Official S65 Rod Bearing Condition Example Thread

[Dave07997S]

Originally Posted by Ximian

Warm it for at least 5 minutes in the morning, don't drive it below 40F. Let it warm up gradually, never exceeding 3k RPM until the oil temp is nearly 210F.

Oil changes every 5k miles or so. The last oil change was Rowe 10W-60 with a track day on it, winter storage, daily driving, and two days each with a 13 hour drive. Should be interesting to see how it has held up.

I think I just got lucky with my engine. Based on the build date, it was well after the summer holidays and Octoberfest so everyone was focused and sober.

My oil doesn't even get to 210F unless I rev the piss out of it and I live in S. Cali. Also, where does this 3k rpm come from? Like its some arbitrary number pulled out of somebodies ass. Although after my cold start I do keep it under 3k rpm but once there is some oil temp (closer to 170 deg. F) I do start to push it to 4k rpm range and so on. Most of the time my car never gets above 210 deg. F unless I start to push the car.

[Ximian]

Originally Posted by Dave07997S

Also, where does this 3k rpm come from? Like its some arbitrary number pulled out of somebodies ass.

For the DCT at the slowest setting with auto shifting, it'll shift up before 3k RPM if you're not giving much throttle. All the number indicates is that you're taking it easy.

[roastbeef]

some of these bearings look too shitty to be real... how the hell do they get horizontal wear?

[Erickuokwa]

117k miles

[IamFODI]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

some of these bearings look too shitty to be real... how the hell do they get horizontal wear?

Thought I read somewhere that it's the crank pin chattering within the bearing. I'm sure someone better informed can chime in.

[pbonsalb]

[QUOTE=Ximian;24833634]Try 0w-40 when it’s cold. The 5 minutes of warm up starts after I take my son to the bus stop, then go back in to get my bag. The car even has a remote start, but I rarely use it.

As it frequently gets to -20F for long stretches of time where I live, it’s painful hearing any car start in the morning. The set of winter tires that car would need isn’t cheap and would take away from my track tire budget. Not to mention the M3 is low enough to make the front bumper into a snow plow until it’s completely demolished. It’s more practical having a crossover or SUV for the winter months than trying to make the M3 work.[QUOTE]

I have been running 0W40 year round since I changed my rod bearings in 2014, have snows on my stock wheels and a set of Apex ARC8 with summer tires for 3 season use, and have driven in -20F. That is as cold as it gets in my area and winter temps ate more commonly above 0F. The plowing is pretty good in NH so it is rare that I can’t go where I need to go. I drive gently until warm, but 5 minute warmups are not realistic for my lifestyle.

[Scharbag]

Originally Posted by Erickuokwa

117k miles

Oof - #1 looks like she was just about ready to give up...

Good timing!!

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by MrMicko

New member from Finland joining the thread!

M3 DCT -08, 142 000km (88 000 miles), original bearings and tracked propably every summer.

Bearings almost in correct order, you can spot the top ones quite easily...

Terve Micko, and welcome to The Club! Couldn't find a proper intro but I'm sure you work on that as we speak...

Cheers from Stockholm

[Kamen]

Just dropped the car off for rod bearings replacement. The shop works on BMW's only. They said, that they've only had one M3 with failed rod bearings and it's just had it's bearings replaced 20k miles prior to the failure. The also thought, that the issue is overblown on the internet. He mentioned about a supercharged M3, tracked regularly, with no wear on the bearings. After second guessing myself, decided to do it anyways, even though I couldn't find a shop, that gives you warranty, if BE bearings are used.

So, yeah, hopefully that wasn't a dumb decision on my part.

[doogee]

46,000 miles and going on my VAC Bearings in case anyone wondered.

Hoping to pull the engine at the end of this fall to replace my mains and I'll be sure to post pictures of the VAC bearings.

[brado]

2009 E92 M3, 6MT, 81K miles when changed. Not tracked, lightly modded, replaced with BE bearings

[IamFODI]

Originally Posted by Kamen

They said, that they've only had one M3 with failed rod bearings and it's just had it's bearings replaced 20k miles prior to the failure.

...

He mentioned about a supercharged M3, tracked regularly, with no wear on the bearings.

Did they tell you which bearings were used in these two cars, and who did the work?

