ESS VT2-650 Engine Blowout/Bearing Failure at 20k miles

[M3NST3R]

My engine just failed right after warranty. It's sitting at BMW now a week because their solution is paying them 26k for a new engine. You think you pay top dollar for a car that it should live more than 47k when I babied the car. I'm going to be trying to make them replace the engine. Betweene & my family we have owned about dozen brand new Bmw's in our lifetime so I hope they take that into account & since I am ordering the new M4. I have an 2008 E90 M3. Any advice on how to go about forcing BMW to take responsibility. I complained about an engine noise over the 4 years of warranty & nothing was ever done. They said it was all in proper condition. The car would burn oil & always be 1 or 2 quarts low on oil even after just getting back from BMW after a oil change. No engine mods on the car ever. It was sitting in my garage for 6 months only put 2k miles. The car shit itself driving 1 mile to a car show here in South Beach. If they don't make if right I'll make sure that's theist BMW my family buys & I had the new model of the M3 since the E36 and my father has the new 7 series every 3 years. Send me suggestions if you have any.

[VCMpower]

I think you have made your case and answered your questions in this statement

Originally Posted by M3NST3R

My engine just failed right after warranty. It's sitting at BMW now a week because their solution is paying them 26k for a new engine. You think you pay top dollar for a car that it should live more than 47k when I babied the car. I'm going to be trying to make them replace the engine. Betweene & my family we have owned about dozen brand new Bmw's in our lifetime so I hope they take that into account & since I am ordering the new M4. I have an 2008 E90 M3. Any advice on how to go about forcing BMW to take responsibility. I complained about an engine noise over the 4 years of warranty & nothing was ever done. They said it was all in proper condition. The car would burn oil & always be 1 or 2 quarts low on oil even after just getting back from BMW after a oil change. No engine mods on the car ever. It was sitting in my garage for 6 months only put 2k miles. The car shit itself driving 1 mile to a car show here in South Beach. If they don't make if right I'll make sure that's theist BMW my family buys & I had the new model of the M3 since the E36 and my father has the new 7 series every 3 years. Send me suggestions if you have any.

[baba louey]

"They said it was all in proper condition. The car would burn oil & always be 1 or 2 quarts low on oil even after just getting back from BMW after a oil change."

In my mind, this statement in itself speaks volumes. If you can prove this statement with documentation, I believe that BMW will take notice. Good luck.

[AlteredBe4st]

These threads make me worry about the reliability of these motors. Before it was 08/09 having rod bearing problems now we are seeing newer models with the same issue, also doesn't seem to make much of a difference if you are stock, have mods or supercharged. I was looking to do an upgrade from 550 to 625 but don't know if I wanna go that rought now. Still the percentage of those with blown motors seem low but don't want to ever be one of them. I feel depressed now someone please slap me.

[Black Gold]

Originally Posted by M3NST3R

My engine just failed right after warranty. It's sitting at BMW now a week because their solution is paying them 26k for a new engine. You think you pay top dollar for a car that it should live more than 47k when I babied the car. I'm going to be trying to make them replace the engine. Betweene & my family we have owned about dozen brand new Bmw's in our lifetime so I hope they take that into account & since I am ordering the new M4. I have an 2008 E90 M3. Any advice on how to go about forcing BMW to take responsibility. I complained about an engine noise over the 4 years of warranty & nothing was ever done. They said it was all in proper condition. The car would burn oil & always be 1 or 2 quarts low on oil even after just getting back from BMW after a oil change. No engine mods on the car ever. It was sitting in my garage for 6 months only put 2k miles. The car shit itself driving 1 mile to a car show here in South Beach. If they don't make if right I'll make sure that's theist BMW my family buys & I had the new model of the M3 since the E36 and my father has the new 7 series every 3 years. Send me suggestions if you have any.

I'll say this...good luck.

I had a miserable experience (way less money only a few k, but knew they would find a way to avoid responsibility on any significant claim) with BMW on my last car and will never ever own one again.

I hope you get your issues resolved.

[VCMpower]

The percentage is very very low. I would say especially given certain things like long oil service intervals and the amount of SC'd cars are out there. It would be nice to have an idea of how many M3's have hit the market since 2007(Australia). I think the failure is very low, you just get to hear all about the unfortunate. Keep enjoying your M!

