E90 170k rod bearing question

Mvy wrote

OMG we went from rod bearing mania to global warming arguments. Man has this gone off track.

Mvy wrote

OMG we went from rod bearing mania to global warming arguments. Man has this gone off track.

He started it! but I agree.

this thread finally got interesting.

I regret my post. But I stand by it.

Now let's throw in some Trump material..

Probably a very unpopular opinion here, but... food for thought:

If the engine and bearings have lasted this long, what are the chances that the bearings should not be replaced at all, since the entire mechanical system has worn uniformly over the course of 170k miles? I would be afraid to crack open an engine wih that many miles, and return just one assembly to factory clearances. It seems like youve gotten a golden egg of an s65. What are the chances that tampering with whatever miraculous assembly quality/combination youve inherited is actually going to be a detriment to the longevity of this particular build?



Thoughts?

Interested to see pictures after this job is complete Wednesday. I hope all goes well for you on this.

Zambiniftm wrote

Probably a very unpopular opinion here, but... food for thought:

If the engine and bearings have lasted this long, what are the chances that the bearings should not be replaced at all, since the entire mechanical system has worn uniformly over the course of 170k miles? I would be afraid to crack open an engine wih that many miles, and return just one assembly to factory clearances. It seems like youve gotten a golden egg of an s65. What are the chances that tampering with whatever miraculous assembly quality/combination youve inherited is actually going to be a detriment to the longevity of this particular build?



Thoughts?

Using stock bearings maybe, extra clearance not really. But I do agree at that mileage an engine out refresh would be the way to go...

I would do what the OP is doing. Change the rod bearings as preventative maintenance and keep driving. Consider a rebuild at 250k miles if a compression leak down test warrants it.

If you want to be a worrier or want to throw money at the motor or are a curious and skilled DIYer, consider refreshing the main bearings at some point along the way since they seem to be the next weak link.

Zambiniftm wrote

Probably a very unpopular opinion here, but... food for thought:

If the engine and bearings have lasted this long, what are the chances that the bearings should not be replaced at all, since the entire mechanical system has worn uniformly over the course of 170k miles? I would be afraid to crack open an engine wih that many miles, and return just one assembly to factory clearances. It seems like youve gotten a golden egg of an s65. What are the chances that tampering with whatever miraculous assembly quality/combination youve inherited is actually going to be a detriment to the longevity of this particular build?



Thoughts?

I’m surprised no one mentioned this earlier.

I was going to go with stock bearings for that reason.. But 95% of the people in here recommended BE. Along with the place doing the bearings.

The car is at the shop now.. They Quoted 18hrs .. lol

So the car will probably be done tomorrow, or Friday.

Zambiniftm wrote

Probably a very unpopular opinion here, but... food for thought:

If the engine and bearings have lasted this long, what are the chances that the bearings should not be replaced at all, since the entire mechanical system has worn uniformly over the course of 170k miles? I would be afraid to crack open an engine wih that many miles, and return just one assembly to factory clearances. It seems like youve gotten a golden egg of an s65. What are the chances that tampering with whatever miraculous assembly quality/combination youve inherited is actually going to be a detriment to the longevity of this particular build?



Thoughts?

Keep eating your popcorn, you are not the first one to pose that question (knowledgeable people on the topic know better). There is zero chance there is uniform wear and that id not how things work, if there is wear it's only a matter of time before the bearing spins as proved the many high mileage failures.

It goes against industry standards and known facts. Manufacture's guidance on bearing wear and causes.

The risk of not changing the bearings and something going wrong is greater than the risk of changing them and something going wrong.

bmwpower603 wrote

I was going to go with stock bearings for that reason.. But 95% of the people in here recommended BE. Along with the place doing the bearings.

The car is at the shop now.. They Quoted 18hrs .. lol

Stock bearings are the worse option to go with on the market today. Goes against all industry standards and recommendations from experienced engine builders.

Paying a shop 18hrs to do bearings is just as stupid as considering stock bearings.

bmwpower603 wrote

The car is at the shop now.. They Quoted 18hrs

Wait. 18hrs? My bearing job was 8hrs from drop off to pickup. Even if you double that you're not to 18hrs...

Sounds like someone is about to get bent over!!

You are getting ripped off at 18 hours. I would have taken it somewhere else — like a shop that has done them before and charges a flat rate. Here is a post from a shop in CA with a few pricing options that gives you an idea what this job should cost:

https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1364644

I know they are bending me over. Another shop I called was the same price.

3D Autoworks in hudson NH was $1000 cheaper. But they wanted to do compression test, and leak down test before hand. (And they originally told me they won’t do them since the miles are to high)

Just want them to get done. .

I’ll save some $ by doing the plugs, coils, and vcg myself.

pbonsalb wrote

You are getting ripped off at 18 hours. I would have taken it somewhere else — like a shop that has done them before and charges a flat rate. Here is a post from a shop in CA with a few pricing options that gives you an idea what this job should cost:

https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1364644

I don't think SSR set a good base line to compare to the rest of the country. SSR are cheap they do a lot of them and have a lot of bay's to fill/guys to keep busy and experience to do it same day. Performance Technic in Fremont charge $2700 for rod bearing service. Maybe I missed it but did OP state what the hourly rates were? 18 hours at $85/hour isn't terrible plus materials. Now If its $150/hour that's getting up there...

SAMM3Y wrote

I don't think SSR set a good base line to compare to the rest of the country. SSR are cheap they do a lot of them and have a lot of bay's to fill/guys to keep busy and experience to do it same day. Performance Technic in Fremont charge $2700 for rod bearing service. Maybe I missed it but did OP state what the hourly rates were? 18 hours at $85/hour isn't terrible plus materials. Now If its $150/hour that's getting up there...

I think hourly rate is $100-$115 /hr

If I had known it was 18 hours of labor then would of bought stock in Vaseline before had since they're ramming it home.

tdott wrote

Keep eating your popcorn, you are not the first one to pose that question (knowledgeable people on the topic know better). There is zero chance there is uniform wear and that id not how things work, if there is wear it's only a matter of time before the bearing spins as proved the many high mileage failures.

It goes against industry standards and known facts. Manufacture's guidance on bearing wear and causes.

The risk of not changing the bearings and something going wrong is greater than the risk of changing them and something going wrong.

Fair enough!

randrews15 wrote

If I had known it was 18 hours of labor then would of bought stock in Vaseline before had since they're ramming it home.

It's not even close to 18hrs. My mech took about 7 hrs with me asking a million questions and taking our time. An experienced shop should take no longer than 8-9 hours.

If original rod bearings made to 170K, I would've leave it alone. Probably they are good for another 170K. If original owner was a forum member it was his 4th bearing. Mine has 84K miles daily drive. I really drive the car hard and no plan for RB replacement. Oil change every 6-8K miles when I have time. Having an accident and totaling the car has more chance than RB failure..