2006 ZCP Rod Bearings @ 85K

[sapote]

Perfect timing. Seems car wasn't pushed hard by previous owners.

[chris719]

That is the way to buy an M3. I don't trust the average fast and furious ex-owner putting king bearings in the car. Rather do it myself to know it was done right with quality parts. Given the rising prices of S54s, I'd always immediately do rod bearings when buying an E46...and even an E9X.

Agreed. I think if done properly even King bearings would be ok though. I personally went with ACL H and HX and sent them myself to Calico to get coated to recover some of the clearance, I liked how the VAC Calico coated bearings seemed to look when coming out of engines, but VAC wouldn't tell me what their target clearance is. I plastigauged all 6 to 0.002" (0.0051 mm) and used the entire HX set and did not mix with the H. Hot idle and load oil pressure seems roughly the same as before.

[bigjae46]

I picked the car up about three weeks ago - I knew none of the big three were done.

That is the way to buy an M3. I don't trust the average fast and furious ex-owner putting king bearings in the car. Rather do it myself to know it was done right with quality parts. Given the rising prices of S54s, I'd always immediately do rod bearings when buying an E46...and even an E9X.

[sasha]

Here is a thread that the oil analysis (if so inclined to ask for it now) and that picture would be good to document in.

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/main-forum/e46-2001-2006/801-rod-bearing-showcase-thread/page3

[~CSL~]

Just curious, did you run an oil analysis before you replaced them? I’m at 88K miles and haven’t replaced mine but have 10 years worth excellent oil analysis reports so have held off on doing them. It’s the only big 3 I haven’t done yet

I picked the car up about three weeks ago - I knew none of the big three were done. The previous owner told me everything was good and that the Blackstone reports were clean, offered to send them to me, but I declined. I was having the bearings done either way - so I never asked for them. I didn't really even drive the car once I got it - the first real miles on it were freeway speeds heading to the shop.

Take that for what it is worth - but if I were you, I'd get them done.

[simon_c]

Just curious, did you run an oil analysis before you replaced them? I’m at 88K miles and haven’t replaced mine but have 10 years worth excellent oil analysis reports so have held off on doing them. It’s the only big 3 I haven’t done yet

[~CSL~]

Just a data point for everything we already know, and for anyone "one the fence" about doing the bearings. When I picked mine up a few weeks ago, I took it directly to a shop to have the VANOS and rod bearing done, glad I did. Really just a reference info...

Cheers,