Rod Bearing Showcase Thread

[Ipeciulis]

2004 M3 with 141k miles. As far as I know the rod bearings have never been replaced and I was really worried. First report came back with really good news. I have sent out another sample and waiting for results.
I do oil changes myself with Liqui Moly 10w-60.
It has been daylied in Illinois for 10 years now so it has seen all kinds of weather. Warmed up 30 seconds before driving, oil changed every 5k and has seen redline every day.

[DropTopKingM3]

Good call on replacing them 👍

[cobra]

2005 with 100k miles. First 50k miles were original owner who did 15k oil changes @ the dealer. Second 50k were me and I did 7500mi oil changes with TWS 10w60.

The copper in the report worried me so I did the bearings. I would say they are definitely wearing out but don't look quite as bad as others I have seen. They probably could have gone a little longer with no ill effects.



1, 2, 3 tops


4, 5, 6 tops


All the bottoms looked new

[Nate047]

108K miles and 2001 MY. Bearing still looks good, and so depending on driving style, the bearings condition might be for 108K miles, or less if the dealer had replaced them. Call up the dealer and ask for bearing renew history.

Yea my car did have the recall performed at like 32k miles or something like that.

[DropTopKingM3]

Bearings still have a lot of life in them -- as you said they are only 50K miles. Why replace?

I was doing a full refresh and rebuild so I threw it in there as part of the big 3. The recall was done early in its life but I had no records of it being done. I’ve had it for 16 years and I’m looking to hang onto it for many many more.

Also I have a lot of VERY cold starts. Times where I don’t start my car for weeks or months.

[sapote]

7/2001 build 72k miles. Rod bearings were done in its very early life around 20k miles.

Bearings still have a lot of life in them -- as you said they are only 50K miles. Why replace?

[sapote]

51402432488_c49261ef3d_k by Nate Hassler, on Flickr

Mystery bearings with mystery miles. Car has 108k total. No idea when these were done, and with what bearings. What do you guys think?

Glad to have the job done, one less thing to worry about. Had VANOS done as well. Big 3 officially complete.

108K miles and 2001 MY. Bearing still looks good, and so depending on driving style, the bearings condition might be for 108K miles, or less if the dealer had replaced them. Call up the dealer and ask for bearing renew history.

[Nate047]

They have kind of a weird wear pattern, but I don't see any copper so they aint too bad?

Yea I mean I'm far from an expert, they don't look bad but I'm glad I did them still for peace of mind.

[DropTopKingM3]

7/2001 build 72k miles. Rod bearings were done in its very early life around 20k miles.

[cobra]

They have kind of a weird wear pattern, but I don't see any copper so they aint too bad?

[Nate047]

51402432488_c49261ef3d_k by Nate Hassler, on Flickr

Mystery bearings with mystery miles. Car has 108k total. No idea when these were done, and with what bearings. What do you guys think?

Glad to have the job done, one less thing to worry about. Had VANOS done as well. Big 3 officially complete.

[coolchill]

BMW should have the info in their system. Give them your VIN.
Here is the SIB I have.

Awesome, greatly appreciate the SIB, I had seen it as a file on the old forum & I think I forgot to download it.

As a follow up to you or any with experience, I have the Schwaben fluid pump for oil changes, from here at ECS.


Since it vacuums out the oil from the top/ dipstick tube, what do you suggest for when I send oil to blackstone? Would the best be from about halfway of this 6.5 liter tank, like about the liter #2 or #3, or I'm open to any suggestions for my car's future oil analysis.

Thanks In Advance again

[old///MFanatic]

I have a 2002 car with an unknown SIB history on the rod bearings. I believe the SIB wasn't a full recall, is there anyway to find out if my car had the SIB applied to its rod bearings (date & mileage) or can I see the details of the SIB? Thanks in advance.

BMW should have the info in their system. Give them your VIN.
Here is the SIB I have.

[coolchill]

5/22/2003 was the cutoff date from the SIB I have.

I have a 2002 car with an unknown SIB history on the rod bearings. I believe the SIB wasn't a full recall, is there anyway to find out if my car had the SIB applied to its rod bearings (date & mileage) or can I see the details of the SIB? Thanks in advance.

[E-FARAOH]

Here are my rod bearings from my recent service. I’m the second owner (since 1200 miles) and car is 03/04 build with 76k miles, car has been supercharged for the past 30k ish miles. I opted for WPC treated OEM bearings and OEM hardware. Nice to hopefully not worry about this for another 75k-100k miles!