This 2006 51k E46 M3 Manual Coupe came into Redish Motorsport for RACP Reinforcement as a preventative measure.
(This video was recorded early 2018).
Naturally, we'd be using our tried and tested in-house-developed Redish V2 RACP Plate Kit (available to purchase as a DIY kit here):
The owner had already noticed some corroded spot welds (suggesting flex) and upon stripping the car we discovered small hairline cracks on the underside of the Front RACP Mounts - seen at 07:35
Once it was fully degreased (very important), we were able to see all the small hairline cracks present - remember this is a 2006 with just 51,000 miles - and got to work stop-drilling them and creating channels for the MIG welding repair to take place.
Once the Underside RACP cracks were dealt with, we moved onto reinforcing the RACP mounting points with the Redish V2 Kit seen here:
Then we moved to tackle the corrosion which this 2006 51k E46 M3 was suffering with.
It's typical corrosion and although not nice to see, it is very common nowadays.
Once the loose corrosion was removed, we treated the corroded metal and bare metal of the Redish V2 Plates with POR-15 Metal Prep.
Once the chemical reaction had taken place and we'd washed and dried the underside area completely, we moved onto the protection stage.
This is where we apply our proven combination of paints & sealers & waxes to make sure moisture, water, salt etc cannot reach the steel sections of the chassis.
We first use an etch primer, then high build primer, then a sprayable seam sealer, a top coat colouring - which in this case was 2 tone - Redish E-coat for the underside and Silver Grey body colour for the inner rear wheel arches.
Once this has cured overnight, we then inject the cavities and any hidden box sections with a specialist cavity wax to ensure no internal corrosion can develop.
Then we moved inside the vehicle to start the laboursome job of repairing the small hairline cracks inside the vehicle on the upper of the Front RACP Mounts - seen at 25:25 .
Once the internal sections (inside the car) had been taken care of we were able to continue with the rebuild.
As mentioned at the start, this car was about to be taken apart again as the owner was going to carry out a self Underside Restoration.
So we didn't have many components to change: just Genuine BMW Front-to-Rear Metal Brake Pipes.
Once rebuilt, we carried out a full Brake Fluid Bleed, 4-Wheel Digital Alignment, Exit Clean, and then our 12 mile standard Road Test.
You can see our prices for this work on our website here:
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