Subframe reinforcement done - V10 BMW E46 M3 restoration project Pt 7

[@markchip1]

I love how the music over the welding shots was identical to a '70s movie soundtrack during which our "heroes" break-in to a high security bank vault!

[@mr.airgun6921]

I was literally going to post a very similar thing! At one point I was listening to a 70’s cop show, undercover was on foot tailing the bad guy through a busy town.

[@driftworks]

Haha 😎

[@isaacpallant9260]

this is blasphemous; "the funk" is only to be gotten out for bracket making montages...

[@PT82]

No interest in drifting but love all of the builds this channel has. Interesting and you actually get shit done instead of constant updates of barely anything happening! Deserves way more subs!

[@driftworks]

Thanks 👍

[@omarialden9695]

Dont know if anyone gives a shit but if you are bored like me during the covid times you can stream all of the latest series on instaflixxer. I've been binge watching with my girlfriend these days =)

[@tuckerezekiel4349]

@Omari Alden yea, I have been using InstaFlixxer for since december myself :D

[@russellhenson7198]

Said it before and I’ll say it again. THE best Chanel on YT. Jay is a legend, as is Cwaig 😉🤣

[@driftworks]

haha thanks!

[@darrenhague4394]

Like being in the YTS That's makes me feel older than that BMW. Love all your builds. Thank you

[@driftworks]

🤓 Cheers

[@Mr.clintontoney]

Phil , you have to be one of the coolest guys on YT. your car collection is AWESOME!! Can’t wait to see the murci and this build finished. 💪🏻👍🏻🔥

[@driftworks]

Thanks man.

[@Leonclarkson]

Craig and Jay are comedy together and the music is perfect for them, cheers boys!

[@driftworks]

👍

[@doublesidedtape1000]

@Driftworks you guys should put solid aluminum (or aluminium if you must) subframe bushings in when you put it back together. They add no additional NVH if you stick with standard rubber diff and inner control arm bushings, but will give you much better response and help to further stiffen the rear by making the subframe effectively a part of the chassis. BMW even went to a solid mounted subframe in the F80. You can get a set from CMP Auto Engineering.

[@driftworks]

Now this is reinforced it'll be fine with the Powerflex subframe bushes. I don't want solid bushes anywhere on this one.

[@_Hangman]

So much for the 'tidy up' haha. Car is nearly a bare shell. Can't fault you for one moment though all this work, time and effort will be worth it, do a job once do it right after all, whilst making it look amazing 👍🏼

[@driftworks]

Thanks! Yeah it got a bit out of control.

[@Ali4994]

I think I actually heard an E46 M3 owners arse fall out while I was watching this

[@driftworks]

Haha.

[@e36328isport]

Who are these people who dislike this video? Anyhow, super slick and loved the cool tunes 👌🏻 This is gonna be one tied together 46 💪

[@driftworks]

Thanks man. There's always hate. I don't mind.

[@r.p.3192]

Now this is a real welding tutorial guys! Keep on reinforcing that old beemer. Love it!

[@driftworks]

👍

[@nsumpy]

I never get tired of that intro, that noise alone is worth the effort you guys are putting in.

[@driftworks]

It keeps me hungry to finish it too!

[@jamest5149]

‘Quaig’ to forever be know as!

[@driftworks]

He'll love it!

[@drepachi77]

Can smell the Welding and Burning Metal from here! Re-Fabrication Rebuild, Will Be Amazing Though :)

[@driftworks]

👍

[@EugVR6]

Nice work gents...I'll keep watching the whole process and can't wait to see it running and on track again👍🏼😎

[@driftworks]

Thanks!

[@Jonathan_Doe_]

As a welder, it always gets me when people show someone welding in a video, it’s so hard to stop myself from shutting my eyes as a reflex! 😂 Serious note though I’ve heard it can knacker the image sensors in cameras if you film it without something over the lens. Burns them kinda like it burns your retinas.

