[BigNunz6]

Does anyone know if BMW included these cars in the rod bearing recall?
If not then how does that work if you bought a used 2001-2002 and somewhere down the line the bearings fail?? Thanks...

[epbrown]

As far as I know they didn't; the Z3M wasn't as susceptible to the issue because of the lower rpm limit BMW put on them. (I just checked, and Wikipedia confirms this, for what it's worth). The Z3M was included in the extended warranty (6 years/100k) but that has passed. You're on your own.

FWIW, I've never heard of rod bearing fail...

[BigNunz6]

Originally Posted by epbrown

As far as I know they didn't; the Z3M wasn't as susceptible to the issue because of the lower rpm limit BMW put on them. (I just checked, and Wikipedia confirms this, for what it's worth). The Z3M was included in the extended warranty (6 years/100k) but that has passed. You're on your own.

FWIW, I've never heard of rod bearing fail...

Thanks for the info...I don't know of anybody having rod bearing failure either but I don't wanna be the first...
I have known people with 2001 -2002 M3's that have had the rod bearing recall done.
EDIT... sry Mr Brown...I should have Stated "engine failure" not rod bearing failure..
FWIW ..obviously you knew exactly what I was asking...thanks again.

[mpire]

BMW did not extend the recall on the Z3s, mostly because they could get away with not doing anything about it.

There were less than 2000 total Z3s with the S54.

You can do the recall yourself if you are really worried, but most of the ones that were going to blow up have long since exploded.

BMW did extend the warranty on the engine to 8 years 100k miles on all the S54 Z3s.

[sjdennis]

I have a 2001 with 64,000 miles. I just have the oil analysis done at every oil change and look for anything unusual. Hopefully, I will get some warning before it blows up so I can get them changed. So far so good

[mpire]

I do the same thing.

Blackstone test on every change.

Honestly, those of us who do the 3-5k oil changes have had no issues.

Those of use who do the BMW recommended 15-20k oil changes have had more issues.

I wouldn't worry about it to be honest.

[deilenberger]

Originally Posted by mpire

BMW did not extend the recall on the Z3s, mostly because they could get away with not doing anything about it.

There were less than 2000 total Z3s with the S54.

You can do the recall yourself if you are really worried, but most of the ones that were going to blow up have long since exploded.

Unfortunately - not so true. There was a report on a forum (was it here?) about two weeks ago from someone who caught the bearings before the engine exploded based on a Blackstone oil analysis, which showed a sudden large increase in copper in the oil. Copper is what's under the actual bearing metal on the bearings, meaning the bearing was gone. Only one had gone to copper, but if it had seized, it would have been new block time.

As others do - I short-change the oil changes (usually once a year since I don't do 5,000 miles a year on the coupe) and I get a Blackstone report done every time (the basic report is only $25.. no need for an extended use report since the oil isn't going to be used for an extended interval.)

BMW did extend the warranty on the engine to 8 years 100k miles on all the S54 Z3s.

Yup. That's their usual way of saying "Well, we screwed up, but we'll double the warranty and hope it blows up after the 8 year interval." Since many of these cars get very low miles put on them (mine has 59,100 as of yesterday, first time it's left the garage since Christmas..) Chances are good BMW saved money over actually fixing the problem.

[mpire]

High mileage coupe you have there.

We all do the Blackstone analysis, its good insurance.

I am replacing the bearings on both of my Coupes proactively this summer, better safe than sorry.

However, I really don't think its a factor like it used to be, some of them blew to hell before 10k miles.

And everything I said was true, you just reinforced it.

No worries, because the prices on Coupes are skyrocketing of late.

And its so very rewarding to drive a coupe, everyone should have one.