Buying E92 - Don't drive at all until Rod Bearings replaced?

[TooManyAxles]

I'm considering purchasing a 2011 M3 DCT Comp with 77k miles. Car has been treated well and has a lot of service records - none include rod bearings. I plan to look for a shop in Chicago area to perform the rod bearing replacement. Given the miles, should I plan to store and not drive/enjoy the car at all until the bearings are replaced? Or are there any tell tale signs (such as forbidden glitter in the oil filter) that they need to replaced asap vs say within the next few thousand miles? Is there an interval at which one should plan to replace them going forward - such as every 40k miles or are the new bearings designed to last the life of the engine?

Similarly with the throttle actuators - are they also a no warning sign and then Bam! catastrophic failure? Does their failure result in engine damage or just limp mode?

[TboneS54]

You have many many miles to go. You've succumbed to irrational, uneducated rb fear porn.

TAs failing don't cause engine damage.

[TooManyAxles]

Originally Posted by TboneS54

You have many many miles to go. You've succumbed to irrational, uneducated rb fear porn.

TAs failing don't cause engine damage.

Thank you, this is good news on both fronts (RBs and TAs). I thought the consensus was 60k is the threshold when rod bearings should be done

[Brandoch]

Originally Posted by TooManyAxles

Thank you, this is good news on both fronts (RBs and TAs). I thought the consensus was 60k is the threshold when rod bearings should be done

At the moment there doesn't seem to be a pattern. There has been some with under 20,000 miles that blow and some with 200,000 + miles with the original bearings. BMW changed the bearing material in 2011to remove the lead. The newer style "looks" like it wears less, but it still wears about the same. Some 2008's are on original bearings, some have been changed. Some 2013's are on original and some have been changed.

It was common practice to use extra clearance bearings although alot of people stuck with OEM clearances. There is "possibly" new evidence that extra clearance bearing drops oil pressure enough to notice. But we will have to see how that plays out.

Yes these engines have rod and main bearing issues. Are they overblown or underestimated?
The best way to look at it at the moment is treat the rod bearings as a consumable. 60,000 to 100,000 miles seems to be the average to change them.

And yes look at the filter, that should tell you quite a bit. But only if its not new.

And lastly do a lot if research. Everyone has their own opinion on the matter. Do what makes you feel better, not what the internet tells you.

[e39Origin]

I’m having mine replaced at 47,000 miles by EP3 Motorsports in St. Charles at the end of the month. I plan to own this car indefinitely, so my rationale for getting them done at such a low mileage is simply for peace of mind.

[Scrippy]

Get your service scheduled but you are fine to enjoy the car. The two biggest things you ca do for your S65 are pretty simple…….

1 - Let the car warm up before you push above 3k rpm. A simple minute or two of idling before driving off and keep RPM under 3k until temp is reached. After that, have fun however you do.

2 - Chage your oil every 5k. I do not subsceibe to using Liquimoly and I only use BMW 10-60 fwiw.

[haile90]

Bought this E92 back in June with 63k miles. No TA or RB done just annual oil changes and other fluids. Mobbed the car all the way down to SoCal 19 hours non stop. Stopped for gas 4 times and had zero issues. Granted I did get the rod bearings done right when I got to California but still 1200+ miles no issue and they still looked good. I always go by the rule of thumb that you’re buying the owner not the car when searching for one of these. If you find someone that actually gives a f*** about their car then chances are you’re getting a good car compared to 90% of most cars on the market.

[RugbyBro]

Just drive it... or don't. You'll never know the condition of the bearings until you pull the rod caps and check. There's no mileage number you need to adhere to per se.

There isn't a particular replacement interval either - going to depend on usage, type of bearing, etc. Better to look at it as an engine out rebuild the next time you want to replace them... there are other issues to address at that time anyway.

Since it's on your mind, just get them done ASAP.

[TooManyAxles]

Originally Posted by e39Origin

I’m having mine replaced at 47,000 miles by EP3 Motorsports in St. Charles at the end of the month. I plan to own this car indefinitely, so my rationale for getting them done at such a low mileage is simply for peace of mind.

Thank you. That’s not too far from me. Can I ask how much they are charging you? Are you using VAC or BE bearings? While they’re in there are they recommending or are you asking for any other work to be done?

[TooManyAxles]

Originally Posted by haile90

Bought this E92 back in June with 63k miles. No TA or RB done just annual oil changes and other fluids. Mobbed the car all the way down to SoCal 19 hours non stop. Stopped for gas 4 times and had zero issues. Granted I did get the rod bearings done right when I got to California but still 1200+ miles no issue and they still looked good. I always go by the rule of thumb that you’re buying the owner not the car when searching for one of these. If you find someone that actually gives a f*** about their car then chances are you’re getting a good car compared to 90% of most cars on the market.

1200miles right after buying is confidence! Beautiful car btw - what wheels do you have? Yours is slightly different than mine - I don’t have the row of buttons at the bottom of the center stack, headlight sprayers, and heated seats. Great point on buying the owner - mine was owned since new by a close friend who at worst drove it spiritedly and never tracked it. It was well maintained as well.

[M3JayM]

Bought mine with about 50k miles on it and I still drive it daily. Waited to replace the bearings and eventually got them done at 85k miles. I think 75k-100k seems to be the most common time to do it for peace of mind.

[haile90]

Originally Posted by TooManyAxles

1200miles right after buying is confidence! Beautiful car btw - what wheels do you have? Yours is slightly different than mine - I don’t have the row of buttons at the bottom of the center stack, headlight sprayers, and heated seats. Great point on buying the owner - mine was owned since new by a close friend who at worst drove it spiritedly and never tracked it. It was well maintained as well.

Thank you! I’ve cleaned it up since then and switched up the wheels. Those were BBS FI-R. Currently sitting on TE37

[e39Origin]

Originally Posted by TooManyAxles

Thank you. That’s not too far from me. Can I ask how much they are charging you? Are you using VAC or BE bearings? While they’re in there are they recommending or are you asking for any other work to be done?

I was quoted $2,400 for BE bearings and ARP bolts, and replacing engine mounts with OEM equipment.

For comparison, I spoke with Midwest Performance Cars in Northbrook, IL a year or so ago and was quoted $6,500, if I recall correctly. Additionally, I’ve attempted to contact Performance Eurowerks for a quote multiple times without any response.

[TooManyAxles]

Originally Posted by haile90

Thank you! I’ve cleaned it up since then and switched up the wheels. Those were BBS FI-R. Currently sitting on TE37

Wow, have never seen an M3 on TE37s. As a kid there were coveted in the Honda world. Do you mind sharing your deets: wheel/tire specs, any drop, any spacers?

[TooManyAxles]

Originally Posted by e39Origin

I was quoted $2,400 for BE bearings and ARP bolts, and replacing engine mounts with OEM equipment.

For comparison, I spoke with Midwest Performance Cars in Northbrook, IL a year or so ago and was quoted $6,500, if I recall correctly. Additionally, I’ve attempted to contact Performance Eurowerks for a quote multiple times without any response.

Super helpful, thank you! Are they doing anything beside BE bearings, ARP bolts, and engine mounts? For seemingly the same work I'm quoted $3,500 and an April 20th date:

[RugbyBro]

Anyone who charges $6.5k for RBs is pulling your pants down - what a joke.

[sergbaja5t]

Yeah, just drive it. Service regularly. I did a new engine back in 2018, i run that till about 120k and when the caps removed, the bearings could of went another 20k. I did BE bearings/arp's and gone like 23k on those. 4k/5k oil change intervals for me.