Do all E9x M3 have rod bearing problems?

M3Post wrote

The post appreciate button is your friend.

Yes, Supercharged Mustangs use 5W50

No difference in smoothness or power noticed that I recall.

If I recall correctly- sometimes Liquid Moly has caused sump or valve train ticking sounds for some S65 M3 owners.

The Ceratec additive has caused ticking sounds? Or the 10w60 oil? I remember when I switched from liqui moly 10w60 to motul xpower 10w60 my mpg went up and the car felt way smoother.

Any reasoning behind the 5w50? How long are your oil change intervals? Any other secret sauces or tips?

M3Post wrote

The post appreciate button is your friend.

Yes, Supercharged Mustangs use 5W50

No difference in smoothness or power noticed that I recall.

If I recall correctly- sometimes Liquid Moly has caused sump or valve train ticking sounds for some S65 M3 owners.

I am going to go out on a limb.. i think these S65 motors need their oil changed often. Like 3-6k miles and I bet that most people who have had rod bearing issues do not do that. Here you are with an 08 supercharged m3 108k miles and here I am with 2 m3's and used to have an 09 and we never have had rod bearing issues. KNOCK ON WOOD. So here are 4 m3's without issues. One thing i did is change my oil every 3k miles. Yes i know I am a nutjob but hey I have not had any rod bearing issues... yet. Lol probably will today though.. LOL

Whats the deal tho right??

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///M Power-Belgium wrote

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Lol!! Who is Rod anyway?

Headhunter.M3 wrote

M3Post wrote

The post appreciate button is your friend.

Yes, Supercharged Mustangs use 5W50

No difference in smoothness or power noticed that I recall.

If I recall correctly- sometimes Liquid Moly has caused sump or valve train ticking sounds for some S65 M3 owners.

I am going to go out on a limb.. i think these S65 motors need their oil changed often. Like 3-6k miles and I bet that most people who have had rod bearing issues do not do that. Here you are with an 08 supercharged m3 108k miles and here I am with 2 m3's and used to have an 09 and we never have had rod bearing issues. KNOCK ON WOOD. So here are 4 m3's without issues. One thing i did is change my oil every 3k miles. Yes i know I am a nutjob but hey I have not had any rod bearing issues... yet. Lol probably will today though.. LOL

Whats the deal tho right??

Then don't change your bearings out. Simple as that. Some people like to change it because of the risks involved, which are proven to be there. If you disagree, then don't do anything.

M3Post wrote

I was referring to the oil brand = Liquid Moly not the Ceratec additive you mention.

10W60 is the factory specific oil viscosity and does not cause ticking noise.

My switch the 'thinner' 5W50 was done purely as one avenue toward mitigating rod bearing wear and improve cold pump ability.

My oil change interval is determined by the condition based Dynamic Service iDrive indicator. In other words the car tells me when it's time to change the oil.

This forum has lots of oil related threads. No real secret sauce, except drive it like you stole it. 95% of my car's life has been with 10W60.

Very cool.

wfdeacon88 wrote

Then don't change your bearings out. Simple as that. Some people like to change it because of the risks involved, which are proven to be there. If you disagree, then don't do anything.

I am just tryinh to figure out the best option based on accurate data. It may be stupid to not change them out, it may be a waste of money. All I am saying is it sucks its all over the internet that there have been rod bearing failures on e9x because it hurts our cars resale value. Wish there was a cheaper fix, extended warranty, or better data that shows the failure only happens when the oil is not changed enough or something like that. Hope that makes more sense.

wfdeacon88 wrote

Then don't change your bearings out. Simple as that. Some people like to change it because of the risks involved, which are proven to be there. If you disagree, then don't do anything.

I don't know about you but when I buy a car I look at resale values. The e46 m3 is appreciating like crazy! Low mileage ones go for over 50k. If this rod bearing issue was not all over the internet i bet the e9x would appreciate much better also. Because all the new m3/m4 are turbo.

Headhunter.M3 wrote

wfdeacon88 wrote

Then don't change your bearings out. Simple as that. Some people like to change it because of the risks involved, which are proven to be there. If you disagree, then don't do anything.

