BMW e30 m3 wreck progress

[ian3]

Hey everyone,

I got into a wreck with my e30 m3 about two weeks ago. I live in dumfries, va and I will be back home from college on Dec. 16th. I have basically installed all the new parts (control arm and bushing, tie rod, and steering knuckle). I just want someone to come to assess the damage on the chassis and frame to see if anything is bent. If any one lives near me and would like to come by I'd greatly appreciate it. Otherwise I'll just take it to a body shop, but I'd rather have a fellow e30 owner assess it as well. I attached the link to the wreck thread that I previously posted so you can really see what happened to the car. The frame or subframe do not look bent but I want some reassurance. Also I would like to give a shoutout to BluntTech.com. Without their help, finding some of these parts at their great prices wouldn't have been possible.

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=228632

Thanks everyone

[TurboJake]

It's fine.
Unless the car or part of the frame struck something, the cars frame will not be effected.

If your subframe was bent, It would be noticed by the person giving the car the new alignment after replacing the parts. Which should be done.

I'd be WAY more concerned about the rust in this picture

[ian3]

yea that came after it rained and I had it on jack stands outside...But I really do need to get that fixed...I think the frame is fine, but I'm just worried about the engine subframe since someone said that they could see it was bent...

[TurboJake]

The only place it could've possibly bent from your failure is where the control arm ball joint comes through it. If you didn't have any issues getting the new control arm on, I would be inclined to say it isn't bent.

When you have the alignment done. If you haven't already, have them give it a look over. They'll be able to clearly see if one side differs from the other.

[ian3]

Yea i got the new control arm in just fine into the subframe and onto the new steering knuckle..But when I put the tire on and tried to compare the spacing between the fender of both sides, it looked like the left side (where I replaced the parts) was pushed back about a half an inch...Maybe it's just me though or it could be due to the fact that fender is partially damaged...After I get alignment, I will know though.

[TurboJake]

Is it possible that the previous owner installed different control arms, Such as E36 M3 ones?

That would cause it to look different too. As it would be different.

It could just also be the alignment is that far off too. Where were you looking at them in relation to each other? Top, bottom, middle (Front or rear)?

[LJ851]

Go get a 4 wheel alignment inspection. The castor and camber are not adjustable so if the control arm transferred enough force to bend the subframe or chassis it will show up on the alignment rack.

Also while it's on the rack with the wheels perfectly straight have them measure the wheelbase on both sides of the car and compare them.

[Julien]

maybe you have offset CABs on one side and not the other

[ian3]

Well considering I'm almost broke cuz of this and trying to pay for college, I replaced the left side with a steel lower control arm ($100). The right side as of now has an aluminum control arm which is $400 to replace. But when I look at the subframe everything seems aligned. Could the angles in which the control arms bend be different? And LJ851, I will definitely do that.

[TurboJake]

Yea...

You probably have very different control arms...

Sell the car to me. I'll give her a good home.

[ian3]

Lol I would never sell the car...But having different control arms could do that?

[LJ851]

Lol I would never sell the car...But having different control arms could do that?

No. The M3 arm is just an aluminum version of the regular e30 arm

[ian3]

That's what I thought...And as of now I have the new steel control arm connected to the old knuckle because I had to store it in a garage when I left for college...The new tie rod or steering knuckle are not installed yet because the steering knuckle just came from Germany yesterday. Since the tie rod is not connected, could that also have an effect on why both sides look slightly different?

[M-technik-3]

Is it possible that the previous owner installed different control arms, Such as E36 M3 ones?

That would cause it to look different too. As it would be different.

It could just also be the alignment is that far off too. Where were you looking at them in relation to each other? Top, bottom, middle (Front or rear)?

The car had OEM Aluminium E30 M3 arms.

Did you call any of the shops I mentioned in your neck of the woods?

[blunttech]

That's what I thought...And as of now I have the new steel control arm connected to the old knuckle because I had to store it in a garage when I left for college...The new tie rod or steering knuckle are not installed yet because the steering knuckle just came from Germany yesterday. Since the tie rod is not connected, could that also have an effect on why both sides look slightly different?

yes it could I think youre overly nervous and rightly so,... But wait till you get it assembled and Im sure it will be fine. You cant tell much till all the parts are on the car