[@driftworks]

haha. Thanks man, I wasn't aware of that. Although it may need replacing soon anyway if I let Jay use it any more. It's already had paint & a weld rock on the lens 😁

[@davehoe5271]

That SME brace looks like a lovely bit of kit. Great work as always guys, it's really coming together now 👍

[@driftworks]

Yeah, it's very nice stuff. Thanks very much.

[@meandthefamily1485]

Slick looking job that Phil ,credit to all of you waiting for the next one cheers!

[@driftworks]

Cheers!

[@504DamnSkippy]

Man, I absolutely love these guys! Legends! I wish Craig and Jay made house calls! I have a couple of E30's with some need of the Craig and Jay touch! Keep up the great work and videos!

[@driftworks]

Thanks! 👍

[@TheManmoths]

Great progress! Craig and Jay are the real MVPs 👌🏻😂

[@driftworks]

Thanks! They sure are!

[@chrisg4rr377]

Loving the uploads. I hate e46 m3's but i love my m3. Only as ignorance is bliss

[@driftworks]

👍

[@omarreyes8722]

This car is definitely a labor of love can't wait to see it finished 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@driftworks]

👍

[@ethanthomas1868]

Thank you for keeping me entertained in my ill state

[@driftworks]

👍

[@RestoredSparda]

Favorite channel on KZbin. Thanks for sharing your talents and builds with us!

[@driftworks]

Thanks!

[@s.lacasse8337]

I really like the box section way to stiff it.

[@markwalton8644]

Love the updates. Underseal removal and welding upwards. Definitely the most horrible thing you can do on a car. Looking sweet and rewarding when you've finished 💪 Looking forward to the undersealing episode 😂

[@driftworks]

Thanks! Yeah I'll be glad to see the underside one colour again for sure!

[@minuevoluck8197]

what a great job to reinforce the chassis you are the best!!!

[@driftworks]

Thank you! 👍

[@DAWMiller]

Long live the Jay Cam

[@driftworks]

😎

[@tommygunnz7154]

Very well done guys. Looks great it's going to be so tight👍👍Totally agree every e46 has this problem.

[@driftworks]

👍Thanks

[@richardbaron2948]

Loving these build, cannot wait to see and hear it when its finished. Awesome :).

[@driftworks]

👍

[@vandettabuilds6641]

I love watching Drift Works!!!

[@nizarmajdi2129]

me too

[@driftworks]

Thanks!

[@tillbortels5306]

This jazz music is very cool!

[@driftworks]

Thanks!

[@Doggepp]

Love this series! I was in the thoughts of getting either an E46 M3 or an E36 M3 and ended up going with the E36, since I read stuff like this about the E46, but I have never until now actually seen what kind of damage they can suffer from. And since I will be mostly tracking my car, I am glad i went with the E36, since this isnt something i'd really want to do. I know the E36 can have similar issues if you go with full coilovers on the rear, but it seems like its far from what happens to the E46.

[@jongararjorundsson3345]

To be fair though, if you find a clean e46 without major cracks it's not that involving to reinforce them properly. No need to completely write them off as an option.

[@Doggepp]

​@@jongararjorundsson3345 It depends on what coilover setup you are running. If you plan to do hard track driving, with "full" coilovers in the rear. I would have a full cage put in, with all the 4 subframe pick up points reinforced into the cage. As well as getting one of these x-braces for the rear shock towers mounted/welded in plus the plate reinforcement kit. If you run separate coil/dampers in the rear. I think you'll be fine with just the plates and a bolt in x-brace for the shock towers.

[@jongararjorundsson3345]

@@Doggepp Fair enough. I have a "Vince bar" under the boot floor with front mounting points reinforced as well. Redish plates below the car. Boot still usable and looks fairly stock. Not an out and out track car. Agree that if it was I would probably put in a cage. For my use I think this is more than enough.

