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      03-16-2019, 10:07 PM   #1
ccdre
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Question Stumped on M3 rod bearing recommendation

I've committed the cardinal sin of letting a friend drive my bone stock e92 M3 which led him to inevitably start searching for an M of his own.

"Would you buy one with RBs already done?" he asked. Initially, I said YES, you don't want that looming over your head every-time you drive. But then thinking about this, I'm not sure that I would want to buy a car knowing that the motor has been opened and worked on.

I remember specifically looking for a car with no mods, no major repairs and a vanilla service history.

What's the general agreement here? If you didn't have your German V8 already, would you look for one with replaced rod bearings? Or buy one that is intact? Would you pay premium for one that had this service done? Or would it make you think twice that the motor has been tinkered with?

lol, cheers
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      03-16-2019, 10:17 PM   #2
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With or without didnt matter for me. Service records, clean car fax and body were at the top of the list.
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      03-16-2019, 10:24 PM   #3
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If the seller can provide receipts showing the work was completed, I would buy without much concern.
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      03-17-2019, 09:03 AM   #4
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For me, it clean carfax, no mod history...that includes lips, diffusers, and carbon tire valve caps.

I bought mine used, 1 owner, and this was his setup. I could be wrong but I doubt he was throttling it with skies and a ten speed on top...sure as hell wasnt on a track.
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      03-17-2019, 10:38 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ccdre View Post
I've committed the cardinal sin of letting a friend drive my bone stock e92 M3 which led him to inevitably start searching for an M of his own.

"Would you buy one with RBs already done?" he asked. Initially, I said YES, you don't want that looming over your head every-time you drive. But then thinking about this, I'm not sure that I would want to buy a car knowing that the motor has been opened and worked on.

I remember specifically looking for a car with no mods, no major repairs and a vanilla service history.

What's the general agreement here? If you didn't have your German V8 already, would you look for one with replaced rod bearings? Or buy one that is intact? Would you pay premium for one that had this service done? Or would it make you think twice that the motor has been tinkered with?

lol, cheers
Now that I know about the RB issue I would want to verify where the work was done and call the shop... I wouldn't pay a premium for it if the car met my criteria.

Otherwise at the time I bought mine I was just looking for unmodified, low mileage, 2011 or newer, with a nice spec. What attracted me to mine was that the guy had 5 other cars and they were all kept in a warehouse... and he was an engineer.
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      03-17-2019, 11:38 AM   #6
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I would pay extra if the RBs were done at a reputable shop with records and pics for sure.
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      03-17-2019, 11:55 AM   #7
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People have to remember that when you buy used you may have to do some work. Mine was a low mileage BMW execs car in Ft. Myers before an older gentleman bought it. I bought it with 19k miles on the clock two years ago. The service history I had pulled from DAVIS and it was clean as well as the Carfax. If it had RBs done, I'd still buy it if done at reputable shop. Some of these cars are approaching 10 years old so expect some major work going to be done on them.
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      03-17-2019, 12:50 PM   #8
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Having rod bearings done by a reputable shop is a huge bonus. I can't believe this is even a discussion. Don't want to buy a used car that's had the engine opened up vs buying a used car and risking a blown engine?
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      03-18-2019, 11:08 AM   #9
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Buddy of mine just sold his E92 and 75% of the serious prospective buyers asked if the rod bearings were already done and claimed it was a requirement of theirs to make the purchase. I'd say getting one that's already done (with documentation from a reputable shop) is a bonus and something I'd look for if I get another one. I'm getting mine done at deansbimmer next week.
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      03-18-2019, 11:56 AM   #10
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Honestly - I took a gamble on my M3, no PPI. Just a test drive and overview of body and engine. It had a clean carfax, no service history and 94k miles. Have rod bearings been replaced? Maybe. I found the previous owners information in the trunk, he had a unique name. I googled him and found out he had been paid 5 million $$$ in a settlement from BP in 2008... the same year the M3 was purchased new, so I assumed he had the means to upkeep the car

It has been much more reliable in the 6 months I've had it than my 328i which had a ton of issues by the time it hit 80k miles. I have put 5k miles on it since purchase and still no issues (knock on wood)
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      03-18-2019, 12:03 PM   #11
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I do them myself and would trust few people/shops to have do it properly, so I prefer them NOT done
That said, it is literally the first thing that happens to the car once it gets home.
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      03-18-2019, 12:11 PM   #12
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I just bought a '11 E90 ZCP with 70K miles. Owner did TA as well as some other maintenance items (DCT gasket/thermostat/etc). Im the third owner and not having any service records for the first owner, I decided to get my RB done. They came out pretty clean and could probably have gone another 50K+ miles without worry.

End of story: If you know the history of the car (warmed up properly), has service records and is a late (>2010) model M3 with newer aluminium RB, I wouldn't worry about it too much. I'd say be more prepared for TA failing first in the above scenario
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      03-18-2019, 12:14 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wally1552 View Post
End of story: If you know the history of the car (warmed up properly), has service records and is a late (>2010) model M3 with newer aluminium RB, I wouldn't worry about it too much. I'd say be more prepared for TA failing first in the above scenario
Please don't spread misinformation. This topic has been beaten to death in 6000 threads

Warming the car properly is not correlated to abnormal RB wear. Evidently this is not good for the car, but it is not the reason bearings come out looking like WW3 went through

The aluminum bearings also have no effect on RB wear. They also have insufficient clearance just like the pre-2010 ones
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      03-18-2019, 12:51 PM   #14
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I spent a lot of time in the classified sections and RB work seems to add a comfort level for most prospective buyers. Documented work with a car always commands more $$ in the sale.

I bought my car, no PPI, exhaust modded, but the options made me jump on the car. I would never recommend this to anyone, though. I'll get the RBs done in the coming months, because I've been burned taking shortcuts on my previous (non-BMW) cars.
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      03-18-2019, 01:06 PM   #15
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For sure, it's a huge bonus when they are already done IMO.

My first M3 had the rod bearings already replaced by a reputable indy along with pics of them after being removed (they were in great condition too).

My current M3 is on stock rod bearings, and I'll be replacing them next oil change.
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      03-18-2019, 01:55 PM   #16
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Sold my last E9x M3 because they were already done.

It was the first questions the buyer asked.
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      03-18-2019, 01:57 PM   #17
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RB vendors are happy, years of nagging finally pay off...
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      03-18-2019, 05:06 PM   #18
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Does "reputable shop" include BMW dealer? Will a dealer install non-OEM bearings which are now the accepted best approach?
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      03-18-2019, 05:18 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow View Post
Please don't spread misinformation. This topic has been beaten to death in 6000 threads

Warming the car properly is not correlated to abnormal RB wear. Evidently this is not good for the car, but it is not the reason bearings come out looking like WW3 went through

The aluminum bearings also have no effect on RB wear. They also have insufficient clearance just like the pre-2010 ones
Let me clarify. What I mean by "warming up" is driving the car at lower RPMs until oil is at full temp. You don't think that helps reduce wear on RB's? I know there is no exact data but I think it would definitely help.
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