E9X bearings

[Veedub]

The latest M539 episodes (on his M3) has raised a question about the main bearings on the S65 engine.

The reason for the wear on the upper first main bearing makes sense (dual timing chains on S65 versus S85) putting added stress on the crank and in turn on the bearing.

The rod bearing issue is well known and is usually attended to with a 'sump service'.

If the main bearings are now also an issue, does this mean an engine out job?

When I was searching for an E9X M3 (before prices made it uneconomical), I was budgeting on R35k to do the rod bearings. How much will this now cost?

 

[FiRi@Rennzport]

The latest M539 episodes (on his M3) has raised a question about the main bearings on the S65 engine.

The reason for the wear on the upper first main bearing makes sense (dual timing chains on S65 versus S85) putting added stress on the crank and in turn on the bearing.

The rod bearing issue is well known and is usually attended do with a 'sump service'.

If the main bearings are now also an issue, does this mean an engine out job?

When I was searching for an E9X M3 (before prices made it uneconomical), I was budgeting on R35k to do the rod bearings. How much will this now cost?

@Peter@AEW

Sent from my SM-S918B using Tapatalk

 

[Peter@AEW]

Top rod bearing wear is as a result of detonation and not the timing chains.
The top rod bearing normally wears on the thrust side.

Main bearing wear occurs as soon as big end bearings go out of round
A V8 today will set you back 15kto 18k in parts and 20k labour

 

[Spike m3]

Top rod bearing wear is as a result of detonation and not the timing chains.
The top rod bearing normally wears on the thrust side.

Main bearing wear occurs as soon as big end bearings go out of round
A V8 today will set you back 15kto 18k in parts and 20k labour

Where did you get this price ? I have asked 2 x BMW dealers 1 in JHB and 1 in KZN and the parts are just over 30k and labour between R30-R50…….
I’m desperately looking for a reputable dealer / shop that can do the job and warrantee the work in KZN. At a reasonable price. R60-R80 is just simply too heavy for me.

 

[General.Massacre]

Where did you get this price ? I have asked 2 x BMW dealers 1 in JHB and 1 in KZN and the parts are just over 30k and labour between R30-R50…….
I’m desperately looking for a reputable dealer / shop that can do the job and warrantee the work in KZN. At a reasonable price. R60-R80 is just simply too heavy for me.

Thats because you going to BMW Dealers, they will always be far more expensive.
TuneTech in JHB gave a quote of around R38k to do Bearings on the V8 M3 motor when i was asking around for interest sake.

 

[Spike m3]

Thanks I have sent them a note, would be good if someone knows of similar company in KZN ?

 

[General.Massacre]

Thanks I have sent them a note, would be good if someone knows of similar company in KZN ?

There are only 2 that im aware of from current recent research on my current car process.

SA AutoTech
RM Auto Tech

Ive not personally dealt with either of them, so up to you to ask and do the research.

 

[Spike m3]

Great thanks for the help, I’ll share what I find

 

[General.Massacre]

Thanks.

Im currently looking at a vehicle that is being sold in PTA, it had water damage to the engine, and was deemed not repairable by insurance due to cost, so it was auctioned and bought, and sent to RM Auto Tech (i believe the owners name is Rapesh i think). and he did the Engine rebuild and repairs. and the car is running again, ive seen it personally (M6) and the motor runs well, still need to test drive it, and confirm. but so far so good.

 

[NBN]

Thanks I have sent them a note, would be good if someone knows of similar company in KZN ?

why not send the car over to @Peter@AEW it would be half the price of what the agents charge and you could be assured of a good job, you can make a holiday out of it if timelines align etc....

 

[ClassicB]

When doing the bearings, also budget and ask them to quote you on engine mounts, they are almost each and every time, shot on the e9x M3's. From my experience and owners I have spoken to that had it done.

When you add this, the job at Tunetech will be a bit north of R40k

 

[Veedub]

I'm adding the video here, which sparked my curiosity, cause it seems that people are still focusing on rod bearings and ignoring the main bearings

Above link is where he strips the motor from a donor car.

There is also a video when he strips the motor in his car.

I suggest that any existing or future E9x M3 owner take some time and watch these two videos. The theory around why the main bearings (specifically the one closest to the timing chain) is showing wear, versus the V10 version of the engine, makes complete sense to me.

My question still remains. To do the main bearings; is that an engine out job (I would think so)? This would then make the job extremely expensive

 

[General.Massacre]

When doing the bearings, also budget and ask them to quote you on engine mounts, they are almost each and every time, shot on the e9x M3's. From my experience and owners I have spoken to that had it done.

When you add this, the job at Tunetech will be a bit north of R40k

the 38.8k quote i got from TuneTech included the cost of the Engine mounts if they were deemed needing to be done.
If they weren't required the value was 36k and some change

 

[922-ZN]

There are only 2 that im aware of from current recent research on my current car process.

SA AutoTech
RM Auto Tech

Ive not personally dealt with either of them, so up to you to ask and do the research.

I would stay far away from SA Autotech

 

[kingr]

BMW Bloemfontein quoted today to do the bearing only R50k - R60k.

 

[///Avi]

BMW Bloemfontein quoted today to do the bearing only R50k - R60k.

This isn’t the worst if this work still carry’s a 2 year warranty.

 

[Spike m3]

I know, it would be better if it was R30k-R40k

 

[Veedub]

BMW Bloemfontein quoted today to do the bearing only R50k - R60k.

Was that just for the rod bearings? If so, are you going to do the main bearings as well?

 

[kingr]

Was that just for the rod bearings? If so, are you going to do the main bearings as well?

Yup just for the bearing bud. The service advisor said she has regular customers who do them routinely every 90k km.

No, haha! I don't even own a BMW, let alone a M car. I dropped the wife's Mini off this morning at the dealer and made a quick inquiry.

 

[individj]

BMW Canal Walk SMG quoted a lot less