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BMW
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Suspension
- Bushings & Mounts (14)
- Camber / Caster Kits (1)
- Chassis Reinforcement Kits & Parts (6)
- Coilovers (1)
- Control Arm Replacements & Upgrades (46)
- Shocks & Struts (48)
- Springs (22)
- Spring & Shock Packages (2)
- Strut Braces & Stress Bars (8)
- Subframe (2)
- Suspension Install Kits (4)
- Sway Bar (6)
- Electronics (11)
The motor mount area on a subframe is one of those easily-forgotton areas that may be hiding a serious problem. The subframe on the E36 has a gusset ('ear') welded on for the motor mounts. These gussets take the stress of the motor mount as the engine torques (more upgrades = more torque = more stress). Worn motor mounts only transfer more stress to the subframe. Unfortunately, the gusset is not well-reinforced from the factory and cracks can develop along the welds and the gusset begins to collapse. A total failure of the guesset will shift your engine to the side and forward, taking out many other components along the way and leading to a very costly repair.