Three problems related to suspension have been reported for the 2000 BMW 323. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The contact owns a 2000 BMW 323i. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, an abnormal rattling noise would emit from the rear end of the vehicle without warning. Upon inspection, the contact discovered part of the rear driver’s side subframe had detached from the undercarriage of the vehicle. The contact called the dealer about the failure and they offered no assistance. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 205,721.
Rear subframe body has separated from subframe mounting support. The chassis is no longer properly attached to the frame. The tied down bolts have sheared off. This is a major safety defect.
I was unaware of the previous defect notices about the frame / body having a weak spot and was driving at 40 mph when my rear shock and the part that holds the shock in place went through the metal frame ripping the metal away and allowing the shock to puncture through the frame just below the trunk area and the car was then inoperable. I was quoted a price for repair of 6500 and was informed of the 2005/2006 lawsuit where BMW was sued for this defect and repaired some cars for a year after the lawsuit ended but this was prior to my purchase of the vehicle and when I contacted BMW of no America headquarters, they asked me to take the car to the nearest BMW dealer and have them do a diagnosis which I immediately did and that cost was over $10k of which BMW offered to pay only 20%. I then took it to another BMW mechanic who repaired it for $3000 and BMW will not pay any part of the bill because it was not done at a dealership, I do not understand how BMW can get away with a defect like this and so many cars affected by it and not have to repair it at their cost? it is their defect.