Originally Posted by Kamen

So, yeah, hopefully that wasn't a dumb decision on my part.

As long as the shop does good work, don't worry -- it wasn't a dumb decision.

[IamFODI]

Originally Posted by doogee

Hoping to pull the engine at the end of this fall to replace my mains and I'll be sure to post pictures of the VAC bearings.

Why are you replacing the mains? Precaution or problem?

[velociti]

Originally Posted by doogee

46,000 miles and going on my VAC Bearings in case anyone wondered.

Hoping to pull the engine at the end of this fall to replace my mains and I'll be sure to post pictures of the VAC bearings.

Please do. I live in south philly and VAC is my local shop, but a LOT of the feedback on them has been negative, or at least mixed. One of their ex-employees was very positive on their bearings and overall work, but I'm not convinced that it's not worth it just to go up to Auto Coutoure and have them do BE bearings, rod bolts, and motor mounts for $2650 or whatever. Curious what the results are...

[SSR Performance]

Rod bearings from 5/28/19

Contact us to today to schedule your appointment!
(800) 438-2808 or info@SSR-Performance.com

[doogee]

Originally Posted by IamFODI

Why are you replacing the mains? Precaution or problem?

The main bearings have the exact same issue. It just isn't realistic for most people to pay to have them done since it is quite an expensive job if paying a shop to do it.

[pbonsalb]

But there have been just a tiny fraction of main bearing failures relative to rod bearing failures. I would recommend that owners of out of warranty cars change rod bearings for $2500 but I would not recommend they pull the engine to change main bearings for $5000 or more

[wfdeacon88]

Originally Posted by Kamen

Just dropped the car off for rod bearings replacement. The shop works on BMW's only. They said, that they've only had one M3 with failed rod bearings and it's just had it's bearings replaced 20k miles prior to the failure. The also thought, that the issue is overblown on the internet. He mentioned about a supercharged M3, tracked regularly, with no wear on the bearings. After second guessing myself, decided to do it anyways, even though I couldn't find a shop, that gives you warranty, if BE bearings are used.

So, yeah, hopefully that wasn't a dumb decision on my part.

Um what shop is this... I would Question their knowledge of this engine. Sure, the bearing failure after replacement is possible if they are replaced with OEM. There aren't any reported cases of BE failures that have been reported, but hundreds or thousands of OEM failures. Have no regrets that you are replacing them, assuming it's BE bearings.

[deansbimmer]

BE warranties their rod bearings and guarantees they will not be the cause of a failure if installed correctly. The shop should warranty their labor just like they would every other job. Bearing warranties are not a cut and dry subject. See here for more info on BE warranty.

https://www.m3post.com/forums/showpo...&postcount=100

[Tellmee]

2008 E90 M3 ESS VT1-550 for 17k miles.

RB done at 83k miles with Mixed ACL bearing set and BE bolts.

[Iyzmi]

Originally Posted by Tellmee

2008 E90 M3 ESS VT1-550 for 17k miles.

RB done at 83k miles with Mixed ACL bearing set and BE bolts.

Wow. Those are absolutely terrible. I bet you feel pretty great after seeing those come out! Any Blackstone reports?

[SoCalRPM]

Originally Posted by wfdeacon88

Um what shop is this... I would Question their knowledge of this engine. Sure, the bearing failure after replacement is possible if they are replaced with OEM. There aren't any reported cases of BE failures that have been reported, but hundreds or thousands of OEM failures. Have no regrets that you are replacing them, assuming it's BE bearings.

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

BE warranties their rod bearings and guarantees they will not be the cause of a failure if installed correctly. The shop should warranty their labor just like they would every other job. Bearing warranties are not a cut and dry subject. See here for more info on BE warranty.

https://www.m3post.com/forums/showpo...;postcount=100

Agree here. I'd be very nervous about any shop not wanting to warranty what I believe is widely considered the foremost solution for bearing replacements at the moment. What bearings did they want to use? OEM?

Also, doesn't sit well when you add on that they're telling you the bearing issue is overblown while happily taking your money for RB replacements AND having seen blown motors come through their own shop.

Regardless, you're doing the right thing replacing bearings. But highly recommended not to put OEM bearings back in there.