Bought a 2012 M3, do I need to replace the rod bearings?

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by 850tgul

Stories like this really suck to hear and, honestly, were the main reason I moved on from my zcp coupe last summer. I could accept that an all time great car like the e9x M3 has a fatal flaw which required a ~$3k fix to solve. But then we started hearing about motors failing after the fix was done, that was the deciding factor for me. Was it bearings that still didn’t get to the root of the problem (clearance), was it an improper install, who knows. When the fix itself started to get called into question, I made my mind up to move on.

I think the point made about finding a shop that has done the job many, many times is the only way I would have moved forward. Even if the shop has BMW master techs, I would search for a shop with the very specific experience of rod bearing swaps on the S65.

I know guys have done the swap in their garages over a weekend will claim it is a tedious but straightforward job but somethig about it must be complicated because this isn’t the first example of “fixed” motors popping.

Just wish their was a real fix to the issue.

Every single car has a fatal issue, many have more than one.

It's a small failure rate to begin with, but I think people should get them done.

In this case it's highly likely running a full E85 tune is what killed the engine. When you combine very variable fuel with tunes that have knock detection disabled, forced timing tables etc well you end up with a blown engine

[Super Spartan]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

Follow the link for the S65 rod bearing job in my signature and you can see the parts.
There are a few gaskets, o-rings, the engine mounts, etc that have part numbers there.

Went ahead and ordered the following parts, anything missing my garage can sort out but these are the main items:

• OEM Oil Filter Kit - E9X M3
• Upper Oil Pan Gasket, Elring - E9X M3
• BE Bearings-ARP Connecting Rod Bolt Set - E90/E92/E93 M3
• BE-Clevite Rod Bearing Set - E90/E92/E93 M3

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by Super Spartan

Went ahead and ordered the following parts, anything missing my garage can sort out but these are the main items:

• OEM Oil Filter Kit - E9X M3
• Upper Oil Pan Gasket, Elring - E9X M3
• BE Bearings-ARP Connecting Rod Bolt Set - E90/E92/E93 M3
• BE-Clevite Rod Bearing Set - E90/E92/E93 M3

Ok. You're missing the O-rings and the engine mounts. Your engine mounts are very likely toast

[Super Spartan]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

Ok. You're missing the O-rings and the engine mounts. Your engine mounts are very likely toast

Thanks a lot man!

Added these to the order:

Oil Level Sensor Gasket, Elring
Engine Mount, BimmerWorld Performance
S65 Oil Pump Suction Pipe O-Ring
S65 Oil Pump Return Pipe O-Ring

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by Super Spartan

Thanks a lot man!

Added these to the order:

Oil Level Sensor Gasket, Elring
Engine Mount, BimmerWorld Performance
S65 Oil Pump Suction Pipe O-Ring
S65 Oil Pump Return Pipe O-Ring

For engine mounts: the BW Performance ones are harder than stock and introduce NVH at idle.
For a street car I would install OEM engine mounts

[Super Spartan]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

For engine mounts: the BW Performance ones are harder than stock and introduce NVH at idle.
For a street car I would install OEM engine mounts

You're a life savor man! Saved me so much trouble. I switched the BW Performance ones to the OEM Engine Mounts.

[SYT_Shadow]

Glad I was able to help, I hope your M3 is sorted out quickly