The Famous E46 M3 clunk

[4 pipe M]

Gents

Sent my lady to Bmw for inspection 2 service, told them to check the rear for the famous clunk sound, I assumed it was the carrier bearing, so they advised me to change the guibo, carrier bearing and diff cv. I told them to change the diff oil while they at it.
Thing is now that the clunking sound is still there...
:RedNo:
My subframe was repaired so that's ok
When I told the guru's at bmw they tell me my diff is on its way out and needs to be replaced and its not a cheap fix.
The clunk doesn't come all the time, hapens when I initially get into the car when she is cold,
put into reverse but not all the time or when I change gears then lift off the throttle there is a thud sound.

Any advise guys? Anyone with the same symptoms ?

Thanks

 

[Xack]

Gents

Sent my lady to Bmw for inspection 2 service, told them to check the rear for the famous clunk sound, I assumed it was the carrier bearing, so they advised me to change the guibo, carrier bearing and diff cv. I told them to change the diff oil while they at it.
Thing is now that the clunking sound is still there...
:RedNo:
My subframe was repaired so that's ok
When I told the guru's at bmw they tell me my diff is on its way out and needs to be replaced and its not a cheap fix.
The clunk doesn't come all the time, hapens when I initially get into the car when she is cold,
put into reverse but not all the time or when I change gears then lift off the throttle there is a thud sound.

Any advise guys? Anyone with the same symptoms ?

Thanks

I've got that very same sound boet, lol...been told it's my drive shaft, then there's a list of other clocks coming from my cv:cartel:...

 

[spawn616]

id ask gizmo or alexander(forum names ) to check

dealer will see a problem (sometimes) and replace even if thats not the problem

specialists will see a problem and fix correctly(well at least those two without a doubt)

otherwise i have no clue sorry

 

[Dean ///M]

Diff oil?

 

[Zound]

Rear differential bush?

 

[Crash_Nemesis]

I had a similar issue. I had my subframe done before, so I also wasn't sure this was a subframe issue and looked at the diff and prop. I got the diff rebuilt and even replaced the propshaft entirely. It ended up being the boot floor separating from the rear carrier panel. This is separate from subframe cracks. This is the actual spot welds that connect the boot floor and rear carrier panel (the panel that the subframe and diff bolt onto to) are coming loose.

Open your boot, remove the carpets and check all spot welds. You might want to remove your rear seats too. I had it repaired and the clunk went away. I hope this isn't your issue as its a pain in the ass to get fixed.

 

[AdiS]

This is most likely the m clunk. There is by design some slack in the drivetrain and you can go wild replacing parts but it will never disappear completely.

 

[Xack]

This is most likely the m clunk. There is by design some slack in the drivetrain and you can go wild replacing parts but it will never disappear completely.

:withStu:

 

[AdiS]

This is most likely the m clunk. There is by design some slack in the drivetrain and you can go wild replacing parts but it will never disappear completely.

:withStu:

OK, but having said that, I should also point out that there is the "m-clunk" which is normal, and then there are other clunks which can be caused by worn components:

-Guibo and CSB
-Diff and/or Diff Mounts
-Drivelines and other rear drivetrain/suspension

My diff was clunking before we had it rebuilt, and now the car just has the normal m-clunk/thud on low speed gear changes etc.

 

[Xack]

This is most likely the m clunk. There is by design some slack in the drivetrain and you can go wild replacing parts but it will never disappear completely.

:withStu:

OK, but having said that, I should also point out that there is the "m-clunk" which is normal, and then there are other clunks which can be caused by worn components:

-Guibo and CSB
-Diff and/or Diff Mounts
-Drivelines and other rear drivetrain/suspension

My diff was clunking before we had it rebuilt, and now the car just has the normal m-clunk/thud on low speed gear changes etc.

and still :withStu:

 

[GPGrobler]

Anyone know if the E36 ///M3 also has this clunk?

 

[Nikhil]

Anyone know if the E36 ///M3 also has this clunk?

On the E36 the subframe failure isn’t all that common however rear shock mounts and diff mounts are normally the main suspects.

 

[ClaudeR]

AdiS, right on the money. There is the M-clunk, which is by design and is "normal" on e46 Ms.

Another thing to check other than the guibo is the rear trailing arm bushes. Also known for prematurely wearing on these cars.

 

[AdiS]

AdiS, right on the money. There is the M-clunk, which is by design and is "normal" on e46 Ms.

Another thing to check other than the guibo is the rear trailing arm bushes. Also known for prematurely wearing on these cars.

Yes, though symptoms of worn RTABS are not necessarily clunking, but rather wear on the inside of the tires, not being to hold rear alignment, and instability on hard acceleration.

 

[bmwforlife]

Also had it bud and it was my differential ouch I feel your pain

 

[4 pipe M]

Met eish yaa :hammerhead:
ok thanks guys will clunk along quietly for now

 

[MR_Y]

OK, but having said that, I should also point out that there is the "m-clunk" which is normal, and then there are other clunks which can be caused by worn components:

-Guibo and CSB
-Diff and/or Diff Mounts
-Drivelines and other rear drivetrain/suspension

My diff was clunking before we had it rebuilt, and now the car just has the normal m-clunk/thud on low speed gear changes etc.

Reviving this thread since I have the same clunk noise at low speed, when changing gear on my E85 2.5si.
The mech did the checks mentioned above and concluded that it is just a noise that cannot be resolved.
There is no impact on the way the car drives or engages gear.
Keen to hear of anyone else who has had this on a non-M car.

 

[KPM3_30]

Reviving this thread since I have the same clunk noise at low speed, when changing gear on my E85 2.5si.
The mech did the checks mentioned above and concluded that it is just a noise that cannot be resolved.
There is no impact on the way the car drives or engages gear.
Keen to hear of anyone else who has had this on a non-M car.

Ah, the famous low-speed clunking issue that has plagued many a E46. My car also has the clunk at low speed when I change gears, especially the first 3 gears.. Did it the day I bought it and now 10 years/120k later its the same, despite changing the diff fluid when attending to the leaking seals.

Its adds to the old school character for me.

 

[NBN]

Reviving this thread since I have the same clunk noise at low speed, when changing gear on my E85 2.5si.
The mech did the checks mentioned above and concluded that it is just a noise that cannot be resolved.
There is no impact on the way the car drives or engages gear.
Keen to hear of anyone else who has had this on a non-M car.

Have you considered a clutch delay valve or a Cdv delete... Also a clutch stop to help with better gear engagement

 

[MR_Y]

Have you considered a clutch delay valve or a Cdv delete... Also a clutch stop to help with better gear engagement

Thanks. I saw this online too.
Will keep it as is for now, since will likely be selling later this year.