IamFODI wroteThis makes a ton of sense! I would think as a one-off, it would be helpful to identify RB wear or something, but using it to gather consistent data seems a lot more useful. I'll probably snag a handful of these kits to have on hand for oil changes!In a car engine driven by a human being in the real world, "other aspects of the engine" are what oil analysis is actually good for anyway.
Contrary to how it's commonly used, oil analysis really sucks for tracking wear, especially in a one-off test with no prior history. What it's good for is tracking contamination and the condition of the oil itself. Those can alert you to problems with how the engine is running, whether you need to shorten your oil change intervals, etc. It's a great tool for those purposes, especially if you want to be proactive about maintenance (i.e. replace parts before they die or trigger a code).
Strong recommendation: Hit up Polaris Labs and get their Advanced Engine Plus analysis package. It's better and cheaper than Blackstone's testing. Or, if you really want to go deep (and feel like paying for it), go with Dyson Analysis.
After you change your rod bearings, you can start doing oil analysis at every oil change (this is where Polaris's bulk orders come in handy). That'll greatly improve its utility. As an added bonus, it'll also be marginally less useless for tracking wear.
1.2MVIEWS
3.2KREPLIES
3.1KAPPRECIATES
06-01-2026LAST POST
These are from an M3 with 98K miles. Not sure if exact year but they are 088/089.
Another good catch.
Another good catch.
Yikes! No1 all naked copper!
Not as bad as the one's tom @ eas posted recently though!
Not as bad as the one's tom @ eas posted recently though!
JPetro10 wroteIn addition to what Iamfodi posted, check out my thread about oil analysis & rod bearing wear linked in my sig.I'm also wondering if there's any reason to get the oil analysis done since I'm for sure doing the RB. Would it be beneficial for other aspects of the engine? I've never had one done and it intrigues me but I'm not sure if it necessary.
Assimilator1 wroteAwesome, will do!Yikes! No1 all naked copper!
Not as bad as the one's tom @ eas posted recently though!
In addition to what Iamfodi posted, check out my thread about oil analysis & rod bearing wear linked in my sig.
I'm moving forward with the analysis before the RB job. Then I'm going to do another one after. Figure I can't have to much data!
Cool!, useful data too if you can get some good quality* photos of the bearings 
. I'll add your oil report + old bearings photo to my thread.
*e.g not covered in oil, not shot 10 feet back, decent light, in focus, no weird overall colour of lighting/background, etc,etc lol
. I'll add your oil report + old bearings photo to my thread.*e.g not covered in oil, not shot 10 feet back, decent light, in focus, no weird overall colour of lighting/background, etc,etc lol
just had my RBs done at Mporium out of Dallas TX. The car is a 2013 with 49,176 miles.
https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1262765
for those outside the tri-state area. Plenty of documentation in here.
for those outside the tri-state area. Plenty of documentation in here.
Tri-state area? We're not all from the US you know 
;).
I'll look at your photos too for my bearings condition grading list I'm building, thanks.
;).I'll look at your photos too for my bearings condition grading list I'm building, thanks
.
2011 44k miles. Oil change every 5k never tracked always warm before the magic peddle is smashed! Who said copper is not in 2011 cars?
2011 E93 M3 Stock, no mods, 60k miles and I spun a Rod Bearing... I have extended warranty with Century Warranty Services Power Care Plus... Stealership said I need a new engine... Lets hope for the best!
Recently got my bearings done at MRF and thought I would share..
2013
47k miles
I am the second owner (since 25k) and have tracked the car once
Always warmed up before any spirited driving
oil changes every 5k miles with 10w-60
2013
47k miles
I am the second owner (since 25k) and have tracked the car once
Always warmed up before any spirited driving
oil changes every 5k miles with 10w-60
Got these replaced couple weeks ago with BE/ARP.
2011 - 126k km (78k miles)
I'm the 6th owner
2011 - 126k km (78k miles)
I'm the 6th owner
09/2007 - pre LCI - 89300 miles / 143000 km - third owner
EU 99/100 octane Gasoline / oil change every 5000 miles / 8000 km.
In my ownership since 62000 miles / 100000 km never reved above 3000 rpm until proper warm-up. Never tracked.
New rod bearings changed to VAC Performance Coated Rod Bearings from VAC Motorsports.
Work done by NH Auto, Lynge Denmark (Best BMW M specialists in Denmark)
EU 99/100 octane Gasoline / oil change every 5000 miles / 8000 km.
In my ownership since 62000 miles / 100000 km never reved above 3000 rpm until proper warm-up. Never tracked.
New rod bearings changed to VAC Performance Coated Rod Bearings from VAC Motorsports.
Work done by NH Auto, Lynge Denmark (Best BMW M specialists in Denmark)
2011
89800 km
Driven approx. 1500 km since vehicle was purchased used.
Changing to BE Bearings with BE-ARP Rod Bolts.
First oil change w/ Castrol Edge Supercar 10W-60.
89800 km
Driven approx. 1500 km since vehicle was purchased used.
Changing to BE Bearings with BE-ARP Rod Bolts.
First oil change w/ Castrol Edge Supercar 10W-60.
2011 DCT, First Bearings (702/703),
106749 km,
No Racing but a lot Geman Autobahn.
Always warmed up. 10w-60 Castrol and since 50tkm Shell Helix 10w-60.
Going with OEM Parts (702/703) again.
106749 km,
No Racing but a lot Geman Autobahn.
Always warmed up. 10w-60 Castrol and since 50tkm Shell Helix 10w-60.
Going with OEM Parts (702/703) again.
2011 m3 DCT stock @73k miles. Oil changes every 5k. 10w-60
2011 (LCI) rod bearings with 100k+ miles. They are NOT the factory bearings. Story goes that when G-Power installed their supercharger on this car in 2012ish, they pulled the factory bearings and installed these.
@gilberjj what brand of bearings are those that came out any idea?
Stanbul_76 wroteNo clue, but I was curious myself. I need to speak to G-Power anyway, so I’ll ask.@gilberjj what brand of bearings are those that came out any idea?
schlichtm3 wroteI am confused - why are you changing your bearings with OE?2011 DCT, First Bearings (702/703),
106749 km,
No Racing but a lot Geman Autobahn.
Always warmed up. 10w-60 Castrol and since 50tkm Shell Helix 10w-60.
Going with OEM Parts (702/703) again.
Please explain your logic.
Cheers,
Scharbag wroteWhy Not?I am confused - why are you changing your bearings with OE?
Please explain your logic.
Cheers,
I have no bad experiences with OE Bearings
on e46 and e91 BMWs (no M‘s) that have been replaced due to wear and tear.
Therefore I go again with OE and when they hold 100k again I am very satisfied, which I expect. I have not seen any BE shells over 100k yet.
schlichtm3 wroteOEM bearings can go boom at any interval... people have posted <15K OEM bearings spinning. BE have shown zero wear as they should in several cases over 30K. Most OEM show significant wear at any mileage, then it comes down to a game of roulette. but... to each their own!Scharbag wroteWhy Not?I am confused - why are you changing your bearings with OE?
Please explain your logic.
Cheers,
I have no bad experiences with OE Bearings
on e46 and e91 BMWs (no M‘s) that have been replaced due to wear and tear.
Therefore I go again with OE and when they hold 100k again I am very satisfied, which I expect. I have not seen any BE shells over 100k yet.
