2011 E90M3 Rod Bearings -- 35k miles

admranger · 10-17-2016, 03:33 PM

So I did my rod bearings this weekend, going with BE Bearings and ARP bolts.

35k miles on the car. Not sure exactly how many track days, but about a dozen or so I'd guess. Oil was always Castrol 10w-60, changed at ~5k increments or once a year, whichever came first.

A big thanks to nholmes, pbonsalb, twinpuller, and victorh for their technical and moral support! They really helped me out when I hit a couple of sticking points and wasn't sure where to turn.

Oil sent in to Blackstone to see what they say.

Sorry for the hosting service box in the pics...

What causes the spots? They were on a few shells, but not all...

twinpuller · 10-17-2016, 04:42 PM

Good job!

nholmes · 10-17-2016, 05:11 PM

Well done, sir!

VictorH · 10-17-2016, 06:32 PM

Congratulations!! Huge sense of accomplishment, I'm sure. Now you're worry free for a long time.

admranger · 10-17-2016, 10:52 PM

Thanks guys. I'm still apprehensive every time I start the car or drive it. I guess time will reduce the anxiety day by day. lol

Randy Forbes · 10-18-2016, 07:11 AM

At first glance, I thought the spots looked like tiny specks (metal/debris) embedded in the surface__which is what they're supposed to do, if they've gotten past the filter__but in your close up, they look more like "stains" than debris.

That's a significant amount of surface degradation for only 35,000 miles, in my opinion; without knowing any of your habits or your car's history, are you allowing it ample time to reach operating temperature before putting heavy loads on the engine (like large throttle openings and low RPM, not necessarily hitting high RPMs, but "lugging" the engine)?

And I thought the bearings coming out of S-54s @ 60,000 miles showed premature wear, yours were nearly as bad at half the mileage

Haywood · 10-18-2016, 07:18 AM

Forgive me for the ignorant question, but how do you know if your rod bearings are going bad? Are there any signs? I'm at 37,xxx miles.

bmwfst1 · 10-18-2016, 07:33 AM

Hello everyone. I have a 2010 e92 m3. Can anyone tell me what my bearings are made of?

SYT_Shadow · 10-18-2016, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haywood

Forgive me for the ignorant question, but how do you know if you're rod bearings are going bad? Are there any signs? I'm at 37,xxx miles.

No signs. Usually the first you know of them dying is a loud 'boom'

SYT_Shadow · 10-18-2016, 09:15 AM

Adm, those bearings really look terrible! I can't wait to change mine!

Mvy · 10-18-2016, 12:00 PM

Check out Bob the oil guys bearing wear guide, may help you figure out what the spots are:
https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/beari...aranalysis.htm

Helmsman · 10-18-2016, 12:54 PM

Except for the spots they don't come through on the pictures as terrible bad - why should they at 35k miled - but maybe the pictures doesn't tell ghe trye story?

admranger · 10-18-2016, 01:53 PM

I've owned car since new as a Euro delivery car (3 or 4 miles on it iirc). As for driving habits, the car is garaged day/night (in Vegas...) so it doesn't see cold temp extremes. I don't hammer the throttle at turn one (left hand kink out of the driveway) on the warm up lap. I'm sure I get above 3k rpms before the needle is at 210 deg F, but I pretty much save my large throttle inputs for when I'm on the track.

There's occasional romping, but that's well after the car is warmed up. I also don't lug the engine. I can row the gears up and down pretty well. I drive the car 99% of the time so I'm reasonably confident on the driving style not being an issue (but I could be wrong as I'm biased).

I did see the BITOG bear wear pics, but I don't understand how I'm getting cavitation erosion or hard debris in the oil. I use the stock air filter and have no mods to the car other than what you see in my signature (non-engine mods).

Regardless, I'm happy I've made the change. Now, if I could get over the paranoia of every little sound the car makes being the engine about to explode, things will be good!

aus · 10-19-2016, 11:46 PM

Thanks for posting. At first glance I thought they were ok but not sure after looking closely at some pics. It's much harder to tell their condition with the newer, harder bearings.

Is tlp going to do this too?

redpriest · 10-20-2016, 12:17 AM

Pretty hardcore doing this yourself! Did you use a lift?

deansbimmer · 10-20-2016, 06:29 AM

Lots of people will freak out and tell you how awful those bearings look, but those familiar with the S65 will say they look "normal". Your motor should be good go go for many more miles with the new bearings.