[@Doggepp]

@@jongararjorundsson3345 I was looking into one of those vince-bars as well, and looking into his forum thread on a swedish race forum when i was looking at an E46. His solution is super nice since you can retain most of your boot/trunk space, but I think one of those new x-brace styles does the same job, and is a bit easier to install. Ended up going with an E36 M3 Euro 3.2L instead, and I dont think they have anywhere near the same issues. We will see how it looks after a summer of track use. I will run separate springs/shocks in the rear, so it should be OK, the subframe is solid mounted and all arms/bushes are spherical bearings though.

[@jongararjorundsson3345]

@@Doggepp Yes the e36 seems to have fewer issues even if it's a similar design. Go figure. Sounds like you have pretty solid setup. Lets hope we will both have trouble free seasons of fun with these :)

[@marrerful]

Your introduction at the beginning of the video with Craig and JAY with his hood up.

[@driftworks]

Gotcha!

[@waynecurtis7057]

And you Phil you’re a legend too 😉

[@driftworks]

Haha thanks!

[@saz9170]

I am really enjoying this build 👍🏻😎

[@driftworks]

👍

[@kramer26]

Nice work, really enjoying this series! I have friends in Brum so next time I'm up I'll have to pop in and check it out in person, along with the P5 I noticed in the back... 😉 My dad had a couple of those; a saloon and a coupe, both V8's... 😁

[@driftworks]

Cool cars!👍

[@kramer26]

@@driftworks lots of memories of going to car shows as a young lad in the Rover 😊👍

[@kayjaypug]

Love the bants.

[@driftworks]

🤓

[@davey_projects2977]

Enjoyable as always. Youve just about rewelded the whole car, a shame the e46 has the chassis issues. Looks cold though, Wish it was cold here - regards Australia

[@driftworks]

Thanks! Yeah it should be pretty damn strong now at least. I feel for you. I don't think I could hack your summers.

[@SAVING_ICONIC_MACHINES]

Great welding bro and amazing work overall 👍🏽👍🏽

[@driftworks]

👍Thanks!

[@finlay230]

another great vid asusual, love the more regular updates !!!!

[@driftworks]

Cheers. You're one behind. Are we doing too many? 🤓

[@mrmoss149]

LMFAO!! " I'm glad dad FINALLY let me touch his welder"...i would say you earned ( burned?) The right by him burning you. Keep it up, lads! Brilliant. Cheers

[@driftworks]

👍

[@Iamcodzilla]

Great video, its exciting to watch it progress

[@driftworks]

Cheers!

[@tillbortels5306]

Nice welding!

[@driftworks]

👍

[@simonhaycocks]

A few years ago i bought an E36 M3 evo (which got stolen 3 years ago 😡) Everybody kept asking why i didn't buy an E46 instead. Subframe mounts and boot floor was always my answer, wish this series had been on youtube so i could have just sent them the links. As much as i love the E46, did have a 330i sport touring years ago which i loved, i just couldn't live with the fear that one day somebody was going to give me the bad news it was disintegrating beneath me. If i go for another M3 in the future and can't find an E46 thats had the floor sorted i'll just get an E9x.

[@driftworks]

Sorry to hear your car got stolen. Yeah, there wasn't a lot of info on these cars when I first built it. There's a load of info now.

[@SHIREDRIFT]

Miserable work? It's all the stuff i like! Paint prep is the shittest job on cars. Give me a load of hammering out Braces and gussets any day haha

[@driftworks]

👍

[@zerotohero7449]

Phil, I hope you bought Jay some beers at the end of the week.

[@driftworks]

He prefers pizza.

[@bakedbeanzontoast9078]

Great, always enjoy your vids, very interesting. 👍👍🇬🇧

[@driftworks]

Thanks!

[@Jb001jb]

I’m currently picking up my jaw from the floor. I knew there were issues with E46 chassis. But had no idea it could be this bad. Considered buying/restoring one again, for future summerdrives, when my other daily car is electric or something like that. Probably will be to expensive. Bummer.

[@driftworks]

Don't be put off by this, just inspect it properly before purchase.

[@NicholasZak]

great stuff mate!! been a fan for years!