I don't know about you but when I buy a car I look at resale values. The e46 m3 is appreciating like crazy! Low mileage ones go for over 50k. If this rod bearing issue was not all over the internet i bet the e9x would appreciate much better also. Because all the new m3/m4 are turbo.

if all of the rod bearing talk hurts resale... as you said.. then, replacing them with increased clearance bearings will make ones car more valuable than the majority of cars that still run OEM.

M3Post wrote

@Headhunter.M3

Find some solace in this thread:

High mileage 08s report in!

https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=682601

You are the man! I needed solace. This gives me that.

My 11 m3 dct has 58k miles. Think i should buy an extended powertrain warranty? Going back and forth. Never has had issues except the throttle actuators have been replaced.

wfdeacon88 wrote

if all of the rod bearing talk hurts resale... as you said.. then, replacing them with increased clearance bearings will make ones car more valuable than the majority of cars that still run OEM.

I am guessing you had your rod bearings replaced?

Headhunter.M3 wrote

wfdeacon88 wrote

if all of the rod bearing talk hurts resale... as you said.. then, replacing them with increased clearance bearings will make ones car more valuable than the majority of cars that still run OEM.

I am guessing you had your rod bearings replaced?

I was purely applying your own logic to your point in resale. It wasn't my opinion.

wfdeacon88 wrote

I was purely applying your own logic to your point in resale. It wasn't my opinion.

You totally got your rod bearings replaced Lol

Headhunter.M3 wrote

wfdeacon88 wrote

I was purely applying your own logic to your point in resale. It wasn't my opinion.

You totally got your rod bearings replaced Lol

I already said that and even posted here the thread where I showed my old bearings. You are a waste of time.

wfdeacon88 wrote

I already said that and even posted here the thread where I showed my old bearings. You are a waste of time.

Hey Man, don't be like that. It's cool you got yours replaced. Atleast you have that peace of mind and I am sure some performance improvements. I am just trying to figure out if it is necessary to replace the bearings. It seems to be a grey area and a repair that expensive is significant.

Hey guys.. i know this is probably not the right place, i am just trying to see if anyone has experience with high manganese levels in oil? Probably wrong place to post this.. sorry. But i was somewhat concerned... Does anyone know what parts of our engines use manganese? My most recent oil analysis was normal except for high manganese. I read somewhere online that manganese is used sometimes on anti friction bearings and in other alloys. This oil wad bmw twin turbo 10w60 on a 2011 m3 dct. All other levels are normal but manganese was 95 while 6k miles ago it was only 1. Very interesting. Any direction is appreciated.


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Here is the blackstone analysis.. i am waiting for their feedback. I think they missed it first time.

Could it be related to the magnesium valve covers? The inside coating flakes off. Maybe it can take some magnesium with it.

Headhunter.M3 wrote

Ok I skimmed this..

So basically the newer models are ok or atleast more reliable? 2011+?

Any using a 0w40,5w40,5w30 oil etc may be helpful also?

No, 2011+ doesn't matter, they still often come out looking terrible with the added bonus of not having lead as a substrate to track on blackstone et al analysis

Richbot wrote

Headhunter.M3 wrote

Ok I skimmed this..

So basically the newer models are ok or atleast more reliable? 2011+?

Any using a 0w40,5w40,5w30 oil etc may be helpful also?

No, 2011+ doesn't matter, they still often come out looking terrible with the added bonus of not having lead as a substrate to track on blackstone et al analysis

This Headhunter guy is a troll, just FYI.

wfdeacon88 wrote

This Headhunter guy is a troll, just FYI.

No I am not. I was genuine in my questions. I see you have been following all my posts and comment rudely. If anyone is being like a troll it is you. I don't appreciate it, just been seeking some advice and trying to enjoy the forum with fellow e9x enthusiasts. I don't get what your deal is? This is a forum for entertainment, fun, advice and good community. I hope you can cheer up man. Go enjoy your m3 and take some back roads on a high speed cruise! I don't want any problems. Thank you.

pbonsalb wrote

Could it be related to the magnesium valve covers? The inside coating flakes off. Maybe it can take some magnesium with it.

Thanks for the input. Found out from Blackstone it was from some race gas I used.