Rod bearing replacement

I have an 09' M that has 133k on the odometer, but haven't done the rod bearings. Does anyone have a recommendation for a shop to do rod bearing replacement? or if someone was willing to tackle it, I'd obviously entertain that as well. What would the expected range in cost for a project like this be? Thanks for the help.

Check out FlimFlamSpeed in Richmond. Single guy shop that does amazing quality work. I’ve had him do my rod bearings, engine mounts, and spark plugs good pricing and good work.

Was roughly ~2800 for everything which pretty reasonable compared to other shops again the quality and trustworthiness too goes along way with these cars.

http://www.flimflamspeed.com/

My car has 80k miles, so I am looking to replace my RB at some point in 2021. From my research, here are the options for me locally in Washington DC area, and one up in NJ:

AutoCouture Motoring, Fair Lawn, NJ (link to RB work and pictures):
https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1262765&highlight=rod+bearings&page=21

GT Peace, Chantilly, VA (recommend by forum member)
https://gtpeaceauto.com/

Road Race Technologies (RRT), Sterling, VA (recommended by forum member):
http://www.rrtautomotive.com/


Prices vary from $2500 on up, depending on if you get motor mounts replaced at the same time, which is highly recommended since normally they are shot and you are already there from a labor perspective.

Williamld wrote

I have an 09' M that has 133k on the odometer, but haven't done the rod bearings. Does anyone have a recommendation for a shop to do rod bearing replacement? or if someone was willing to tackle it, I'd obviously entertain that as well. What would the expected range in cost for a project like this be? Thanks for the help.

another vote for GTP. Great shop and good guys

br2wdc wrote

My car has 80k miles, so I am looking to replace my RB at some point in 2021. From my research, here are the options for me locally in Washington DC area, and one up in NJ:

AutoCouture Motoring, Fair Lawn, NJ (link to RB work and pictures):
https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1262765&highlight=rod+bearings&page=21

GT Peace, Chantilly, VA (recommend by forum member)
https://gtpeaceauto.com/

Road Race Technologies (RRT), Sterling, VA (recommended by forum member):
http://www.rrtautomotive.com/


Prices vary from $2500 on up, depending on if you get motor mounts replaced at the same time, which is highly recommended since normally they are shot and you are already there from a labor perspective.

Williamld wrote

I have an 09' M that has 133k on the odometer, but haven't done the rod bearings. Does anyone have a recommendation for a shop to do rod bearing replacement? or if someone was willing to tackle it, I'd obviously entertain that as well. What would the expected range in cost for a project like this be? Thanks for the help.

I appreciate the help with this. How long of a turn around could one expect from this? Also, aside from the preventive maintenance aspect, would we see any noticeable improvements with the driving of the vehicle? Engine mounts?

With 133k miles, you could gamble and keep driving it, but if you spin a bearing, that is $15k MINIMUM to replace the engine with one from the junkyard.

Ironic Note: You most likely will have to do the RB service on the junkyard engine before you put it in your car since you don't have maintenance history for the car/engine

So I would argue "preventative maintenance" is kind of understating the issue. My preference would be to call it "Catastrophic Engine Failure Insurance"

Replacing the motor mounts you will probably see/feel an immediate difference because with 133k miles, the engine has dropped down and is essentially riding directly on the subframe.

Turnaround time for the RB service and motor mounts from the shops I contacted is two days, some would prefer 3 days. I also may schedule mine around the time my car is due for an oil change since they'll need to do that anyhow as part of the service.

Williamld wrote

I appreciate the help with this. How long of a turn around could one expect from this? Also, aside from the preventive maintenance aspect, would we see any noticeable improvements with the driving of the vehicle? Engine mounts?

RRT did mine in September within 24 hours. I went with RRT because they had the most experience, could get the car done in 24 hours and were priced fairly.

Good to get another recommendation for RRT; how much was it, and what brand RB and bolts? Did you get the motor mounts replaced? If you replaced the MM, were they OEM or a different brand?

_X wrote

RRT did mine in September within 24 hours. I went with RRT because they had the most experience, could get the car done in 24 hours and were priced fairly.

br2wdc wrote

Good to get another recommendation for RRT; how much was it, and what brand RB and bolts? Did you get the motor mounts replaced? If you replaced the MM, were they OEM or a different brand?

RRT has always done a great job and done a great job with communication. With the BE situation I went with ACLs and ARP bolts. RRT was able to source vibratechnics motor mounts so I opted for them. RRT suggested OEM was better than most options outside of vibratechnics or going solid.