[@driftworks]

👍

[@GeesDrive]

19:05 - Craig & J, just two broken men staring into the E46. BMW, ruining good men since 1916.

[@xelad6159]

haha both drained as fuck and relieved

[@driftworks]

Haha yep. It ended up being quite a lot more work than intended.

[@GeesDrive]

@@driftworks really enjoying the vids, love to see the huge effort on these projects.

[@TomChame]

Very neat!

[@driftworks]

👍

[@22Wook]

The musical interlude reminds me of Project Binky.

[@setra23]

"Get the funk out."

[@tommyrally]

And now i have the project binky theme playing in my head.

[@AshleyCaunt]

‘Funk’ just goes hand in hand with fabrication 😂

[@driftworks]

👍

[@fuuswag9835]

I had a 320d as a work horse, same thing mount completely pulled through the floor.. it also wasnt running right so was really low on power 😂

[@driftworks]

Damn!

[@backflipon15]

Deserves more subs as always but really enjoying this build phil, also remember you saying you wanted this to be a cheap rebuild..... Whoops

[@driftworks]

Thanks man! Yeah we're annoyingly underground on KZbin it seems.

[@jamest5149]

Get some of Redish Motorsport colour correct primer to paint the boot floor so it all looks OEM dip primer colour... will look better than the mat black you did before 👍

[@driftworks]

It'll all be custom paint now.

[@GetUpFalcon]

Did you cut internal windows to check the top of the front rear mounts like redish do? Or was that the point of welding the cylinder that houses the thread through the external access window?

[@driftworks]

That's the same thing except the welds we've done are much stronger than welding through the top factory holes as they are the full width of the bobbin.

[@GetUpFalcon]

@@driftworks Thats well good.

[@waynecurtis7057]

Where do I get my own Craig and Jay?! 👍😂

[@driftworks]

Through the YTS.

[@jamest5149]

‘That’s the spirit’ lol 😂

[@driftworks]

👍

[@KerryDrift]

good works

[@driftworks]

👍

[@scottm6018]

Does worry me a bit watching these videos and owning an e46 😂

[@driftworks]

Just get a good look under the car. It's likely fine.

[@scottm6018]

@@driftworks had a look today while getting the donut mount and centre prop bearing and rear trailing arm bushes 😂 e46 life!

[@gareththwaite5128]

I'm not trying to be a know it all health and safety knob, but have you seen the latest advice from the health and safety executive about mild steel welding?

[@chrisg4rr377]

They're in Birmingham, worse things to think about than abit of gas

[@driftworks]

No, I'll mention it to Craig & see what his response is on video.

[@gareththwaite5128]

@@driftworks honestly it's worth a read. You can email me and I'll send some links [e-mail]

[@andywiththen]

These last couple of videos have single handedly reduced the price of E46s haha

[@driftworks]

Haha, yeah.... That wasn't my intention, but I can see how it may put someone off.

[@mrmoss149]

" He just turned up at four o'clock".." I've been editing!"..." Yeah yeah yeah"...well done, lads." Showveralls" Lmao

[@driftworks]

🤓

[@quest8795]

Generally people use hammers, angle grinders and fire to *destroy* things, but it seems like they're the best way to fix an E46 🤔😂

[@driftworks]

Best way to fix most things in Birmingham.

[@quest8795]

Lmao yeah

[@jamesford3549]

Do E85/86 Z4 chassis fall apart or is it the older Z3? I thought the Z3 was an E36 family and Z4 was E46 family.

[@driftworks]

It's the older one the Craigs referring to. It uses the an E30 / compact beam type rear axle.

[@SteezyG]

Kudos for sticking to it. I'd have got a 1 series coupe and dumped a dumb engine in that rather than the fuckery with this subframe!

[@driftworks]

Thanks. That's what Gaz our painter has done. I briefly show it in the last Lamborghini update vid.

[@gss8501]

Don't be welding Jay's finger 😂 😂 😂

[@driftworks]

It's Craigs favourite thing to do.

