Official S65 Rod Bearing Condition Example Thread

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by Green-Eggs

I wonder if this comment would change if you knew that every brand new factory rod we've ever measured was exactly 2.2047 on the big end. Now, re-run these theoretical clearance numbers and watch what happens to nominal clearance; it becomes even more extreme and tighter.

Regardless of physics or theories the majority of 65.000 engines made - now between 9 to 15 years old - are still running with original RBs.

Again not saying that replacing shells is a bad idea, on the contrary its a cheap way to limit risk. Still interesting to keep the proportions in mind.

[its55]

Originally Posted by Helmsman

Regardless of physics or theories the majority of 65.000 engines made - now between 9 to 15 years old - are still running with original RBs.

Again not saying that replacing shells is a bad idea, on the contrary its a cheap way to limit risk. Still interesting to keep the proportions in mind.

IMO we should all remember that 95% of news is bad news and that most folks react from that. Having said that, I'll be watching my oil!

[BOOF-M3]

I just counted over 170 service bulletins and 4 potential recalls sent out by BMW (currently in my Blue Driver App) some are apparently duplicates.
This one is pretty self explanatory about the valve stems being a single use item.
Bulletin #B360215 TIRES: VALVE

It's unfortunate that the suits upstairs will not acknowledge what we all already know and yes there is no need to explain to me why guys.
But how about adding this service bulletin:
"Failure to replace rod bearings could cause catastrophic engine failure".
Bulletin #B187-0710 (murder-theft from motor vehicle).

[Assimilator1]

Originally Posted by Green-Eggs

For S65, they were also paid by Castrol and offered indemnification for blown motors. All covered in the bearing wiki thread.

I don't recall that, although my memory is pretty bad! Can you remember where abouts in the monster thread that is?

Originally Posted by Helmsman

Regardless of physics or theories the majority of 65.000 engines made - now between 9 to 15 years old - are still running with original RBs.

Again not saying that replacing shells is a bad idea, on the contrary its a cheap way to limit risk. Still interesting to keep the proportions in mind.

I wonder how many of those engines have had the bearings replaced? (which would decrease the risk of failure).
I remember deansbimmer made a rough estimate of the number of rod bearings sold, although I don't recall the figure now! (other than it was in the 1000s, I do recall that it included BE bearings sales figures, but I don't remember who else).

Also it's interesting to see that many e9x M3s for sale now in the UK mention that the RBs have been done, 2 yrs ago hardly any did. I would say it's not to the point of being 1/2 the cars, but a significant way there.
How is it in other countries?

[Davisca455]

This is a repeat of my experience with my own M3, so feel free the scroll.

I am not an S65 or a statistical expert.

'08 DCT e92.
Purchased from a good friend who was the original owner.
Car has always lived in a mild climate, always garaged, over serviced, always warmed up before accelerating hard.

I bought it at the end of 2018 with just over 41,000 miles.
I had no idea about the S65 rod bearing "issue" until a friend clued me in a year later.
I started having oil analysis performed and the reports came back super clean.

I kept an eye on the RB threads on the forum and it seemed like almost none of the pictures showed what I would think a normal bearing should look like.

Both the PO and I were of the opinion that the S65 rod bearing issue was likely an internet hoax.
However, I just couldn't turn my back on all the pictures of abnormal looking bearing shells.

I came to the realization that if my engine blew up, they'd have to put me on suicide watch, so I decided to DIY the RBs just so I could sleep better.

I fully expected that when I removed the first rod cap, I'd find a perfect set of bearings.

This is what I found…

[Scharbag]

Originally Posted by Davisca455

This is a repeat of my experience with my own M3, so feel free the scroll.

I am not an S65 or a statistical expert.

'08 DCT e92.
Purchased from a good friend who was the original owner.
Car has always lived in a mild climate, always garaged, over serviced, always warmed up before accelerating hard.

I bought it at the end of 2018 with just over 41,000 miles.
I had no idea about the S65 rod bearing "issue" until a friend clued me in a year later.
I started having oil analysis performed and the reports came back super clean.

I kept an eye on the RB threads on the forum and it seemed like almost none of the pictures showed what I would think a normal bearing should look like.

Both the PO and I were of the opinion that the S65 rod bearing issue was likely an internet hoax.
However, I just couldn't turn my back on all the pictures of abnormal looking bearing shells.

I came to the realization that if my engine blew up, they'd have to put me on suicide watch, so I decided to DIY the RBs just so I could sleep better.

I fully expected that when I removed the first rod cap, I'd find a perfect set of bearings.

This is what I found…

Ouch.

[its55]

Originally Posted by Davisca455

This is a repeat of my experience with my own M3, so feel free the scroll.

This is what I found…

How many miles on the engine when you changed them?

[Davisca455]

Originally Posted by its55

How many miles on the engine when you changed them?

65,253 miles.

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by Davisca455

This is a repeat of my experience with my own M3, so feel free the scroll.

I am not an S65 or a statistical expert.

