Sitting low/Exhust bracket

Hindy500 · Post by **Hindy500** » Wed Apr 12, 2023 8:54 pm

Hello

I noticed the Z was sitting a bit pissed and I could notice it driving. About 2cm lower rh rear. Had the wheel off thinking a spring but it’s fine. Beyond that I’m clueless.

I’m so far a ‘bluetooth module install, change the oil level amateur’ but I’d like to figure this out before taking it in. Maybe even a diy fix.

Looks like I’m on original suspension albeit with newish looking springs.

Also got this broken exhaust bracket - how much should I worry about that?

Grateful for any pointers!

H

Post by **srhutch** » Wed Apr 12, 2023 9:27 pm

Worth getting that exhaust bracket replaced. Look on ebay for E46 M3 exhaust flange repair kit. They are exactly the same as what you need. Most of us have replaced with them already.

Hindy500 · Post by **Hindy500** » Wed Apr 12, 2023 9:32 pm

Great tip, thanks

john-e89 · Post by **john-e89** » Wed Apr 12, 2023 9:43 pm

Are you 100% sure the spring isnt broken Hindy..? Zooming in on my ipad It looks like it could be, might be paint flake or just me of course.

Hindy500 · Post by **Hindy500** » Wed Apr 12, 2023 9:51 pm

Thanks. I’ll double check tomorrow. Was looking for something obvious. Last time on another coupe it sounded like a bag of spanners in the boot..

Argenta · Post by **Argenta** » Wed Apr 12, 2023 9:51 pm

I’d do nothing. The exhaust bracket will separate when you change silencers next time, until then I’m sure it’ll do its job.

john-e89 · Post by **john-e89** » Wed Apr 12, 2023 9:55 pm

Hindy500 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 12, 2023 9:51 pm Thanks. I’ll double check tomorrow. Was looking for something obvious. Last time on another coupe it sounded like a bag of spanners in the boot..

Drove my red M back from Bristol and around the Peak District with a broken spring recently Hindy, wouldn't have known if I wasn't swapping out for coil overs, plus the original spring looked about a year old if that.

john-e89 · Post by **john-e89** » Wed Apr 12, 2023 9:57 pm

inkey$ · Post by **inkey$** » Thu Apr 13, 2023 10:04 am

Had the exhaust flange go on my old MC and had it fixed up with Zero Exhausts in Kent.
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=46812&p=676471&hili ... ts#p676471

Hindy500 · Post by **Hindy500** » Thu Apr 13, 2023 10:32 am

Thanks all.

Double checked the spring and it is defo ok. Gave it a good tug and it just flexes like it prob should.

So I’ll see if the suspension bushes are shot. I imagine it could the shocker but that’s pretty hard to tell. Any tips to diagnose further?

The flange repair kit seems a good bet and probably suited to my skill level (famous last and all that).

H

Justino · Post by **Justino** » Fri Apr 14, 2023 2:12 pm

srhutch wrote: ↑Wed Apr 12, 2023 9:27 pm Worth getting that exhaust bracket replaced. Look on ebay for E46 M3 exhaust flange repair kit. They are exactly the same as what you need. Most of us have replaced with them already.

Did mine last year - the new bracket is in stainless steel, so if you clean the oxide off the stainless exhaust that has transferred over, it looks a neat job - had mine done whilst in for a service, and they didnt do this, so a job when the back boxes come off for the new exhaust tips to be fitted.

X8R make them, but my garage moaned about the E46 one being different to the one needed for the E85 (i supplied the part) and it turned into a pain in the a$$ job for them - how true that was I am not sure

Justino · Post by **Justino** » Fri Apr 14, 2023 2:13 pm

Have you had a new/refurb diff or drive shafts as the bolts etc look very fresh?

Hindy500 · Post by **Hindy500** » Fri Apr 14, 2023 5:56 pm

Well spotted.. Yes, new diff few months ago at 65k. Looked at loads of options for fixing etc but in the end there’s a big labour cost to do that and no guarantee. Swapping out for new fairly simple for the garage, albeit with big unit cost.

a340driver · Post by **a340driver** » Fri Apr 14, 2023 7:13 pm

As far as the exhaust flange repair kits are concerned, I've ended up with 3. Two from i6 and one from X8R.

They're all made for the M3 and are great quality. Problem with my exhaust was that it wasn't spotted until the flared parts of the stainless steel pipes had fatigued and split so I ended up having a solid stainless sleeve fabricated and welded over the back pipes to the standard back boxes

From memory, the M3 has two pipes into one box as opposed to two separate boxes. So they'll work for M3 and Z4M

If anyone is interested and think they may be of use I'll post pictures of all the items with invoices.

Post by **srhutch** » Fri Apr 14, 2023 10:03 pm

Justino wrote: ↑Fri Apr 14, 2023 2:12 pm
srhutch wrote: ↑Wed Apr 12, 2023 9:27 pm Worth getting that exhaust bracket replaced. Look on ebay for E46 M3 exhaust flange repair kit. They are exactly the same as what you need. Most of us have replaced with them already.
Did mine last year - the new bracket is in stainless steel, so if you clean the oxide off the stainless exhaust that has transferred over, it looks a neat job - had mine done whilst in for a service, and they didnt do this, so a job when the back boxes come off for the new exhaust tips to be fitted.

X8R make them, but my garage moaned about the E46 one being different to the one needed for the E85 (i supplied the part) and it turned into a pain in the a$$ job for them - how true that was I am not sure

Never heard of anybody having issues fitting the M3 ones to E85/6 ///M

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