I bought a Burkhart Engineering DLC piston a while back for my oil pump (Z4M). I am contemplating not using it and just buying a new Pierburg pump since some have commented that the latest rev has a DLC piston already and this would minimize time/risk in rebuilding the pump. Any thoughts on pros vs cons other than the price of a new pump?
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I mean if you have the bread, why not do a new pump and a new DLC piston? In an ideal world.
If you open it up and it's DLC already, maybe can return? Not sure Burkarts policy.
The concern with rebuilding something is if it's a good core, so if your pump housing is galled up where the piston you have to go through mental gymnastics of if's good enough or trying to repair. Just because it came out of a running car does not mean it's always an ideal candidate to repair. If you can afford the downtime, I'd verify the condition of your original pump. If not probably safer to go new, if downtime is a constraint and budget allows.Build Thread:
https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/m...-new-pb-at-msr -
If your current pump is working, why do any of this? I would not even take apart the pump.
If I see normal S54 bearing wear and the engine had good oil change intervals, I'd just stick to changing the bearings.Comment
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Z4M pumps have a teflon coated aluminum piston that does not wear very well according to a few sources and some German sources have indicated failures. A lot of Z4M seem to have quite a bit worse bearing wear for the mileage vs E46 M3s.Originally posted by Slideways View PostComment
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They have the later engines, so just like later E46 M3s, they did not get a bearing recall to get fresh bearings at say 20-50k miles. Bearings on later S54s at 100k will look similar to early S54s with 150k.Originally posted by chris719 View Post
Typical bearing wear, 7500k oil changes, no red oil pressure light - I'm putting the pump back in. If the engine internals are heavily stained and it was neglected, yeah I'd pull apart the pump, check the piston and put it in an ultrasonic cleaner. Heavily pitted, scored or damaged - time for a new Pierburg pump.Comment
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On a side note...why is a genuine pump (on ECS at least) ~$860 and a Pierburg is ~$1070.2004 Silbergrau Metallic 6MT
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Just a personal take, my s54 Z4M had 49k miles on it and was tracked by previous owner when I purchased it.. When I replaced the RBs @ 50k miles the RBs had started showing copper and the oil pump piston had a decent amount of scoring. I replaced the piston with the DLC unit. Didn't see much damage to the oil pump. If you're replacing the RBs and have the oil pump out, its peace of mind.Last edited by amcp1; 01-22-2026, 04:31 PM.Comment
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Take the pump apart and inspect it. If the end plates and rotor are not scored or damaged there is no reason to replace it.
The oil pump is a positive displacement pump in oil service. The only wear item is the spring and seal on the regulator.Comment
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