Rod Bearings Pics From High Mileage 2011.75

[Icecreamfoo]

Well, I've recently decided to replace my rod bearings, after "feeling" that I've heard a handful of random knock-like noise when sitting inside the car, as well as after coming to a conclusion that my car was taken for ride by hotel valet (Omni Los Angeles in Downtown LA, yes I'm calling it out). No real symptoms really, but after the above mentioned incident I figured I'll take care of this now as preventive care, for my own peace of mind.

Car is a June 2011 build, now at 64,000 miles. No track, not beat on, but I do enjoy opening it up when I get the opportunity. Not trying to spread hysteria as some might/will accuse, really just want to share information, as I've seen very few posts or reports from 2011+ built S65 on how their rod bearings are doing. Given that mine is a later 2011 production, and has seen a lot of miles for its age, here is my contribution to the record.

- The results were not as bad as some of the 08-09 cars had reported, but I'll admit the bearings look a bit worse than I was expecting, with good amount of wear on all of the top shells.
- Replaced with WPC treated bearings, with ARP bolts, BMW 10W60 oil
- For what it's worth, also found one nearly ripped engine mount during the process

your bearings looks really good condition, maybe the 2011 bearings bmw got fix the problem.

[BobS]

They don't look to bad to me...

[Move Over]

They don't look bad at all? Not one of your upper bearings have torn into any layers like 99% of the bearings around here.

[JRV]

the more and more people proactively replace, the more we see normal wear. It's a hit or miss

[pbonsalb]

Originally Posted by JRV

the more and more people proactively replace, the more we see normal wear. It's a hit or miss

If we could get up to 50/50 on normal wear, that would be great. So far, we have just a few examples. I am not a bearing expert, but agree these don't look as bad as some we have seen.

I would still like some experts to describe or show normal wear.

[BMRLVR]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

If we could get up to 50/50 on normal wear, that would be great. So far, we have just a few examples. I am not a bearing expert, but agree these don't look as bad as some we have seen.

I would still like some experts to describe or show normal wear.

These bearings look pretty good compared to most of the other S65 bearings we see on here....... But....... The wear on them is still not what I would call normal for 64,000miles. These bearings would last for another 100,000+ miles for sure, but in my experience, most properly maintained engines would exhibit that kind of wear pattern at 160-200k miles, not 60k miles

[Mr. Liu]

Lol those look good for 64k miles. I have 35k on mine and the paranoia is killing me

[Icecreamfoo]

Originally Posted by BMRLVR

These bearings look pretty good compared to most of the other S65 bearings we see on here....... But....... The wear on them is still not what I would call normal for 64,000miles. These bearings would last for another 100,000+ miles for sure, but in my experience, most properly maintained engines would exhibit that kind of wear pattern at 160-200k miles, not 60k miles

Right, I agree with most who's chimed in so far that mine don't look too bad, though that's "relative" to some that's been posted so far. Doesn't look like I was living on borrowed time or anything like that, and the engine can probably easily last beyond 100k miles w no problem given my driving style, but still I felt the level of wear for a car, pretty much stock, at 60k miles, is a bit excessive. Hope to see more 2011+ S65 reporting in as time goes on

[aussiem3]

Originally Posted by BMRLVR

These bearings look pretty good compared to most of the other S65 bearings we see on here....... But....... The wear on them is still not what I would call normal for 64,000miles. These bearings would last for another 100,000+ miles for sure, but in my experience, most properly maintained engines would exhibit that kind of wear pattern at 160-200k miles, not 60k miles

C'mon now ... are we talking about a Toyota Prius here? I don't think anyone can make a statement like that, not even the manufacturer.

I think you're continuing to push your case. In your opinion you could have done a far better job than all the /// engine designers put together. Give it a break!

[aussiem3]

Originally Posted by Mr. Liu

Lol those look good for 64k miles. I have 35k on mine and the paranoia is killing me

Have a Redbull

[Ashley Schaeffer BMW]

The guys who make the aftermarket bearings must love this forum.

Changing bearings at 34k? I have 117k and it's not even on my radar.

[GRUESOM3]

Originally Posted by Ashley Schaeffer BMW

The guys who make the aftermarket bearings must love this forum.

Changing bearings at 34k? I have 117k and it's not even on my radar.

They the ones that started this shit. Everything is business around here

[Canuckles]

I wish I could have contributed but BMW wouldn't allow my original motor to be torn down before shipping back to Germany.

[///M Power-Belgium]

OP bearings would run another 64K , because they look actually good !

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by TL866

your bearings looks really good condition, maybe the 2011 bearings bmw got fix the problem.

After years of what I saw and heard it's no , even 2013's failed !

[brownb_2]

i dont like the look of this

[FogCityM3]

Given that M engines are designed for 150k miles (per Steve Dinan) stock or will last 120k-130k modified, I view the condition of these stock bearings as a good outcome.

[BMRLVR]

Originally Posted by aussiem3

C'mon now ... are we talking about a Toyota Prius here? I don't think anyone can make a statement like that, not even the manufacturer.

I think you're continuing to push your case. In your opinion you could have done a far better job than all the /// engine designers put together. Give it a break!

I have no case to push, I am not formally involved in the Clevite bearings beyond being a customer for a few sets once they come to market.

I have not taken any S65's apart myself so I can directly comment on the S65 but I have rebuilt/built numerous domestic and import engines with >200k miles on them that had bearings that looked way better than that, I am quite familiar with what bearings wear looks like in a high mileage engine. Some of those engines were VW VR6, VW 1.8T, GM 350 small blocks with >300HP numerous GM Big Blocks, Ford 302, multiple GM LS engines, Honda B18, B16, and H22, not to mention hundreds of diesels with 18000HRS (which is equivalent to ~600,000 miles in our mining environment).

That may not make me an S65 expert, but I think is shows you that I have seen lots of bearings and I am aware of what "Normal" wear looks like on bearings.

[WhatsADSM]

Thanks for sharing! These look pretty good to be honest.

[aussiem3]

Originally Posted by BMRLVR

I have no case to push, I am not formally involved in the Clevite bearings beyond being a customer for a few sets once they come to market.

I have not taken any S65's apart myself so I can directly comment on the S65 but I have rebuilt/built numerous domestic and import engines with >200k miles on them that had bearings that looked way better than that, I am quite familiar with what bearings wear looks like in a high mileage engine. Some of those engines were VW VR6, VW 1.8T, GM 350 small blocks with >300HP numerous GM Big Blocks, Ford 302, multiple GM LS engines, Honda B18, B16, and H22, not to mention hundreds of diesels with 18000HRS (which is equivalent to ~600,000 miles in our mining environment).

That may not make me an S65 expert, but I think is shows you that I have seen lots of bearings and I am aware of what "Normal" wear looks like on bearings.

Point taken.

[Killerfish2012]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

OP bearings would run another 64K , because they look actually good !

Yet another winner of your PHANTOM lottery!