

BlackJack 1199 woah! Low miles!!

[@diamondplays8944]

8:00 I watched some other videos and it looks like where you are supposed to take the two bolts out that hold half the subframe stay attached to the chassis. Is this true or do the bolts just come out after unscrewing them?

[@maltepettersson3083]

yes take them out to drill hole bruh

[@sammy95127]

What kind of noise does it make? Like a vibration noise from the diff / driveline? I just installed one, wanted to know if what I’m hearing is normal. When turning sharp corners I hear a vibration noise

[@HansGarage]

I didnt hear any vibrations at all. It was more like squeaking noise from the bolts and nuts

[@sammy95127]

Thank you

[@rhysbutcher8660]

Amazing video man thank you

[@nicksutcliffe4395]

cool bro I'm waiting to get a e46 m3 can I usr the x-brace in the m3 cheers

[@HansGarage]

+nick sutcliffe Yes you can! Make sure you get the 2 door x brace if you do. Let me know how that works out for you

[@AK1313]

What year and model is your e46? Looks like the damage is pretty bad in yours (from last video). I recall seeing another diy where someone used epoxy instead of welding.

[@HansGarage]

+AK1313 1999 328i. Unfortunately this car got totaled by a drunk driver rear ending me last Thanksgiving. I've bought a 2002 330i and I am going to do another video soon!

[@thumpertorque_]

+Han's Garage Hey, I've heard they fixed the issue in 2002 models and later, did you have any problems with the mounts still?

[@m3drewskiee467]

where can I find this brace for an E46 M3?

[@thumpertorque_]

What is the worst thing can happen if the stock mounts crack? Is the car going to fall apart in the middle of the track or road or something?

[@HansGarage]

Opposite Lock if all four mounts crack and rip apart yes your rear end would fall apart in the middle of the road but that's if all four mounts Rip apart at the same time.

[@nexushexus4365]

Yes it will literally tare apart.

[@jasondoe5741]

What about convertibles, any solutions?

[@DemonSlayer-df4ym]

Im thinking no...due to space limitations

[@scoobysisco9079]

Where did you order this from?

[@bimmerdriftbuild9606]

That’s exactly where my subframe was cracked when I welded in reinforcement plates! I assumed it was because of this

[@bimmerdriftbuild9606]

Ohhh and also yeah I definitely heard it too but I think that’s only because I also installed a 3.65 diff, poly bushings, and it’s all gutted 😅 great video man I’m definitely going for this next!

[@soundseeker63]

Has this car been "raced" regularly? I can't believe how it has literally fallen to bits like that! :-o Apparently cars made after 02/00 are supposed to be slightly better, while post 02' models are supposed to be ok.

[@HansGarage]

soundseeker63 1999 and yes, after the x brace installation, I never stopped flooring my gas pedal haha

[@WMax-rm3ue]

HAN'S GARAGE does this reinforcement fix the issue permanently?

[@bozhang4378]

And you called "installing the x brace is easy"…give me an example of what's hard then lol

[@HansGarage]

Taking the engine out Haha

[@emilepapillon2275]

2000 for reinforcement plates? I'm getting quoted 5k in 2022. Inflation? lol

[@hunterr9176]

5k is because the shop has never done it before. Just got mine done (2024) for ~$1200 with me supplying the plates. That was also with the plates being tig welded. Need to shop around

[@BoujemaaGourzane]

شكرا لكم

[@woodykim9219]

앗..한국분인가요?

[@HansGarage]

넵! 서울에서 태어나 12살때 이민온 자랑스러운 한국인 입니당 :)

[@woodykim9219]

@@HansGarage 와우~~~~ 멋진작업.잘보고있습니다.. 솔직히.말씀드리면... 전.e38 740 sports 모델을.가지고있는데 자가.정비를..하다보니..너무.궁금한게 많은데 언어적.한계로...유툽을..서칭하다.님의.영상까지..보게.되엇습니다.. 반갑습니다!!!

[@HansGarage]

아 그렇군요! 7시리지도 거의 비슷할거에요 엔진만 같으면. 740면 아마 8기통 아닌가요?

[@woodykim9219]

@@HansGarage 네 8기통입니다. 염치없지만 하나.질문드리고.싶은게.있는데 오늘아침에도..얼라먼트를.보고왓지만. 55마일에서.차가.흔들리는.증상을.못잡네요 딱.그구간에서만..마니.흔들리는..ㅎㅎ 자가.하체작업은..거의다.마쳤는데 저증상때문에..엄청 스트레스.받습니다

[@HansGarage]

@@woodykim9219 컨트롤 암 이랑 부싱 다 보셧나요? 아니면 스티어링 랙크 자체 에서 문제있거나 스티어링 타이로드 볼 조인트 확인해 보세요