[@gss8501]

@@driftworks Poor Jay's is getting media abuse hahaha 😂 😂 😂 😂

[@flzrennsport13]

What did you spray on the back of the reinforcement plates and on to the floor before welding the plates?!

[@driftworks]

Upol Weld through primer. 👍

[@martinbruce6713]

These videos have prolly have the priced of e46 m3's 😆

[@driftworks]

haha, that wasn't my intention, but I can see how it may increase the value of cars that have been properly reinforced / repaired halve the price of the rest. Time to start buying E46 M3s!

[@danielbgh3139]

Love the work and attention to detail Phil! What's the name of the intro song?

[@driftworks]

Cheers. It's called Gravity I think,

[@rob5896]

Nice asbestos workshop roof doh!

[@driftworks]

They all are in this area.

[@TMVinyl]

Out of interest. How much weld was put back in the car ?

[@driftworks]

What do you mean? As in how much wire? A fair amount.

[@adamfcs1131]

What welder do you use?

[@jonfarley7892]

whats the brand of gloves the lads are using? keep up the good work guys

[@driftworks]

The orange ones? I can't recall the brand but we buy them from Eurocarparts.

[@hoonaticbloggs5402]

Did you have to offer up the subframe regularly to check the holes still line up ?

[@driftworks]

It's not that sensitive as long as the bobbins end up vertical. The sleeves from the subframe mounts were fitted & bolted in to get the rear crossbrace in exactly the right place.

[@lowey333]

I love these videos cheers guy's!! Makes me actually miss wielding. I need a project car again! On the hunt for a Lancer Evo 3 RS I think or one one of these beauties!

[@driftworks]

Thanks very much! 👍

[@samuraile6625]

Hi guy, Bloody Great job as usual. Graig if you will looking for apprentice I wish to be the chosen 1. I can work for free.

[@driftworks]

Thanks very much 👍

[@98976h]

18:19 use long gloves to the elbow :D .....nice progress

[@driftworks]

Yeah, Craig would rather wear a hoody & set fire to himself... Oldschool!

[@barnabro]

It feels so wrong to be watching the welding. Keep wanting to look away as though somehow my retinas are going to get burned through the screen 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@driftworks]

Haha, we've had someone say we are damaging their eyes through the camera before 😂

[@marrerful]

How long has Emperor palpatine been working in your shop. He not a bad mechanic though.

[@driftworks]

Big Star Wars fan & I'm not sure who your referring to.

[@gss8501]

9 haters are lube technicians at local Vauxhall dealer 😂

[@driftworks]

🤓

[@truthseeker8483]

Nice Rover P5! Putting a V10 in that too? :-D

[@quest8795]

Probably not a V10, but Craig is known for LS swaps.. 🤔

[@driftworks]

I can't remember what that ones in for. I'll have an ask.

[@chrisovgy1989]

i did like e46 till i started watching all this work been done.

[@driftworks]

Don't let it put you off having one. Just get it checked by someone that really knows what they're looking for.

[@chrisovgy1989]

Yeah was looking for cheap m3 smg for track day car

[@Kortec_Racing]

what are your thoughts on the wheels? the old ones?

[@driftworks]

I'd like to build a set of the same spec AC Schitzer type 2's, but they are now beyond ridiculous money. I'm pretty sure I sold mine for £1,500.

[@rob5896]

Where do you get those heat resistant rubber gloves🤣

[@driftworks]

A welding specialist 🤓

[@sami8247]

That subframe aint going nowhere now 😂

[@driftworks]

For realz!

[@simonhaycocks]

Probably start cracking round the fire wall now 😂

[@driftworks]

Not likely. Next video inbound!

[@mr.airgun6921]

I’ve never had an E46 M3 to look but there must be a reason they do this, what are the diff mount rubbers like? It’s like the torque from drive is being transmitted too harshly. Kind of shows that as the Auto story Craig said about was a bad example of the failure. With an Auto, kick downs & more transmission jerk etc?

