Official S65 Rod Bearing Condition Example Thread

[SCREAM3R]

Finally got around to snapping some pics of mine. These are tough to get the right lighting on them haha. Replaced at 99k. Glad I didn't listen to the people saying it was just fear mongering.

[Assimilator1]

Yikes! Some really bad there, copper with purple/blue overheating streaks!
Weird how some of the other uppers are nowhere near as bad

Bet you're glad you've got shot of those old ones , what did you replace them with?

[SCREAM3R]

Originally Posted by Assimilator1

Yikes! Some really bad there, copper with purple/blue overheating streaks!
Weird how some of the other uppers are nowhere near as bad

Bet you're glad you've got shot of those old ones , what did you replace them with?

In person those aren’t really blue/purple as much as they are a very dark copper color. Might be the light? But yes I was glad to have got them done when I did. I’m no expert but those didn’t look like they had much life left. I replaced them with BE Bearings and ARP/BE bolts.

I was also a little curious as to why the 1,3,4 and 8 tops were so bad with the others being more reasonably worn. Guess it was just the luck of the draw on clearances?

[SGM_E90]

Not a very good picture but 2008 e90 with 92k miles. 2 were completely shot

[Assimilator1]

Yikes, yea 3 shells were indeed shot!
Good that they're gone!

Originally Posted by SCREAM3R

In person those aren’t really blue/purple as much as they are a very dark copper color. Might be the light? But yes I was glad to have got them done when I did. I’m no expert but those didn’t look like they had much life left. I replaced them with BE Bearings and ARP/BE bolts.

I was also a little curious as to why the 1,3,4 and 8 tops were so bad with the others being more reasonably worn. Guess it was just the luck of the draw on clearances?

Yea luck of the draw does seem like a likely cause.
Those shells showing copper had no life left, the lead isn't supposed to wear away.
Re copper colouring, fair enough, I found it hard to get the colour right with photos too, I had the opposite problem, at least 2 shells were showing blue/purple streaks but it didn't show under the workshop lights, I had to photo them outside to make it visible.

[Scharbag]

Originally Posted by SCREAM3R

In person those aren’t really blue/purple as much as they are a very dark copper color. Might be the light? But yes I was glad to have got them done when I did. I’m no expert but those didn’t look like they had much life left. I replaced them with BE Bearings and ARP/BE bolts.

I was also a little curious as to why the 1,3,4 and 8 tops were so bad with the others being more reasonably worn. Guess it was just the luck of the draw on clearances?

That is statistics for you.

[djsilverjohnson]

2013 E93 M3, replaced with the VACMotorsports kit at 48k.

These are the aluminum/zinc bearings that were used starting in 2011.

[Assimilator1]

Yea, not too bad at all, but more wear than it should be at just 48k miles, typical LCI bearings.

Alu/tin from mid-ish 2010 btw

Any idea what bearings VAC use btw?

[TX]

Originally Posted by Assimilator1

Yea, not too bad at all, but more wear than it should be at just 48k miles, typical LCI bearings.

Alu/tin from mid-ish 2010 btw

Any idea what bearings VAC use btw?

VAC should currently be using a calico CT1 coated clevite tri-metal bearing, but as you should know they have been known to sell other bearings from time to time when the supply is thin and not disclose what they were actually shipping, or would coat cover the bearings so you had no idea what you actually were sent. I believe they even sent someone coated OEM bearings at some point, but it’s been some time since I read that story.

[Assimilator1]

I've no idea what bearings they've sold in the past .
Thanks for the reply, sounds like a bit of a lottery, I wouldn't want OEM bearings!

[ckang008]

Here are the rod bearings removed from the replacement engine that ran 50000km

1-4 top and bottom



5-8 top and bottom


1-4 top more closeup




1-4 bottom closeup




5-8 top closeup




5-8 bottom close-up





.

[Assimilator1]

Good shots, thanks .

What bearings did you have fitted?

[ckang008]

Originally Posted by Assimilator1

Good shots, thanks .

What bearings did you have fitted?

Got a set of ACL and Carrillo bolts from Lang

So far it seems quite good changing out the engine mount to vibratronics. Car growls in idle more than before

[FMLYSDN]

Originally Posted by FMLYSDN

Thought I'd just drop a preview of these. I will upload all the pictures when they're all out.

Background:
140,000km (87,000 miles)
3 Canadian Winters
Never revd over 3k until the car was warmed

And.....
57 Track days....

BTW....not my car but a personal friend.

Just to close the loop on this. All the bearings are out.

Enjoy

[Assimilator1]

Yea the rest don't look so good, good that they were changed.

And what year is the car again?

[FMLYSDN]

Originally Posted by Assimilator1

Yea the rest don't look so good, good that they were changed.

And what year is the car again?

2011

[Assimilator1]

Thanks, I'm guessing a build date of early 2010 as they look like the lead/copper bearings.

[apecush]

Originally Posted by FMLYSDN

2011

Was this done by a local shop? If so, who?

Adam

[FMLYSDN]

Originally Posted by apecush

Was this done by a local shop? If so, who?

Adam

Nope. Shade tree mechanic.

[postet]

Can anyone recommend a shop that has an excellent reputation of S65 Rod bearing replacements in the Houston, TX area? I have a 2011, E92 M3 with 32,000 miles, with the last 8-9,000 miles as a track car with an ESS 625 supercharger. I know of a few locations in Houston, but don't now their reputation on this type of service.
Thanks

[Assimilator1]

Isn't deansbimmer/Mporium in that area?
[edit] NW Texas, no idea how near that is to you or not

Not used them myself (other than to buy parts), but I believe they have a good rep from what I remember reading.

[deansbimmer]

Originally Posted by postet

Can anyone recommend a shop that has an excellent reputation of S65 Rod bearing replacements in the Houston, TX area? I have a 2011, E92 M3 with 32,000 miles, with the last 8-9,000 miles as a track car with an ESS 625 supercharger. I know of a few locations in Houston, but don't now their reputation on this type of service.
Thanks

We are North of Houston in the Dallas area. We see clients all the time from the Houston, SA/Austin areas (or further) drive in for our expertise.