Rod Bearing change in Vancouver

[Prince_of_Persia]

Hey everyone,

My 08 M3 has been extremely reliable, and just hit 93K KM. I thought to get a quote to replace its rod bearing as an upcoming maintenance. Leah’s Automotive in North Van gave me a quote for ~$5K. Is that the amount people usually pay to change their rod bearings? If so, how does that make sense where I have seen you can buy a second hand engine for around 8-9K? Am I missing something?

[MisterClutch888]

i just DIY my 08 last year as well. i think shop usually charges around 1500-2000 for labor?

Parts you can simply source them yourself for cheaper. I think with my BE bearings, ARP bolts, engine mounts, 10w60 oil, filter, oil pick up o-rings, oil pan gasket....etc. Parts were under $2000 for sure.

[Prince_of_Persia]

Originally Posted by MisterClutch888

i just DIY my 08 last year as well. i think shop usually charges around 1500-2000 for labor?

Parts you can simply source them yourself for cheaper. I think with my BE bearings, ARP bolts, engine mounts, 10w60 oil, filter, oil pick up o-rings, oil pan gasket....etc. Parts were under $2000 for sure.

Thanks for the reply. So people pay around 40% of a second hand engine (assuming doing the job in a shop) for changing rod bearing? If that is the case, it seems a bit expensive and I prefer to take the risk, and in case of an engine failure, try to find a second hand engine.

[Brody_Goble]

Originally Posted by Prince_of_Persia

Thanks for the reply. So people pay around 40% of a second hand engine (assuming doing the job in a shop) for changing rod bearing? If that is the case, it seems a bit expensive and I prefer to take the risk, and in case of an engine failure, try to find a second hand engine.

I just had mine changed 2 days ago by Performance One in Richmond. They have done a lot of e9x there and did a great job and also really quick, was happy. I know they have one set of BE bearings and ARP bolts on hand as they are a little hard to come by currently. The job was in the 3-4k range with new engine mounts, new oil pan gaskets and bolts, oil change of course etc etc. They can knock it out same day you drop the car off usually!

[MaximusB]

Originally Posted by Prince_of_Persia

Thanks for the reply. So people pay around 40% of a second hand engine (assuming doing the job in a shop) for changing rod bearing? If that is the case, it seems a bit expensive and I prefer to take the risk, and in case of an engine failure, try to find a second hand engine.

About $3k-$4k range for parts and labour, pending on what else you change while at it.

Sure it is 40% cost of an used engine but you’re not factoring in labour to swap the motor, plus unknown of an used motor. How will you know an used motor won’t spin the bearing as well?

[Scharbag]

I did mine myself.

That said, 10 hours of labor is $1500 max and a good shop should be able to knock it out in under 10 hours. Parts are $1500 max using BE bearings and bolts, new gaskets, oil, PS fluid and motor mounts. No way a shop should be more than $3k for a bearing swap.

It is not a hard job, just takes time.

[tsk94]

Originally Posted by Prince_of_Persia

Thanks for the reply. So people pay around 40% of a second hand engine (assuming doing the job in a shop) for changing rod bearing? If that is the case, it seems a bit expensive and I prefer to take the risk, and in case of an engine failure, try to find a second hand engine.

Where the hell are you finding a used S65 for $5k CAD? Let me know so I can pick one up if they are that cheap..

Expect to spend ~2k for a well done job by a shop that knows what they're doing. Anything in the realm of 3k is ridiculous. It's not a 2k labour job. Parts alone are 1k so the remaining is labour. If you're decent at wrenching you can do it yourself and save some money. Takes a long time to do but it's not overly difficult.

[diaosiM3]

I had bearings replaced for S65 and S85 in late 2020. Cost was $4-5k for 18 cylinders (parts and labour).

Here's the S85:

[bornyesterday]

got mine done at dynamic performance in Richmond, racing greed is also a popular place

[iamtrashman]

Just had mine done at Mike Automobile in Richmond yesterday. Great guy and would highly recommend him. He has done a bunch of them, and the fact he prefers to use BE bearings is reassuring, as other shops recommending ACL and VAC etc don't have as much of my confidence, given the amount of data BE has been willing to provide over the competition.

I supplied my own parts minus oil and a filter, and the cost was just a hair over 2000$ with tax.

The peace of mind after getting the service is worth it. My car has 142xxxkm and the bearings were not the worst I had seen but they still did NOT look good.

Will be taking pictures soon for the RB thread.

[BCBMWF30]

I had mine done at Racing Greed. My other friend also went there.. Tommy the owner stocks BE bearings or you can supply your own parts. He said they have done a lot of rod bearings on these cars over the last few years. I paid $2k and brought my own parts.

[Prince_of_Persia]

Anyone recently has changed the rod bearings in Vancouver? What parts did you use, where did you do it, and how much did you pay? I think i decided that I want to keep this car for ever so need to change the rod bearing this year.

Thanks