Any experience with SSR Performance?

[SilverSlug]

Wondering if anyone has had any experience with SSR Performance down in Orange County?

More specifically, have you had your rod bearings done there?

How was your experience overall?

[roastbeef]

if you're coming all the way down here, go to the best- mrf engineering. Malek@MRF

[SilverSlug]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

if you're coming all the way down here, go to the best- mrf engineering. Malek@MRF

I'm considering the drive because of the price... $1750 parts and labor for BE Bearings and ARP bolts (not including oil and mounts).

I've heard very good things about Malek. How much does he charge?

[Johal E32]

Call VT Motorworks in Pleasanton.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/vt-motorworks-pleasanton

[911r]

Originally Posted by Johal E32

Call VT Motorworks in Pleasanton.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/vt-motorworks-pleasanton

I can also vouch for Vt Motorworks in the bay-area, don't cheap out, I'd go with Vt Motorworks and spend the extra couple hundred bucks for peace of mind. SSR's price is also closer to $2,000 OTD.

[SilverSlug]

Originally Posted by 911r

I can also vouch for Vt Motorworks in the bay-area, don't cheap out, I'd go with Vt Motorworks and spend the extra couple hundred bucks for peace of mind. SSR's price is also closer to $2,000 OTD.

Ya $2k makes sense once you add in cost of motor mounts and oil.

How long did VT keep you car for?

I've heard very good things about Silicon Valley Bimmer too.

Do you guys know which oil viscosity Malek, SSR or VT recommends?

Are you all running TWS 10w60?

[911r]

Originally Posted by SilverSlug

Ya that makes sense once you add in cost of motor mounts and oil.

I've heard very good things about Silicon Valley Bimmer too.

Do you guys know which oil viscosity Malek, SSR or VT recommends?

Are you all running TWS 10w60?

SSR also doesn't include the price of fluids (oil) in their quote as well iirc. Pretty much every shop will use 10w60, I know Malek uses LiquiMoly (per his invoice).

[SilverSlug]

Originally Posted by 911r

SSR also doesn't include the price of fluids (oil) in their quote as well iirc. Pretty much every shop will use 10w60, I know Malek uses LiquiMoly (per his invoice).

What turned me off about SSR is that I had to pull teeth to get a total cost price quote, and got different ones from different people.

[SilverSlug]

Anyone on the M1 0w40 train?

Particularly anyone living in SF, knowing how cold it gets here year-round.

[Parth317]

Originally Posted by SilverSlug

I'm considering the drive because of the price... $1750 parts and labor for BE Bearings and ARP bolts (not including oil and mounts).

I've heard very good things about Malek. How much does he charge?

+1 Malek.

Got mine done there and the price was comparable to every other shop in SoCal. SSR's total cost is around the same(at least from what I was quoted in 2019).

[dfwashere]

If you're heading to socal, MRF would be the place to go. In the bay theres a bunch of options, I personally have great experience with Trackspec

[SilverSlug]

Just spoke to Malek, super straight forward, and way smoother, more efficient experience than asking questions with any of the other shops I've talked to so far.

I didn't realize MRF doesn't use BE bearings, but rather their own brand... Clevite/Mahle MRF Specification Calico CT-1 Coated Extra Clearance Rod Bearings.

Apparently BE had copied MRF's rod bearing design back in 2015, and actually uses the same manufacturer, yet is still inferior.

MRF's Clevite/Mahle bearing has a superior Calico CT-1 coating for additional friction resistance and durability, while the BE/Clevite bearing has a standard Tri-armor coating.

[roastbeef]

malek is the man. did he straighten you out with your oil question too?

[SilverSlug]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

malek is the man. did he straighten you out with your oil question too?

He said 0w40 has no business being inside an S65

Apparently MRF has done over 600 of these rod bearing jobs, and I've only heard good things and outcomes.

I'll continue to use 10w60 (glad I never switched away from it).

[slcook54]

I live in San Francisco and Matt / Wing at VT take good care of my car, but I drove down to LA to have Malek do the job. He's encroaching on 600 total rod bearing jobs, uses proprietary parts and has given a lot back to the community, was worth the drive for me. Should be around $2.4k with mounts.

Originally Posted by SilverSlug

Do you guys know which oil viscosity Malek, SSR or VT recommends?

Are you all running TWS 10w60?

VT uses Ravenol 10w60
Malek uses Liquimoly 10w60

[SilverSlug]

Originally Posted by slcook54

I live in San Francisco and Matt / Wing at VT take good car of my car, but I drove down to LA to have Malek do the job. He's encroaching on 600 total rod bearing jobs and has given a lot back to the community, was worth the drive for me. Should be around $2.4k with mounts.

VT uses Ravenol 10w60
Malek uses Liquimoly 10w60

Cool, good to know. VT sounds legit too.

I was honestly planning on going to SV Bimmer (Silicon Valley Bimmer), since they seemed super knowledgeable, experienced, and honest. And they have a stellar track record, but I might be in LA anyway, so I'll take it to MRF.

Btw MRF provides an option for oil now... Customer can choose from OE Castrol, Liqui-Moly, or the new BMW "Twin Power."

I'm planning on sticking with the Castrol.

[slcook54]

Originally Posted by SilverSlug

Cool, good to know. VT sounds legit too.

I was honestly planning on going to SV Bimmer (Silicon Valley Bimmer), since they seemed super knowledgeable, experienced, and honest. And they have a stellar track record.

Btw Malek provides an option for oil now... Customer can choose from OE Castrol, Liqui-Moly, or the new BMW "Twin Power."

I'm planning on sticking with the Castrol.

Heard good things about SV Bimmer, too, but no first hand experience. I'm not well versed in the nuances of oil brands, so just defer to the shops preference.

[SilverSlug]

Originally Posted by slcook54

Heard good things about SV Bimmer, too, but no first hand experience. I'm not well versed in the nuances of oil brands, so just defer to the shops preference.

Indeed.

And the oil choice dilemma has been beat up more than "what's the widest tire to put on a stock rim" question.

Ultimately, I trust BMW engineers over my limited scope of expertise in comparison, and industry experts like Malek just help seal the deal for me on that note.

[NeverL8]

Malek is the best! I would not let anyone else touch my bearings besides him.

[FrozenE92M3]

I got the my bearings done at SSR Performance in March for 1800 all in. Brought my own engine mounts and they threw them on. BE Bearings and ARP Bolts. Comfortable place to chill, watch Netflix, or look at some of the whips in the shop. Great turn-around time too, had my car back in 6 hours. Big outdoor outlet mall right near by as well, 5 minute Uber. I shopped around before I committed to SSR and they were by far the cheapest and also the only shop that had the BE Bearings in stock at that point. I currently use Mobil 1 0w40, they filled it up right at the end of doing the bearings. I Iive in Santa Barbara County and the car warms up much quicker with 0w40, is happier when starting cold and is generally much smoother. Oil temp is lower too, since I can accurately check with my M-Performance Wheel.

[SAMM3Y]

If you follow SSR on IG they do a few sets of RB's a week. Massive operation, big social media presence and I believe they're moving into a bigger facility. They have a body shop and in-house dyno/tuner. Lots of "car enthusiasts" in that area, not sure there's a performance shop bigger? I wouldn't hesitate taking my car there.

[SilverSlug]

We are blessed to have so many good options of people who know what's up and are good at what they do.