Close to impossible to diagnose without actually hearing the noise ... maybe try putting grease on the exhaust rubber mountings, check the exhaust mountings...maybe even check the engine mounts...could really be a million things ...

I wonder if you could get it onto a rolling road and see if you can hear the problem? Would tell you if it was mechanical or suspension related then?

Sorry

BB

Well, it's in the middle-ish.

Shall I get my coat?

Starfury - call the service manager at your nearest dealer and tell him you think you have a problem.  Describe it to him but don't offer more conclusion as to the cause other than to say that it appears that the floor seems to have ripped near the rear subframe mount.  Ask for them to inspect it and confirm if there is a problem. 

If they confirm then ask them to have it inspected by BMW because you feel it is a safety issue and an unusual structural defect in a car such as a BMW (especially one as easily driven and well minded as yours!).  If BMW inspect and confirm it then they should offer to undertake a proper repair (welding in reinforcement will repair it but it is a bit of a botch - BMW will remove most of the rear floor and weld in a new reinforced floor part).  There is actually a specific part number for the new floor used in the repair on http://www.realoem.com - www.realoem.com

I went through this with BMW here in Ireland a few months ago on my sisters behalf with a 328i Touring and the job was done with no fuss or arm twisting required, and no cost.  I'm aware of others in the UK and Ireland that have had it done in recent times.

I have some web links to background info that might be useful if you do have to twist arms to get anywhere.  I casually left copies of some of this stuff on the passenger seat when it went in for BMW to inspect it so that they might be aware that I knew something of the problem and BMW's approach to it.

PM me an e-mail addy and I'll reply with some links that might be useful.

Hmmm... was always told, and unfortunately had to learn, that you should always be nice to receptionists and PA's... They have a LOT of influence with the boss...

BB

If they don't repair it then have a look at this.

Turner Motorsport do a subframe reinforcement kit which might be a better option than "welding in a bit"

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=TDR4675412 - http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=T DR4675412

Hopefully they sort you out though..

Based on the general experience I'd say your car will be off the road for about 2 - 3 weeks which ever way it gets repaired

They basically disassemble the car from in front of the rear seats, both trim and mechanical parts, cut out a whole section of the guts of the bodyshell and chassis, rig it and weld in replacement parts, paint it and then reassemble the whole lot.  This job is major surgery.

If it could reasonably be done easier then I'm sure BMW would do it that way and save themselves a whole lot of money because the volume of these that seem to have issues suggest it must be costing them bigtime.

They should put things back as they find them.  Take a few pics to be sure.

Not sure about the bearing because they may drop the subframe and axle as a unit.  Its always worth a try though!

To be honest, its probably stretching things to try and make the link.  It was worth a try to get it done but since they have pushed back there's not too much to argue with. 

You could take the approach that since they will have already taken a lot of the back end of the car apart to do the repair that the labour element of the repair is reduced from normal and that the job should be priced as such.  If they don't bite on that allude to the fact that you will get a specialist to do that work at a lower labour rate.  They may take the view that a lower level of labour, and revenue, is better than none.

Starfury wrote: Apparently Sytner BMW in Solihull dont have a bodyshop on site and so they couldn't have done it whilst it was apart anyway. They also managed to identify (from a quick visual inspection whilst doing the 4 wheel alignment) that my trackrod ends, 2 sets of bushes, my thermostat and a few other bits need replacing. Also its due a coolant change and a an oil service. Funny how my thermostat needs looking at yet the engine temp is always fine.

Thermostat probably has a slight weep, can't see what other fault they could diagnose from a visual inspection, unless their technicians have x-ray vision.......... I'd get a second opinion on the whole lot, but worth doing the thermostat at same time as the coolant change if it's due and there is a problem with it. 

Hi I have a problem. 

I have a 323ci 1999T coupe.

Every time i: start moving, stop moving, heavy breaking, sudden gear changing i hear a creaking noise from my rear passenger side.  It doesnt happen all the time, just on th eodd occaison, also, it never happens at high speeds.

Could this be my part leather trim, or something more sinister.

Hi Dergside, thanks for the welcome and response.

Thesubframe mount, i read on a search in google that BMW replace this for free because its a factory fault..is that correct?

BMW seem to be doing plenty of goodwill fixes for this but its looked at on a case by case business.  There are a few folks on here that have had the job done, including me getting it sorted on my sisters car.  Its a big job because effectively the whole rear centre floor section is removed and replaced, big structural work.

Wow. sounds like a hell of a cosly hjob..oh i hope they do mine.

The thing is the previous owner asked BMW what it was when it went for a service, they replied..err we dont know