[@idokwatcher2062]

It's a long story, but it boils down to subframe mounts not being on the chassis rails which they finally "learned from" for the next 3 series generation. They are in the middle of the floor attached to very thin metal, with insufficient welds, and there's nothing connecting to the strut towers. The torque acts as a diagonal force on the differential and that's why rear left and front right mounts are the most common first failures and that's because even the 318i crack and especially the torqier models upwards. The strongest force is around 2500-3500RPM when you shift 1st to 2nd gear that's the range these engines develop most torque. The so called "Vince Bar" available commercially as a part of the fix is very simillar to the box member these guys installed on their own 10 years ago. To tie boot floor to strut tower to chassis rails.

[@mr.airgun6921]

Idok Watcher Thanks for the reply. I’d guess a 330d rips itself apart in that case?

[@driftworks]

It's just bad design & very low quality welding at important points by BMW.

[@jamest5149]

‘Pig 2’to be forever known as😂

[@driftworks]

'Pidge'

[@darylmorse]

That RACP really is a mess. For all the time you spent fixing it, you could have replaced it!

[@Ben.g762]

Why are you doing tacks rather than long beads of weld?

[@driftworks]

Do you mean why are we stitch welding? or why is Craig pulsing when doing the stitch? Doing one long run on metal this thin blows holes.

[@Ben.g762]

@@driftworks yeah it was more the pulsing when welding, but as you say if the metal is thin that makes sense. Thanks!

[@gss8501]

Mate honestly I would powder coat the underside subframe if you went that far....... wishbone, drop links, drive shafts etc... its is worth it and it doesn't cost a fortune .... 300 - 400 quid would do everything for you! and it will look sexy as fuck when u put it back together :)

[@driftworks]

As I said in the first couple episodes I'll be powder coating the subframe & many other parts. The arms are aluminium so will probably just be blasted clean.

[@gss8501]

@@driftworks Awesome can't wait :)

[@NaturesNirvanaSpirituality]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@driftworks]

👍

[@taztims7118]

10 x Better than Redish Motorsport 5k Repair jobs that comes with only 6 Months Warranty!!!!!! Yes Only 6 Months :(

[@driftworks]

I wouldn't really compare them. We're doing much lower standard of work & i wouldn't want to do it for £5k.

[@waynestatic2778]

Great ASMR for eyes starting at 4:23

[@driftworks]

haha 🤓

[@gwg240]

"Lets see if i can film this without cutting my fi-- AAHHHHH"

[@driftworks]

😁

[@chrisg4rr377]

Has anybody used the gel type paint stripper to pull the undercoat off before? Wondering if its worth brushing that shit everywhere then pressure wash it off?

[@driftworks]

I haven't, but airplane stripper was suggested when we started doing this.

[@jamesford3549]

Did anyone else cringe at Jay saying “kwaig” shortly followed by “I heard that”

[@driftworks]

Yes

[@Davewagon]

What’s being implied? That Craig can’t pronounce his ‘R’s ?

[@driftworks]

Jay genuinely wasn't taking the P, but yeah Craig doesn't do R's.

[@TomasSheehan1991]

This is really turning me off getting an e46

[@MrCukydoh]

you probably won't have a V10 ruining the rear subframe tho

[@driftworks]

Don't be put off. Just get it checked properly before buying.

[@pistonpoweruk]

MrCukydoh the v10 isn’t ruining it, these tear just as bad on stock power. The subframe is bolted to thin sheet metal, not the chassis legs.

[@MrCukydoh]

pistonpoweruk read my other comments... i have a Turbo M54B30 E46. no subframe issues yet, but i’m doing all this soon so i know i never will.

[@TomasSheehan1991]

Craig said in the video that a 328 auto had issues with the mounts and it had an easy life. I suppose you just never know when it could happen.

[@jamest5149]

For those outside of the uk or too young to remember... YTS= 25 GBP’s a week slave labor and point of all jokes and ridicule 👍

[@driftworks]

I almost cut it out of the edit as probably only 1% of our viewers in the UK probably know what YTS is, let alone international viewers 🤓