To buy an e92 M3 or not? Rod bearings

[nyfg56]

I have been set on an e92 m3 to upgrade from my 335 for a few months and am ready to pull the trigger but all the rod bearing failure threads have me very concerned as of late. Should I be worried or is it overhyped like some say?

[ksa]

Get warranty and have the peace of mind.

[kb9uwu]

Be worried.

[nyfg56]

Originally Posted by ksa

Get warranty and have the peace of mind.

I wouldn't be able I don't think as I'd be getting an 08 or 09 with around 60-80k

[nyfg56]

Originally Posted by kb9uwu

Be worried.

Yikes. Have problems yourself?

[Uber V8]

Get a C63

But seriously, it's either get upgraded bearings or just drive the car and know your risk of failure is less than 5% or maybe even lower. I'm not even sure that upgraded bearings will be a permanent fix. Not enough time has passed.

[nyfg56]

Originally Posted by Uber V8

Get a C63

But seriously, it's either get upgraded bearings or just drive the car and know your risk of failure is less than 5% or maybe even lower. I'm not even sure that upgraded bearings will be a permanent fix. Not enough time has passed.

It's between an e92 and rs4. I need 6 speed

[spiderspider]

Depends on how big of a boat you plan on hauling with it

[nyfg56]

Originally Posted by spiderspider

Depends on how big of a boat you plan on hauling with it

Lol. Plan on going full catless and tune. Will be a daily and I'll drive it hard

[kb9uwu]

Originally Posted by nyfg56

Yikes. Have problems yourself?

Nope, was being sarcastic. Buy an M3 and enjoy! Getting an aftermarket warranty is a good idea. My aftermarket warranty expires in a few months and I have 95k on the odo. I plan on rolling the dice this fall and trade 'er off next spring for a newer E92 or an M2.

[oolas3]

Whatever purchase price you have in your mind, just add $2500 for rod bearing replacement.

[nyfg56]

Originally Posted by m3m3mr

Whatever purchase price you have in your mind, just add $2500 for rod bearing replacement.

If it fails can't it blow the Engine though?

[oolas3]

Originally Posted by nyfg56

If it fails can't it blow the Engine though?

Yes, it will destroy the engine. I'm suggesting you buy the M3 and immediately upgrade the rod bearings so as not to worry.

[MaximusB]

I was on the same boat as you several months ago when I was deciding on a m3. I was a a little taken back at first with the rod bearing issue that I read on the forum. However like most people will tell you that the number of people with failed rod bearings are fairly low, and people who don't have issue with their generally don't make post about it.

Another thing to look at is the BMW M Registry site, http://www.bmwmregistry.com/model_faq.php?id=50#2

According to that site there are an approximately 65,985 of various M3 models made between late 2007 and late 2013. Given that, lets assume there are about 1000 reported case of failed rod bearings that is still only 1.5% failure rate. Even if you assume there are approximately 5000 m3 that have rod bearing issues from various forums, that is still 7.5%.

Like other said, I would find one where you still have warranty or have an option to buy extended warranty because from my research prior to my purchase the throttle actuator tends to fail as well as other misc. sensors along the way. You'll wanna be covered for those as well.

[nyfg56]

Originally Posted by MaximusB

I was on the same boat as you several months ago when I was deciding on a m3. I was a a little taken back at first with the rod bearing issue that I read on the forum. However like most people will tell you that the number of people with failed rod bearings are fairly low, and people who don't have issue with their generally don't make post about it.

Another thing to look at is the BMW M Registry site, http://www.bmwmregistry.com/model_faq.php?id=50#2

According to that site there are an approximately 65,985 of various M3 models made between late 2007 and late 2013. Given that, lets assume there are about 1000 reported case of failed rod bearings that is still only 1.5% failure rate. Even if you assume there are approximately 5000 m3 that have rod bearing issues from various forums, that is still 7.5%.

Like other said, I would find one where you still have warranty or have an option to buy extended warranty because from my research prior to my purchase the throttle actuator tends to fail as well as other misc. sensors along the way. You'll wanna be covered for those as well.

Would I be able to get warranty on a used 08/09?

[MaximusB]

I think that will depends on where you are getting it from? I'm not sure how it works in the states. When I bought my through the dealer I was able to purchase a 3rd party extended warranty through my BMW dealer on top of the original manufacturer warranty, all in all my car is covered bumper to bumper till end of 2023.

[nyfg56]

Originally Posted by MaximusB

I think that will depends on where you are getting it from? I'm not sure how it works in the states. When I bought my through the dealer I was able to purchase a 3rd party extended warranty through my BMW dealer on top of the original manufacturer warranty, all in all my car is cover bumper to bumper till end of 2023.

Thanks man I'll definitely have to look into that. Can the rod bearring failure blow the engine though?

[MaximusB]

Yes it will.

Based on my experience with modding imports (many years ago when I was younger), there are telltale signs of a rod bearing failure. You'll first hear knocking noise when the engine is cold, morning start-up, and it'll go away once the engine is at operating temperature. It'll gradually worsen and you'll hear it when the engine is under load. Usually by that point you'll want to do a full tear down of the motor and inspect for other damages. From my previous experience on other cars you'll need to stop driving it as soon as you hear knock during start-up. Hard to really describe what rod knock sounds like but once you hear it you'll never forget it.

[cmo_93]

Its blown way out of proportion. You've got to realize that most of the M community is NOT on this forum.

People join forums like this to either find out whats wrong with their car or discuss the car. So you're dealing with a very limited population.

In the grand scheme of things, I never heard a single thing about rod bearings from any other M driver. In fact , I never heard of the issue until I got on this forum.

Any high performance car has its issues, especially in the first few years of prod. Even the ISF had issues.

When buying a performance car, you buy it to enjoy it. Buy the one you enjoy most, get a warranty and enjoy it. Don't let like 1% of people (who could have caused their issues) scare you away from a great car.

[Rat3d ///M]

Can we make rod bearing threads illegal, punishable by death?

[8k4]

Aztec style

[nyfg56]

So it's blown out of proportion and it shouldn't scare me away from getting one is what I'm taking away from this?