M3 Rear Sub Frame Bushing help

[LuisBoston]

My car is at the shop right now and I am having them install the M3 rear subframe bushings. I followed the guides on here to order the right parts, but they are telling me it does not fit!?

Here are the parts I am trying to install:

33-31-2-283-382
33-31-2-283-383

All indications are that these should fit without issue.

Mine is a 2013 128i MSport.

[dtla1]

Those are the right part numbers, one is for front position the other is for rear.

[ShocknAwe]

Might need to confirm the parts store sent you the correct part in the box. Otherwise, it should fit.

[LuisBoston]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Might need to confirm the parts store sent you the correct part in the box. Otherwise, it should fit.

I checked the part numbers on the items themselves... they matched.

They were unable to install them. Service manager even told me his tech called another Indy shop (Bavarian Performance) to ask and they also didn't think it would fit.

But then I called Turner, who's service location is not far, and they said it would definitely fit.

This is definitely something I did not count on happening.

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by LuisBoston

I checked the part numbers on the items themselves... they matched.

They were unable to install them. Service manager even told me his tech called another Indy shop (Bavarian Performance) to ask and they also didn't think it would fit.

But then I called Turner, who's service location is not far, and they said it would definitely fit.

This is definitely something I did not count on happening.

Damn. You live by Turner. Lucky. Take it to them for sure.

[LuisBoston]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Damn. You live by Turner. Lucky. Take it to them for sure.

Any thoughts on the pictures I posted? Does that look like the right bushing they were trying to install?

Re-reading Dackels sticky on this, I'm guessing they did not drop the axle. Will update tomorrow.

[Windy5000]

Good luck and keep us posted, i was thinking of M3 subframe or powerflex bushings. I hear there isn't much difference with the powerflex being easier to install.

[tracer bullet]

Yeah, the "didn't fit" thing can be taken a few ways. Like - they didn't drop into the holes? That's expected, they need to press in. Or like - they didn't get enough clearance to do it? Then they didn't drop things far enough.

They are almost assuredly the right parts, and the shop just hasn't done it before. It's not a normal "repair" and it's a definite pain in the butt.

[drwillb]

and they need to be compressed some to fit into the subframe.

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by LuisBoston

Any thoughts on the pictures I posted? Does that look like the right bushing they were trying to install?

Re-reading Dackels sticky on this, I'm guessing they did not drop the axle. Will update tomorrow.

Looks like the right part to me. Dunno what they mean by "it won't fit"

[LuisBoston]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Looks like the right part to me. Dunno what they mean by "it won't fit"

They said the pin doesn't fit in the hole.

I think they don't know what they're doing.

[tracer bullet]

Originally Posted by LuisBoston

They said the pin doesn't fit in the hole.

Ahhhh. Installed upside down / from the wrong direction? Ask them if the pin fits the other side of the bushing.

Or front / rear swapped perhaps. There are different sized holes in the bushings, and so it's a mismatch of one type or another.

[tracer bullet]

https://www.schmiedmann.com/en/produ...3-31-2-283-382

https://www.schmiedmann.com/en/produ...3-31-2-283-383

Note the fronts have large & small holes both, the reares have only the smalls. They've either got front / rear swapped, or if not then the fronts are upside down.

[dtla1]

Originally Posted by LuisBoston

They said the pin doesn't fit in the hole.

I think they don't know what they're doing.

This first part number is the one that goes into that pin, see pictures of it here: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...h/33312283382/

[LuisBoston]

Originally Posted by dtla1

This first part number is the one that goes into that pin, see pictures of it here: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...h/33312283382/

The dealership has given up.

I'm going to pick it up in an hour. But I'm going over it with the service manager. I'll use your pics as reference.

What a disaster. I'd rather get it done where they know what they're doing anyway.

[tracer bullet]

That sucks. Clearly they can get bushings in and out, and should have been able to do it. Too bad they (apparently) don't understand front / rear / upside down type things very well.

If they are going to remove them and reinstall the old ones, so you can drive away, it'd be the same work at this point to put the new ones back in instead, but the correct way.

Either way - good luck. Hope you don't have to pay. That might actually be dependent on your ability to show them what they did wrong / the right way to do it? Maybe be prepared for that, just in case.

[dtla1]

Originally Posted by LuisBoston

The dealership has given up.

I'm going to pick it up in an hour. But I'm going over it with the service manager. I'll use your pics as reference.

What a disaster. I'd rather get it done where they know what they're doing anyway.

Wow, Surely this isn't a BMW dealership is it?

[LuisBoston]

Originally Posted by dtla1

Wow, Surely this isn't a BMW dealership is it?

Oh, it most surely is.

[LuisBoston]

Originally Posted by tracer bullet

That sucks. Clearly they can get bushings in and out, and should have been able to do it. Too bad they (apparently) don't understand front / rear / upside down type things very well.

If they are going to remove them and reinstall the old ones, so you can drive away, it'd be the same work at this point to put the new ones back in instead, but the correct way.

Either way - good luck. Hope you don't have to pay. That might actually be dependent on your ability to show them what they did wrong / the right way to do it? Maybe be prepared for that, just in case.

They did not charge me.

I have the car back, drives the same. The parts are correct. I checked against pictures. Clearly, they wasted their time and did not know what they were doing.

[dtla1]

Originally Posted by LuisBoston

Oh, it most surely is.

Originally Posted by LuisBoston

They did not charge me.

I have the car back, drives the same. The parts are correct. I checked against pictures. Clearly, they wasted their time and did not know what they were doing.

Damn, didn't think they could be that incompetent. I mean, I can come up with a theoretical scenario where this might happen, but there's way too many things that would have to unbelievably happen for this whole thing to go down.

Maybe this is also a dealer where wheel bolts are tightened with 20 seconds of full power uga-chuga tools. Or maybe these are the people that tighten the oil filter cap with a 1/2" wrench until they can't anymore. They probably also provide the most scratches per complimentary car wash. Nightmare dealerships.

[LuisBoston]

Originally Posted by dtla1

Damn, didn't think they could be that incompetent. I mean, I can come up with a theoretical scenario where this might happen, but there's way too many things that would have to unbelievably happen for this whole thing to go down.

Maybe this is also a dealer where wheel bolts are tightened with 20 seconds of full power uga-chuga tools. Or maybe these are the people that tighten the oil filter cap with a 1/2" wrench until they can't anymore. They probably also provide the most scratches per complimentary car wash. Nightmare dealerships.

I'll be taking it to Turner Motorsports next month. It's going to cost me $500 more than I expected, but at least I know they'll do it right.

[dtla1]

Originally Posted by LuisBoston

I'll be taking it to Turner Motorsports next month. It's going to cost me $500 more than I expected, but at least I know they'll do it right.

If you can, maybe also just return those M replacements you bought and go with Turner's solid Aluminum replacement?

Pretty much every review I've read on those, and in general subframe bushing replacements is that even solid ones don't increase NVH.