Crossmember Reinforcement.

[mtlbloodshot]

Is it necessary to reinforce the crossmember with a M5X swap with the kits that companies such as AKG and VAC sell?

I'm putting a M52 with POLY mounts and before I send my crossmember to powder coat, I need to know if its absolutely necessary to purchase or fabricate the plates to reinforce

[Robert]

318i, m42 tend to break the subframe. So a heavier motor would do the same, right? Just reinforce it.

[Cadame30]

I did it, I mean why not?

It is not to much $, and will help in the long run, but be careful, on the plates for the bottom, you can box the nut in, so you can not torque it

[Beej '86 325es]

I did it, I mean why not?

It is not to much $, and will help in the long run, but be careful, on the plates for the bottom, you can box the nut in, so you can not torque it

^^^^

Yeah, I installed the reinforcements from TMS and after installing the motor mounts I realized I couldn't get at the nuts unless I did a lot of grinding.

[mtlbloodshot]

I probably be making my own

[VinniE30]

Is this a common problem? I haven't seen it happen.

[mtlbloodshot]

Is this a common problem? I haven't seen it happen.

I haven't heard of it happening either but on the VAC website they say that it's a weak point and when using poly mounts, there's a higher chance of having cracks or possibly ripping apart but is that marketing or can it really happen

[Adrian_Visser]

It has been suggested that the four cylinders subframes crack because of the extra vibration emanating from those four cylinder buzz boxes. It isn't exactly common to be cracking engine mount tabs on six cylinder cars unless you are throwing the car around hard i.e. auto-x or racing on R-comps etc.

[ak-]

I broke one side on my old 325is
180k chassis with just new regular motor mounts.

I don't even drive hard. Started thinking it was my agtressive suspension that did it in.

Reinforcements welded into my new chassis. Don't want to deal with that bull again.

It even looks weak. Take a gander; looks like the whole area was tacked together factory.

[Robert]

As of today, 3 318i m42 broke the subframe that I know of.

Andrew, Rob & Nick

[wenbeaver89]

I broke my subframe on my old 318is M42 about 2 years ago!http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/imag...s/icon_sad.gif