Just one more rod bearing post...

[_BSMM5]

All this talk about rod bearings failing and impending doom has my wallet shaking in its pocket...

Options are:

1. Proactively replace rod/piston/sleeve with forged components
2. Drive it like you stole it until something breaks and do a complete rebuild
3. Park it and only take it out for Sunday Strolls to church under 3k RPMS

I'm in a 2013 with 50k miles. People are saying rod bearings should be replaced at 60k. This looks like way to big of a job for my skills and theres limited information on the type of product to replace it with and the costs associated.

So - How much are we looking to spend to replace rod bearings/rods with forged rods with install?

How much is this compared to just waiting until the engine goes and replacing it?

[Dwaynos]

I am currently researching this. I don't think forged rods are necessary unless you are wanting to run high power.

Once i have more details i will add all my new found knowledge here.

[Chaman]

Are you sure these motors need new bearings after 60k miles?

Doesn't seem realistic.

Forget sleeving the block though. Send it in to Cylinder Support System and have them make it a close deck block

[mrtt]

Originally Posted by jbharshman

All this talk about rod bearings failing and impending doom has my wallet shaking in its pocket...

Options are:

1. Proactively replace rod/piston/sleeve with forged components
2. Drive it like you stole it until something breaks and do a complete rebuild
3. Park it and only take it out for Sunday Strolls to church under 3k RPMS

I'm in a 2013 with 50k miles. People are saying rod bearings should be replaced at 60k. This looks like way to big of a job for my skills and theres limited information on the type of product to replace it with and the costs associated.

So - How much are we looking to spend to replace rod bearings/rods with forged rods with install?

How much is this compared to just waiting until the engine goes and replacing it?

You only hear when there is a problem and on F10 platform, it's not as common as E60/E90. There are plenty of high mileage M5s without RB issues. I guess if you really wanted to change them out you can but I wouldn't worry too much. There are other things that could go wrong with your car. Just enjoy your car.

[Dwaynos]

Originally Posted by mrtt

You only hear when there is a problem and on F10 platform, it's not as common as E60/E90. There are plenty of high mileage M5s without RB issues. I guess if you really wanted to change them out you can but I wouldn't worry too much. There are other things that could go wrong with your car. Just enjoy your car.

Is it not as common or do you just not hear about it because people have warranties and their engines get replaced free of charge? I've seen enough posts and other sources of info that suggest rod bearing failure does happen with the f10, gets me paranoid. I think it's worth replacing them just to be sure.

Once I have replaced mine I will add photos of the process and the old bearings.

[GiddyAssassin]

Originally Posted by Dwaynos

Is it not as common or do you just not hear about it because people have warranties and their engines get replaced free of charge? I've seen enough posts and other sources of info that suggest rod bearing failure does happen with the f10, gets me paranoid. I think it's worth replacing them just to be sure.

Once I have replaced mine I will add photos of the process and the old bearings.

Why don't you just do an oil test before you just throw money away?

[Dwaynos]

Originally Posted by GiddyAssassin

Why don't you just do an oil test before you just throw money away?

An oil test may not show any problems. Better to be safe than sorry. Throwing money away is 6k on an akrapovic exhaust. Not £500 on engine bearings.

[_BSMM5]

Originally Posted by Dwaynos

An oil test may not show any problems. Better to be safe than sorry. Throwing money away is 6k on an akrapovic exhaust. Not £500 on engine bearings.

$1k if you do it yourself with the OEM rod bearing kit, if you have a shop do it its looking in the ball park of $2-5k installed.

I've been sending out quote requests to well-rated shops around Texas (I would only want someone I trust has solid experience with BMWs to pull the engine out).

So far, ABR in Houston said they haven't had any S63's come into the shop for rod bearings but mainly E9x... They do a lot of business in Houston and seem to be very enthusiastic about their work on BMW's. The tech himself said he daily's a 14 M5, has it tuned to ~800 hp, and just hit 75k miles - stock engine components, no knock no issues with bearings. This was a nice perspective...

Replacing rod bearings is much cheaper labour than full on pistons/rods. The rod bearings can be replaced from underneath the engine, while rods/pistons need to have a complete engine pull and I was told prices start at $25k to pull the engine out and machine the cylinders for sleeves/pistons...

[Dwaynos]

Ball park in the UK is £500 if doing the job yourself. I'll add the exact figures when everything has been ordered.

The engine wont have to come out for this job, remove the front sub frame and access will be easy.

It's nice to hear the tech has an m5. Always fills you full of confidence. It works the same way when I park mine outside my garage. Customers are happy to leave their car and are full of confidence themselves when they see what I drive.

