BMW NA Approves New S65 Engine Replacement Due to Bad Rod Bearings

[GVIFlyer]

It speaks well for the brand that BMW took care of you.

[surewin]

Originally Posted by Shaung

Why does your BlackStone report list your engine incorrectly?

Good eye- I noticed this, too, and it was just a typo on their part. I just gave them my model and MY, but didn't specify the engine. Even though it's obvious, I figured it wasn't too relevant for oil testing purposes.

[ase2dais]

Subscribed!
To OP:
Maybe that was the same thing that caused my 08 e92 M3 6MT to tic-tic on idle at stop lights, that BMW NJ could immediately tell what it was, when I was the first one to get the new release in 08.
All is fine, I was given a new 09 DCT loaded anyway as a replacement, after 2 repair attempts.

[CHIEFKIEF]

I am happy they replaced your motor. I have the exact same issue with my 09 M3. Can you assist with the details you provided BMW NA. I am the 3rd owner at 30K miles and I am not under warranty. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[CHIEFKIEF]

I am happy they replaced your motor. I have the exact same issue with my 09 M3. Can you assist with the details you provided BMW NA. I am the 3rd owner at 30K miles and I am not under warranty. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[CHIEFKIEF]

BMW M3 GUY can you give me a call about this issue. I have an M3 with 30K miles and it is currently at the dealership. My number is 580-278-5783. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[chamoloco]

Hi guys,
My 2008 M3 with less than 60k miles started knocking hard and upon mechanical reivew it was found that two of the pistons had worn out the top bearing. I have ask BWM NA for assistance but they have denied any responsibility. Any recommendations? Anyone in the same boat?

I am inclined to start a bad publicity site but I want to make sure I explore all amicable options. Currently I am looking at a 20k price tag to replace my engine with a used engine with more mileage!

This should not happen with a performance car!

[pbonsalb]

You are screwed. Sorry. It happens only to a small percentage, but is often catastrophic and very expensive when it does happen. BMW is in denial that there is a problem. Supposedly there is a class action lawsuit against BMW but I am not sure how many are in the class. Search in this forum and in the performance forum and the litigation and contact information may come up.

I recommend considering preventative maintenance rod bearing change. I did one on my 08M3 when it was out of warranty at 60k. Someone else might tell you that because his car is fine at 130k, there can be nothing wrong with your car.

[Piloti]

Thanks to all who posted here. I have an 08' E90 with 140K. No signs of trouble yet, but I just ordered a Blackstone kit to do the analysis.

[srmast1]

Please pardon my ignorance, but where can I find this "announcement" made by BMW NA? My BMW service manager vehemently refuses to put anything other than 10w-60 into my e90 M.

[M3SpecR]

Is this going to be a problem for Post-LCI E9X?

[admranger]

Originally Posted by M3SpecR

Is this going to be a problem for Post-LCI E9X?

Yes. Definitely. The non-lead containing bearings make diagnosis harder too...

[MysticBlue]

Originally Posted by srmast1

Please pardon my ignorance, but where can I find this "announcement" made by BMW NA? My BMW service manager vehemently refuses to put anything other than 10w-60 into my e90 M.

No BMW dealer would ever agree to put anything other than 10w-60 in an M3.

[e92bmwmd]

any way to get BMW to go in and take a look at the bearings?

[kb9uwu]

Originally Posted by srmast1

Please pardon my ignorance, but where can I find this "announcement" made by BMW NA? My BMW service manager vehemently refuses to put anything other than 10w-60 into my e90 M.

You shouldn't run anything other than 10w-60 in your e90 M.

[HeaTHeR_aK]

Hi Justin,

I just sent you a PM as I'm sadly in the same situation. I just wanted to say thanks for the very detailed post on your story and for following through to the final resolution in your post. It's very helpful and gives hope for those of us who are in the struggle now. Enjoy your beauty!

[Wtlitng]

I have recently had a spun rod bearing also. Had the car towed to RUSNAK BMW
in Thousand Oaks, Ca. where I originally bought it direct from the factory. The 2011 M3 had 8 miles on it when I took ownership. I have always taken care of the car and had yearly oil changes. I drive it about 4000 miles per year so I had just under 19000 miles on the odometer when the failure occurred.
Originally I was told that I needed a new engine and it would cost $30000. The service rep at the dealership said they would contact BMW to see what they might do for me. They came back with an offer of covering half of the cost ($15000). Still not pleased I called BMW North America. They were very helpful and said they would contact the dealership. After a Corporate representitive stopped by the dealership and looked at the car I got a call indicating that BMW would replace the engine at no cost.
So, BMW does stand behind their product, however, I was told that I wouldn't get a warranty on the new engine because I didn't pay for it - this was stated by the dealership but I am hoping to contact BMW NA to see if I can get a warrenty like "BMW M3 Guy" received. More to come.