I will check, but I believe it was right at three grand.

I had mine done by Prestige Automotive Solution they are up in Gaithersburg, and Aries is a great guy!

Excellent always good to get another recommendation; any additional details? Cost? Timeframe? Type of RB/bolts? OEM or other brand of MM?

Patcho wrote

I had mine done by Prestige Automotive Solution they are up in Gaithersburg, and Aries is a great guy!

br2wdc wrote

Excellent always good to get another recommendation; any additional details? Cost? Timeframe? Type of RB/bolts? OEM or other brand of MM?

Went with ACL, and MM were OEM.
Pricing well, lets just say the Carmax warranty paid for itself!

Another vote for RRT. I had my RB's done on September of last year. BE bearings with BE spec ARP studs were used. The job on my car was finished by the end of following day. If they don't run to any surprises with your car I'd expect them to take just as long.

Appreciate your recommendation and confirming RRT did a good job for you, and the timeframe.

chino101 wrote

Another vote for RRT. I had my RB's done on September of last year. BE bearings with BE spec ARP studs were used. The job on my car was finished by the end of following day. If they don't run to any surprises with your car I'd expect them to take just as long.

I agree that RRT is a great place to have RB done; I've sent quite a few people there b/c of their experience. Getting motor mounts done is also a good idea.

For this engine unfortunately, RB are just ongoing maintenance so just plan for it

Thanks Paul for another recommendation/confirmation for RRT. I also see you are the President of the local chapter of the BMW CCA, and I hope in 2021 to come to an event once COVID-19 has been "vaccinated" into submission

I'm driving my M3 a bit more then I thought mainly because I like to smile , so it will probably be sooner in 2021 then I anticipated to get the RB/MM service done.

pseto wrote

I agree that RRT is a great place to have RB done; I've sent quite a few people there b/c of their experience. Getting motor mounts done is also a good idea.

For this engine unfortunately, RB are just ongoing maintenance so just plan for it

I got mine done (plus motor mounts) at RRT last year, too. Very knowledgable and communicative team; happy with things so far.

Thanks for the recommendation

VtecforV8 wrote

I got mine done (plus motor mounts) at RRT last year, too. Very knowledgable and communicative team; happy with things so far.

br2wdc wrote

Thanks Paul for another recommendation/confirmation for RRT. I also see you are the President of the local chapter of the BMW CCA, and I hope in 2021 to come to an event once COVID-19 has been "vaccinated" into submission

I'm driving my M3 a bit more then I thought mainly because I like to smile , so it will probably be sooner in 2021 then I anticipated to get the RB/MM service done.

Check our bi-weekly emails, social media, or website, we always have something going on, including virtual events.

Airpark Auto Service in Gaithersburg. Ask for Nelson. Did mine and 3 other friends of mind. You can provide your own bearings or you can discuss with him what you would like. I used BE bearings and ARP bolts. My friends have used VAC and OEM bearings. So it depends on you. I think it was right under 3k for me. (With oem MM)

Maybe a bit farther from you, but Bavarian Specialties in King of Prussia, PA (about 30 minutes west of Philly) did my RB's 2.5 years ago and did a great job. They've been racing and wrenching BMW's for many years, and have done many RB replacements on these cars.
I went with BE bearings and ARP bolts and also did motor mounts at the same time. Cost me about $2,800 with oil change, new pan gasket, etc. and she's been running like a dream ever since. I think the car was there about 1.5-2 days.

Thanks gentleman for the recommendations and providing the details; always good to have additional options

Oldstylebimmer wrote

Airpark Auto Service in Gaithersburg. Ask for Nelson. Did mine and 3 other friends of mind. You can provide your own bearings or you can discuss with him what you would like. I used BE bearings and ARP bolts. My friends have used VAC and OEM bearings. So it depends on you. I think it was right under 3k for me. (With oem MM)

PACarGuy wrote

Maybe a bit farther from you, but Bavarian Specialties in King of Prussia, PA (about 30 minutes west of Philly) did my RB's 2.5 years ago and did a great job. They've been racing and wrenching BMW's for many years, and have done many RB replacements on these cars.
I went with BE bearings and ARP bolts and also did motor mounts at the same time. Cost me about $2,800 with oil change, new pan gasket, etc. and she's been running like a dream ever since. I think the car was there about 1.5-2 days.