S50 in 318is alignment problem

[91Saleen#15]

I've installed the engine on M5 motor mounts with E36 arms and the transmission is bolted up now, but it doesn't sit straight in the tunnel. It's about an inch to the passenger side at the back of the transmission. I can pry it over with a bar to make it line up with the transmission mount, but it bothers me to leave that kind of pressure on the rubber engine and transmission mounts. I'm thinking that I should possibly enlarge the bolt hole on one of the left mounting arm so that it will sit straight without flexing the rubber mounts. Has anyone run into this?

[DEV0 E30]

Are you sure you have the motor mounts in the right position?



I can't remember if mine went a little to the passenger side.

[1990m3]

it seems to be hit or miss. I have the same setup as you and the first time i dropped the drivetrain in it was perfect. I removed everything and later re-installed and it was off-center biased toward the passenger side. I dont' know why or how but I got used to it and now it's fine. I tried for a couple of days to reposition everything but it wasn't happening. 15k miles later I've had no issues./

[91Saleen#15]

Are you sure you have the motor mounts in the right position?



I can't remember if mine went a little to the passenger side.

hmmm... maybe not.... I notice you have your bolt in the outside hole with the locating tab on the inside. I put mine the other way, but the holes did line up. Maybe that's the problem.

[So Live]

I had my mounts backwards and kinda crooked and i had the same problem as you. Id unbolt the mounts and try spinnin em around.

[318isbmw]

I had my mounts backwards and kinda crooked and i had the same problem as you. Id unbolt the mounts and try spinnin em around.

yep, I agree, happened with me too. Did as he mentioned and lifted the motor up a bit to take the pressure off and set it back down and it was all good.

[91Saleen#15]

I switched the mounts around and the problem seems to be fixed. Why?... I don't know. It didn't look that different.

[318isbmw]

I switched the mounts around and the problem seems to be fixed. Why?... I don't know. It didn't look that different.

Proly cuz the tranny's just an extension, so a tiny shift at the motor mounts grows into a larger shift by the end of the tranny where the mounts are.

[So Live]

Awesome dude. Good work!