Randy Forbes Rear Subframe Reinfocement - Take II

Over the course of the last year, I have taken 3 of my cars to Randy's for work.  I started with my S54 M coupe: subframe reinforcement, upgraded connecting rod bearing change, and Beisan VANOS rebuild.  Then came my wife's MZ4 coupe: connecting rod bearing change and Beisan VANOS rebuild.  Third car was the coupenut car: rear subframe reinforcement.  Eventually I am going to get my E90 M3 to him too for - you guessed it - a connecting rod bearing upgrade.  At any rate, I don't think Randy has many 3- or 4-time customers, but I am one.  I've known Randy for > 15 years.  I have sold him LeatherZ parts, we have shared information and data for years, and we are friends. 

There isn't much to write about the work that was done on the coupenut car that hasn't already been said of his work.  I put some of the ~300 pictures that Randy took for me while the car was in work below in this post.  But, the documentation is an important step for Randy and he does it on every car he works on.  In my case, I always print copies of his photos and I put them into a photo album to pass on to the next owner(s).  The coupenut car was special for Randy because it was his 100th Z3 rear subframe reinforcement.  Definitely a milestone.  I asked Randy to sign the car in a hidden spot (or two) and he did.  I am very proud to have those on the car, and I am going to cover them with clear paint protection film!

Some issues with the coupenut car: the differential cover bushing, p/n 33172228425.  I bought a new one from BMW, and it's an expensive part.  Randy noted the one I gave him was out-of-round and he could not use it without reworking it.  Definitely a bummer on a part that expensive.  I had Randy remove the Ireland Engineering bushings that were on the car and replace them with new ones.  Because I had AKG bushings in stock, he used them instead of Irelands.  The S54 car does have new Irelands, also installed by Randy.  At any rate, there is some talk of "bad" Irelands, but these were not.  According to previous owner records with the car, these Ireland bushings were installed in May of 2009, and they only had about 14K miles on them.  There were no issues or signs of premature aging.  They didn't need to be replaced, but if he was in there anyway, might as well.  In addition, it should be noted that there was some early signs of cracking on the coupenut car right at the differential ear mount.  This is a common start point for cracks, Randy notes that nearly-new cars often crack there because of how the steel is stamped.

I supplied (all) of the parts Randy used, but you certainly don't have to.  He has a steady stream of parts and you don't have to do what I did.  When the car was finished, I flew into Tampa Airport and Randy and his wife Sue picked me up.  Talk about full service!!  I will let the pictures speak for themselves.

Randy Forbes Subframe Reinforcement, $2500.00r
Total investment in vehicle to date = $16,103.54