7/5/2016

I contacted BMW NA and they said they would look in to an engine warranty. A day or so later they indicated that their policy was that if the customer did not pay for the replacement, they would not provide a warranty for the new engine, however, they would research the issue further. The new service manager at RUSNAK BMW in Thousand Oaks, Cal. independently researched the issue and came up with the following from Section 3 of the Warrantly Statements document:

Replacements under Goodwill: Self-Authorized (DSA) and Field Authorized (FAS)

" The 24 month unlimited miles coverage applies regardless of the amount the customer, your center and/or BMW NA contributed towards the installation."

So, if you get a Goodwill replacement of an engine or other parts, BMW will provide a 2 year, unlimited mileage parts warranty!

I'm obviously very pleased but will probably have the rod bearings replaced at some time in the near future to avoid a recurrance of this problem.
Any rod bearing suggestions?

[Sephiroth]

^ Tough news. Stay positive, at least you are financially not impacted.

[Flying Ace]

Originally Posted by Wtlitng

I have recently had a spun rod bearing also. Had the car towed to RUSNAK BMW
in Thousand Oaks, Ca. where I originally bought it direct from the factory. The 2011 M3 had 8 miles on it when I took ownership. I have always taken care of the car and had yearly oil changes. I drive it about 4000 miles per year so I had just under 19000 miles on the odometer when the failure occurred.
Originally I was told that I needed a new engine and it would cost $30000. The service rep at the dealership said they would contact BMW to see what they might do for me. They came back with an offer of covering half of the cost ($15000). Still not pleased I called BMW North America. They were very helpful and said they would contact the dealership. After a Corporate representitive stopped by the dealership and looked at the car I got a call indicating that BMW would replace the engine at no cost.
So, BMW does stand behind their product, however, I was told that I wouldn't get a warrenty on the new engine because I didn't pay for it - this was stated by the dealership but I am hoping to contact BMW NA to see if I can get a warrenty like "BMW M3 Guy" received. More to come.

pretty much as good as it gets...

[CHE///MIST3]

Great to hear they're taking care of you! Just sounds like a bad engine out of the lot....for a bearing to fail at less than 20K miles.

GM

[e93 jonesy]

Originally Posted by Wtlitng

I have recently had a spun rod bearing also. Had the car towed to RUSNAK BMW
in Thousand Oaks, Ca. where I originally bought it direct from the factory. The 2011 M3 had 8 miles on it when I took ownership. I have always taken care of the car and had yearly oil changes. I drive it about 4000 miles per year so I had just under 19000 miles on the odometer when the failure occurred.
Originally I was told that I needed a new engine and it would cost $30000. The service rep at the dealership said they would contact BMW to see what they might do for me. They came back with an offer of covering half of the cost ($15000). Still not pleased I called BMW North America. They were very helpful and said they would contact the dealership. After a Corporate representitive stopped by the dealership and looked at the car I got a call indicating that BMW would replace the engine at no cost.
So, BMW does stand behind their product, however, I was told that I wouldn't get a warrenty on the new engine because I didn't pay for it - this was stated by the dealership but I am hoping to contact BMW NA to see if I can get a warrenty like "BMW M3 Guy" received. More to come.

Excellent! I'm glad that it worked out for you in the end. Same thing happened to me exactly two years ago. The BMW mechanic that worked on my car stated that "internal damage to engine bearings, after more inspection found oil leak coming from front crank seal. Front of engine found crankshaft pushing on seal. Excessive endplay in crankshaft." I was shocked after just buying the car and having it for a short period that something like this would happen. The PPI showed no signs of anything wrong with the car.

BMW recommended replacing the engine, and since the car had just come off warranty BMW NA approved engine replacement at no cost (Phew!). All parts were covered (warranty) so I appreciate what BMW did for me. The SA I worked with here in SD said the same to me as well, no warranty on the engine... After two years and making sure the car is well maintained, it still runs like the day I picked it up from the dealership. No complaints over here, The engine has just under 35000 miles in the two years since being replaced. One thing I will absolutely not fall back on is the oil change interval. I DD the car so every 7000 miles I do an oil change. I have not done any oil analysis not sure if it will do me any good. I do plan to get into the engine and change out the rod bearings once this engine reaches 45000 miles.

[ase2dais]

Subscribed.. Congrats on the repair