Originally Posted by lenzm3edan

These threads make me worry about the reliability of these motors. Before it was 08/09 having rod bearing problems now we are seeing newer models with the same issue, also doesn't seem to make much of a difference if you are stock, have mods or supercharged. I was looking to do an upgrade from 550 to 625 but don't know if I wanna go that rought now. Still the percentage of those with blown motors seem low but don't want to ever be one of them. I feel depressed now someone please slap me.

[jbraslins]

Originally Posted by M3NST3R

Any advice on how to go about forcing BMW to take responsibility. I complained about an engine noise over the 4 years of warranty & nothing was ever done. They said it was all in proper condition. The car would burn oil & always be 1 or 2 quarts low on oil even after just getting back from BMW after a oil change. No engine mods on the car ever.

Have you tried calling BMW NA and explaining all of the above? I had luck with them fixing things on my e46 m3 way after warranty expired. My friend just had motor go on his 2010 x5 that just went out of warranty and dealer told him he'd have to pay. But he called BMW na and they are covering it now.

[s65e90]

Man alot of speculation going on around here and yet OP has not said the definitive cause of the engine failure.. Didn't ACM take it apart? The thread title has changed like 3-4 times. Pages of pages of people speculating and worrying for no reason. From pics it does appear the car may have spun a bearing and kicked a rod out of the block (from all the oil) but OP should come in here and say what the cause of failure actually was.

Also FYI, most of the boost limiting factor is due to the High Compression ratio of the engine and certainly not parts failing. These motors are VERY VERY stout.

[MisterEm]

OP, any pictures of rods and/or bearings?

Originally Posted by Team Plutonium

I'm pretty sure you are in violation of that agreement already.

Originally Posted by Longboarder

Yup. lol.

Very true - hence the sarcasm smiley! I would hope they have bigger fish to fry than my measly settlement from 3+ years ago. It was a matter of principle at the time and I am glad they took care of it.

[BuckRodgers]

Originally Posted by lenzm3edan

These threads make me worry about the reliability of these motors. Before it was 08/09 having rod bearing problems now we are seeing newer models with the same issue, also doesn't seem to make much of a difference if you are stock, have mods or supercharged. I was looking to do an upgrade from 550 to 625 but don't know if I wanna go that rought now. Still the percentage of those with blown motors seem low but don't want to ever be one of them. I feel depressed now someone please slap me.

Same story for every car, if you want to add power you need to understand and assume the added risk involved. As reliable as these motors have been there will always be failures and the harder you push the higher the risk. The M3 is no different than any other car. I just added more power to my GTR and shortly after blew up my transmission. I now have to write a check to fix it but I knew what I was getting into when I decided to add more power. I would not run a 650 kit on this car unless I did a LC build. If I ever upgrade my VT1-550 it will be most likley a 585 or 625 kit.

[Longboarder]

Originally Posted by BuckRodgers

Same story for every car, if you want to add power you need to understand and assume the added risk involved. As reliable as these motors have been there will always be failures and the harder you push the higher the risk. The M3 is no different than any other car. I just added more power to my GTR and shortly after blew up my transmission. I now have to write a check to fix it but I knew what I was getting into when I decided to add more power. I would not run a 650 kit on this car unless I did a LC build. If I ever upgrade my VT1-550 it will be most likley a 585 or 625 kit.

Hey Buck, curious why you wouldn't run the 650 kit. Is it because it runs too much boost? Thx.

[AlteredBe4st]

Originally Posted by VCMpower

The percentage is very very low. I would say especially given certain things like long oil service intervals and the amount of SC'd cars are out there. It would be nice to have an idea of how many M3's have hit the market since 2007(Australia). I think the failure is very low, you just get to hear all about the unfortunate. Keep enjoying your M!

thanks for the slap.

[BMRLVR]

Originally Posted by lenzm3edan

These threads make me worry about the reliability of these motors. Before it was 08/09 having rod bearing problems now we are seeing newer models with the same issue, also doesn't seem to make much of a difference if you are stock, have mods or supercharged. I was looking to do an upgrade from 550 to 625 but don't know if I wanna go that rought now. Still the percentage of those with blown motors seem low but don't want to ever be one of them. I feel depressed now someone please slap me.

If you have an issue with your engine it won't matter if you upgrade to the 625 or stay 550, if it is gonna fail it will fail regardless. With that being said for the number of S65's out there the failure rate is very, very small....... Web forums have a way of amplifying how big an issue really is.

