Rod Bearings?? Questions and Information

[Malek@MRF]

Originally Posted by s85e90

Overhyped issue that has scared every owner here into thinking bearings are a maintenance item. But let's just replace them with the same shit.... Not really a solution, just a band aid.

Not over-hyped at all. I see about 3-5 destroyed S65's per month.

The only true solution to the matter is for full engine dis-assembly and correcting the main, rod and rod side clearances. If that is not possible, the connecting rod bearings should be replaced with the VAC/Calico bearings at the very least to yield more clearance. There is no way to do the main bearings with the engine in the car unfortunately.

[s85e90]

Originally Posted by Malek@MRF

Not over-hyped at all. I see about 3-5 destroyed S65's per month.

The only true solution to the matter is for full engine dis-assembly and correcting the main, rod and rod side clearances. If that is not possible, the connecting rod bearings should be replaced with the VAC/Calico bearings at the very least to yield more clearance. There is no way to do the main bearings with the engine in the car unfortunately.

The odds are still in favor of the car not grenading itself, and yes this is why it's a bandaid for now. The proper way to is to rebuild everything at once but I get that's not really feasible for some.

[RAFiK - BMWClubUAE]

Exactly, driving this fast machine everytime thinking whether it will be the last or not. I know a few people here who had their engines failed and I keep thinking am I the next?

Rebuilding the whole thing isn't actually feasible as it might cost around 15k USD due to the unavailability of parts as everything has to come pre-ordered.

The question is, should I just change them before they fail? if yes, at which mileage? if no, what should I worry about then?

[s85e90]

Originally Posted by RAFiK

Exactly, driving this fast machine everytime thinking whether it will be the last or not. I know a few people here who had their engines failed and I keep thinking am I the next?

Rebuilding the whole thing isn't actually feasible as it might cost around 15k USD due to the unavailability of parts as everything has to come pre-ordered.

The question is, should I just change them before they fail? if yes, at which mileage? if no, what should I worry about then?

If they fail, then you're replacing the entire engine.

[aus]

Originally Posted by Malek@MRF

Not over-hyped at all. I see about 3-5 destroyed S65's per month.

The only true solution to the matter is for full engine dis-assembly and correcting the main, rod and rod side clearances. If that is not possible, the connecting rod bearings should be replaced with the VAC/Calico bearings at the very least to yield more clearance. There is no way to do the main bearings with the engine in the car unfortunately.

DAMN!!!
Could you PLEASE post a pic each time you get a blown engine so I can add to the registry?
.

[aussiem3]

Originally Posted by Malek@MRF

Not over-hyped at all. I see about 3-5 destroyed S65's per month.

That's 48 a year on average. Where are all these people then?

[SenorFunkyPants]

The average failure rate for the USA still seems to be somewhere around the 1 to 1.5% rate. While these failures are undesirable, the failure rate does not in any way reflect the massive volume of posts that the subject generates on M3post.
If you beat on your car, track it etc, especially in a hot climate then a preventative bearing change may make sense...on the other hand there are plenty of owners who have reached high mileages, some heading towards 200K miles. These are not engines that are all terminally incorrectly built, some may be but the vast majority are not.
I would be interested to know how often bearing sets that are replaced by shops show acceptable wear...compared to DiY pulled bearings which rarely show wear through to the copper layer.

[RAFiK - BMWClubUAE]

And replying to this?

Originally Posted by RAFiK

Exactly, driving this fast machine everytime thinking whether it will be the last or not. I know a few people here who had their engines failed and I keep thinking am I the next?

Rebuilding the whole thing isn't actually feasible as it might cost around 15k USD due to the unavailability of parts as everything has to come pre-ordered.

The question is, should I just change them before they fail? if yes, at which mileage? if no, what should I worry about then?

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by Malek@MRF

Not over-hyped at all. I see about 3-5 destroyed S65's per month.

The only true solution to the matter is for full engine dis-assembly and correcting the main, rod and rod side clearances. If that is not possible, the connecting rod bearings should be replaced with the VAC/Calico bearings at the very least to yield more clearance. There is no way to do the main bearings with the engine in the car unfortunately.

Thanks Malek for sharing the info !
But 3-5 destroyed S65's per month is of course ..
Imagine what is happening Worldwide...

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by aussiem3

That's 48 a year on average. Where are all these people then?