SYT_Shadow · 10-20-2016, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by admranger

I've owned car since new as a Euro delivery car (3 or 4 miles on it iirc). As for driving habits, the car is garaged day/night (in Vegas...) so it doesn't see cold temp extremes. I don't hammer the throttle at turn one (left hand kink out of the driveway) on the warm up lap. I'm sure I get above 3k rpms before the needle is at 210 deg F, but I pretty much save my large throttle inputs for when I'm on the track.

There's occasional romping, but that's well after the car is warmed up. I also don't lug the engine. I can row the gears up and down pretty well. I drive the car 99% of the time so I'm reasonably confident on the driving style not being an issue (but I could be wrong as I'm biased).

I did see the BITOG bear wear pics, but I don't understand how I'm getting cavitation erosion or hard debris in the oil. I use the stock air filter and have no mods to the car other than what you see in my signature (non-engine mods).

Regardless, I'm happy I've made the change. Now, if I could get over the paranoia of every little sound the car makes being the engine about to explode, things will be good!

I have no doubt you took very good care of those bearings.

I also see you tired of waiting for me to do the DIY! Hehe. This year it'll happen!

admranger · 10-20-2016, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aus

Thanks for posting. At first glance I thought they were ok but not sure after looking closely at some pics. It's much harder to tell their condition with the newer, harder bearings.

Is tlp going to do this too?

If by doing this you mean is tlp going to watch me do the rod bearings in his car, then yes, tlp is doing this too.

I was well compensated for agreeing to do his and Kyle's bearings. December is the window for that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by redpriest

Pretty hardcore doing this yourself! Did you use a lift?

Yep. A little meth pick me up helped lift my spirits, errr, you meant a mechanical lift. Yes, I have a lift in my garage.

Quote:

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

Lots of people will freak out and tell you how awful those bearings look, but those familiar with the S65 will say they look "normal". Your motor should be good go go for many more miles with the new bearings.

Thanks! Appreciate the feedback.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

I have no doubt you took very good care of those bearings.

I also see you tired of waiting for me to do the DIY! Hehe. This year it'll happen!

slacker.

Installsplus · 10-22-2016, 08:10 PM

Aren't the bearings different in our 2011 cars?

admranger · 10-23-2016, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Installsplus

Aren't the bearings different in our 2011 cars?

Aluminum, not lead/copper. Environmental concerns with lead I guess.

nholmes · 10-24-2016, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by admranger

Now, if I could get over the paranoia of every little sound the car makes being the engine about to explode, things will be good!

I suffered from this until my first track day and then I was sure it was going to be okay.

admranger · 12-23-2017, 07:30 PM

So I've only put 9k miles on the bearings since the change 14 months ago. 2400 of those were the drive from Vegas to Alexandria in March.

Everything looks good so far and blackstone results have been very good.

