If you're looking to upgrade your E46 motor mounts, you've come to the right place. The BMW E46 is an iconic platform for performance driving, drifting, and racing, but its stock rubber motor mounts leave much to be desired. Whether you're a track-day enthusiast, a serious street racer, or building a dedicated drift car, upgrading to solid CNC aluminum E46 motor mounts can provide crisper shifts, reduced drivetrain movement, and better power transfer to the wheels.
This guide will cover why upgrading your E46 motor mounts is crucial, how they improve performance, and why CNC-milled aluminum mounts are the best option for serious drivers.
What Do Motor Mounts Do?
Motor mounts are the critical connection between your engine and chassis. They serve two primary functions:
- Securely Hold the Engine in Place – Preventing excess movement under acceleration, braking, and cornering.
- Absorb Vibration and Shock – Reducing NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) for comfort.
The factory BMW E46 motor mounts are made of rubber, which provides comfort but allows excess engine movement. Over time, rubber mounts wear out, crack, and degrade, causing sloppy shifts, drivetrain deflection, and even misalignment of drivetrain components.
Why Upgrade to Solid CNC Aluminum E46 Motor Mounts?
Upgrading to solid aluminum motor mounts is one of the best performance upgrades you can make for a BMW E46 if you’re serious about driving dynamics. Unlike rubber mounts, solid CNC aluminum mounts eliminate unwanted drivetrain movement, leading to better throttle response, sharper shifts, and improved power delivery.
Key Benefits of Solid Aluminum E46 Motor Mounts:
✔ Eliminates Drivetrain Slop – Prevents excessive engine movement under load, making throttle inputs more direct and immediate.
✔ Improved Shift Precision – Reduces flex in the drivetrain, making shifting more crisp and precise, especially during aggressive driving.
✔ Maximizes Power Transfer – More of your engine’s torque goes to the wheels instead of being absorbed by soft rubber mounts.
✔ Lowers Engine for Better Handling – These motor mounts drop the engine by 5mm, lowering the center of gravity for improved weight distribution and stability.
✔ Stronger and More Durable – CNC-milled 6061-T6 aluminum provides unmatched strength, meaning these mounts will last forever compared to rubber or polyurethane alternatives.
✔ Perfect for Track & Drift Applications – Designed for race cars, drift cars, and serious street builds, where precise throttle control and zero drivetrain slop are essential.
How Solid E46 Motor Mounts Improve Performance
💨 Drifting & Track Driving
- In drifting, maintaining throttle control and instant response is key. With stock rubber mounts, engine movement delays throttle response, making initiations and transitions slower.
- Solid mounts eliminate flex, allowing immediate torque application for a more predictable drift car.
🏁 Road Racing & Time Attack
- Under hard cornering and braking, factory mounts allow the engine to move, affecting weight transfer and chassis balance.
- With CNC aluminum E46 motor mounts, the engine stays firmly in place, keeping handling more predictable and consistent.
🚀 Street Performance Builds
- Even for high-performance street cars, reducing drivetrain flex improves throttle response, gear engagement, and stability.
- If you’re looking for that true race car feel on the street, these mounts provide instant engine response with a more connected driving experience.
Installation Guide – How to Replace Your E46 Motor Mounts
Installing E46 motor mounts requires basic mechanical skills and tools. If you’re comfortable working on your BMW’s suspension and drivetrain components, you can install these yourself in under 2 hours.
Tools Needed:
🔧 Jack & Jack Stands – For lifting the front of the car.
🔧 Socket Set & Ratchet – 13mm, 16mm, and 18mm sockets.
🔧 Torque Wrench – To ensure proper bolt tightness.
🔧 Engine Support Brace (Optional) – Helps hold the engine in place while swapping mounts.
Step-by-Step Installation Process:
- Jack up the front of the car and secure it on jack stands.
- Loosen the motor mount bolts from the top of the engine bay.
- Support the engine using a jack and a wooden block under the oil pan.
- Remove the lower motor mount bolts from underneath the car.
- Carefully lift the engine slightly to create clearance for removing the old mounts.
- Swap in the new CNC aluminum E46 motor mounts.
- Reinstall all bolts and torque them to spec.
- Lower the engine back onto the mounts and recheck all fasteners.
Pro Tip: Pair these motor mounts with solid transmission mounts for an even more connected driving experience.
Compatibility – What BMW Models Do These Motor Mounts Fit?
These solid CNC aluminum motor mounts are designed to fit multiple BMW chassis, including:
📌 BMW E46 (1999-2006)
✔ 323i, 323ci, 325i, 325ci, 328i, 328ci, 330i, 330ci, M3
✔ SpecE46 BMW 330i, 330ci
📌 BMW E36 (1992-1999)
✔ 323is, 323ic, 325i, 325is, 325ic, 328i, 328is, 328ic, M3
📌 BMW Z3 (1997-2002)
✔ Z3 2.3, Z3 2.5i, Z3 2.8, Z3 3.0i, M Roadster, M Coupe
📌 BMW Z4 (2003-2008)
✔ Z4 2.5i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 M Roadster, Z4 M Coupe
Are Solid Motor Mounts Right for You?
✔ YES – If You Want Maximum Performance – If you’re tracking, drifting, or racing your E46, solid mounts will transform throttle response, shifting, and stability.
✔ YES – If You’re OK with Increased NVH – Expect more vibration and noise, but that’s the tradeoff for a race-car-like feel.
✔ YES – If You Want a Long-Lasting Solution – CNC-milled 6061-T6 aluminum won’t degrade like rubber or polyurethane.
⚠ NO – If Comfort is Your Priority – If you daily drive your E46 and prefer a smooth, quiet ride, you might want to consider polyurethane mounts instead.
Final Thoughts – Are Solid CNC Aluminum E46 Motor Mounts Worth It?
Upgrading to solid CNC aluminum E46 motor mounts is one of the best modifications for performance-driven BMW owners. Whether you’re drifting, road racing, or just want crisper shifts and better throttle response, these mounts deliver instant improvements by eliminating drivetrain flex.
💨 Key Benefits Recap:
✔ Increased Power Transfer & Torque Response
✔ Reduced Drivetrain Slop for Precision Handling
✔ Lower Center of Gravity for Better Weight Distribution
✔ Extreme Durability – CNC-Milled Aluminum Construction
If you’re looking to take your BMW E46 to the next level, a set of solid motor mounts is a must-have upgrade.