Not on this forum !
Think it's about 80-85 % is not on this forum , that's why the Worldwide BF numbers are huge compaired with the forum/data numbers..
And that's why members are not posting their BF on this forum , because the value of the car will =>
I understand such a situation and reaction because who wants to buy a car with a BF history..?

[aussiem3]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Not on this forum !
Think it's about 80-85 % is not on this forum , that's why the Worldwide BF numbers are huge compaired with the forum/data numbers..
And that's why members are not posting their BF on this forum , because the value of the car will =>
I understand such a situation and reaction because who wants to buy a car with a BF history..?

If it's true then it has to be the worst engine default ever in the history. Do you agree?

[Malek@MRF]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Thanks Malek for sharing the info !
But 3-5 destroyed S65's per month is of course ..
Imagine what is happening Worldwide...

A buddy at a local dealership told me recently that they ordered 4 S65 replacements in a single week recently.

Just because it's not on the forums, doesn't mean it's not happening. The issue is real, and disheartening. Unfortunately, most don't believe it could happen to them.

[grantmax]

OP,

I'm on my second set of replacement bearings.

I say, if you love the car, drive it into the ground and build it back up again. It's only an M3. Not like we're driving exotics. Stay safe!

[BPMSport]

Originally Posted by Malek@MRF

A buddy at a local dealership told me recently that they ordered 4 S65 replacements in a single week recently.

Just because it's not on the forums, doesn't mean it's not happening. The issue is real, and disheartening. Unfortunately, most don't believe it could happen to them.

Couldn't agree with this more.

I hear about them every month.

[RAFiK - BMWClubUAE]

Haha this thread is alarming and no where near safe lol!

[X5-User]

Originally Posted by Malek@MRF

Not over-hyped at all. I see about 3-5 destroyed S65's per month.

The only true solution to the matter is for full engine dis-assembly and correcting the main, rod and rod side clearances. If that is not possible, the connecting rod bearings should be replaced with the VAC/Calico bearings at the very least to yield more clearance. There is no way to do the main bearings with the engine in the car unfortunately.

With all respect but I don't believe this either. If you see 3-4 per month that means in 10 years every single s65 will face this issue. There is a problem with few ones but NOT all

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by Malek@MRF

A buddy at a local dealership told me recently that they ordered 4 S65 replacements in a single week recently.

Just because it's not on the forums, doesn't mean it's not happening. The issue is real, and disheartening. Unfortunately, most don't believe it could happen to them.

I'm 100 % agreed with your statement !
I'm saying exactly the same thing for the last 2 years...
And if there is a person that can know it..."it's you" because your hands are into S65 engines and very often .
Keep up the good work Malek =>

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by aussiem3

If it's true then it has to be the worst engine default ever in the history. Do you agree?

I can not say what I don't know...
I PM'd you some numbers (thought last year) from 3 months of Worldwide BF.
If you remember these numbers ...
And as very respected tuners (Mike-Benvo) and S65 mechanic specialists (Malek) are saying what you can read above , and the numbers of 3 months that I had last year...Think that says enough !
BTW...Just found another name for our S65..."The Russian Roulette"
I heard your S65 warm and cold... and I hear mine , and they sound just great !
So the only thing we can hope my friend is that our S65's staying sound like this .

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by Bimmer-M3

With all respect but I don't believe this either. If you see 3-4 per month that means in 10 years every single s65 will face this issue. There is a problem with few ones but NOT all

With few ones ? (not sure it's serious ) ?
But if you're serious , I need to ask you...What are you smoking man ?

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by grantmax

OP,

I'm on my second set of replacement bearings.

I say, if you love the car, drive it into the ground and build it back up again. It's only an M3. Not like we're driving exotics. Stay safe!

-Pics ?
-Miles ?
-Oil/Spec ?
-Do you heard any ticking or rattle noises ?

[xpunisherx]

Originally Posted by grantmax

OP,

I'm on my second set of replacement bearings.

I say, if you love the car, drive it into the ground and build it back up again. It's only an M3. Not like we're driving exotics. Stay safe!

More details about this please!! Haven't seen any instances of multiple bearing replacements on a single vehicle.

Share the details with the rest of us!!!

[RAFiK - BMWClubUAE]

Originally Posted by xpunisherx

More details about this please!! Haven't seen any instances of multiple bearing replacements on a single vehicle.

Share the details with the rest of us!!!

+1 I want more details as well!