10-17-2016, 03:33 PM	#1
admranger Retired Curmudgeon 2985 Rep 4,047 Posts Drives: ‘19 X3M40i, ‘18 m550i Join Date: May 2011 Location: Las Vegas, NV iTrader: (1)	2011 E90M3 Rod Bearings -- 35k miles So I did my rod bearings this weekend, going with BE Bearings and ARP bolts. 35k miles on the car. Not sure exactly how many track days, but about a dozen or so I'd guess. Oil was always Castrol 10w-60, changed at ~5k increments or once a year, whichever came first. A big thanks to nholmes, pbonsalb, twinpuller, and victorh for their technical and moral support! They really helped me out when I hit a couple of sticking points and wasn't sure where to turn. Oil sent in to Blackstone to see what they say. Sorry for the hosting service box in the pics... What causes the spots? They were on a few shells, but not all... __________________ '19 X3 M40 Carbon Black/Oyster, '23 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Summit, Past BMWs: '18 M550i, '18 330 GT, '16 X5 40e, '11 E90M3, '06 X5 4.4, '03 330i ZHP, '02 M3, '97 Z3 2.8, '95 M3 (2x), '94 530i (manual), '92 525i (manual), '88 M3, '87 325iS
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10-17-2016, 04:42 PM	#2
twinpuller Private 20 Rep 50 Posts Drives: 08 M3 Sedan Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: PacNW iTrader: (0)	Good job!
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10-17-2016, 06:32 PM	#4
VictorH Major 433 Rep 1,286 Posts Drives: '09 M3 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: SC iTrader: (4)	Congratulations!! Huge sense of accomplishment, I'm sure. Now you're worry free for a long time.
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10-17-2016, 10:52 PM	#5
admranger Retired Curmudgeon 2985 Rep 4,047 Posts Drives: ‘19 X3M40i, ‘18 m550i Join Date: May 2011 Location: Las Vegas, NV iTrader: (1)	Thanks guys. I'm still apprehensive every time I start the car or drive it. I guess time will reduce the anxiety day by day. lol __________________ '19 X3 M40 Carbon Black/Oyster, '23 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Summit, Past BMWs: '18 M550i, '18 330 GT, '16 X5 40e, '11 E90M3, '06 X5 4.4, '03 330i ZHP, '02 M3, '97 Z3 2.8, '95 M3 (2x), '94 530i (manual), '92 525i (manual), '88 M3, '87 325iS
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10-18-2016, 07:11 AM	#6
Randy Forbes New Member 43 Rep 24 Posts Drives: M Rdstrs (2), X5M, 100/6 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: SW Florida! iTrader: (0)	At first glance, I thought the spots looked like tiny specks (metal/debris) embedded in the surface__which is what they're supposed to do, if they've gotten past the filter__but in your close up, they look more like "stains" than debris. That's a significant amount of surface degradation for only 35,000 miles, in my opinion; without knowing any of your habits or your car's history, are you allowing it ample time to reach operating temperature before putting heavy loads on the engine (like large throttle openings and low RPM, not necessarily hitting high RPMs, but "lugging" the engine)? And I thought the bearings coming out of S-54s @ 60,000 miles showed premature wear, yours were nearly as bad at half the mileage __________________ 1957 Austin-Healey 100/6 2-seater 99 M Coupe w/EuroSport Twinscrew S/C 99 M Rdstr & 01 M Rdstr Performance Center Delivery 2016 X5M Wife's daily urban assault vehicle Sports Cars Plus, LLC www.spcarsplus.com/gallery3
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10-18-2016, 07:18 AM	#7
Haywood I know a thing or 2 about a thing or 2... 3101 Rep 3,470 Posts Drives: E36 M3 Coupe, e39 M5, i3s Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: LI, NY iTrader: (11) Garage List 2003 BMW e39 M5 [0.00] 1997 BMW e36 M3 [0.00]	Forgive me for the ignorant question, but how do you know if your rod bearings are going bad? Are there any signs? I'm at 37,xxx miles. __________________ 2019 Imperial Blue Metallic i3s BEV 2003 Le Mans Blue e39 M5 Dinan S1 1997 Alpine White e36 M3 (the old gal) 2013 Mineral White e92 M3 (sold ) 2014 Carbon Black 650i M-sport (sold) Last edited by Haywood; 10-18-2016 at 03:59 PM..
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10-18-2016, 07:33 AM	#8
bmwfst1 Pwrdbym 60 Rep 343 Posts Drives: red 2010 bmwm3 Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: maryland iTrader: (0)	Hello everyone. I have a 2010 e92 m3. Can anyone tell me what my bearings are made of?
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10-18-2016, 09:15 AM	#10
SYT_Shadow ///M Powered for Life 11489 Rep 10,329 Posts Drives: E90M/E92M/M4GTS/M4GT4/X5M Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Greenwich, CT iTrader: (2)	Adm, those bearings really look terrible! I can't wait to change mine!
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10-18-2016, 12:00 PM	#11
Mvy Captain 541 Rep 979 Posts Drives: 2008 E93 M3 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: GA Peach iTrader: (0)	Check out Bob the oil guys bearing wear guide, may help you figure out what the spots are: https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/beari...aranalysis.htm __________________ Harrop Supercharger, BPM Tune, K/W Coil over kit, Stoptek BBK, Magnaflow exhaust, ear to ear grin everytime I drive...
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10-18-2016, 12:54 PM	#12
