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Thread: BMW E46 M3 rod bearing

  1. #1
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    BMW E46 M3 rod bearing

    Hello Everyone,
    I am planning to buy a 2001 E46 M3 - VIN: WBSBL93451JR11285. I know that E46 M3's produced before 2003.5 have had road bearing issues, which were solved after the recall issued. But the car I'm planning to buy doesn't have a road bearing recall and BMW customer relations rep says that the recall was done based on VIN number not by MY and there is no rod bearing recall for this VIN number.
    Would really appreciate some information on this.
    Thanks
    Last edited by venu31; 01-29-2019 at 04:31 PM.

  2. #2
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    I’d have the moderator move your post to the general mechanical section. The technical experts post there.

  3. #3
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    According to the DCS, the rod bearing recall was done on that VIN at 25,540 miles, November of 2004.

    - - - Updated - - -

    11/24/2004 N/A 25,540
    0011940100 E46 S54 Replacing connecting rod bearing shells and connecting
    rod
    Quote Originally Posted by B4SH View Post
    If anyone knows, it's this guy who knows literally nothing about everything.
    Quote Originally Posted by fcvapor05 View Post
    Do you even OT? The mean 401k around here is probably about $6, what with all the shiny cars and $1,000 watches and donations to get other members' Volvos running.


  4. #4
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    How many miles are on the car now? If it's over 100k, it's time to do them again.
    ASE and BMW Master Certified Technician

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by White94RX View Post
    How many miles are on the car now? If it's over 100k, it's time to do them again.
    The problem was an initial contaminated assembly (at least according to BMW) so I don't think that the replacement bearings are any more susceptible to premature wear than any other BMW.
    Quote Originally Posted by B4SH View Post
    If anyone knows, it's this guy who knows literally nothing about everything.
    Quote Originally Posted by fcvapor05 View Post
    Do you even OT? The mean 401k around here is probably about $6, what with all the shiny cars and $1,000 watches and donations to get other members' Volvos running.


  7. #7
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    A guy in my shop just changed the bearings on his '04 with around 100k. Three were almost totally copper, and the rest were through the top layers getting into the copper. Not a minute too soon. Another guy did his at 100k, and his car had the recall done at 15k. It was the same story. Some were getting into the copper layer. It's basically 100k maintenance on any S54, S65, or S85. Except late S65 that were already built with the updated bearings.

    It's just something I wouldn't chance since it grenades the engine. Spinning a bearing damages the crank and it can't be reused.

    Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
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  8. #8
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    One way to know for sure is to have an oil sample completed. I do one every year as a precaution, and to see how much copper is starting to show up.

    I don't run the car hard much, as I tend to stay below the 7k line and it only sees about 5k miles a year. This is a rather easy way IMO of knowing when it is time to replace the bearings and if other problems are happening.
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  9. #9
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    E46 2002

    [QUOTE=Critter7r;30193815]According to the DCS, the rod bearing recall was done on that VIN at 25,540 miles, November of 2004.



    Hi mate, if I give you the vin number of my 2002 m3 can you tell me. The recall has been done?

    Thanks in advance

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    Quote Originally Posted by Critter7r View Post
    The problem was an initial contaminated assembly (at least according to BMW) so I don't think that the replacement bearings are any more susceptible to premature wear than any other BMW.
    Hi mate, if I give you the vin number of my 2002 m3 could you let me know if the recall has been made?
    Thanks in advance

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Critter7r View Post
    According to the DCS, the rod bearing recall was done on that VIN at 25,540 miles, November of 2004.

    - - - Updated - - -

    11/24/2004 N/A 25,540
    0011940100 E46 S54 Replacing connecting rod bearing shells and connecting
    rod


    Vin no Wbsbl92040jr05071 Could you check it for me? I would be grateful
    Thanks

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    "Invalid chassis number"
    Quote Originally Posted by B4SH View Post
    If anyone knows, it's this guy who knows literally nothing about everything.
    Quote Originally Posted by fcvapor05 View Post
    Do you even OT? The mean 401k around here is probably about $6, what with all the shiny cars and $1,000 watches and donations to get other members' Volvos running.


  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by Critter7r View Post
    "Invalid chassis number"
    Its a UK spec car

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by Kotsonias View Post
    Its a UK spec car
    Is there any way you can check mine or where do i go to check? WBSBL9342JR14131

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by MostWantedE46M3 View Post
    Is there any way you can check mine or where do i go to check? WBSBL9342JR14131
    If it is a U.S. spec car, it will show on the BMW USA website if you have any active recalls out. Or just stop in a dealership with the registration and ask at the service department for any history of work on the car.
    Darin
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  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by MostWantedE46M3 View Post
    Is there any way you can check mine or where do i go to check? WBSBL9342JR14131


    You're 1 digit short
    Quote Originally Posted by B4SH View Post
    If anyone knows, it's this guy who knows literally nothing about everything.
    Quote Originally Posted by fcvapor05 View Post
    Do you even OT? The mean 401k around here is probably about $6, what with all the shiny cars and $1,000 watches and donations to get other members' Volvos running.


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