URGENT S54 engine connecting rod bearings problem - M3 Forum 2010 2009 BMW M3 2008 BMW M3 BMW E90 M3 E92

asoft · 08-29-2007, 07:18 AM

Hello BMW enthusiasts!

I just purchased a second hand 2002 E46 M3 Convertible Carbon/Black. Very nice car and I am really happy about it. The car was first sold in the United Kingdom and then came to my country (Cyprus) as second hand though a dealer from which I purchased it. I learned that there was a problem with the S54 engine's connecting rod bearings and that BMW did a recall and fixed the problem. I don't know though if my car is among the cars having the problem and if so if it was repaired. I cannot find information from the previous owner and although I can always go the local dealership I don't trust them very much. What exactly was the problem? How can I find out if it was fixed? Is there an international contact or something of BMW? Thanks in advance!

asoft

ase2dais · 09-04-2007, 12:20 PM

this service maintenance bulletin affected M3 production date up to 10/01, look at your driver side door jam VIN label, you should find your Production Date. If your car is affected, find a Circular Service Sticker around at the same door jam and it should have the no. of the service bulletin. That round Sticker signifies that its complete, bcoz that sticker is part of the Service Kit to be installed after replacing the effective bearing part.

If you are affected and cant find any round service sticker, go to any BMW Dealer Service Dept (or call the Service Advisor) and they can look that information for your by just providing you Vehicle Id No

bmwm3smg2 · 09-12-2007, 01:13 PM

If your car is a 2002, it's included in the recall. A BMW center is the only place that can tell you if it was completed on your car. My service center didn't place a sticker on mine so you can't really rely on on it.

SouthFLBMWMech · 09-13-2007, 12:04 AM

Asoft-

I wouldn't worry about not having a sticker. I've never seen a sticker adhered to a car for a recall period (even though the part # for the sticker is listed in every bulletin)
If you want- you can email me the chassis # (last 7 of the VIN) and I will check the service history for you.

ricmon · 10-02-2007, 09:41 AM

Hell every one. I also have just taken owner ship of a 2002 M3. However my salesman has provided me with the service record and there is this entry "420430e
66362 08-17-2005 08-20-2005 N/A 20,144 0011950100 SIB #11-04-04 LBL CODE 422 M3 S54 CONN ROD BEARING ON E46 M3".

Is this the entry that means my car has been repaired per the recall ?

corporate · 10-07-2007, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricmon

Hell every one. I also have just taken owner ship of a 2002 M3. However my salesman has provided me with the service record and there is this entry "420430e
66362 08-17-2005 08-20-2005 N/A 20,144 0011950100 SIB #11-04-04 LBL CODE 422 M3 S54 CONN ROD BEARING ON E46 M3".

Is this the entry that means my car has been repaired per the recall ?

Yes, you received the recall, and to the original poster, what is last 7 of our vin ill tell you in the morning...
Christopher

0-60Motorsports · 11-20-2007, 01:21 AM

You can always call BMW UK and give them the chassis number and they might be able to help...

Dirty Sanchez · 12-01-2007, 03:01 PM

I'm looking for a vehicle in this year range as well and its also got me a bit nervous. Might just get an 04 and have piece of mind. Check

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=7300
It talks about M3's made between Oct 2001 - Feb 2002 have this prob but there were reports of later model 02's having it as well. There was no problem with 2003's but BMW gave an extra warranty with that year too for piece of mind. Check that link, lots of reading and other links but great info.

richbid · 12-26-2007, 01:00 AM

I just bought a used 2002 M3 and I worried about the engine rod bearings and oil pump problems. I called BMW and they told me there is no recall on my M3. However, my M3 was built between 10/2001 to 02/2002. After reading a lot of posts on the Internet that the engine rod bearings and oil pump was actually a service bulletin insteads of a recall. So I am not sure the BMW representative misunderstood my question. The last 7 digits on my M3 is EX21854. Can someone here please help me whether my M3 affects by this problem.

e46e92love · 12-27-2007, 03:59 PM

Also, know that your M3 now comes with a 6 year 100k warranty with your car. My buddy has one and BMW gave these early M's this extended warranty but didn't advertise it unless asked about it.