Helmsman Major General 4467 Rep 7,110 Posts Drives: 2011 AW E90 M3 ZCP Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Stockholm, Sweden iTrader: (0)	Except for the spots they don't come through on the pictures as terrible bad - why should they at 35k miled - but maybe the pictures doesn't tell ghe trye story?
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10-18-2016, 01:53 PM	#13
admranger Retired Curmudgeon 2985 Rep 4,047 Posts Drives: ‘19 X3M40i, ‘18 m550i Join Date: May 2011 Location: Las Vegas, NV iTrader: (1)	I've owned car since new as a Euro delivery car (3 or 4 miles on it iirc). As for driving habits, the car is garaged day/night (in Vegas...) so it doesn't see cold temp extremes. I don't hammer the throttle at turn one (left hand kink out of the driveway) on the warm up lap. I'm sure I get above 3k rpms before the needle is at 210 deg F, but I pretty much save my large throttle inputs for when I'm on the track. There's occasional romping, but that's well after the car is warmed up. I also don't lug the engine. I can row the gears up and down pretty well. I drive the car 99% of the time so I'm reasonably confident on the driving style not being an issue (but I could be wrong as I'm biased). I did see the BITOG bear wear pics, but I don't understand how I'm getting cavitation erosion or hard debris in the oil. I use the stock air filter and have no mods to the car other than what you see in my signature (non-engine mods). Regardless, I'm happy I've made the change. Now, if I could get over the paranoia of every little sound the car makes being the engine about to explode, things will be good! __________________ '19 X3 M40 Carbon Black/Oyster, '23 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Summit, Past BMWs: '18 M550i, '18 330 GT, '16 X5 40e, '11 E90M3, '06 X5 4.4, '03 330i ZHP, '02 M3, '97 Z3 2.8, '95 M3 (2x), '94 530i (manual), '92 525i (manual), '88 M3, '87 325iS
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10-19-2016, 11:46 PM	#14
aus Major General 892 Rep 9,032 Posts Drives: Odysse Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Seal Beach, CA iTrader: (10)	Thanks for posting. At first glance I thought they were ok but not sure after looking closely at some pics. It's much harder to tell their condition with the newer, harder bearings. Is tlp going to do this too? __________________ Let me get this straight... You are swapping out parts designed by some of the top engineers in the world because some guys sponsored by a company told you it's "better??" But when you ask the same guy about tracking, "oh no, I have a kid now" or "I just detailed my car." or "i just got new tires."
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10-20-2016, 12:17 AM	#15
redpriest Colonel 2147 Rep 2,527 Posts Drives: 2011 M3/Porsche 992 GT3RS Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2024 Porsche 911 GT3RS [0.00] 2021 Porsche 718 Sp ... [0.00] 2021 Mazda Miata MX-5 [0.00] 2006 BMW M3 [0.00] 2011 BMW M3 [10.00]	Pretty hardcore doing this yourself! Did you use a lift? __________________ '06 BMW M3 ZCP 6MT \| JRZ RS Pro + Hyperco 650/750 \| Epic Tune \| Brembo 355mm BBK \| too many to list '11 BMW M3 ZCP DCT \| Akra Evolution \| Eventuri intake \| MCS 3-way \| 4.6L Carbahn S65 \| Zebulon Aero \| AP Racing Radi-CAL BBK by Essex \| 305/645-18 Pirelli DHB Porsche 992 GT3, 991.2 GT3RS, 718 Spyder instagram.com/titomanlio
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10-20-2016, 06:29 AM	#16
deansbimmer BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 3751 Rep 2,907 Posts Drives: 2011 E93 M3 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: DFW, Texas iTrader: (17) Garage List 1988 BMW M3 [0.00] 2013 BMW M3 [0.00] 2011 X5M [0.00] 2011 BMW M3 [0.00]	Lots of people will freak out and tell you how awful those bearings look, but those familiar with the S65 will say they look "normal". Your motor should be good go go for many more miles with the new bearings.
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10-22-2016, 08:10 PM	#19
Installsplus Ultimate Driving Machine E92ESS625 M3/G05 X5 Msport 40i Individual 459 Rep 2,002 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 DCT/ESS 625 kit Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Georgetown,ON iTrader: (4) Garage List 2011 BMW E92 M3 [10.00] 2019 X5 Msport 40i ... [8.25]	Aren't the bearings different in our 2011 cars? __________________ "The Ultimate Driving Machine" 2011 E92 M3 supercharged ESS 625 2016 F15 X5 Msport 35i
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12-23-2017, 07:30 PM	#22
admranger Retired Curmudgeon 2985 Rep 4,047 Posts Drives: ‘19 X3M40i, ‘18 m550i Join Date: May 2011 Location: Las Vegas, NV iTrader: (1)	So I've only put 9k miles on the bearings since the change 14 months ago. 2400 of those were the drive from Vegas to Alexandria in March. Everything looks good so far and blackstone results have been very good. __________________ '19 X3 M40 Carbon Black/Oyster, '23 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Summit, Past BMWs: '18 M550i, '18 330 GT, '16 X5 40e, '11 E90M3, '06 X5 4.4, '03 330i ZHP, '02 M3, '97 Z3 2.8, '95 M3 (2x), '94 530i (manual), '92 525i (manual), '88 M3, '87 325iS
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