Advice re: 2001 Z3 2.5i and Subframe

[afishkind]

Greetings!

I previously owned an M Roadster and so was knowledgeable about subframe reinforcement. I'm looking at a 2001 2.5i model in Atlantis Blue ..
my favorite BMW color. When I pulled up the carpet to look at the welds, I saw the attached picture. There is a plate over the welds which did not immediately give me a clue as to how to remove. I was wondering if it is a reinforcement of some type? Did the Z3 come with this plate already attached in 2001? Any advice appreciated.

 

[Stevo7682]

Hi there seeing as its 2.5 and the pictures has Texas plates im going with you being in the States.
I have 3 zeds 2 pre 1 post face-lift and none of them have anything like that .
I also have never seen a zed 3 here in the uk that look like that ( usually just painted metal with spot welds in view.

I would also say it looks like some sort of vinyl/ plastics type stuff stuck down ( no welding round edges) .
I hope some of the US owners may come on this thread and reply as it could be a thing that's on lhd us models thats not in rhd uk models

What i would say i if no one comes on staying yes the next question is what is it why was it fitted and most importantly what is it covering

Stephen.

 

[afishkind]

Thanks Stephen for replying. On some FB groups they are saying it's sound deadening and comes off with a heat gun and flat head screwdriver. I think if that's true, you'd like to see that previous owner had removed it to look at the welds. Interestingly, I saw a similar Z3 today where you could still the residue where this sound deadening material would have been removed.

 

[DrWong]

Looks exactly like mine (2001 facelift), so I wouldn't be concerned

 

[Mint]

Looks exactly like mine too - Feb 2002...