S65 Engine Block

[M3MDavo]

Question:
With the ever-increasing age/milage on our beloved S65 equipped M3’s and the problems that seem to be appearing with number one main bearing failure resulting in a cracked block, combined with the perceived difficulty in refinishing the Alusil cylinders. Is leading to a severe shortage of serviceable engine blocks. Cranks can be feasibly reground, rods and pistons aftermarket, heads seem to be almost trouble free and most if not all other engine parts seem readily available. Do you think that someone will start manufacturing billet blocks, Repair cracked blocks or maybe BMW will start to manufacture blocks again for all of us. I understand that price is driven by demand V supply but the price even of a damaged not cracked S65 block is skyrocketing….if you can find one. Interested in comments

[RalliartRsX]

Australia has a different supply chain that the US, where most people here are based

Not sure if the interest would be there.

[deansbimmer]

A billet block would not be economically feasible, if even possible at all due to the complexity. In the USA it's not worth our time to attempt to repair badly damaged blocks as supply hasn't dwindled that much.

[DrFerry]

Here's an Australian company who have come up with a repair process for S65 blocks with cracked main bearing supports. "In this video, we provide a deep explanation into an even more common S65 engine failure issue that you may not have thought of. We all know the rod bearings need addressing at some point. But, has anyone ever thought about the main bearings? Well, after seeing that the last 5 engines that've come through the workshop have all been seized due to main bearing failure, we sure have. But, don't worry. We have a solution."

BMW M3 S65 MAIN BEARING FAILURE! Rod bearings trumped by main bearings.
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[M3MDavo]

Thanks DrFerry

I believe he attempts repairs to the block main saddle when the bearing shell has spun and damaged the saddle itself but if the block cracks from the number 1 main saddle up to the timing chain guide pivot (or further) I think the block is then unrepairable I guess you guys in the US aren't seeing this too much.

[DrFerry]

Originally Posted by M3MDavo

Thanks DrFerry

I believe he attempts repairs to the block main saddle when the bearing shell has spun and damaged the saddle itself but if the block cracks from the number 1 main saddle up to the timing chain guide pivot (or further) I think the block is then un-repairable I guess you guys in the US aren't seeing this too much.

Yes, you are correct. IF the block is cracked repairing it is often not possible or not economically feasible. We are starting to see some (a few) main bearing failures in the USA and MX. There are a couple of recent threads on this subject on the forum. Here's a link to one of them which happened at 35,000 miles!:
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https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2144578
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