All the ESS kits have proven reliable due to their excellent software which leaves the factory self preservation measures in effect to prevent engine damage. The biggest killer of any spark ignition engine is detonation. If detonation is controlled properly you should have little worries, ESS software retains the stock knock sensing parameters and the engine will protect itself by controlling knock and therefore detonation.

From what I have seen ESS don't put their name on a bad product and doesn't release anything without doing the necessary R&D (I am not biased since I don't even have an SC on my car, I am just a mechanic/engine builder adding my $0.02). Do the 625 upgrade with confidence, keep your engine maintenance intervals to 5000 miles or less and always run good fuel and you should have no worries!

[AlteredBe4st]

Originally Posted by BMRLVR

If you have an issue with your engine it won't matter if you upgrade to the 625 or stay 550, if it is gonna fail it will fail regardless. With that being said for the number of S65's out there the failure rate is very, very small....... Web forums have a way of amplifying how big an issue really is.

All the ESS kits have proven reliable due to their excellent software which leaves the factory self preservation measures in effect to prevent engine damage. The biggest killer of any spark ignition engine is detonation. If detonation is controlled properly you should have little worries, ESS software retains the stock knock sensing parameters and the engine will protect itself by controlling knock and therefore detonation.

From what I have seen ESS don't put their name on a bad product and doesn't release anything without doing the necessary R&D (I am not biased since I don't even have an SC on my car, I am just a mechanic/engine builder adding my $0.02). Do the 625 upgrade with confidence, keep your engine maintenance intervals to 5000 miles or less and always run good fuel and you should have no worries!

thanks for the reply, pretty much human nature to amplify the negative and overlook the positive at times. We all want our modded cars to be safe but what you and numerious other supercharged members have stated is true and one must follow the maintenance guidelines and recommended fuel with the additional power.

[W///]

Originally Posted by lenzm3edan

thanks for the reply, pretty much human nature to amplify the negative and overlook the positive at times. We all like to be safe but what you and numerious other supercharged members have stated you must follow the maintenance guidelines and recommended fuel with the additional power.

If it's a huge worry for you, then do an oil analysis. Might give you a warning if you have bearing issues.

[exmowner]

Originally Posted by W///

If it's a huge worry for you, then do an oil analysis. Might give you a warning if you have bearing issues.

Exactly! Sending in my oil to blackstone tomorrow, fingers crossed....

[BMRLVR]

Originally Posted by W///

If it's a huge worry for you, then do an oil analysis. Might give you a warning if you have bearing issues.

Good advice!

Originally Posted by exmowner

Exactly! Sending in my oil to blackstone tomorrow, fingers crossed....

Please share your results once you get them!

[VCMpower]

Repeat.

[CBS]

Originally Posted by BMRLVR

...Do the 625 upgrade with confidence, keep your engine maintenance intervals to 5000 miles or less and always run good fuel and you should have no worries!

Excellent post and summary. As an amateur engine builder 30+ years ago, I have appreciated your engine building posts and insights.

Cheers,

Chris

[TrevorM3]

so what exactly is the bearing failure?

[BuckRodgers]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

Hey Buck, curious why you wouldn't run the 650 kit. Is it because it runs too much boost? Thx.

I don't think it runs too much boost I think it takes the stock motor to it's limit and the added power over a kit like the 625 IMO is not worth it but for those that want to get as much out of the stock motor as they can it is the best option available.

[BuckRodgers]

Originally Posted by BMRLVR

If you have an issue with your engine it won't matter if you upgrade to the 625 or stay 550, if it is gonna fail it will fail regardless. With that being said for the number of S65's out there the failure rate is very, very small....... Web forums have a way of amplifying how big an issue really is.

All the ESS kits have proven reliable due to their excellent software which leaves the factory self preservation measures in effect to prevent engine damage. The biggest killer of any spark ignition engine is detonation. If detonation is controlled properly you should have little worries, ESS software retains the stock knock sensing parameters and the engine will protect itself by controlling knock and therefore detonation.

From what I have seen ESS don't put their name on a bad product and doesn't release anything without doing the necessary R&D (I am not biased since I don't even have an SC on my car, I am just a mechanic/engine builder adding my $0.02). Do the 625 upgrade with confidence, keep your engine maintenance intervals to 5000 miles or less and always run good fuel and you should have no worries!

Good post.