[mrtt]

Originally Posted by Dwaynos

Is it not as common or do you just not hear about it because people have warranties and their engines get replaced free of charge? I've seen enough posts and other sources of info that suggest rod bearing failure does happen with the f10, gets me paranoid. I think it's worth replacing them just to be sure.

Once I have replaced mine I will add photos of the process and the old bearings.

It does happen on the F10 but you just don't hear as much as E60/E90 platform. Maybe it happens less, maybe people are not posting problems here, who knows. But if you start thinking about what could go wrong with your car, you won't be able to sleep because there can be many other problems. I guess if it worries you that much then you could change them out. Keep us posted on the condition when you get them out.

[Dwaynos]

Originally Posted by mrtt

It does happen on the F10 but you just don't hear as much as E60/E90 platform. Maybe it happens less, maybe people are not posting problems here, who knows. But if you start thinking about what could go wrong with your car, you won't be able to sleep because there can be many other problems. I guess if it worries you that much then you could change them out. Keep us posted on the condition when you get them out.

It wont be for another month or so but i will post pics when finished.

[_BSMM5]

Originally Posted by Dwaynos

It wont be for another month or so but i will post pics when finished.

This forum would probably love you if you took pictures of the process showing the steps.. so far there is nothing of the sort. I have some wrench skills but not enough to comfortably open up the block.

[Dwaynos]

Getting to the bearings is a fair size job but doesn't require alot of skills. You just need some knowledge when it comes to the replacing the shells, precautions you should take, correct and clean assembly and checking clearances etc.

[bruiser135msport]

upper shells are different then lower ones. and they have directions. and you need to buy once you remove yours and find out what color code you have.

It’s a 10-15 hour job and cleanliness must be fastidious ; and once finished you need to check for metal and then you must change oil again (after recommenced run-in period).

It’s not just about changing the bearing shells .


Cheers
Bruce

[bruiser135msport]

ACL Race Rod Bearings and much better then the Bmw OEM Bearings :

https://fcp-engineering.com/en/bmw/1...1578h-025.html

[_BSMM5]

Originally Posted by bruiser135msport

ACL Race Rod Bearings and much better then the Bmw OEM Bearings :

https://fcp-engineering.com/en/bmw/1...1578h-025.html

Wow thats cheap.

Carbahn wants $9k USD for 8 of their forged pistons... and these guys want €749.00. Thats a large difference.

https://fcp-engineering.com/en/s63b4...ting-rods.html

[bruiser135msport]

G’day
That’s the price for a single item Not a complete set of Conrods !

cheers
Bruce

[jairomvp182]

i have never heard of bearing being an issue in our platform

[Dwaynos]

Originally Posted by bruiser135msport

G’day
That’s the price for a single item Not a complete set of Conrods !

cheers
Bruce

Quantity: 8 pcs., 16 pcs. ARP2000 5/16" bolts

Looks like full kit to me.

[Dwaynos]

Originally Posted by jairomvp182

i have never heard of bearing being an issue in our platform

Theres plenty of posts and videos to suggest that it could be an issue. Just maybe kept on the quiet as some people have little car knowledge and just have the engines replaced under warranty. The E92 m3 scene is a little more car enthusiast/diy/ mechanic based. Spoke to a BMW specialist here in the UK that said up to now they haven't had to replace any but did say they have one coming in with an engine knock and they are sure it will be rod bearings.

[mister2d]

Originally Posted by jairomvp182

i have never heard of bearing being an issue in our platform

Maybe now is the time as this platform ages.

[technician117]

Originally Posted by jbharshman

$1k if you do it yourself with the OEM rod bearing kit, if you have a shop do it its looking in the ball park of $2-5k installed.

I've been sending out quote requests to well-rated shops around Texas (I would only want someone I trust has solid experience with BMWs to pull the engine out).

So far, ABR in Houston said they haven't had any S63's come into the shop for rod bearings but mainly E9x... They do a lot of business in Houston and seem to be very enthusiastic about their work on BMW's. The tech himself said he daily's a 14 M5, has it tuned to ~800 hp, and just hit 75k miles - stock engine components, no knock no issues with bearings. This was a nice perspective...

Replacing rod bearings is much cheaper labour than full on pistons/rods. The rod bearings can be replaced from underneath the engine, while rods/pistons need to have a complete engine pull and I was told prices start at $25k to pull the engine out and machine the cylinders for sleeves/pistons...

If you're looking for a shop in Texas, check out RKautowerks. He builds a lot of S63's and can handle an in-house engine swap/rebuild for someone if needed.