09-04-2007, 12:20 PM	#2
ase2dais //Mdicted Drives: a Cop Magnet Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: 495 Ring Posts: 9,254 iTrader: (17) View ase2dais's Garage	this service maintenance bulletin affected M3 production date up to 10/01, look at your driver side door jam VIN label, you should find your Production Date. If your car is affected, find a Circular Service Sticker around at the same door jam and it should have the no. of the service bulletin. That round Sticker signifies that its complete, bcoz that sticker is part of the Service Kit to be installed after replacing the effective bearing part. If you are affected and cant find any round service sticker, go to any BMW Dealer Service Dept (or call the Service Advisor) and they can look that information for your by just providing you Vehicle Id No __________________ Oo\(lll)'(lll)/oO : 2009-e92 ///M3 SpaceGry DCT CF Rf/Trim ZTP ZPP ZCW Sat/PrmSd : \_lOOl___lOOl_/<< Clickies

09-12-2007, 01:13 PM	#3
bmwm3smg2 Private First Class Drives: E46 M3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 199 iTrader: (0)	If your car is a 2002, it's included in the recall. A BMW center is the only place that can tell you if it was completed on your car. My service center didn't place a sticker on mine so you can't really rely on on it. __________________ Erwin

09-13-2007, 12:04 AM	#4
SouthFLBMWMech Member Drives: 07 M Coupe, 07 328i, 06 X5 3.0 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 9 iTrader: (0)	M3 Bearing recall Asoft- I wouldn't worry about not having a sticker. I've never seen a sticker adhered to a car for a recall period (even though the part # for the sticker is listed in every bulletin) If you want- you can email me the chassis # (last 7 of the VIN) and I will check the service history for you.

11-20-2007, 01:21 AM	#7
0-60Motorsports First Lieutenant Drives: BMW M3 JB 04 Coupe Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Kingdom of Bahrain Posts: 310 iTrader: (1)	You can always call BMW UK and give them the chassis number and they might be able to help... __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Current Mods: Eibach Pro Kit & AntiRoll Bar kit, INTRAVEE II, EAS B & W Master Roundel Kit, EAS Monochrome M3 Badge, EAS Depo Smoked Signals, EAS Screen protector for OEM 16:9 display, H & R 12mm & 10mm spacer kit,VCSL Bumper + Race Splitter, VCSL Rear Diffusor Carbon, VCSL Boot Lid DVWP/Carbon, FLOSSMAN Hood Carbon, KW V2s.....

12-26-2007, 01:00 AM	#9
richbid New Member Drives: 2002 M3 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 1 iTrader: (0)	Please help whether my 2002 M3 was affected by the engine rod bearing & oil pump prob I just bought a used 2002 M3 and I worried about the engine rod bearings and oil pump problems. I called BMW and they told me there is no recall on my M3. However, my M3 was built between 10/2001 to 02/2002. After reading a lot of posts on the Internet that the engine rod bearings and oil pump was actually a service bulletin insteads of a recall. So I am not sure the BMW representative misunderstood my question. The last 7 digits on my M3 is EX21854. Can someone here please help me whether my M3 affects by this problem.

08-29-2007, 07:18 AM	#1
asoft New Member Drives: E90 316i Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Cyprus Posts: 1 iTrader: (0)	URGENT S54 engine connecting rod bearings problem Hello BMW enthusiasts! I just purchased a second hand 2002 E46 M3 Convertible Carbon/Black. Very nice car and I am really happy about it. The car was first sold in the United Kingdom and then came to my country (Cyprus) as second hand though a dealer from which I purchased it. I learned that there was a problem with the S54 engine's connecting rod bearings and that BMW did a recall and fixed the problem. I don't know though if my car is among the cars having the problem and if so if it was repaired. I cannot find information from the previous owner and although I can always go the local dealership I don't trust them very much. What exactly was the problem? How can I find out if it was fixed? Is there an international contact or something of BMW? Thanks in advance! asoft

10-02-2007, 09:41 AM	#5
ricmon Registered Drives: 2002 M3 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: DC Posts: 4 iTrader: (0)	Hell every one. I also have just taken owner ship of a 2002 M3. However my salesman has provided me with the service record and there is this entry "420430e 66362 08-17-2005 08-20-2005 N/A 20,144 0011950100 SIB #11-04-04 LBL CODE 422 M3 S54 CONN ROD BEARING ON E46 M3". Is this the entry that means my car has been repaired per the recall ?

12-01-2007, 03:01 PM	#8
Dirty Sanchez New Member Drives: Currently shopping. Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 2 iTrader: (0)	I'm looking for a vehicle in this year range as well and its also got me a bit nervous. Might just get an 04 and have piece of mind. Check http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=7300 It talks about M3's made between Oct 2001 - Feb 2002 have this prob but there were reports of later model 02's having it as well. There was no problem with 2003's but BMW gave an extra warranty with that year too for piece of mind. Check that link, lots of reading and other links but great info.

12-27-2007, 03:59 PM	#10
e46e92love Colonel Drives: e92 335i; X3 (wife's) Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: The East Side of Things Posts: 2,178 iTrader: (0)	Also, know that your M3 now comes with a 6 year 100k warranty with your car. My buddy has one and BMW gave these early M's this extended warranty but didn't advertise it unless asked about it. __________________ "...it's not about the money and not about the brand of the car, it's about handling,performance and passion......And that, no other car has all together like an M3........when you talk about the most complete car the M is invincible." --Tony Kanaan.