Have you had a rod bearing replaced

[ritzzzzzwik]

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Please pick one of these two options if you had your engine replaced due to a rod bearing issue. Sorry, unable to figure out how to edit the poll ATM

• Tracked regularly. Rod bearings replaced due to faliure
• DD with minor track/autocross. Rod bearings replaced due to failure

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Hello,

I'm from the other side of forum where you find people with modified n54 335s, I am no different. I love my car, its fast it handles well; but what its not, is an M. More specifically an e90M.
I love the e90Ms. I recently had the pleasure of driving one for a few days at a stretch, and boy do I want one more than ever. 2 things that stand out immediately- Sound, and Steering. But one thing thats been making me a bit nervous is the rod bearing issue. Having owned an N54 I am not stranger to weird issues requiring you to dump a couple of grands into repairs/maintenance. But one thing thats quite stout are the motors. There are people with much higher numbers without having issues with the motor itself.
Now I know the forums tend to highlight the negatives more, so I wanted to do a poll and get your feedback on whether you've had to replace the rod bearing, and if its really that serious to keep me from getting one.

Thanks!

[X5-User]

do you know there are like 1000 threads and polls about rod bearings? You might have search first

[ritzzzzzwik]

1000s of threads yes, that why I am doing this poll. Didnt see any polls.

[ritzzzzzwik]

Originally Posted by Bimmer-M3

do you know there are like 1000 threads and polls about rod bearings? You might have search first

1000s of threads yes, that why I am doing this poll. Didnt see any polls. The number of threads are a bit disconcerting. Looks like the misfire threads on the N54 side.

Looks like you made the leap too, how is yours treating you?

[Helmsman]

There are quite a few threads out there on brearing changes but haven't seen a poll. Makes sense mate.

[tadmcmichael]

Great idea for a poll. Hopefully this will put the overall problem into perspective. I'm planning on getting an extended warranty (at least powertrain) just so that I can sleep at night.

Should you also have?

DD NO track/autocross. Rod bearings replaced due to failure

[yidgyi]

DD w/ spirited runs when in back roads. About to reach 40k miles soon. No rod bearing replacements. Might end up replacing it on my own as preventative maintenance and peace of mind when my warranty runs out next year.

[docwoz]

i think the poll is a great idea as i searched this information when i bought my E92. A similar poll on the TA would be great too!

[kb9uwu]

these engines suck, 52 votes so far and not a single rb failure... what a crap engine.

[ritzzzzzwik]

Originally Posted by kb9uwu

these engines suck, 52 votes so far and not a single rb failure... what a crap engine.

yeah whats the point of having a high revving v8 that doesnt blow itself up every 10K miles quite a bit like the stuff on the N54 side too. Thats why I wanted to see numbers, puts things in perceptive. Otherwise the internet would have you believe that rod bearings are failing left and right. I couldn't imagine an M engine would be released with such a terrible reliability.

BTW I see you have an e90 M with a MT..any plans of selling? lol...I've been looking for one. Those are so hard to find. Ping me if you ever decide to let go haha

[Edward]

Your number 1 and 2 option may not get a single tick. If your bearings fail, your engine would be replaced, not just your bearings haha.

[kb9uwu]

Originally Posted by ritzzzzzwik

BTW I see you have an e90 M with a MT..any plans of selling? lol...I've been looking for one. Those are so hard to find. Ping me if you ever decide to let go haha

Sure, but do you want a 2008 with 95,000 miles? It's a stripper, no options, no sun roof, nothing. Just an S65 and a 6 speed tranny. I've been thinking about a newer E92 M3 or a brand new M2 in a year(ish).

[IIAp3x]

Originally Posted by Edward

Your number 1 and 2 option may not get a single tick. If your bearings fail, your engine would be replaced, not just your bearings haha.

Yeah I was trying to figure out where I fall into this, considering I got a new engine due tor RB failure...

[ritzzzzzwik]

Originally Posted by Edward

Your number 1 and 2 option may not get a single tick. If your bearings fail, your engine would be replaced, not just your bearings haha.

Great point. I should have phrased the question better. Now if only I could figure out how to edit the poll.

[Properstyle]

I daily my m3 which I bought with 49k miles dct car. I supercharged the car about 10k miles ago and beat on the car when i drive it. I race it on the weekends at the track at roll racing events and some trips to Mexico . Car is now at 82k and on its original rod bearings. start up is quiet, oil is changed every 5-6k with 10w60. I live in Florida car sees alot of high way time in the morning with stop an go almost the whole way home every day. I will be doing bearings at 90k possibly.

[Rambler]

Poll is also missing: DD NO track/autocross. Rod bearings replaced due to failure.

[Killerfish2012]

Originally Posted by ritzzzzzwik

Now I know the forums tend to highlight the negatives more, so I wanted to do a poll and get your feedback on whether you've had to replace the rod bearing, and if its really that serious to keep me from getting one.

Thanks!

Came from your side of the tracks with my modified N54 two years ago this year. Purchased an '09 w/ 95K miles, and one owner. 35K, miles and 10 track days later, the grin is still ear to ear. It's very important that you purchase a vehicle, that's got quite a bit of miles, and was a single owner. Do a motor flush with your first oil change, and don't have any fears. Again do your homework on the car, and save your $ for more important repairs down the line. Anymore questions, pm me.

[ritzzzzzwik]

Originally Posted by Killerfish2012

Came from your side of the tracks with my modified N54 two years ago this year. Purchased an '09 w/ 95K miles, and one owner. 35K, miles and 10 track days later, the grin is still ear to ear. It's very important that you purchase a vehicle, that's got quite a bit of miles, and was a single owner. Do a motor flush with your first oil change, and don't have any fears. Again do your homework on the car, and save your $ for more important repairs down the line. Anymore questions, pm me.

awesome! thanks for the feedback. just so I get you right, you bought it at 95k miles?

that's great if that's true. I don't track a great deal, but I am looking to do more. That's why I'm leaning more towards the M3. I can get the 335i close, I already have some M suspension bits on, but I just don't want to turn it into a never ending science project. I've already done quite a lot lol, which got me thinking- maybe should have bought an M

[pbonsalb]

If you lose the bearing lottery, killerfish will buy you an engine. Odds are heavily in your favor that your engine will last a long time but its still a lottery unfortunately, even if your car had only one previous owner, you flushed the oil, did 10 track days over 35k miles, and rubbed a rabbit foot three times a day.

[WiFiGuy]

Don't settle when looking for the E90 M. I searched for 2 years to find a clean one owner with maint records that was a six speed and finally found one. Patience. You will be very happy in the end. I just did my bearings by BMW as preventative. They looked great at 75k. Oil changes are key and finding one with good history is the only way in my book.

[ritzzzzzwik]

Originally Posted by WiFiGuy

Don't settle when looking for the E90 M. I searched for 2 years to find a clean one owner with maint records that was a six speed and finally found one. Patience. You will be very happy in the end. I just did my bearings by BMW as preventative. They looked great at 75k. Oil changes are key and finding one with good history is the only way in my book.

+1 Looked at a couple of m3, had to walk away due to dodgy maintenance. I am in no rush. My 335 is plenty good for the moment, but no point switching down now, plus I want a 4 door (never owned one lol). Only problem is Enthusiast Auto keeps grabbing all the clean ones, and marking them up.

[pbonsalb]

Just spend $2500 on new bearings. I'd stay away from Enthusiast Auto. Read some bad stories about them.