'08 DCT e92.
Purchased from a good friend who was the original owner.
Car has always lived in a mild climate, always garaged, over serviced, always warmed up before accelerating hard.

I bought it at the end of 2018 with just over 41,000 miles.
I had no idea about the S65 rod bearing "issue" until a friend clued me in a year later.
I started having oil analysis performed and the reports came back super clean.

I kept an eye on the RB threads on the forum and it seemed like almost none of the pictures showed what I would think a normal bearing should look like.

Both the PO and I were of the opinion that the S65 rod bearing issue was likely an internet hoax.
However, I just couldn't turn my back on all the pictures of abnormal looking bearing shells.

I came to the realization that if my engine blew up, they'd have to put me on suicide watch, so I decided to DIY the RBs just so I could sleep better.

I fully expected that when I removed the first rod cap, I'd find a perfect set of bearings.

This is what I found…

A proper 0.00065" example.... Great to have those out in time.

[DrFerry]

How bad are the 152,000 mile old Rod Bearings in The Evolve E92 M3?
.

.

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by DrFerry

[B]How bad are the 152,000 mile old Rod Bearings in The Evolve E92 M3?
.

Looks like shite. But haven't spun?

[marcello727]

Originally Posted by Helmsman

Looks like shite. But haven't spun?

This example did not spin its bearings

[serranot]

Originally Posted by Davisca455

This is a repeat of my experience with my own M3, so feel free the scroll.

I am not an S65 or a statistical expert.

'08 DCT e92.
Purchased from a good friend who was the original owner.
Car has always lived in a mild climate, always garaged, over serviced, always warmed up before accelerating hard.

I bought it at the end of 2018 with just over 41,000 miles.
I had no idea about the S65 rod bearing "issue" until a friend clued me in a year later.
I started having oil analysis performed and the reports came back super clean.

I kept an eye on the RB threads on the forum and it seemed like almost none of the pictures showed what I would think a normal bearing should look like.

Both the PO and I were of the opinion that the S65 rod bearing issue was likely an internet hoax.
However, I just couldn't turn my back on all the pictures of abnormal looking bearing shells.

I came to the realization that if my engine blew up, they'd have to put me on suicide watch, so I decided to DIY the RBs just so I could sleep better.

I fully expected that when I removed the first rod cap, I'd find a perfect set of bearings.

This is what I found…

The more people that can grasp that warm up, babying the engine, etc, have little to do with whether or not their tolerances are proper, the better off they are. It's like wash, rinse, repeat on this issue.

Folks, your original bearings might last the life of the car and they might not. You will never know. There is no mileage that's an indicator, oil analysis might or might not work, and it doesn't matter how careful you are. If you are stressing about it, then change them. It's a relatively inexpensive job. The longer you wait, the more stress you have and the costlier it might be.

[Dpc2u]

Originally Posted by serranot

The more people that can grasp that warm up, babying the engine, etc, have little to do with whether or not their tolerances are proper, the better off they are. It's like wash, rinse, repeat on this issue.

Folks, your original bearings might last the life of the car and they might not. You will never know. There is no mileage that's an indicator, oil analysis might or might not work, and it doesn't matter how careful you are. If you are stressing about it, then change them. It's a relatively inexpensive job. The longer you wait, the more stress you have and the costlier it might be.

^ This exactly. My 2011 M3 bearings looked okay, but not great at 60k miles. The bearings in my E60 M5 were horrible at 100k miles. Two were trashed..

I sleep much better at night having done both.

[Tankslapper]

Here are mine, done this week at 72k miles.

[DrFerry]

Originally Posted by Tankslapper

Here are mine, done this week at 72k miles.

[IMG]https://www.m3post.com/forums/pictur...ictureid=84242[/IMG]

Dang! Welcome to The Copper Club! Not just one or two shells are showing copper but many! And at 72K.. Good move getting them done.

[pskills]

I just had my bearings done on my E92 M3 with 49,000 miles.

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by Tankslapper

Here are mine, done this week at 72k miles.

Is that copper all over, or the picture coming out skewed?

[Green-Eggs]

Originally Posted by Helmsman

Is that copper all over, or the picture coming out skewed?

I think it's the pictures. I've seen this a few times, even with pictures that I've taken. For some reason, occasionally they look all orange but when you see them in person, they aren't. I wonder if the guy can clarify for us. I have a feeling it's not copper like that.

[Tankslapper]

Originally Posted by Green-Eggs

I think it's the pictures. I've seen this a few times, even with pictures that I've taken. For some reason, occasionally they look all orange but when you see them in person, they aren't. I wonder if the guy can clarify for us. I have a feeling it's not copper like that.

Yes, it the pic, they were a similar colour to pskills.

[pskills]

I was actually advised not to get them done until I reached at least 70k miles but having a Harrop supercharger installed so figured better safe than sorry. Now I'm being told break in for the bearings are 1k miles. Is this true and if so what is the protocol?

[pskills]

NVM, I just did a search and got all the conflicting info I needed. Lol